2023 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
s
ALTAGAS REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2023 RESULTS
AltaGas Delivers on Full Year Guidance and Advances Key Strategic Priorities that will Drive
Long-term Value Creation
Calgary, Alberta (March 8, 2024)
AltaGas Ltd. ("AltaGas" or the "Company") (TSX: ALA) reports fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results,
reaffirms 2024 financial guidance, and provides an update on its operations and other corporate developments.
HIGHLIGHTS
(all financial figures are unaudited and in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted)
▪ Normalized EBITDA1 was $502 million in the fourth quarter and $1,575 million for the full year of 2023, while income
before income taxes was $161 million in the fourth quarter and $912 million for the full year of 2023. Full-year
normalized EBITDA was in the upper-half of the Company's 2023 guidance range of $1.5 billion - $1.6 billion and
included strong performance across the Midstream platform and ongoing enterprise growth.
▪ Normalized EPS1 was $0.76 in the fourth quarter and $1.90 for the full year of 2023, while GAAP EPS2 was $0.40 in
the fourth quarter and $2.27 for the full year of 2023. Full year normalized EPS was slightly below the mid-point of
the Company's 2023 EPS guidance range of $1.85 - $2.05, principally due to higher interest costs weighing on
strong operating performance across the business.
▪ Normalized FFO per share1 was $1.33 in the fourth quarter and $4.00 for the full year of 2023, while cash from
operations per share3 was $0.54 in the fourth quarter and $3.98 for the full year of 2023. Normalized FFO per share
for the quarter increased slightly year-over-year due to higher normalized EBITDA, partially offset by non-cash
items included in normalized EBITDA, higher normalized current income tax expense, and higher interest expense.
▪
▪
▪
The Utilities segment reported normalized EBITDA1 of $311 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $294
million in the fourth quarter of 2022, while income before taxes was $207 million in the fourth quarter of 2023
compared to $80 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The largest drivers of the fourth quarter year-over-year
increase were strong contributions from WGL’s retail business, lower operating and administrative expenses,
continued rate base growth, and the Virginia rate case. These positive factors were partially offset by the Company’s
Alaska Utilities divestiture, lower asset optimization, and warmer weather in Michigan and the District of Columbia
(“DC”).
The Midstream segment reported normalized EBITDA1 of $182 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to
$163 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, while income before taxes in the segment was $79 million in the fourth
quarter of 2023 compared to $113 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The largest drivers of the fourth quarter
year-over-year increase in normalized EBITDA1 included strong performance from the global exports business,
allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”) on the Mountain Valley Pipeline project (“MVP”), and the
absence of inventory write downs.
The global exports business shipped 90,996 Bbl/d of liquified petroleum gases (“LPGs) in the fourth quarter of 2023
and an average of 106,071 Bbls/d during 2023 from the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (“RIPET”) and the
Ferndale terminal (“Ferndale”). Although the fourth quarter is a seasonally low quarter for exports, volumes were
below internal expectations this quarter due to delayed ship arrivals at both terminals during December 2023,
which were loaded in the first quarter of 2024. Despite these timing impacts in the fourth quarter, AltaGas continued
(1) Non-GAAP measure; see discussion and reconciliation to US GAAP financial measures in the advisories of this news release or in AltaGas’ Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) as at and for
the period ended December 31, 2023, which is available on www.sedarplus.ca. (2) GAAP EPS is equivalent to Net income applicable to common shares divided by shares outstanding. (3) Cash from
Operations per share is equivalent to cash from operations divided by shares outstanding.
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to demonstrate the multi-year growth trajectory that has been demonstrated since 2019 while connecting the
Canadian upstream and Asian downstream markets and driving stronger Canadian industry netbacks.
▪ On December 22, 2023, AltaGas closed the acquisition of natural gas processing and storage infrastructure assets
in the Pipestone area of the Alberta Montney (the “Pipestone Acquisition”), including Pipestone natural gas
processing plant phase I (“Pipestone Phase I”), the Pipestone Phase I expansion project (“Pipestone Phase II”), the
Dimsdale natural gas storage facility, and ancillary assets from Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd.
("Tidewater"). AltaGas also declared a positive final investment decision ("FID") on Pipestone Phase II with 100
percent of the capacity contracted under long-term take-or-pay agreements.
▪ AltaGas continued to advance key activities on the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (“REEF”) during and
subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2023. This included commencing site clearing work, including logging, clearing,
and drainage work that will further solidify the project’s readiness to reaching FID, which is expected during the
second quarter of 2024.
▪
In December 2023, AltaGas commissioned the first of two new very large gas carriers (“VLGCs”), the Boreal Pioneer,
which made its maiden voyage from Ferndale to Asia in early January 2024. The second VLGC, the Boreal Voyager,
was commissioned in February 2024. These two seven-year time charters with optional extensions will reduce and
de-risk shipping costs with materially all of AltaGas’ expected Baltic freight exposure protected through time
charters, financial hedges, and tolled volumes in 2024.
▪ On October 20, 2023, Washington Gas executed a definitive agreement with Opal Fuels Inc. (“Opal Fuels”) to
support a renewable natural gas (“RNG”) project at the Prince William County Landfill in Virginia. As part of the
agreement, Washington Gas will become an offtake customer for RNG production and purchase key interconnect
infrastructure for approximately US$25 million and continue to advance long-term climate goals.
▪ On December 14, 2023, the Public Service Commission of Maryland (“PSC of MD”) approved a US$10 million rate
increase with a 9.5 percent return on equity and 52 percent equity thickness. The new rates became effective
immediately.
▪ On December 22, 2023, the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (“PSC of DC”) approved an
increase of approximately US$20 million in revenues, net of approximately US$5 million of costs collected through
the PROJECTpipes surcharge. This included a 9.65 percent return on equity and 52 percent equity thickness. The
new rates went into effect January 19, 2024.
▪ On March 1, 2023, AltaGas closed the divestiture of its Alaskan Utilities for US$800 million (approximately CAD$1.1
billion), prior to closing adjustments. Sale proceeds were used to reduce debt while providing AltaGas with the
financial flexibility to advance its strong growth opportunities across the Midstream and Utilities platforms over the
coming years.
▪ On December 5, 2023, AltaGas’ Board of Directors approved a 6 percent increase to its annual common share
dividends to $1.19 per common share annually ($0.2975 per common share quarterly). This change will be effective
for the dividend that will be paid on March 29, 2024, with long-term dividends expected to continue to compound
by five to seven percent per annum in the years ahead, subject to annual Board approval.
▪ On December 5, 2023, AltaGas released its 2023 ESG Report, highlighting 2022 data for key topics and outlining
progress towards the Company’s sustainability goals within the areas of climate, diversity and inclusion and safety.
▪ AltaGas is pleased with the construction progress on MVP. The pipeline is now 99 percent complete and expected
to be placed into service in the second quarter of 2024 and will provide critical energy security to customers in the
Eastern U.S. As previously disclosed, AltaGas does not consider its equity stake in MVP as core and will consider
value maximizing opportunities as part of the Company’s plan to reach its 4.5x net debt to normalized EBITDA
target once the pipeline is fully operational.
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
2
▪ AltaGas had a series of financing during and subsequent to the fourth quarter, including:
• On October 19, 2023, Washington Gas issued US$200 million in private placement notes, which
includes US$150 million of notes with a 6.06 percent interest rate, maturing on October 14, 2033, and
US$50 million of notes at a 6.43 percent interest rate, maturing on October 15, 2053.
• On November 10, 2023, AltaGas issued $200 million of Hybrid 8.90 percent Fixed-to-Fixed Rate
Subordinated Notes, Series 3, due November 10, 2083. On December 31, 2023, AltaGas used the
proceeds of the hybrid issuance to redeem all of its issued and outstanding Series E Preferred Shares
for $25 per Series E Share, together with all accrued and unpaid dividends.
• On January 8, 2024, AltaGas issued $400 million of senior unsecured medium-term notes with a 4.67
percent coupon. The net proceeds were used to pay down existing indebtedness under AltaGas' credit
facilities (part of which was incurred to fund the debt portion of the Pipestone Acquisition), to fund
working capital, and for general corporate purposes.
▪ AltaGas is reiterating the Company’s 2024 full year guidance, including normalized EBITDA1 of $1,675 million to
$1,775 million, and normalized EPS1 of $2.05 - $2.25.
CEO MESSAGE
“We are pleased with the results delivered during 2023,” said Vern Yu, President and Chief Executive Officer of AltaGas.
“The performance demonstrates the strength of our platform and the actions we have taken to drive long-term value.
“Fourth quarter Midstream performance was strong with normalized EBITDA up 12 percent year-over-year, despite
delays on two LPG export vessels that had loadings pushed into the first quarter of 2024. Canadian upstream
development remains strong as the industry prepares for improved egress and the arrival of LNG Canada. This was
reflected in AltaGas realizing higher year-over-year throughput volumes across our gas processing, fractionation, and
liquids handling businesses during the fourth quarter, as we fill latent capacity and prepare for potential brownfield
expansions to support industry development.
“The recent issues in the Panama Canal reiterated the importance of connecting Canadian LPGs to key Asian
downstream markets and the mutual benefits of a growing Canadian-Pacific energy partnership. We estimate that
Canadian producers realized an approximate US$9.50 per barrel better propane netback through long-term tolling at
RIPET during the fourth quarter compared to selling domestically in the U.S.
“Despite warmer weather in Michigan and DC, the Utilities performed relatively in line with our expectations and were
aided by strong performance from the Retail platform in the fourth quarter. Our Utilities are critical to balancing long-
term energy reliability, affordability, and climate needs across our jurisdictions and have a bright future as the largest
home heating source across each jurisdiction.
“The past year was an active period for AltaGas, including the Pipestone Acquisition, solidifying our REEF joint-venture,
closing the Alaskan Utilities sale, advancing key Midstream commercial de-risking initiatives, and continuing to steadily
grow our Utilities. I am excited about the road ahead, continuing to leverage the strong long-term fundamentals for
natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”), and building on the strong successes of 2023.”
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
3
RESULTS BY SEGMENT
Normalized EBITDA(1)
($ millions)
Utilities
Midstream
Corporate/Other
Normalized EBITDA (1)
(1) Non-GAAP financial measure; see discussion in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures advisories of this news release.
2023
311 $
182
9
502 $
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
294 $
163
(3)
454 $
$
$
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
($ millions)
Utilities
Midstream
Corporate/Other
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
Midstream
$
$
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
2023
207 $
79
(125)
161 $
80 $
113
(115)
78 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
933
607
(3)
1,537
2023
886 $
684
5
1,575 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
548
526
(358)
716
2023
886 $
460
(434)
912 $
The Midstream segment reported normalized EBITDA of $182 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $163
million in the fourth quarter in 2022, while income before taxes was $79 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared
to $113 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The year-over-year increase in normalized EBITDA in the fourth quarter
of 2023 was driven by strong performance from the global exports business, contribution from AFUDC on MVP as the
pipeline moves towards completion, strong marketing performance, and lower operating expenses across a number of
businesses. These factors were partially offset by lower frac spreads and volumes at the extraction facilities, lower power
revenue at Harmattan due to power prices, and the absence of the certain acquisition related commercial disputes and
contingencies present in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Fourth quarter 2023 results included a year-over-year improvement in the profitability of the global exports business
due to stronger Asian-to-North American LPG prices during the quarter. This was partially offset by lower merchant
volumes as AltaGas was successful at increasing long-term tolling, merchant volumes being highly hedged in the
quarter, and lower-than-expected overall export volumes. AltaGas exported 90,996 Bbls/d of LPGs to Asia during the
fourth quarter of 2023, including ten VLGCs at RIPET, and five VLGCs at Ferndale. Although global export volumes
traditionally realize lower volumes in the fourth quarter due to a lack of LPG supply coming from Washington refineries
at Ferndale and weather-related impacts on logistics, volumes were lower-than-expected due to one delayed ship
arrival at RIPET and one delayed ship at Ferndale due to a rail outage.
Over the longer-term, AltaGas continues to see growing demand for LPG exports driven by its structural shipping
advantage to Asia and access to low-cost Canadian supply. This structural advantage has amplified recently due to the
restricted vessel traffic through the Panama Canal, which is driving additional demand for reliable and ratably-sourced
Canadian LPGs and highlights the mutual benefits of a growing Canadian-Pacific energy partnership. AltaGas estimates
that Canadian producers realized an approximate US$9.50 per barrel better propane netback through long-term tolling
at RIPET during the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to selling domestically in the U.S. at Conway.
Performance across the balance of the Midstream platform was strong and in line with the Company’s expectations
during the fourth quarter. This included strong year-over-year volume increases at Townsend and Harmattan and nine
percent year-over-year growth across AltaGas’ Montney footprint during the quarter. This demonstrates the strong
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
4
resumption of development activity in the basin and the Montney being at the center of the long-term basin
development plans. Fractionation volumes were up four percent year-over-year during the fourth quarter of 2023, due
to higher volumes at Harmattan, Younger, and North Pine. AltaGas' realized frac spread averaged $23.13/Bbl, after
transportation costs, as most of AltaGas' frac exposed volumes were hedged in the fourth quarter of 2023.
AltaGas is well-hedged for 2024 with 90 percent of full year 2024 expected global export volumes tolled or financially
hedged with merchant volumes hedged at an average Far East Index (“FEI”) to North American financial hedge price of
approximately US$17.88/Bbl. This includes AltaGas entering the year with approximately 40 percent of global exports
tolled with the expectation of being 50 percent tolled or higher by the end of 2024. Based on AltaGas’ signed deals
and existing customer conversations, the Company expects to achieve or exceed this level of tolling. Approximately 80
percent of the Company’s 2024 expected frac exposed volumes are hedged at approximately US$27.04/Bbl, prior to
transportation costs. AltaGas continues to actively manage risk across the Midstream platform through commercial
constructs and a systematic hedging program that covers key revenue and operating costs.
In December 2023, AltaGas commissioned the first of two VLGCs, the Boreal Pioneer, which made its maiden voyage
from Ferndale to Asia in early January 2024. The second VLGC, the Boreal Voyager, was commissioned in February 2024.
These two seven-year time charters with optional extensions will reduce total shipping costs to Asia by approximately
25 percent compared to a standard VLGC. These two seven-year time charters, combined with financial hedges, and
tolled volumes have principally eliminated AltaGas’ expected Baltic freight exposure in 2024.
Midstream Hedge Program
Global Exports volumes hedged (%) (1)
Average propane/butane FEI to North America average hedge (US$/Bbl) (2)
Fractionation volume hedged (%) (3)
Frac spread hedge rate (US$/Bbl) (3)
Q1 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024
84
99
90
88
18.47
75
28.13
17.37
91
27.51
16.54
19.24
91
27.51
66
25.06
FY 2024
90
17.88
80
27.04
1) Approximate expected volumes hedged. Includes contracted tolling volumes and financial hedges. Based on AltaGas' internally assumed export volumes. AltaGas is
hedged at a higher percentage for firmly committed volumes.
2) Approximate average for the period. Does not include physical differential to FSK for C3 volumes. Butane is hedged as a percentage of WTI.
3) Approximate average for the period.
Utilities
Normalized EBITDA in the Utilities segment was $311 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $294 million
in the same quarter in 2022 while income before taxes was $207 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $80
million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The quarter included strong performance from WGL's retail marketing business,
customer growth, higher revenue from rate base additions from ongoing investments in Accelerated Replacement
Programs (“ARPs”), the impact of Washington Gas' Virginia rate case, and lower operating and administrative expenses.
These factors were partially offset by the lost contribution of the Alaskan Utilities, which were divested in March of
2023, and had contributed $25 million of normalized EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2022, larger-than-normal asset
optimization contribution at Washington Gas in the fourth quarter of 2022, and warmer weather in Michigan and the
DC during the fourth quarter of 2023, which do not have weather normalization or decoupled rate structures. Other
positive factors impacting year-over-year normalized EBITDA included foreign exchange hedge gains and lower
operating and administrative expenses.
AltaGas’ continues to make investment across its Utilities network to improve the safety and reliability of the system
on behalf of its customers. During the fourth quarter of 2023 AltaGas invested $192 million across the Utilities network,
including $130 million across the Company’s various modernization programs. These investments continue to be
directed towards improving the safety and reliability of the system and connecting customers to the critical energy they
require to carry out everyday life. These investments should also reduce leak rates and bring long-term operating cost
benefits to our customers. AltaGas will continue to make these critical investments, while balancing the need for
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
5
ongoing customer affordability, which is particularly important during the current economic environment of higher
interest rates and inflation. AltaGas continues to be acutely focused on cost management across the Utilities platform,
managing capital investments, and driving the best outcomes for its customers and stakeholders.
During the quarter, Washington Gas had three major regulatory updates. The first was a proposed ARP modernization
extension in Maryland, which will run through to 2028. The public law judge has recommended that the PSC of MD
approve approximately US$330 million of capital to modernize our system and improve safety and reliability. This builds
on AltaGas’ ARP program in Virginia that was recently extended to the end of 2027. The second was the PSC of MD
approving a US$10 million rate increase for Washington Gas in Maryland with a 9.5 percent return on equity and 52
percent equity thickness with the new rates becoming effective immediately. Lastly, the PSC of DC approved an increase
of approximately US$20 million in revenues for Washington Gas in DC, net of approximately US$5 million of costs
collected through the PROJECTpipes surcharge with the new rates effective January 19, 2024.
Corporate/Other
Normalized EBITDA in the Corporate/Other segment was $9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a loss
of $3 million in the same quarter of 2022. Loss before income taxes in the Corporate/Other segment was $125 million
in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $115 million in the same quarter of 2022. The largest drivers for the increase
in normalized EBITDA was due to lower expenses related to employee incentive plans and lower corporate operating
and administrative expenses.
Pipestone Asset Acquisition
On December 22, 2023, AltaGas closed the previously announced Pipestone Acquisition and declared a positive FID on
Pipestone Phase II. The assets acquired through the Pipestone Acquisition included: 1) Pipestone Phase I and Pipestone
Phase II; 2) the adjacent Dimsdale natural gas storage facility; 3) the Pipestone condensate truck-in/truck-out terminal;
and 4) the associated gathering pipeline systems from Tidewater.
The Pipestone Phase II expansion project was 100 percent contracted under long-term take-or-pay agreements during
the fourth quarter of 2023 with a combination of marquee independents and investment grade producers. All Pipestone
Phase II customers who were existing Pipestone Phase I customers also agreed to multi-year contract extensions, further
improving the long-term commercial profile of the Pipestone Assets.
With inclusion of these new agreements, the Pipestone Acquisition is constructive to our risk profile with the Company's
take-or-pay and fee-for-service Midstream EBITDA mix set to increase by an estimated six percent with a commensurate
decrease in commodity exposed EBITDA, once Pipestone Phase II comes online. In aggregate, more than 90 percent of
the Pipestone Assets' normalized EBITDA1 is expected to come from take-or-pay or fee-for-service based contracts.
The Pipestone Assets have been integrated and AltaGas has welcomed its new employees that joined the Company as
part of the transaction. AltaGas is now focused on leveraging the long-term growth opportunities and delivering on
the returns that can be generated with the Pipestone assets now part of AltaGas’ value chain. The Company is pleased
with the transition of operatorship and progress realized to date.
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
6
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS
($ millions)
Normalized EBITDA (1)
Add (deduct):
Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense
Normalized income tax expense (1)
Preferred share dividends
Other (2)
Normalized net income (1) (3)
Net income applicable to common shares
Normalized funds from operations (1)
($ per share except shares outstanding)
Shares outstanding - basic (millions)
During the period (4)
End of period
Normalized net income - basic (1) (3)
Normalized net income - diluted (1) (3)
Net income per common share - basic
Net income per common share - diluted
$
$
$
$
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
454 $
2023
502 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
1,537
2023
1,575 $
(110)
(101)
(60)
(7)
(10)
214 $
113 $
376 $
283
295
0.76
0.75
0.40
0.40
(112)
(99)
(55)
(7)
8
189 $
54 $
371 $
282
282
0.67
0.67
0.19
0.19
(441)
(394)
(153)
(27)
(24)
536 $
(439)
(330)
(161)
(40)
(23)
544
641 $
1,128 $
399
1,204
282
295
1.90
1.89
2.27
2.26
281
282
1.94
1.92
1.42
1.41
1) Non‑GAAP financial measure; see discussion in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this new release.
2)
"Other" includes accretion expense, net income applicable to non-controlling interests, foreign exchange gains (loses), unrealized foreign exchange losses on
intercompany balances, and NCI portion of non-GAAP adjustments. The portion of non-GAAP adjustments applicable to non-controlling interests are excluded in
the computation of normalized net income to ensure consistency of normalizations applied to controlling and non-controlling interests. These amounts are included
in the “net income applicable to non-controlling interests” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude the impact of unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains) on intercompany balances
between Canadian and U.S. entities. Prior periods have been restated to reflect this change. Please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this news
release for additional details.
3)
4) Weighted average.
Normalized EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $502 million, compared to $454 million for the same quarter in
2022. The largest contributors impacting the year-over-year increase are described in the Business Performance
sections above.
For the fourth quarter of 2023, the average Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate increased to 1.362 from an average of
1.358 in the same period of 2022.
Income before income taxes for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $161 million, compared to $78 million for the same
quarter in 2022. The increase was mainly due to higher normalized EBITDA, lower unrealized losses on risk management
contracts, and the absence of provisions on assets, partially offset by higher foreign exchange losses and costs related
to the CEO transition and other restructuring costs incurred in 2023. Please refer to the “Three Months Ended December
31” section of AltaGas’ Q4 2023 management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) for further details on the variance in
income before income taxes and net income applicable to common shareholders.
Normalized net income was $214 million ($0.76 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $189 million
($0.67 per share) reported for the same quarter in 2022. The increase was mainly due to higher normalized EBITDA,
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
7
partially offset by higher foreign exchange losses and higher normalized income tax expense. Please refer to the “Non-
GAAP Financial Measures” section of AltaGas’ Q4 2023 MD&A for further details on normalization adjustments
Normalized funds from operations for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $376 million ($1.33 per share), compared to $371
million ($1.32 per share) for the same quarter in 2022. The increase was mainly due to higher normalized EBITDA,
partially offset by the impact of non-cash items included in normalized EBITDA, higher normalized current income tax
expense, and higher interest expense.
Depreciation and amortization expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $110 million, compared to $112 million for
the same quarter in 2022. The decrease was due to the impact of the disposition of the Alaskan Utilities, partially offset
by new assets placed in-service.
Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $101 million, compared to $99 million for the same quarter in 2022.
The slight increase was due to $3 million of incremental hybrid interest costs compared to the same quarter in 2022
due to hybrid notes replacing preferred shares. Excluding the impact of shifting the financing costs between preferred
shares and hybrid notes, interest costs were relatively comparable.
AltaGas recorded income tax expense of $33 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $12 million in the same
quarter in 2022. The increase in income tax expense was mainly due to an increase in income before income taxes in
the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter in 2022.
FORWARD FOCUS, GUIDANCE AND FUNDING
AltaGas continues to execute on its long-term corporate strategy of building a diversified platform that operates long-
life energy infrastructure assets that connect customers and markets and are positioned to provide resilient and
growing value for the Company’s stakeholders.
AltaGas expects to achieve its previously disclosed 2024 guidance, including:
• 2024 normalized EPS guidance of $2.05 - $2.25, compared to normalized EPS of $1.90 and GAAP EPS of $2.27
in 2023; and
• 2024 normalized EBITDA guidance of $1,675 million - $1,775 million, compared to normalized EBITDA of $1,575
million and income before taxes of $912 million in 2023.
AltaGas is focused on delivering resilient and growing normalized EPS and FFO per share while targeting lowering
leverage ratios. This strategy is designed to support steady dividend growth and provide the opportunity for ongoing
capital appreciation for long-term shareholders. In December, the Board of Directors approved a six percent increase
to the annual common share dividend to $1.19 per share annually for the 2024 calendar year, which equates to a rate
of $0.2975 per common share on a quarterly basis. AltaGas’ strategy includes plans to deliver sustainable annual
dividend increases that compound in the years ahead.
AltaGas is maintaining a disciplined, self-funded capital program of approximately $1.2 billion, excluding asset
retirement obligations (“ARO”). The Company is allocating approximately 58 percent of AltaGas’ consolidated 2024
capital to its Utilities business, approximately 36 percent to the Midstream business and the balance to the
Corporate/Other segment.
The Company expects to maintain an equity self-funding model in 2024, for the fifth consecutive year, and will fund
capital requirements through a combination of internally generated cash flows and investment capacity associated with
rising EBITDA levels, with no expectation to issue equity. Asset sales will be considered on an opportunistic basis, with
any potential proceeds to be used to de-lever and strengthen the balance sheet and continue to increase financial
flexibility of AltaGas.
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
8
QUARTERLY COMMON SHARE DIVIDEND AND PREFERRED SHARE DIVIDENDS
The Board of Directors approved the following schedule of Dividends:
Type
Common Shares1
Series A Preferred Shares
Series B Preferred Shares
Dividend
(per share)
$0.2975
$0.19125
$0.47874
Series G Preferred Shares
$0.265125
Series H Preferred Shares
$0.50361
Period
n.a.
31-Dec-23 to
30-Mar-24
31-Dec-23 to
30-Mar-24
31-Dec-23 to
30-Mar-24
31-Dec-23 to
30-Mar-24
Payment Date
Record
28-Mar-24
15-Mar-24
28-Mar-24
15-Mar-24
28-Mar-24
15-Mar-24
28-Mar-24
15-Mar-24
28-Mar-24
15-Mar-24
1.
Dividends on common shares and preferred shares are eligible dividends for Canadian income tax purposes.
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS
AltaGas will hold a conference call today, March 8, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. MT (11:00 a.m. ET) to discuss fourth quarter 2023
results and other corporate developments.
Date:
Time:
Webcast:
Friday, March 8, 2024
9:00 a.m. MT (11:00 a.m. ET)
https://app.webinar.net/vW9nAY5A7LY
Dial-in (Audio only):
1-416-764-8659 or toll free at 1-888-664-6392
Shortly after the conclusion of the call a replay will be available on the Company’s website or by dialing 416-764-8677
or toll free 1-888-390-0541. Passcode 184752#.
AltaGas’ Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes for the fourth quarter 2023, as well as its related
MD&A, are now available online at www.altagas.ca. All documents will be filed with the Canadian securities regulatory
authorities and will be posted under AltaGas’ SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
This news release contains references to certain financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed
by US GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. The non-GAAP measures and
their reconciliation to US GAAP financial measures are shown below and within AltaGas’ MD&A as at and for the period
ended December 31, 2023. These non-GAAP measures provide additional information that management of the
Company (“Management”) believes is meaningful regarding AltaGas' operational performance, liquidity and capacity
to fund dividends, capital expenditures, and other investing activities. Readers are cautioned that these non-GAAP
measures should not be construed as alternatives to other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance
with US GAAP.
Change in Composition of Non-GAAP Measures
In the fourth quarter of 2023, Management has changed the composition of certain of AltaGas' non-GAAP measures
such that normalized net income now excludes the impact of unrealized intercompany foreign exchange gains (losses)
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
9
resulting from intercompany balances between a U.S. subsidiary and a Canadian entity, where the foreign exchange
impact in the U.S. subsidiary is recorded through gain (loss) on foreign currency translation in the Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income and the Canadian entity revaluation is recorded through the foreign exchange
gain (loss) line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income. This change was made as a result of Management's
assessment that excluding these intercompany foreign exchange impacts from normalized net income is more
representative of the Company's ongoing financial performance. Prior period calculations of the relevant non-GAAP
measures have been restated to reflect this change. The following table summarizes the impact of this change on the
periods presented in this news release:
Increase (decrease) as result of change
($ millions, except where noted)
Normalized net income (1)
Normalized income tax expense
Normalized effective tax rate (%)
1) Corresponding per share amounts have also been adjusted.
$
$
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
2023
$
$
6
2
0.1%
$
$
11
3
— %
Year Ended
December 31
2022
2023
$
$
7
2
— %
14
5
0.2%
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
10
Normalized EBITDA
($ millions)
Income before income taxes (GAAP financial measure)
Add:
Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense
EBITDA
Add (deduct):
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
2023
161 $
78 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
716
2023
912 $
110
101
372 $
439
441
112
99
330
394
289 $ 1,747 $ 1,485
$
$
Transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions (1)
Unrealized losses on risk management contracts (2)
Gains on sale of assets (3)
CEO transition and other restructuring costs (4)
Wind-up of pension plan (5)
Provisions on assets
Reversal of provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method(6)
Accretion expenses
Foreign exchange losses (gains)
6
49
(3)
—
—
6
(3)
7
(10)
454 $ 1,575 $ 1,537
Normalized EBITDA
(1) Comprised of transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions of assets and/or equity investments in the period. These costs are included in the "cost of
sales" and "operating and administrative" line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Transaction costs include expenses, such as legal fees, which are
directly attributable to the acquisition or disposition. Please refer to Notes 3 and 4 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding
AltaGas' acquisition and disposition of assets in the period.
Included in the "revenue" and “cost of sales” line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Please refer to Note 23 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial
Statements for further details regarding AltaGas' risk management activities.
Included in the "other income" line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Please refer to Note 4 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements
for further details regarding AltaGas' disposition of assets in the period.
6
94
—
15
—
—
—
3
12
502 $
36
70
(319)
22
2
—
—
11
6
2
156
—
—
—
6
—
2
(1)
(2)
(3)
$
(4) Comprised of costs related to the transition of AltaGas' CEO and other restructuring costs. These costs are included in the “operating and administrative” line item
on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(5) Relates to the completion of the wind-up of the Canadian defined benefit pension plan in the second quarter of 2023. The settlement charge is included in the
"other income" line on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Please refer to Note 28 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further details
regarding the wind-up of the pension plan.
(6) Relates to the return of certain costs associated with the Constitution pipeline project as a result of its cancellation in February 2020. The provisions are included in
the “income from equity investments” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
EBITDA is a measure of AltaGas' operating profitability prior to how business activities are financed, assets are
amortized, or earnings are taxed. EBITDA is calculated from the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) using income
(loss) before income taxes adjusted for pre‑tax depreciation and amortization, interest expense.
AltaGas presents normalized EBITDA as a supplemental measure. Normalized EBITDA is used by Management to
enhance the understanding of AltaGas' earnings over periods, as well as for budgeting and compensation related
purposes. The metric is frequently used by analysts and investors in the evaluation of entities within the industry as it
excludes items that can vary substantially between entities depending on the accounting policies chosen, the book
value of assets, and the capital structure.
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
11
Normalized Net Income
($ millions)
Net income applicable to common shares (GAAP financial measure)
Add (deduct) after-tax:
$
Transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions (1)
Unrealized losses on risk management contracts (2)
Gains on sale of assets (3)
Non-controlling interest portion of non-GAAP adjustments (4)
CEO transition and other restructuring costs (5)
Loss on redemption of preferred shares, including foreign exchange impact
(6)
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
2023
113 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
399
2023
641 $
27
54
(217)
—
17
5
2
—
4
39
(4)
5
—
84
—
5
54 $
1
118
—
—
—
—
—
5
5
74
—
—
11
5
—
—
Wind-up of pension plan (7)
Provisions on assets
Reversal of provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method
(8)
Unrealized foreign exchange losses on intercompany balances (9)
(2)
14
544
Normalized net income
(1) Comprised of transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions of assets and/or equity investments in the period. The pre-tax costs are included in the "cost
of sales" and "operating and administrative" line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Transaction costs include expenses, such as legal fees, which are
directly attributable to the acquisition or disposition. Please refer to Notes 3 and 4 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding
AltaGas' acquisition and disposition of assets in the period.
The pre-tax amounts are included in the "revenue" and “cost of sales” line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Please refer to Note 23 of the 2023
Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding AltaGas' risk management activities.
The pre-tax amounts are included in the "other income" line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Please refer to Note 4 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated
Financial Statements for further details regarding AltaGas' disposition of assets in the period.
The portion of non-GAAP adjustments applicable to non-controlling interests are excluded in the computation of normalized net income to ensure consistency of
normalizations applied to controlling and non-controlling interests. These amounts are included in the “net income applicable to non-controlling interests" line item
on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
—
11
189 $
—
6
214 $
—
7
536 $
(2)
(4)
(3)
$
(5) Comprised of costs related to the transition of AltaGas' CEO and other restructuring costs. The pre-tax costs are included in the “operating and administrative” line
item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(6) Comprised of losses on the redemption of Series K Preferred Shares on March 31, 2022, the redemption of U.S. dollar denominated Series C Preferred Shares on
September 30, 2022 including an associated foreign exchange loss of approximately $69 million, and the redemption of Series E Preferred Shares on December 31,
2023. The loss on redemption of preferred shares is recorded on the "loss of redemption of preferred shares" line on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(7) Relates to the completion of the wind-up of the Canadian defined benefit pension plan in the second quarter of 2023. The settlement charge is included in the
"other income" line on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Please refer to Note 28 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further details
regarding the wind-up of the pension plan.
(8) Relates to the return of certain costs associated with the Constitution pipeline project as a result of its cancellation in February 2020. The pre-tax provisions are
included in the “income from equity investments” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(9) Relates to unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains) on intercompany accounts receivable and accounts payable balances between a U.S. subsidiary and a Canadian
entity, where the impact to the U.S. subsidiary is recorded through accumulated other comprehensive income as a gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, and
the impact to the Canadian entity is recorded through the "foreign exchange gains (losses)" line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income. As noted in the
Q4 2023 MD&A, in the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude the impact of unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains) on
intercompany balances between Canadian and U.S. entities. The amounts presented in this table reflect the restated figures to align with the revised policy.)
Normalized net income and normalized net income per share are used by Management to enhance the comparability
of AltaGas’ earnings, as these metrics reflect the underlying performance of AltaGas’ business activities.
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
12
Normalized Funds From Operations
($ millions)
Cash from (used by) operations (GAAP financial measure)
Add (deduct):
Net change in operating assets and liabilities
Asset retirement obligations settled
Funds from operations
Add (deduct):
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
(289) $
2023
154 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
539
2023
1,121 $
198
3
355 $
653
5
369 $
(100)
15
1,036 $
650
10
1,199
$
$
Transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions (1)
Current tax expense (recovery) on asset sales (2)
CEO transition and other restructuring costs (3)
6
(1)
—
1,204
Normalized funds from operations
(1) Comprised of transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions of assets and/or equity investments in the period. These costs exclude non-cash amounts
and are included in the "cost of sales" and "operating and administrative" line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Transaction costs include expenses,
such as legal fees, which are directly attributable to the acquisition or disposition. Please refer to Notes 3 and 4 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements
for further details regarding AltaGas' acquisition and disposition of assets in the period.
Included in the "current income tax expense" line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2)
(3) Comprised of costs related to the transition of AltaGas' CEO and other restructuring costs. These costs are included in the “operating and administrative” line item
36
34
22
1,128 $
2
—
—
371 $
6
—
15
376 $
$
on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Normalized funds from operations and funds from operations are used to assist Management and investors in analyzing
the liquidity of the Company. Management uses these measures to understand the ability to generate funds for capital
investments, debt repayment, dividend payments, and other investing activities.
Funds from operations and normalized funds from operations as presented should not be viewed as an alternative to
cash from operations or other cash flow measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
13
Invested Capital and Net Invested Capital
($ millions)
Cash used in investing activities (GAAP financial measure)
Add (deduct):
Net change in non-cash capital expenditures (1)
AFUDC (2)
Net invested capital
Business acquisition (3)
Purchase of remaining non-controlling interest in a subsidiary
Asset dispositions
Disposals of equity investments (4)
$
$
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
336 $
2023
594 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
997
2023
199 $
26
(3)
617 $
(327)
—
—
—
290 $
(7)
(3)
326 $
—
—
—
—
326 $
3
(3)
199 $
(327)
—
1,073
1
946 $
(6)
(3)
988
—
(285)
245
—
948
Invested capital (5)
(1) Comprised of non-cash capital expenditures included in the "accounts payable and accrued liabilities" line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Please refer
$
to Note 31 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
(2) AFUDC is the amount that a rate-regulated enterprise is allowed to recover for its cost of financing assets under construction and is included in the "property,
plant and equipment" line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Includes only the cash portion of the total consideration paid for the Pipestone Acquisition, net of cash acquired.
(3)
(4) Relates to escrow account proceeds received from AltaGas' previous investment in Central Penn. Upon close of the sale in 2019, various escrow accounts were
(5)
established to provide the purchaser a form of recourse for the settlement of indemnification obligations.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude cash paid for business acquisitions and for the purchase of remaining non-
controlling interest in a subsidiary from invested capital. Prior periods have been restated to reflect this change.
Invested capital is a measure of AltaGas' use of funds for capital expenditure activities. It includes expenditures relating
to property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets, capital contributed to long term investments, and
contributions from non-controlling interests. Net invested capital is invested capital presented net of cash paid for
business acquisitions, cash paid for the purchase of remaining non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, and proceeds
from disposals of assets and equity investments in the period. Net invested capital is calculated based on the investing
activities section in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, adjusted for items such as non-cash capital
expenditures, AFUDC, and contributions from non-controlling interests. Invested capital and net invested capital are
used by Management, investors, and analysts to enhance the understanding of AltaGas' capital expenditures from
period to period and provide additional detail on the Company's use of capital.
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
14
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REVIEW
($ millions, except where noted)
Revenue
Normalized EBITDA (1)
Income before income taxes
Net income applicable to common shares
Normalized net income (1)(2)
Total assets
Total long-term liabilities
Invested capital (1)(3)
Cash flows used in investing activities
Dividends declared (4)
Cash from (used by) operations
Normalized funds from operations (1)
Normalized effective income tax rate (%) (1)(2)
Effective income tax rate (%)
($ per share, except shares outstanding)
Net income per common share - basic
Net income per common share - diluted
Normalized net income - basic (1)(2)
Normalized net income - diluted (1)(2)
Dividends declared (3)
Cash from (used by) operations
Normalized funds from operations (1)
Shares outstanding - basic (millions)
During the period (5)
End of period
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
3,898
454
78
54
189
23,965
12,940
326
(336)
75
(289)
371
21.5
15.4
2023
3,288
502
161
113
214
23,471
12,195
290
(594)
79
154
376
21.1
20.5
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
0.19
0.19
0.67
0.67
0.27
(1.02)
1.32
2023
0.40
0.40
0.76
0.75
0.28
0.54
1.33
283
295
282
282
Year Ended
December 31
2022
14,087
1,537
716
399
544
23,965
12,940
948
(997)
298
539
1,204
20.4
20.0
2023
12,997
1,575
912
641
536
23,471
12,195
946
(199)
316
1,121
1,128
20.9
24.5
Year Ended
December 31
2022
1.42
1.41
1.94
1.92
1.06
1.92
4.28
281
282
2023
2.27
2.26
1.90
1.89
1.12
3.98
4.00
282
295
(1) Non‑GAAP financial measure; see discussion in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this News Release.
(2)
In the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude the impact of unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains) on intercompany balances
between Canadian and U.S. entities. Prior periods have been restated to reflect this change. Please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this
News Release for additional details.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude cash paid for business acquisitions and for the purchase of remaining non-controlling
interest in a subsidiary from invested capital. Prior periods have been restated to reflect this change.
(3)
(4) Dividends declared per common share per quarter: $0.265 per share beginning March 2022, increased to $0.28 per share beginning March 31, 2023, increased to
$0.2975 per share beginning March 31, 2024.
(5) Weighted average.
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
15
ABOUT ALTAGAS
AltaGas is a leading North American infrastructure company that connects customers and markets to affordable and
reliable sources of energy. The Company operates a diversified, lower-risk, high-growth Energy Infrastructure business
that is focused on delivering stable and growing value for its stakeholders.
For more information visit www.altagas.ca or reach out to one of the following:
Jon Morrison
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations
Jon.Morrison@altagas.ca
Adam McKnight
Director, Investor Relations
Adam.McKnight@altagas.ca
Investor Inquiries
1-877-691-7199
investor.relations@altagas.ca
Media Inquiries
1-403-206-2841
media.relations@altagas.ca
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
16
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains forward-looking information (forward-looking statements). Words such as "may", "can", "would", "could",
"should", "likely”, "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "aim", "seek", "future”, “commit”, "propose", "contemplate", "estimate",
"focus", "strive", "forecast", "expect", "project", "potential”, "target", “guarantee”, "potential", "objective", "continue", "outlook",
"guidance”, “growth”, “long-term”, "vision", "opportunity" and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance, as
they relate to the Company or any affiliate of the Company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this
news release contains forward-looking statements with respect to, among other things, business objectives, expected growth, results of
operations, performance, business projects and opportunities and financial results. Specifically, such forward-looking statements
included in this document include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the following: the Company’s 2024 guidance and
its ability to deliver on its 2024 guidance; anticipated benefits of AltaGas’ VLGCs including reduction in shipping costs to Asia, removing
pricing volatility and de-risking maritime shipping costs on a long-term basis; the anticipated benefits of the Pipestone Acquisition
including the Pipestone Phase II expansion project; the expectation that the Pipestone Acquisition will be constructive to AltaGas’ risk
profile; anticipated benefits of AltaGas’ VLGCs including reduction in shipping costs, removing pricing volatility and de-risking maritime
shipping costs on a long-term basis; REEF reaching a positive FID and the timing thereof; the expectation that Washington Gas will
become an offtake customer for RNG production, that it will purchase key interconnect infrastructure and the expected cost thereof and
the anticipated benefits of the agreement entered into with Opal Fuels; AltaGas’ dividend policy and dividend rate for 2024; the expected
in-service date of MVP and the anticipated benefits of MVP for customers; the Company considering value maximizing opportunities to
reach its net debt to normalized EBITDA target once MVP is fully operational; the Company’s strategic priorities and focus on leveraging
long-term fundamentals for natural gas and NGLs; AltaGas’ ability to execute its strategic priorities; AltaGas’ continued commitment
to driving value creation for its stakeholders and de-risking the Midstream business; the growth trajectory of AltaGas’ investment
proposition; the progress of AltaGas’ tolling initiatives; expectations for AltaGas’ active hedging program and expected outcomes
therefrom; AltaGas’ continued commitment to upgrading critical infrastructure and making ongoing investments through the
Company’s ARP modernization programs and the anticipated benefits therefrom; the Company’s focus on cost management across the
Utilities platform, managing capital investments and achieving the best outcomes for its customers and stakeholders; the expectation
that the extension for Washington Gas’ proposed modernization extension in Maryland will run through to 2028; anticipated timing,
results and impacts of applications, hearings, and decisions of rate cases before Utilities regulators; AltaGas’ ability to execute its long-
term corporate strategy; AltaGas’ focus on growing normalized EPS and FFO while targeting lower leverage ratios; the expectation that
AltaGas’ long-term strategy will support steady dividend growth and ongoing capital appreciation for its long-term shareholders;
AltaGas’ long-term objectives for managing capital; expected self-funded capital program of $1.2 billion in 2024, excluding asset
retirement obligations; the expectation that the Company will not fund capital requirements through the issuance of equity; and the
anticipated use of proceeds from potential assets sales.
These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events, and
achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements reflect AltaGas’ current
expectations, estimates, and projections based on certain material factors and assumptions at the time the statement was made.
Material assumptions include: anticipated timing of asset sale and acquisition closings, effective tax rates, financing initiatives, degree
day variance from normal, pension discount rate, the performance of the businesses underlying each sector, impacts of the hedging
program, expected commodity supply, demand and pricing, volumes and rates, exchange rates, inflation, interest rates, credit ratings,
regulatory approvals and policies, future operating and capital costs, capacity expectations, weather, seasonality, frac spread, access to
capital, planned and unplanned plant outages, timing of in-service dates of new projects and acquisition and divestiture activities, taxes,
operational expenses, returns on investments, dividend levels and transaction costs.
AltaGas’ forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause results or events to differ from
current expectations, including, without limitation: health and safety risks; operating risks; infrastructure; natural gas supply risks;
volume throughput; service interruptions; transportation of petroleum products; market risk; inflation; general economic conditions;
cyber security, information, and control systems; climate-related risks; environmental regulation risks; regulatory risks; litigation;
changes in law; Indigenous and treaty rights; dependence on certain partners; political uncertainty and civil unrest; risks related to
conflict, including the conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East; decommissioning, abandonment and reclamation costs;
reputation risk; weather data; capital market and liquidity risks; interest rates; internal credit risk; foreign exchange risk; debt financing,
refinancing, and debt service risk; counterparty and supplier risk; technical systems and processes incidents; growth strategy risk;
construction and development; underinsured and uninsured losses; impact of competition in AltaGas' businesses; counterparty credit
risk; composition risk; collateral; rep agreements; market value of common shares and other securities; variability of dividends; potential
sales of additional shares; labor relations; key personnel; risk management costs and limitations; cost of providing retirement plan
benefits; failure of service providers; risks related to pandemics, epidemics or disease outbreaks; and the other factors discussed under
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
17
the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 (“AIF”) and set out in
AltaGas’ other continuous disclosure documents.
Many factors could cause AltaGas' or any particular business segment's actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those
described in this press release, including, without limitation, those listed above and the assumptions upon which they are based proving
incorrect. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this
news release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, sought, proposed, estimated, forecasted, expected, projected or targeted and
such forward-looking statements included in this news release, should not be unduly relied upon. The impact of any one assumption,
risk, uncertainty, or other factor on a particular forward-looking statement cannot be determined with certainty because they are
interdependent and AltaGas’ future decisions and actions will depend on management’s assessment of all information at the relevant
time. Such statements speak only as of the date of this news release. AltaGas does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to
update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are
expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.
Financial outlook information contained in this news release about prospective financial performance, financial position, or cash flows
is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on AltaGas
management's assessment of the relevant information currently available. Readers are cautioned that such financial outlook
information contained in this news release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.
Additional information relating to AltaGas, including its quarterly and annual MD&A and Consolidated Financial Statements, AIF, and
press releases are available through AltaGas' website at www.altagas.ca or through SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
AltaGas Ltd. – Press Release Q4 2023
18
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") dated March 7, 2024 is provided to enable readers to assess the
results of operations, liquidity, and capital resources of AltaGas Ltd. ("AltaGas", the "Company" or the "Corporation") as at and
for the year ended December 31, 2023. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited
Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto of AltaGas as at and for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The Consolidated Financial Statements and comparative information have been prepared in accordance with United States
("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") and in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Throughout this MD&A, references to GAAP refer to U.S. GAAP and dollars refer to Canadian dollars, unless otherwise
indicated.
Abbreviations, acronyms and capitalized terms used in this MD&A without express definition shall have the same meanings
given to those terms in the MD&A as at and for the year ended December 31, 2023 or the Annual Information Form for the
year ended December 31, 2023.
This MD&A contains forward-looking information ("forward-looking statements"). Words such as "may", "can", "would", "could",
"should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "aim", "seek", "propose", "contemplate", "estimate", "focus", "strive",
"forecast", "expect", "project", "target", "potential", "objective", "continue", "outlook", "vision", "opportunity" and similar
expressions suggesting future events or future performance, as they relate to the Corporation or any affiliate of the
Corporation, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this MD&A contains forward-looking statements
with respect to, among other things, business objectives, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business
projects and opportunities and financial results. Specifically, such forward-looking statements included in this document
include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the following: AltaGas' belief in the role and importance of global
resource exports; AltaGas' 2024 strategic priorities; AltaGas' belief in the role and importance of the Blythe Energy Center in
meeting California's power needs and reliability on the power grid; expected 2024 annual consolidated normalized EBITDA of
approximately $1.675 to $1.775 billion; anticipated 2024 normalized earnings per share of approximately $2.05 to $2.25; the
expectation that the Utilities segment will contribute approximately 55 percent of normalized EBITDA for 2024; expected
growth drivers of normalized EBITDA in the Utilities segment; the expectation that the Midstream segment will contribute
approximately 45 percent of normalized EBITDA for 2024; drivers of expected growth in the Midstream segment; expected
higher normalized EBITDA from the Corporate/Other segment in 2024; expected growth drivers of 2024 normalized earnings
per share; AltaGas' expectation of an active 2024 hedging program and anticipated outcomes therefrom; the Company's ability
to deliver on its 2024 guidance; the percentage of AltaGas' expected 2024 frac exposed volumes that are hedged; the
percentage of AltaGas' expected 2024 global export volumes that are tolled or financially hedged; AltaGas' 2024 Midstream
Hedge Program quarterly estimates; estimated impact of changes in commodity prices, exchange rates, and weather on
normalized annual EBITDA; AltaGas' commitment to maintaining a disciplined, self-funded capital program; expected invested
capital expenditures of approximately $1.2 billion in 2024; anticipated segment allocation and focus of capital expenditures in
2024; the expectation that the 2024 committed capital program will be funded through internally-generated cash flow, asset
sales and normal course borrowings on existing committed credit facilities; the estimated cost, status and expected in-service
dates for growth capital projects in the Midstream and Utilities businesses; anticipated annual average capital spending at
SEMCO through 2025; AltaGas' pursuit of opportunities and its long-term objectives in the Utilities segment including, among
other things, RNG and lower carbon investments, anticipated rate base growth and ensuring energy affordability for its
customers; REEF reaching a positive FID, the timing thereof and AltaGas' responsibilities with respect to the construction and
operation of REEF; anticipated benefits of the Pipestone Phase II expansion project and the Dimsdale expansion project;
anticipated in-service date for MVP and completion date of MVP Southgate; expected timing and outcomes of the Harmattan
carbon capture opportunity; AltaGas' pursuit of opportunities and its long-term objectives in the Midstream segment including,
among other things, increasing export volumes and throughput, advancing ESG initiatives, goals and opportunities, and
mitigating commodity, volume and counterparty risk; expected filing, procedure and decision dates for rate cases in the Utilities
business; timing of material regulatory filings, proceedings and decisions in the Utilities business; Washington Gas' ARP
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 1
modernization programs and the expected benefits therefrom; proposed expenditures on waste reduction; penalties for
breaching merger conditions associated with the WGL acquisition; objectives and expected results from AltaGas' commodity
price contract strategies by segment; AltaGas' dividend policy and the dividend rate for 2024; future changes in accounting
policies and adoption of new accounting standards; and the expected delivery and in-service date of the VLGCs and the
anticipated benefits of the seven-year time charter including reduced shipping costs.
These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events and
achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements reflect AltaGas’
current expectations, estimates, and projections based on certain material factors and assumptions at the time the statement
was made. Material assumptions include: effective tax rate of approximately 21 percent, U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rates;
inflation; interest rates, credit ratings, regulatory approvals and policies; expected commodity supply, demand and pricing;
volumes and rates; propane price differentials; degree day variance from normal; pension discount rate; financing initiatives;
the performance of the businesses underlying each sector; impacts of the hedging program; weather; frac spread; access to
capital; future operating and capital costs; timing and receipt of regulatory approvals; seasonality; planned and unplanned
plant outages; timing of in-service dates of new projects and acquisition and divestiture activities; taxes; operational expenses;
returns on investments; dividend levels; and transaction costs.
AltaGas’ forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause results or events to differ
from current expectations, including, without limitation: health and safety risks; operating risks; infrastructure; natural gas
supply risks; volume throughput; service interruptions; transportation of petroleum products; market risk; inflation; general
economic conditions; cybersecurity, information, and control systems; climate-related risks; environmental regulation risks;
regulatory risks; litigation; changes in law; Indigenous and treaty rights; dependence on certain partners; political uncertainty
and civil unrest; risks related to conflict, including the conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East; decommissioning,
abandonment and reclamation costs; reputation risk; weather data; capital market and liquidity risks; interest rates; internal
credit risk; foreign exchange risk; debt financing, refinancing, and debt service risk; counterparty and supplier risk; technical
systems and processes incidents; growth strategy risk; construction and development; underinsured and uninsured losses;
impact of competition in AltaGas' businesses; counterparty credit risk; composition risk; collateral; rep agreements; market
value of the Common Shares and other securities; variability of dividends; potential sales of additional shares; labor relations;
key personnel; risk management costs and limitations; commitments associated with regulatory approvals for the acquisition of
WGL; cost of providing retirement plan benefits; failure of service providers; risks related to pandemics, epidemics or disease
outbreaks; and the other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Corporation’s Annual Information Form for
the year ended December 31, 2023 ("AIF") and set out in AltaGas’ other continuous disclosure documents.
Many factors could cause AltaGas' or any particular business segment's actual results, performance or achievements to vary
from those described in this MD&A, including, without limitation, those listed above and the assumptions upon which they are
based proving incorrect. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Should one or more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may
vary materially from those described in this MD&A as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, sought, proposed, estimated,
forecasted, expected, projected or targeted and such forward-looking statements included in this MD&A, should not be unduly
relied upon. The impact of any one assumption, risk, uncertainty, or other factor on a particular forward-looking statement
cannot be determined with certainty because they are interdependent and AltaGas’ future decisions and actions will depend on
Management’s assessment of all information at the relevant time. Such statements speak only as of the date of this MD&A.
AltaGas does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as required
by law. The forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.
Financial outlook information contained in this MD&A about prospective financial performance, financial position, or cash flows
is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on
AltaGas Management's assessment of the relevant information currently available. Readers are cautioned that such financial
outlook information contained in this MD&A should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 2
Additional information relating to AltaGas, including its quarterly and annual MD&A and Consolidated Financial Statements,
Annual Information Form, and press releases are available through AltaGas' website at www.altagas.ca or through SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca.
AltaGas Business Overview and Organization
AltaGas is a leading North American energy infrastructure company that connects customers and markets to affordable and
reliable sources of energy. The Company operates a diversified, lower-risk, high-growth energy infrastructure business that is
focused on delivering resilient and durable value for its stakeholders. AltaGas has three reporting segments - Utilities,
Midstream, and Corporate/Other.
Utilities Segment
AltaGas' Utilities segment owns and operates franchised, cost-of-service, rate-regulated natural gas distribution and storage
utilities that are focused on providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy to its customers. AltaGas' Utilities provided energy to
approximately 1.6 million residential and commercial customers in 2023 with an average rate base of approximately US$5.1
billion.
The Utilities segment includes two utilities that operate across four major U.S. jurisdictions:
▪ Washington Gas Light Company ("Washington Gas"), which is the Company’s largest operating utility that serves
approximately 1.2 million customers across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia; and
▪
SEMCO Energy, Inc. ("SEMCO Energy"), which delivers essential energy to approximately 328,000 customers in
Southern Michigan and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The Utilities business also includes other storage facilities and contracts for interstate natural gas transportation and storage
services, as well as WGL Energy Services, an affiliated retail energy marketing business, which sells natural gas and electricity
directly to residential, commercial, and industrial customers located in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and
the District of Columbia. AltaGas also previously owned ENSTAR Natural Gas Company and a 65 percent indirect interest in
Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska ("CINGSA") and other ancillary operations in Alaska, which were divested to TriSummit
Utilities Inc. on March 1, 2023 (the "Alaska Utilities Disposition").
Midstream Segment
AltaGas’ Midstream segment is a leading North American platform that connects customers and markets. From wellhead to
tidewater, the Company is focused on providing its customers with safe and reliable service and connectivity that facilitates the
best outcomes for their businesses. This includes global market access for North American Liquified Petroleum Gases
("LPGs"), which provides North American producers and aggregators with attractive netbacks for propane and butane while
delivering diversity of supply and supporting stronger energy security in Asia to AltaGas' downstream customers.
Throughout AltaGas’ Midstream operations, the Company is playing a vital role within the larger energy ecosystem that keeps
the global economy moving forward in a safe, reliable, and affordable manner.
AltaGas’ Midstream platform is heavily focused on the Montney and Deep Basin resource plays and centers around global
exports, which is where the Company believes the market is headed for Canadian resource development over the long-term.
AltaGas also operates a broader set of midstream infrastructure assets across the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 3
("WCSB") and select regions in the U.S., which are all focused on connecting customers and markets in the most efficient
manner possible.
There are three core pillars to AltaGas’ Midstream platform that are integral to each other and facilitate the Company’s
wellhead to tidewater value chain. These include:
▪
▪
▪
Global Exports, which includes AltaGas’ two operational LPG export terminals where the Company has capacity to
export up to 150,000 Bbl/d of propane and butane to key markets in Asia;
Natural Gas Gathering, Processing and Extraction, which includes 1.2 Bcf/d of extraction processing capacity and
approximately 1.2 Bcf/d of raw field gas processing capacity, which is heavily focused on the Montney and Deep
Basin; and
Fractionation and Liquids Handling platform, which includes 85 MBbl/d of fractionation capacity and a sizable liquids
handling footprint.
The Midstream segment also consists of natural gas and NGL marketing businesses, domestic logistics, trucking and rail
terminals, and approximately 3.2 million barrels of liquid storage capability through a network of underground salt caverns
through the Company’s Strathcona Storage JV with ATCO Energy Solutions Ltd., 15 Bcf of natural gas storage through the
recently acquired Dimsdale natural gas storage facility ("Dimsdale") in the Alberta Montney, as well as AltaGas’ 10 percent
interest in the Mountain Valley Pipeline ("MVP").
Corporate/Other Segment
AltaGas’ Corporate/Other segment consists of the Company’s corporate activities and a small portfolio of gas-fired power
generation and distribution assets capable of generating 508 MW of power primarily in California.
Subsidiary Entities
The businesses of AltaGas are operated by the Company and a number of its subsidiaries including, without limitation, AltaGas
Services (U.S.) Inc., AltaGas Utility Holdings (U.S.) Inc., WGL Holdings, Inc. ("WGL"), Wrangler 1 LLC, Wrangler SPE LLC,
Washington Gas Resources Corp., WGL Energy Services, Inc. ("WGL Energy Services"), and SEMCO Holding Corporation; in
regard to the Utilities business, Washington Gas Light Company, Hampshire Gas Company, and SEMCO Energy, Inc.; and in
regard to the Midstream business, AltaGas Extraction and Transmission Limited Partnership, AltaGas Pipeline Partnership,
AltaGas Processing Partnership, AltaGas Northwest Processing Limited Partnership, Harmattan Gas Processing Limited
Partnership, Ridley Island LPG Export Limited Partnership, AltaGas Pacific Partnership, AltaGas LPG Limited Partnership,
Petrogas Energy Corporation ("Petrogas"), Petrogas Holdings Partnership, and Petrogas, Inc. In the Corporate/Other segment
the main subsidiary is AltaGas Power Holdings (U.S.) Inc. SEMCO Energy conducts its Michigan natural gas distribution
business under the name SEMCO Energy Gas Company ("SEMCO").
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 4
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Highlights
(Normalized EBITDA, normalized funds from operations, normalized net income, and net debt are non-GAAP financial measures. Normalized funds from
operations per share and normalized net income per share are non-GAAP ratios. Please see Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A.)
Financial and Operational Highlights
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
Normalized EBITDA was $502 million in the fourth quarter and $1,575 million for the full year of 2023, while income
before income taxes was $161 million in the fourth quarter and $912 million for the full year of 2023. Full year
normalized EBITDA was in the upper-half of the Company's 2023 guidance range of $1.5 billion to $1.6 billion and
included strong performance across the Midstream platform and ongoing enterprise growth.
Normalized net income per share was $0.76 in the fourth quarter and $1.90 for the full year of 2023, while GAAP net
income per share was $0.40 in the fourth quarter and $2.27 for the full year of 2023. Full year normalized net income
per share was slightly below the mid-point of the Company's 2023 net income per share guidance range of $1.85 to
$2.05, principally due to higher interest costs weighing on strong operating performance across the business.
Normalized funds from operation per share was $1.33 in the fourth quarter and $4.00 for the full year of 2023, while
cash from operations per share was $0.54 in the fourth quarter and $3.98 for the full year of 2023. Normalized funds
from operations per share for the quarter increased slightly year-over-year due to higher normalized EBITDA, partially
offset by non-cash items included in normalized EBITDA, higher normalized current income tax expense, and higher
interest expense.
The Utilities segment reported normalized EBITDA of $311 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $294
million in the fourth quarter of 2022, while income before taxes was $207 million in the fourth quarter of 2023
compared to $80 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The largest drivers of the fourth quarter year-over-year increase
in normalized EBITDA were strong contributions from WGL's retail business, lower operating and administrative
expenses, continued rate base growth, and the Virginia rate case. These positive factors were partially offset by the
Alaska Utilities divestiture, lower asset optimization, and warmer weather in Michigan and the District of Columbia
("DC").
The Midstream segment reported normalized EBITDA of $182 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $163
million in the fourth quarter of 2022, while income before taxes in the segment was $79 million in the fourth quarter of
2023 compared to $113 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The largest drivers of the fourth quarter year-over-year
increase in normalized EBITDA included strong performance from the global exports business, Allowance for Funds
Used During Construction ("AFUDC") on the MVP project, and the absence of inventory write downs.
On March 1, 2023, AltaGas closed the Alaska Utilities Disposition for consideration of approximately US$800 million
(approximately CAD$1.1 billion) prior to closing adjustments, resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $304 million.
Sale proceeds were used to reduce debt while providing AltaGas with the financial flexibility to advance its strong
growth opportunities across the Midstream and Utilities platforms over the coming years.
The global exports business shipped 90,996 Bbl/d of liquified petroleum gases ("LPGs") in the fourth quarter of 2023
and an average of 106,071 Bbls/d during 2023 from the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal ("RIPET") and the
Ferndale terminal ("Ferndale"). Although the fourth quarter is a seasonally low quarter for exports, volumes were
below internal expectations this quarter due to delayed ship arrivals at both terminals during December 2023, which
were loaded in the first quarter of 2024. Despite these timing effects, AltaGas continued to demonstrate the multi-year
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 5
▪
▪
▪
growth trajectory since 2019 while connecting the Canadian upstream and Asian downstream markets and driving
stronger Canadian industry netbacks.
On December 22, 2023, AltaGas closed the previously announced acquisition of natural gas processing and storage
infrastructure assets in the Pipestone area of the Alberta Montney (the "Pipestone Acquisition"), including the
Pipestone natural gas processing facility Phase I ("Pipestone Phase I"), the Pipestone natural gas processing facility
Phase II expansion project ("Pipestone Phase II"), the Dimsdale storage facility, and ancillary assets from Tidewater
Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd. ("Tidewater"). AltaGas also declared a positive final investment decision ("FID") on
Pipestone Phase II with 100 percent of the capacity contracted under long-term take-or-pay agreements.
AltaGas continued to advance key activities on the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility ("REEF") during and
subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2023. This included commencing site clearing work, including logging, clearing,
and drainage work that will further solidify the project's readiness to reaching FID, which is expected during the
second quarter of 2024.
In December 2023, AltaGas commissioned the first of two new very large gas carriers ("VLGCs"), the Boreal Pioneer,
which made its maiden voyage from Ferndale to Asia in early January 2024. The second VLGC, the Boreal Voyager,
was commissioned in February 2024. These two seven-year time charters with optional extensions will reduce and
de-risk shipping costs with materially all of AltaGas' expected Baltic freight exposure protected through time charters,
financial hedges, and tolled volumes in 2024.
▪ On October 20, 2023, Washington Gas executed a definitive agreement with Opal Fuels Inc. ("Opal Fuels") to support
a renewable natural gas ("RNG") project at the Prince William County Landfill in Virginia. As part of the agreement,
Washington Gas will become an offtake customer for RNG production and purchase key interconnect infrastructure
for approximately US$25 million and continue to advance long-term climate goals.
▪ On December 14, 2023, the Public Service Commission of Maryland ("PSC of MD") approved a US$10 million rate
increase with a 9.5 percent return on equity and 52 percent equity thickness. The new rates became effective
immediately.
▪
On December 22, 2023, the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia ("PSC of DC") approved an
increase of approximately US$20 million in revenues, net of approximately US$5 million of costs collected through
Washington Gas' 40-year accelerated pipeline replacement program ("PROJECTpipes") surcharge. This included a
9.65 percent return on equity and 52 percent equity thickness. The new rates went into effect January 19, 2024.
▪ On December 5, 2023, AltaGas' Board of Directors approved a 6 percent increase to its annual common share
dividends to $1.19 per common share annually ($0.2975 per common share quarterly). This change will be effective
for the dividend that will be paid on March 29, 2024.
▪ On December 5, 2023, AltaGas released its 2023 ESG Report, highlighting 2022 data for key topics and outlining
progress towards the Company's sustainability goals within the areas of climate, diversity and inclusion, and safety.
AltaGas is pleased with the construction progress on MVP. The pipeline is now 99 percent complete and expected to
be placed into service in the second quarter of 2024, and will provide critical energy security to customers in the
Eastern U.S.
AltaGas had a series of financings during the fourth quarter, including:
▪
▪
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 6
• On October 19, 2023, Washington Gas issued US$200 million in private placement notes, which includes
US$150 million of notes with a 6.06 percent interest rate, maturing on October 14, 2033, and US$50 million
of notes at a 6.43 percent interest rate, maturing on October 15, 2053.
• On November 10, 2023, AltaGas issued $200 million of hybrid 8.90 percent Fixed-to-Fixed Rate
Subordinated Notes, Series 3, due November 10, 2083. On December 31, 2023, AltaGas used the proceeds
of the hybrid issuance to redeem all of its issued and outstanding Series E Preferred Shares for $25 per
Series E Share, together with all accrued and unpaid dividends.
▪
AltaGas is reiterating the Company's 2024 full year guidance, including normalized EBITDA of $1,675 million to
$1,775 million, and normalized net income per share of $2.05 to $2.25.
Highlights Subsequent to 2023 Year End
▪
On January 8, 2024, AltaGas issued $400 million of senior unsecured medium-term notes with a 4.67 percent
coupon, due on January 8, 2029. The net proceeds were used to pay down existing indebtedness under AltaGas'
credit facilities (part of which was incurred to fund the debt portion of the Pipestone Acquisition), to fund working
capital, and for general corporate purposes.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 7
2024 Outlook
In 2024, AltaGas expects to achieve normalized EBITDA of approximately $1.675 to $1.775 billion, compared to actual
normalized EBITDA of $1.58 billion in 2023, and normalized earnings per share of approximately $2.05 to $2.25 compared to
actual normalized earnings per share and GAAP net income per share of $1.90 and $2.27 in 2023. For the year ended
December 31, 2023, income before income taxes and net income applicable to common shares were $912 million and $641
million, respectively.
The Utilities segment is expected to contribute approximately 55 percent of normalized EBITDA in 2024, with year-over-year
growth driven primarily by positive contribution from the continued rate base growth through ongoing capital investments in
asset modernization programs on behalf of AltaGas' customers, the DC rate case, normal 2024 weather, and new customer
growth, partially offset by the lost contribution from the Alaskan utilities due to the Alaska Utilities Disposition in the first quarter
of 2023, and higher operating and administrative expenses associated with a higher inflationary and cost environment. The
Midstream segment is expected to contribute approximately 45 percent of normalized EBITDA, with year-over-year expected
growth driven primarily by contributions from the Pipestone Acquisition, strong expected global export volumes and margins,
higher utilization at the Company's Northeastern B.C. facilities, and the absence of wildfire impacts, partially offset by the
absence of the resolution of certain commercial disputes in 2023, and lower co-generation revenue at the Harmattan gas
processing facility and extraction plant ("Harmattan"). Normalized EBITDA from the Corporate/Other segment, which includes
AltaGas' remaining power assets, is expected to be higher in 2024 mainly due to the impact of higher expected financial
performance at Blythe.
The expected variance in normalized earnings per share from $1.90 in 2023 to approximately $2.05 to $2.25 in 2024 is
expected to be primarily due to the same factors impacting normalized EBITDA and lower expected preferred share dividends,
partially offset by higher expected interest expense, higher depreciation and amortization expense, and higher income tax
expense.
The forecasted normalized EBITDA and earnings per share include assumptions around the Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange
rate. Within each segment, the performance of the underlying businesses has the potential to vary. Any variance from AltaGas’
current assumptions could impact the forecasted normalized EBITDA and normalized earnings per share. For further
discussion of the risks impacting AltaGas please refer to the Risk Factors section of AltaGas' 2023 Annual Information Form,
which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
AltaGas continues to focus on de-risking its business and managing direct commodity price exposure to drive predictable and
durable results. While the Company does have exposure, it plans to maintain an active hedging program that proactively
hedges commodity price and spread risk to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in margins and cash flows. For 2024, AltaGas
has hedged:
▪
▪
Approximately 90 percent of AltaGas' 2024 expected global export volumes through a combination of tolls and
financial hedges with an average FEI to North American financial hedge price of approximately US$18/Bbl for non-
tolled propane and butane volumes.
Approximately 80 percent of its 2024 expected frac exposed volumes hedged at approximately US$27/Bbl, prior to
transportation costs.
▪ Materially all of AltaGas' expected Baltic freight exposure is protected through time charters, financial hedges, and
tolled volumes in 2024.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 8
2024 Midstream Hedge Program
Global Exports volumes hedged (%) (1)
Average propane/butane FEI to North America average hedge
(US$/Bbl) (2)
Fractionation volume hedged (%) (3)
Frac spread hedge rate (US$/Bbl) (3)
Q1 2024
99
Q2 2024
88
Q3 2024
90
Q4 2024
84
Full Year
2024
90
18.47
75
28.13
17.37
91
27.51
16.54
19.24
17.88
91
27.51
66
25.06
80
27.04
(1)
(2)
(3)
Approximate expected volume hedged. Includes contracted tolling volumes and financial hedges. Based on AltaGas' internally assumed export volumes.
AltaGas is hedged at a higher percentage for firmly committed volumes.
Approximate average for the period. Does not include physical differential to FSK for C3 volumes. Butane is hedged as a percentage of WTI.
Approximate average for the period.
Sensitivity Analysis
AltaGas’ financial performance is affected by factors such as changes in commodity prices, exchange rates, and weather. The
following table illustrates the approximate effect of these key variables on AltaGas’ expected normalized EBITDA for 2024:
Factor
Degree day variance from normal - Utilities (1)
Change in Canadian dollar per U.S. dollar exchange rate (2)
Propane and butane Far East Index to Mont Belvieu spread (3)
Pension discount rate
Increase or
decrease
5 percent
0.05
US$1/Bbl
1 percent
Approximate impact
on normalized annual
EBITDA
($ millions)
8
6
23
2
(1) Degree days – Utilities relate to SEMCO and District of Columbia service areas. Degree days are a measure of coldness determined daily as the numbers of
degrees the average temperature during the day in question is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Degree days for a particular period are the average of degree
days during the prior 15 years for SEMCO and during the prior 30 years for Washington Gas.
The sensitivity is net of hedges on U.S. denominated earnings currently in place. Refer to the Risk Management section of this MD&A for more details.
The sensitivity is net of hedges currently in place. The impact on normalized EBITDA due to changes in the spread will vary and is being managed through
an active hedging program.
(2)
(3)
Growth Capital
AltaGas is maintaining a disciplined, equity self-funded capital program, and currently expects to deploy approximately $1.2
billion of invested capital in 2024, compared to actual invested capital of $946 million in 2023. The Utilities segment is
expected to account for approximately 58 percent of total 2024 capital expenditures, while the Midstream segment is expected
to account for approximately 36 percent, and the Corporate/Other segment will account for the balance. In 2024, AltaGas’
capital expenditures for the Utilities segment are expected to focus primarily on maintenance, safety, and reliability programs
including system betterment, asset modernization and pipeline replacement programs, and new customer additions. In the
Midstream segment, capital expenditures are anticipated to primarily relate to new project development, maintenance and
administrative capital, optimization of existing assets, and environmental initiatives. The Corporation continues to focus on
capital efficient organic growth and disciplined capital allocation while improving balance sheet strength and flexibility.
AltaGas' 2024 committed capital program is expected to be funded through internally-generated cash flow, opportunistic asset
sales, and normal course borrowings on existing committed credit facilities.
Please refer to the Net Invested Capital and Non-GAAP Financial Measures sections of this MD&A for additional information
on the components of AltaGas' invested capital.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 9
Growth Capital Project Updates
The following table summarizes the status of AltaGas’ significant growth projects:
Project
AltaGas'
Ownership
Interest
Midstream Projects
Estimated
Cost (1)
Expenditures
to Date (2)
Project Description and Status
Pipestone
Phase II
100%
$425 million
- $450
million
$107
million (3)
REEF
50%
Currently
undergoing
FEED and
detailed cost
estimations.
$33 million
(net of
partner
recoveries)
Pipestone Phase II is a 100 MMcf/d sour deep-cut natural
gas processing facility with 20,000 Bbls/d of liquids handling
capabilities. The project reached a positive FID in December
2023 and is 100 percent contracted under long-term take-or-
pay agreements. The project will be adjacent to Pipestone
Phase I, which AltaGas acquired in December 2022, and will
be constructed on a fixed price turnkey basis for the majority
of the capital costs. The project will begin construction in
2024 and when complete, will deliver critical gas processing
and liquids handling capacity in the Pipestone region of
Alberta, which is one of the fastest growing liquids-rich
natural gas developments in Canada.
REEF is a proposed large-scale LPG and bulk liquids export
terminal with supporting marine infrastructure that is planned
to be constructed on Ridley Island, British Columbia. The
project
is being developed by AltaGas and Vopak
Development Canada Holdings Inc. ("Vopak") and is planned
to be located adjacent to the partners' existing RIPET facility.
Should REEF reach a positive FID, the project is planned to
be developed and brought online in phases. This approach
will provide the most capital efficient build out of the project,
match energy export supply with
throughput capacity,
mitigate the challenges that a large development project can
have on the local community, and provide local construction
and employment opportunities that would extend over longer
time horizons. AltaGas will hold a 50 percent working interest
in REEF and will be the project operator with Vopak holding
the other 50 percent interest. If a positive FID is made, Phase
1 is anticipated to begin construction in 2024 and will include
construction of a new deep water marine jetty with significant
capacity for potential future phases. During the fourth quarter
of 2023, site clearing work including logging, clearing, and
draining activities commenced, that will further solidify the
project's readiness to reaching FID, which is expected during
the second quarter of 2024.
Expected
In-Service
Date
2025 Year-
end
Site
clearing
work is
underway
and FID is
expected
in the
second
quarter of
2024.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 10
Expected
In-Service
Date
Placed in
service in
January
2024.
In-service
date to be
determined
Second
quarter of
2024.
Project
AltaGas'
Ownership
Interest
Estimated
Cost (1)
Expenditures
to Date (2)
Midstream Projects, continued
Project Description and Status
Harmattan
Acid Gas
Injection Well
100% $49 million
$46 million
facility. The
AltaGas is nearing the completion of the Harmattan Acid Gas
Injection Well, which is a project that will be capable of
capturing up to 60,000 tonnes/year of carbon emissions at
AltaGas' Harmattan
involves
decommissioning Harmattan’s existing sulfur plant, which
significantly reduces the facility’s operational complexity and
extends the facility’s turnaround cycle from 4 years to 5
years, which is expected to result in ongoing cost savings.
The acid gas injection well was placed in service in January
2024.
project
Rolling Hills
Carbon
Sequestration
Hub
50%
Currently
undergoing
evaluation
work
N/A
Rolling Hills is a prospective open-access carbon hub being
evaluated by AltaGas and Whitecap Resources
Inc.
("Whitecap"). Rolling Hills would be strategically located near
AltaGas’ Harmattan gas plant and
is surrounded by
Whitecap’s extensive production and geological leadership in
Central Alberta. The project is designed to include CO2
injection wells, carbon storage in underground reservoirs,
and various intra-hub pipelines. AltaGas would have a 50
percent interest in the project with Whitecap holding the other
50 percent interest. The project has been awarded carbon
sequestration hub evaluation rights with evaluation work
progressing.
MVP
10%
US$352
million
US$352
million
MVP is an interstate natural gas pipeline system that spans
more than 300 miles from northwestern West Virginia to
southern Virginia. The project is owned by a consortium with
AltaGas owning a 10 percent equity stake. The project is
expected to provide up to 2 Bcf/day of firm transmission
capacity to markets in the Mid- and South Atlantic regions of
the United States. MVP has a targeted in-service date in the
second quarter of 2024. The total project costs are estimated
to be US$7.6 billion. AltaGas' exposure is contractually
capped
contributions of
approximately US$352 million.
the original estimated
to
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 11
Project
AltaGas'
Ownership
Interest
Estimated
Cost (1)
Expenditures
to Date (2)
Midstream Projects, continued
Project Description and Status
Expected
In-Service
Date
two counterparties
The MVP Southgate Project is an interstate natural gas
pipeline that will extend MVP by approximately 75 miles from
southern Virginia into central North Carolina. The project is
owned by a consortium with AltaGas owning a 5 percent
equity stake. In December 2023, MVP announced it entered
into precedent agreements with
to
collectively provide 550,000 Dth per day of firm capacity
commitments for 20-year terms with two potential five-year
extensions. The precedent agreements contemplate a
redesigned project, which would extend 31-miles from the
terminus of MVP in Pittsylvania County, Virginia to planned
new delivery points in Rockingham County, North Carolina
using a 30-inch diameter pipe, substantially fewer water
crossings, and would not require a new compressor station.
MVP expects to finalize the redesigned project scope after it
conducts an open season and executes any additional
agreements
redesigned MVP
firm capacity. The
Southgate Project is expected to cost approximately US$370
million, of which approximately US$19 million will be AltaGas'
portion. In the fourth quarter of 2021, AltaGas impaired its
equity investment in the MVP Southgate project to a carrying
value of $nil as a result of legal and regulatory challenges the
project has encountered.
for
("DC OPC") opposed
The second phase of Washington Gas' accelerated pipe
replacement program ("ARP") modernization in D.C. ended in
December 2023. On December 22, 2022, Washington Gas
filed an application with the PSC of DC for PROJECTpipes 3,
seeking approval of approximately US$672 million for the
five-year period from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028.
On November 6, 2023, Washington Gas filed a request to
extend PROJECTpipes 2 through December 31, 2024, while
the PSC of DC continues to evaluate the PROJECTpipes 3
application. The Office of the People’s Counsel for the District
of Columbia
request, and
Washington Gas responded. On December 20, 2023, the
PSC of DC held Washington Gas' extension request in
abeyance and directed the filing of additional information to
justify the extension. On January 4, 2024, Washington Gas
filed the requested information. Other parties subsequently
filed comments responding to Washington Gas' submission.
On February 23, 2024, the PSC of DC granted Washington
Gas' request to extend PROJECTpipes 2 and the surcharge
for 12 months, through February 2025, with a surcharge
spending limit of US$50 million. Washington Gas must also
file a project list for the extension period within 15 days of the
date of the Order. Washington Gas continues to view ARP
modernization programs as critical initiatives to ensure the
long-term safety and reliability of the network.
the
June 2028
with
majority of
the spend
expected
in 2027.
Individual
assets are
placed into
service
throughout
the
program
and are
captured in
rate base
through
rate riders.
MVP
Southgate
Project
5%
US$19
million
US$4
million
Utilities Projects
Accelerated
Utility Pipe
Replacement
Programs –
Washington
Gas -
District of
Columbia
100%
Estimated
US$150
million over
the three
year period
from January
2021 to
December
2023 and an
additional
US$50
million for
the 12-
month period
ending
February
2025, plus
additional
expenditures
for
subsequent
phases upon
approval.
US$149
million (4)
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 12
Project
AltaGas'
Ownership
Interest
Estimated
Cost (1)
Expenditures
to Date (2)
Utilities Projects, continued
Project Description and Status
Expected
In-Service
Date
Accelerated
Utility Pipe
Replacement
Programs –
Washington
Gas -
Maryland
100%
Estimated
US$350
million over
the five year
period from
January
2019 to
December
2023, plus
additional
expenditures
for
subsequent
phases upon
approval.
US$350
million (4)
The second phase of Washington Gas' ARP modernization
program in Maryland ("STRIDE 2.0") ended in December
2023. Beginning in March 2022, the PSC of MD has issued
orders reducing the Strategic Infrastructure Development
Enhancement Plan (STRIDE) surcharge for 2022 and 2023
by 14.7 percent each year. Recovery of STRIDE
expenditures not included in this surcharge will be requested
through the normal rate-making process. On June 16, 2023,
Washington Gas filed an application with the PSC of MD for
the third phase of its ARP modernization program ("STRIDE
3"), seeking approval for approximately US$495 million of
modernization investments on behalf of customers over the
five-year period from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028.
On October 25, 2023, a public law judge issued a proposed
order to approve the STRIDE 3 plan, subject to a reduced
number of replacement projects equal to a reduction to the
five-year budget by at least one third. On November 13,
2023, Washington Gas notified the PSC of MD that it accepts
the order. Two other parties [Maryland Office of People's
Counsel ("MD OPC") and Sierra Club] appealed, with Sierra
Club arguing for a smaller ARP program. On December 13,
2023, the PSC of MD affirmed the public law judge's
proposed order in part, and directed Washington Gas to
negotiate the terms of a notice to be sent to impacted
customers. On January 10, 2024, the PSC of MD issued a
memorandum explaining its December 13, 2023 decision. On
February 9, 2024, the MD OPC filed a motion for rehearing
with the PSC of MD. Washington Gas filed a response on
February 22, 2024 and a PSC of MD decision for rehearing is
pending.
Accelerated
Utility Pipe
Replacement
Programs –
Washington
Gas -
Virginia
100%
Estimated
US$878
million over
the five year
period from
January
2023 to
December
2027, plus
additional
expenditures
for
subsequent
phases upon
approval.
US$150
million (4)
On May 26, 2022, the Commonwealth of Virginia State
Corporation Commission ("SCC of VA") approved
the
proposed amendment for the 2023 to 2027 SAVE Plan with a
total five-year spending cap of approximately US$878 million,
which may be exceeded by up to 5 percent.
Individual
assets are
placed into
service
throughout
the
program
and are
captured in
rate base
through
rate riders.
Individual
assets are
placed into
service
throughout
the
program
and are
captured in
rate base
through
rate riders.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 13
Project
AltaGas'
Ownership
Interest
Estimated
Cost (1)
Expenditures
to Date (2)
Utilities Projects, continued
Project Description and Status
Accelerated
Mains
Replacement
and
Infrastructure
Reliability
Improvement
Programs –
SEMCO
ENERGY -
Michigan
100%
Estimated
US$115
million over
five year
period from
2021 to
2025, plus
additional
expenditures
for
subsequent
phases upon
approval.
US$67
million (4)
A Main Replacement Program ("MRP") was agreed to in
SEMCO’s last rate case settled in December 2019. The five-
year MRP program began in 2021 with a total spend of
to
approximately US$60 million.
the MRP
In addition
program, SEMCO was also granted an
Infrastructure
Reliability Improvement Program ("IRIP"), which is also a
five-year program with a total spend of approximately US$55
million beginning in 2021.
Expected
In-Service
Date
Individual
assets are
placed into
service
throughout
the
program
and are
captured in
rate base
through
rate riders.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
These amounts are estimates and are subject to change based on various factors. Where appropriate, the amounts reflect AltaGas’ share of the various
projects.
Expenditures to date reflect total cumulative capital expenditures incurred from inception of the projects to December 31, 2023.
Includes expenditures made prior to acquisition and incurred after the close of the Pipestone Acquisition on December 22, 2023.
The utility accelerated replacement programs are long-term projects with multiple phases for which expenditures are approved by the regulators and
managed in multi-year increments. Expenditures to date only include amounts for the current programs described above, and exclude any expenditures
made under prior increments of the programs. Actual regulatory filings may differ from reported amounts.
Utilities
Description of Assets
AltaGas owns and operates utilities assets that store and deliver natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial end-
users in Virginia, Maryland, Michigan, and the District of Columbia. Subsequent to the Alaska Utilities Disposition on March 1,
2023, AltaGas' Utilities provide energy to approximately 1.6 million customers with an average rate base of approximately
US$5.1 billion.
The Utilities are underpinned by regulated returns and regulatory regimes that generally provide AltaGas with stable earnings
and cash flows. The Utilities segment enhances the diversification of AltaGas' portfolio of energy infrastructure assets and
strengthens the Corporation’s business profile, thus allowing the Corporation to meet its objective of operating a diversified
lower-risk, high-growth energy infrastructure business that is focused on delivering resilient and durable value for its
stakeholders with long-life assets.
The Utilities segment includes:
Hampshire Gas, which provides regulated interstate natural gas storage to Washington Gas;
▪ Washington Gas, which is a regulated gas utility that operates in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia;
▪
▪
▪ WGL's Retail Marketing business, which is an unregulated energy platform that sells power and natural gas directly
to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the
SEMCO, which is a regulated gas utility that operates in Michigan; and
District of Columbia.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 14
All of AltaGas' regulated Utilities are allowed the opportunity to earn regulated returns. This return on rate base is composed of
regulator-allowed financing costs and return on equity ("ROE"). If actual costs are different from those recoverable through
approved rates, the utility bears the risk of this difference other than for certain costs that are subject to deferral treatment.
Earnings in the Utilities segment are seasonal, as revenues are primarily based on the demand for space heating in the winter
months, mainly from November to March. Costs, on the other hand, are generally incurred more uniformly over the year. This
typically results in stronger first and fourth quarters and weaker second and third quarters. In Michigan and the District of
Columbia, earnings can be impacted by variations from normal weather resulting in delivered gas volumes being different than
anticipated. Increases in the number of customers or changes in customer usage are other factors that might typically affect
delivered volumes, and hence actual earned returns for the Utilities segment. In Virginia and Maryland, Washington Gas has
billing mechanisms in place which are designed to eliminate or mitigate the effects of variance in customer usage caused by
weather and other factors such as conservation.
Washington Gas
Washington Gas is a regulated gas utility that distributes natural gas to end users in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of
Columbia. At the end of 2023, Washington Gas had approximately 1.2 million customers, of which approximately 94 percent
were residential and the balance were commercial and industrial. The number of customers at Washington Gas increased
approximately 1 percent in 2023. The average rate base for the year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately US$4.2
billion. At the end of 2023, the approved regulated ROE for Washington Gas in its various jurisdictions ranged from 9.3 - 9.7
percent based on an equity ratio ranging from 52.0 - 52.5 percent.
Washington Gas is regulated by the PSC of DC, the PSC of MD, and the SCC of VA, which approve its terms of service and
the billing rates that it charges to customers. The rates charged to Utilities customers are designed to recover Washington Gas’
operating expenses and natural gas commodity costs and to provide a return on its investment in the net assets used in its firm
gas sales and delivery service.
Washington Gas utilizes ARP modernization programs across all three of its operating jurisdictions. These programs are
focused on reducing risk and further enhancing the safety and reliability of the networks. Each regulatory commission with
jurisdiction over Washington Gas’ customer rates has ARPs with an associated surcharge mechanism to recover the cost,
including providing a return on those capital investments. In contrast to the traditional rate-making approach to capital
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 15
investments, these ARP programs ensure that Washington Gas is receiving recovery for these investments as the programs
are executed against over three to five-year approved increments.
Washington Gas’ customers are eligible to purchase their natural gas from unregulated third-party marketers through natural
gas unbundling. As at December 31, 2023, approximately 13 percent of its customers have chosen to purchase gas from
marketers. This does not negatively impact Washington Gas’ earnings as the Corporation does not earn a margin on the sale
of natural gas to firm customers, rather only from the delivery and distribution of the gas.
Washington Gas obtains natural gas supplies that originate from multiple regions throughout the United States. At
December 31, 2023, it had service agreements with four pipeline companies that provided firm transportation and storage
services with contract expiration dates ranging from 2024 to 2044. Washington Gas has also contracted with various interstate
pipeline and storage companies to add to its storage and transportation capacity. Washington Gas, under its asset optimization
program, makes use of storage and transportation capacity resources available, when those assets are not required to serve
utility customers. The objective of this program is to derive a profit from excess storage and transportation capacity that is
shared with its utility customers. These profits are earned by entering into commodity-related physical and financial contracts
with third parties and the profits help reduce overall utility costs for Washington Gas' customers.
Hampshire Gas
Hampshire owns underground natural gas storage facilities, including pipeline delivery facilities located in and around
Hampshire County, West Virginia, and operates these facilities to serve Washington Gas. Hampshire is regulated by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"). Washington Gas purchases all of the storage services of Hampshire, and
includes the cost of the services in the commodity cost of its regulated energy bills to customers. Hampshire operates under a
“pass-through” cost-of-service based tariff approved by FERC.
SEMCO
SEMCO is a regulated gas utility that distributes natural gas to end users in Michigan's southern half of the Lower Peninsula
and in the central, eastern, and western parts of the state's Upper Peninsula. At the end of 2023, SEMCO had approximately
320,000 regulated customers, of which approximately 92 percent were residential, and the balance were commercial and
industrial. In 2023, SEMCO experienced customer growth of approximately 1 percent reflecting growth in the franchise areas
and customer conversions with the favourable price of natural gas compared to other heating sources. The average 2023 rate
base was approximately US$894 million. In 2023, the approved regulated ROE for SEMCO was 9.87 percent with an
approved capital structure based on 45.86 percent equity, inclusive of the impact of deferred income tax.
SEMCO is regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission ("MPSC"). It operates under cost-of-service regulation and
utilizes actual results from the most recently completed fiscal year along with known and measurable changes in its application
for new rates.
SEMCO has an Accelerated MRP surcharge to recover a stated amount of accelerated main replacement capital expenditures
in excess of what is authorized in its current base rates. For the years 2021 to 2025, the anticipated annual average capital
spending is approximately US$12 million. Any MRP revenue associated with unspent capital will be placed into a regulatory
liability account to be addressed in the next general rate base case. Additionally, an IRIP was approved in the 2019 rate case,
pursuant to which SEMCO will complete certain projects totaling US$55 million to improve the reliability of infrastructure.
Similar to the MRP, any unspent IRIP capital is placed into a regulatory liability account to be addressed in the next general
rate base case. At December 31, 2023, there was less than $1 million of underspent IRIP capital.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 16
Retail Energy Marketing
The U.S. retail gas marketing business sells natural gas directly to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in
Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia.
The U.S. retail power marketing business sells power to end users in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the District
of Columbia. This area is served by the PJM Interconnection ("PJM"), a regional transmission organization that regulates and
coordinates generation supply and the wholesale delivery of electricity in these states and jurisdictions.
Natural gas and electricity are purchased with the objective of earning a profit through competitively priced sales contracts with
end users. Requirements to serve retail customers is closely matched with commitments for deliveries, and thus, a secured
supply arrangement expiring in March 2026 has been entered into with Shell Energy North America (US), L.P, which reduces
credit requirements.
Capitalize on Opportunities
AltaGas expects to grow its existing utility infrastructure through continued investment and capital improvements in franchise
areas, which will result in rate base growth and continued customer growth including the conversion of users of alternative
energy sources to natural gas. AltaGas' utilities have had annual rate base growth averaging approximately 9 percent over the
past three years after adjusting for the impact of foreign exchange translation and excluding the impact of asset sales. The
growth in rate base is a result of prudent investments in current areas of operations and the addition of new customers.
Customer growth rates for AltaGas’ utilities are moderate, as is typical with mature utilities, with growth rates generally tied
closely to the economic growth of the respective franchise regions.
Midstream
Description of Assets
AltaGas’ Midstream segment is a leading North American platform that connects customers and markets. From wellhead to
tidewater, the Company is focused on providing its customers with safe and reliable service and connectivity that facilitates the
best outcomes for their businesses. This includes global market access for North American LPGs, which provides North
American producers and aggregators with attractive netbacks for propane and butane while delivering diversity of supply and
supporting stronger energy security in Asia to AltaGas' downstream customers.
Throughout AltaGas' Midstream operations, the Company is playing a vital role within the larger energy ecosystem that keeps
the global economy moving forward in a safe, reliable, and affordable manner.
AltaGas’ Midstream platform is heavily focused on the Montney and Deep Basin resource plays and centers around global
exports, which is where the Company believes the market is headed for Canadian resource development over the long-term.
AltaGas also operates a broader set of midstream infrastructure assets across the WCSB and select regions in the U.S., which
are all focused on connecting customers and markets in the most efficient manner possible.
There are three core pillars to AltaGas’ Midstream platform that are integral to each other and facilitate the Company’s
wellhead to tidewater value chain. These include:
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 17
▪
▪
▪
Global Exports, which includes AltaGas’ two operational LPG export terminals where the Company has capacity to
export up to 150,000 Bbl/d of propane and butane to key markets in Asia;
Natural Gas Gathering, Processing and Extraction, which includes 1.2 Bcf/d of extraction processing capacity and
approximately 1.2 Bcf/d of raw field gas processing capacity, which is heavily focused on the Montney and Deep
Basin; and
Fractionation and Liquids Handling, which includes 85 MBbl/d of fractionation capacity and a sizable liquids
handling footprint.
The Midstream segment also consists of natural gas and NGL marketing business, domestic logistics, trucking and rail
terminals, and approximately 3.2 million barrels of liquid storage capability though a network of underground salt caverns
through the Company’s Strathcona Storage Joint Venture with ATCO Energy Solutions Ltd, 15 Bcf of natural gas storage
through the recently acquired Dimsdale facility, as well as AltaGas’ 10 percent interest in MVP, which is nearing completion.
The Midstream segment includes expansion projects under development or construction, as discussed under the Growth
Capital section of this MD&A.
Global Exports
AltaGas’ global export business provides market connectivity for north American LPGs to reach global downstream markets
and realize the strongest pricing. The business owns and operates two large-scale operational export terminals and has one
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 18
proposed new export terminal that is currently undergoing FEED evaluation with expectations of reaching an FID in the second
quarter of 2024.
The operational terminals include RIPET, which is located on Ridley Island in Northern B.C. and exclusively exports propane,
and the Ferndale terminal, which is located in Washington State and exports propane and butane to key downstream markets.
The two facilities have the combined capacity to export up to 150,000 Bbls/d of LPGs and are supported by 1.4 million barrels
of onsite LPG storage capacity. Both of these facilities are capable of loading VLGCs, which provide the strongest economies
of scale and are the most efficient, safest, and lowest-carbon solution to transporting across the Pacific Ocean. VLGCs are
also the most in demand vessels from a destination perspective in key import markets, like Japan and South Korea.
REEF is a proposed large-scale LPG and bulk liquids export terminal with supporting marine infrastructure that is planned to
be constructed on Ridley Island in Northern B.C. and will be adjacent to the current RIPET terminal. The project is being
developed by AltaGas and Vopak and is proposed to have the capability to export propane and butane in the first phase of
development, with bulk liquids, ethane and other products as potential next phases of development. Should REEF reach a
positive FID, the project is planned to be developed and brought online in phases. This approach will provide the most capital
efficient build out of the project, match energy export supply with throughput capacity, mitigate the challenges that a large
development project can have on the local community, and provide local construction and employment opportunities that
would extend over longer time horizons. If a positive FID is made, Phase 1 is anticipated to begin construction in 2024 and will
include construction of a new deep water marine jetty with significant capacity for potential future phases. During the fourth
quarter of 2023, site clearing work, including logging, clearing, and draining activities commenced, which further solidifies the
project's readiness to advance the project.
Natural Gas Gathering, Processing and Extraction
Gas gathering and processing activities are comprised of gathering systems that move raw natural gas and NGLs from
producing wells to processing facilities, where impurities and certain hydrocarbon components are removed, and the product
moves down the energy value chain. The gas is then compressed to meet downstream pipelines' operating specifications for
transportation to North American natural gas markets. All of AltaGas' processing facilities are capable of extracting NGLs and
converting the throughput into usable products. The facilities provide revenues based on take-or-pay contracts and fee-for-
service arrangements with its customers, with the latter based on volumes processed. A significant portion of AltaGas'
Midstream contracts flow the Company's operating costs through to the producers. AltaGas' gas gathering, processing, and
extraction facilities are as follows:
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 19
Natural Gas Gathering, Processing, and Extraction Facilities
Facility
Townsend
Pipestone Phase I
Gordondale
Blair Creek
JEEP
EEEP
Empress Pembina ("PEEP")
Harmattan
Younger
Location
North of Fort St. John, BC
Grand Prairie, AB
Bonanza, AB
North of Fort St. John, BC
Joffre, AB
Edmonton, AB
Empress, AB
Sundre, AB
Taylor, BC
Total
Interest
(%)
100 %
100 %
100 %
100 %
100 %
100 %
11 %
100 %
28 %
Operated / Non-
Operated
Operated
Operated
Operated
Operated
Operated
Operated
Non-Operated
Operated
Non-Operated
2023 Licensed Capacity
Gas Processing - Net
(Mmcf/d)
550
110
150
120
250
390
135
490
213
2,408
AltaGas also owns and operates the Pipestone II facility, for which a positive FID has been made. Pipestone Phase II is a fully
permitted, shovel-ready expansion project that will provide an additional 100 MMcf/d of sour deep-cut natural gas processing
capacity and an additional 20,000 Bbls/d of liquids handling capabilities.
Fractionation and Liquids Handling
Fractionation production is a function of NGL mix volumes processed, liquids composition, recovery efficiency of the plants,
and plant on-line time. Due to the integration and inter-connectivity of AltaGas' Midstream assets, the fractionation and liquids
handling activities provide integral services to the other Midstream businesses and customers by providing access to high
value NGL products with access to North American and global markets through rail networks, pipelines, RIPET, and Ferndale.
AltaGas' liquids handling infrastructure consists of NGL pipelines, treating, storage, truck, and rail terminal infrastructure
centered around AltaGas’ key Midstream operating assets at RIPET, Ferndale, Harmattan and, in Northeast British Columbia
("NEBC"), Townsend and North Pine. AltaGas' fractionation and liquids handling business also includes terminals, wellsite
fluids and fuels, and trucking.
AltaGas’ fractionation and liquids handling facilities are as follows:
Facility
Harmattan
Younger
North Pine
Pipestone Phase I
Total
Fractionation and Liquids Handling Facilities
Location
Sundre, AB
Taylor, BC
Fort St. John, BC
Grand Prairie, AB
Interest (%)
100 %
50 %
100 %
100 %
Operated / Non-
Operated
Operated
Non-Operated
Operated
Operated
2023 Licensed Capacity
NGL Fractionation - Net
(Bbls/d)
35,000
9,750
20,000
20,000
84,750
Other fractionation and liquids handling infrastructure includes:
▪
A network of NGL pipelines in the NEBC area that connects upstream gas plant producers to the AltaGas North Pine
facility. The NEBC NGL pipelines consist of three liquids egress lines. The third line, which connects the Townsend
facility to the Townsend truck terminal on the Alaska Highway (30 km) and AltaGas' North Pine facility (70 km), was
commissioned in the third quarter of 2020;
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 20
▪
▪
NGL and spec propane lines that connect the Townsend complex in the North, to the Aitken Creek facilities through
the 60 km Aitken Connector NGL pipeline, Canadian Natural Resources Limited's Nig plant through a lateral, and to
the Tourmaline Gundy facility in the West through a 15 km spec propane line, were commissioned in the first half of
2020;
A rail logistics network consisting of more than 4,000 rail cars that AltaGas manages to support LPG and NGL
handling.
Terminals and Storage
AltaGas' terminals and storage business provides support to the LPG exports and distribution business by providing the ability
to source, transport, process, store, and deliver products through strategically located fixed assets throughout North America.
In addition, the business provides various storage and handling services to third-party customers through take-or-pay and fee-
for-service agreements, which provide earnings stability through volatile commodity price environments.
The terminals and storage business consists of strategically located crude, NGL, and natural gas assets which provide
storage, blending, rail, and truck logistical support and waterborne LPG export capabilities. Significant infrastructure includes:
Terminals
Facility
Griffith LPG Terminal
Fort Sask. NGL Terminal
Strathcona Storage JV
Crude Blending Terminals
Total
Location Interest (%)
100 %
100 %
Operated / Non-
Operated
Operated
Operated
40 % Non-Operated
Operated
100 %
Griffith, IN
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Various
Operational
Capacity LPG/
NGL/Crude - Gross
(Bbls/d)
12,000
25,000
—
25,700
2023 Storage
Capacity - Gross
(Bbls)
700,000
180,000
3,215,500
20,000
62,700
4,115,500
Location
Facility
Sarnia Gas Storage
Sarnia, ON
Dimsdale Natural Gas Storage Grand Prairie, AB
Interest (%)
50 %
100 %
Operated / Non-
Operated
Non-Operated
Operated
2023 Storage Capacity -
Gross (Bcf)
5.9
15.0
Natural Gas Storage Facilities
Other terminals and storage infrastructure includes:
▪
▪
▪
Sarnia Storage and Crude Oil Terminal JV agreement, which provides up to 2.1 million barrels of crude oil and refined
product storage capacity with outbound throughput supported by 10,000 Bbls/d of rail loading capacity. The right to
access the terminal assets under the joint venture arrangement have been recorded as a lease by AltaGas;
Three primary trucking entities which AltaGas operates, providing transportation related services within the WCSB
and the Pacific Northwest in the U.S. by hauling frac fluid, produced water, crude oil, and NGLs between producers,
terminals, customers and end users; and
Enerchem International Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AltaGas, is a Canadian corporation which focuses on the
production of drilling and wellsite fluids and consumer fuels. Enerchem operates two primary facilities located in
Sundre and Slave Lake, Alberta, which are capable of processing over 1.5 million barrels of finished products per
year. These plants are supported by various ancillary storage and distribution facilities located across the WCSB,
providing over 150,000 barrels of storage capacity, strategically placed within the vicinity of active drilling regions.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 21
Energy Services
In addition to supporting the other Midstream activities within AltaGas, the logistics business identifies opportunities to buy and
resell NGLs for producers, and exchange, reallocate or resell pipeline and storage capacity to earn a profit. Net revenues from
these activities are derived from low risk opportunities based on transportation cost differentials between pipeline systems and
differences in commodity prices from one period to another. Margins are earned by locking in buy and sell transactions in
compliance with AltaGas’ credit and commodity risk policies. AltaGas also provides energy procurement services for utilities
gas users and manages the third-party pipeline transportation requirements for many of its gas marketing customers.
AltaGas' marketing business is focused on the purchase, sale, exchange, and distribution of NGLs and crude oil, primarily in
proximity to its strategically owned and leased asset base. By leveraging AltaGas' fully integrated infrastructure base and
extensive logistical capabilities, the marketing team is able to source competitively priced supply at the key hubs and across
various hydrocarbon basins in order to capture arbitrage opportunities derived through regional pricing differentials. Marketing
efforts are driven by two primary focuses: 1) domestic NGL and crude oil wholesale, and 2) LPG waterborne exports. AltaGas
supports its distribution efforts by maintaining an extensive leased rail fleet. Leases are on a full-service basis and are
established on a staggered maturity schedule with multiple lessors to ensure railcar integrity and up-to-date DOT classification.
Pipeline Investments
AltaGas has a 10 percent equity interest in the MVP, which is an interstate natural gas pipeline system that spans more than
300 miles from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia. The project is owned by a consortium with AltaGas owning a
10 percent equity stake. The project is expected to provide up to 2.0 Bcf/d of firm transmission capacity to markets in the Mid-
and South Atlantic regions of the United States and has throughput expansion opportunities. AltaGas also owns a 5 percent
equity stake in the MVP Southgate Project, which is an interstate natural gas pipeline that will extend MVP by approximately
75 miles from Southern Virginia into central North Carolina. The targeted in-service date for MVP is the second quarter of
2024, and the completion date for MVP Southgate is June 2028. Please refer to the Growth Capital section of the MD&A for
additional details on MVP and MVP Southgate.
Harmattan Acid Gas Injection Well and Rolling Hills Carbon Capture Project
AltaGas is nearing the completion of the Harmattan Acid Gas Injection well, which is a project that will be capable of capturing
up to 60,000 tonnes/year of carbon emissions at the Company’s Harmattan gas plant. The project involves decommissioning
Harmattan’s existing sulfur plant, which significantly reduces the facility’s operational complexity and extends the facility’s
turnaround cycle from 4 years to 5 years, which is expected to result in ongoing cost savings. The acid gas injection well was
placed in service in January 2024.
Rolling Hills is a prospective open-access carbon hub being evaluated by AltaGas and Whitecap and would be strategically
located near AltaGas’ Harmattan gas plant and is surrounded by Whitecap’s extensive production and geological leadership in
Central Alberta. The project is designed to include CO2 injection wells, carbon storage in underground reservoirs, and various
intra-hub pipelines. AltaGas would have a 50 percent interest in the project with Whitecap Resources holding the other 50
percent interest. The project has been awarded carbon sequestration hub evaluation rights with evaluation work progressing.
Capitalize on Opportunities
To take advantage of opportunities, including the continued Montney LPG growth and the increasing Asian demand for LPG,
AltaGas plans to grow its Midstream business by expanding and optimizing strategically-located assets as well as its global
export platform. New infrastructure consists of larger scale facilities supporting the vast reserves in North America and growing
the footprint and integration of AltaGas' existing assets. While providing safe and reliable service, AltaGas pursues
opportunities in the Midstream segment to deliver value to its customers while enhancing long-term shareholder value.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 22
Corporate/Other
Description of Assets
AltaGas' Corporate/Other activities includes all non-operating activities that support AltaGas and are not specifically
attributable to the Utilities and Midstream segments. This includes the last remaining assets of AltaGas' former Power
segment, including the Blythe Energy Center, a natural gas-fired plant in California with 507 MW of generating capacity (the
"Blythe Energy Center" or "Blythe").
Blythe Energy Center is a gas-fired power generation asset that serves the transmission grid operated by the California
Independent System Operator ("CAISO") to cover periods of high demand primarily driven by the Los Angeles region. The
facility is directly connected to an El Paso Gas Company natural gas pipeline for its primary gas supply and a Southern
California Gas Company pipeline as a secondary supply source, and interconnects to Southern California Edison ("SCE") and
CAISO via a 67-mile transmission line also owned by Blythe Energy Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas. In
February 2023, AltaGas reached an agreement with SCE for the purchase of resource adequacy attributes from Blythe for the
period from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027. AltaGas believes this facility is an important asset for California to
meet its ongoing power needs and ensuring the reliability of the power grid during peak demand periods.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 23
Consolidated Financial Review
($ millions, except where noted)
Revenue
Normalized EBITDA (1)
Income before income taxes
Net income applicable to common shares
Normalized net income (1)(2)
Total assets
Total long-term liabilities
Invested capital (1)(3)
Cash flows used in investing activities
Dividends declared (4)
Cash from (used by) operations
Normalized funds from operations (1)
Normalized effective income tax rate (%) (1)(2)
Effective income tax rate (%)
($ per share, except shares outstanding)
Net income per common share - basic
Net income per common share - diluted
Normalized net income - basic (1)(2)
Normalized net income - diluted (1)(2)
Dividends declared (4)
Cash from (used by) operations
Normalized funds from operations (1)
Shares outstanding - basic (millions)
During the period (5)
End of period
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
3,898
454
78
54
189
23,965
12,940
326
(336)
75
(289)
371
21.5
15.4
2023
3,288
502
161
113
214
23,471
12,195
290
(594)
79
154
376
21.1
20.5
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
0.19
0.19
0.67
0.67
0.27
(1.02)
1.32
2023
0.40
0.40
0.76
0.75
0.28
0.54
1.33
283
295
282
282
Year Ended
December 31
2022
14,087
1,537
716
399
544
23,965
12,940
948
(997)
298
539
1,204
20.4
20.0
2023
12,997
1,575
912
641
536
23,471
12,195
946
(199)
316
1,121
1,128
20.9
24.5
Year Ended
December 31
2022
1.42
1.41
1.94
1.92
1.06
1.92
4.28
281
282
2023
2.27
2.26
1.90
1.89
1.12
3.98
4.00
282
295
(1) Non-GAAP financial measure; see discussion in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A.
(2)
In the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude the impact of unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains) on intercompany
balances between Canadian and U.S. entities. Prior periods have been restated to reflect this change. Please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures
section of this MD&A for additional details.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude cash paid for business acquisitions and for the purchase of remaining non-
controlling interest in a subsidiary from invested capital. Prior periods have been restated to reflect this change.
(3)
(4) Dividends declared per common share per quarter: $0.265 per share beginning March 2022, increased to $0.28 per share beginning March 31, 2023,
increased to $0.2975 per share beginning March 31, 2024.
(5) Weighted average.
Three Months Ended December 31
Normalized EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $502 million, compared to $454 million for the same quarter in 2022.
The largest positive impact was from the Midstream segment, followed by the Utilities and Corporate/Other segments.
In the Midstream segment, normalized EBITDA was positively impacted by higher profitability from the global exports business,
including hedging gains, AFUDC at MVP as a result of the resumption of construction activities in June 2023, stronger
marketing profitability due to the absence of the 2022 write down of natural gas storage inventory to its net realizable value,
and lower operating and administrative expenses in the quarter. These factors were partially offset by the absence of the
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 24
favourable resolution of certain acquisition related commercial disputes and contingencies in the fourth quarter of 2022, lower
profitability at the extraction facilities driven by lower frac spreads, third party pipeline restrictions, and lower power revenue at
Harmattan primarily driven by lower power prices.
In the Utilities segment, factors positively impacting normalized EBITDA included higher contribution from WGL's retail
marketing business, customer growth, higher rate base from ongoing ARP modernization investments, foreign exchange
hedge gains, contribution from Washington Gas' 2022 Virginia rate case, and lower operating and administrative expenses.
These factors were partially offset by the impact of the Alaska Utilities Disposition, decreased asset optimization activities at
Washington Gas relative to the larger-than-normal contribution in the fourth quarter of 2022, and warmer weather in Michigan
and the District of Columbia where the Utilities do not have weather normalization and decoupled rate structures.
In the Corporate/Other segment, normalized EBITDA was positively impacted by lower personnel-related expenses and lower
corporate operating and administrative expenses.
For the three months ended December 31, 2023, the average Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate increased to 1.362 from an
average of 1.358 in the same quarter of 2022, resulting in an increase in normalized EBITDA of less than $1 million.
Income before income taxes for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $161 million, compared to $78 million for the same quarter in
2022. The increase was mainly due to lower unrealized losses on risk management contracts, the same previously referenced
factors impacting normalized EBITDA, and the absence of provisions on assets, partially offset by higher foreign exchange
losses and costs related to the CEO transition and other restructuring initiatives that took place in 2023. Net income applicable
to common shares for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $113 million ($0.40 per share), compared to $54 million ($0.19 per share)
for the same quarter in 2022. The increase was primarily due to the same previously referenced factors impacting income
before income taxes, partially offset by higher income tax expense and the loss on the redemption of the Series E Preferred
Shares on December 31, 2023.
Normalized funds from operations for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $376 million ($1.33 per share), compared to $371 million
($1.32 per share) for the same quarter in 2022. The increase was mainly due to the same previously referenced factors
impacting normalized EBITDA, partially offset by the impact of non-cash items included in normalized EBITDA, higher
normalized current income tax expense, and higher interest expense.
Cash from operations for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $154 million ($0.54 per share), compared to cash used by operations
of $289 million ($1.02 per share) for the same quarter in 2022. The increase was mainly due to favourable variances in the net
change in operating assets and liabilities, primarily as a result of fluctuations in commodity prices and sales volumes, partially
offset by lower net income after taxes (after adjusting for non-cash items). Please refer to the Liquidity section of this MD&A for
further details on the variance in cash from operations.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, AltaGas recorded pre-tax provisions on assets of approximately $6 million ($5 million after-tax)
primarily related to the abandoned Alton natural gas storage projects as a result of updated reclamation cost estimates.
Operating and administrative expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $427 million, compared to $396 million for the same
quarter in 2022. The increase was mainly due to the absence of acquisition related contingencies, partially offset by the impact
of the Alaska Utilities Disposition. Depreciation and amortization expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $110 million,
compared to $112 million for the same quarter in 2022. The decrease was due to the impact of the Alaska Utilities Disposition,
partially offset by the impact of new assets placed in-service. Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $101 million,
compared to $99 million for the same quarter in 2022. The increase was due to $3 million of incremental hybrid interest costs
compared to the same quarter in 2022 due to hybrid notes replacing preferred shares. Excluding the impact of shifting the
financing costs between preferred shares and hybrid notes, interest costs were relatively comparable. For the three months
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 25
ended December 31, 2023, AltaGas recorded total interest expense of $11 million on the subordinated hybrid notes, which
previously would have been captured in preferred share dividends.
AltaGas recorded income tax expense of $33 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $12 million in the same quarter
in 2022. The increase in income tax expense was mainly due to an increase in income before income taxes in the fourth
quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter in 2022.
Normalized net income was $214 million ($0.76 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $189 million ($0.67 per
share) reported for the same quarter in 2022. The increase was mainly due to the same factors impacting normalized EBITDA,
partially offset by higher foreign exchange losses and higher normalized income tax expense. Normalizing items in the fourth
quarter of 2023 increased normalized net income by $101 million and included after-tax amounts related to unrealized losses
on risk management contracts, CEO transition and other restructuring costs, transaction costs related to acquisitions and
dispositions, unrealized foreign exchange losses on intercompany balances, and loss on redemption of preferred shares.
Normalizing items in the fourth quarter of 2022 increased normalized net income by $135 million and included after-tax
amounts related to transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions, provisions on assets, unrealized foreign
exchange losses on intercompany balances, and unrealized losses on risk management contracts. Please refer to the Non-
GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A for further details on normalization adjustments.
Year Ended December 31
Normalized EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $1,575 million, compared to $1,537 million in 2022, with the
largest positive impact coming from the Midstream segment.
In the Midstream segment, normalized EBITDA was positively impacted by higher earnings from the export facilities, AFUDC at
MVP, the absence of the 2022 write down of natural gas storage inventory to its net realizable value, the favourable resolution
of certain acquisition related commercial disputes and contingencies, and other smaller factors. These were partially offset by
the absence of turnaround recoveries in the third quarter of 2022, the impact of the sale of AltaGas' interest in the Aitken Creek
processing facilities in the second quarter of 2022, lower inventory withdrawals, lower earnings at the extraction facilities driven
by lower frac spreads, higher operating costs within the global export business, downtime from turnarounds at the extraction
facilities in the third quarter of 2023, and lower marketing contribution.
In the Utilities segment, factors positively impacting normalized EBITDA included the impact of a higher average Canadian/
U.S. dollar exchange rate, contribution from the 2022 Virginia rate case, higher revenue from ARP modernization investment,
the gain resulting from the partial debt defeasance associated with the Alaska Utilities Disposition in the first quarter of 2023
(please refer to Note 15 of the Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2023 for further
details), customer growth, and foreign exchange hedge gains. These factors were more than offset by the impact of the Alaska
Utilities Disposition, decreased asset optimization activities at Washington Gas relative to the larger-than-normal contribution in
2022, warmer weather in Michigan and the District of Columbia where the utilities do not have weather normalization and rate
decoupling, higher operating and administrative expenses, and lower contributions from WGL's retail marketing business.
Factors that positively impacted the Corporate/Other segment normalized EBITDA included lower corporate operating and
administrative expenses and lower personnel related expenses, partially offset by lower contributions from Blythe.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the average Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate increased to 1.35 from an average
of 1.30 in 2022, resulting in an increase in normalized EBITDA of approximately $34 million.
Income before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $912 million, compared to $716 million in 2022. The
increase was mainly due to higher pre-tax gains on dispositions of assets, including the gain on the Alaska Utilities Disposition
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 26
and additional proceeds received due to contract contingencies on the sale of the Goleta energy storage development in
Goleta, California ("Goleta") that was divested in the first quarter of 2022, as well as the same previously referenced factors
impacting normalized EBITDA, and the absence of provisions on assets, partially offset by higher interest expense, higher
transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions, higher unrealized losses on risk management contracts, CEO
transition and other restructuring costs incurred in 2023, and higher foreign exchange losses. Net income applicable to
common shares for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $641 million ($2.27 per share), compared to $399 million ($1.42
per share) in 2022. The increase was mainly due to the same previously referenced factors impacting income before income
taxes, lower loss on the redemption of preferred shares, lower net income applicable to non-controlling interests, and lower
preferred share dividends, partially offset by higher income tax expense.
Normalized funds from operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $1,128 million ($4.00 per share), compared to
$1,204 million ($4.28 per share) in 2022. The decrease was mainly due to higher interest expense and the impact of non-cash
items included in normalized EBITDA, partially offset by the same factors impacting normalized EBITDA and lower normalized
current income tax expense.
Cash from operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $1,121 million ($3.98 per share), compared to $539 million
($1.92 per share) in 2022. The increase was mainly due to favourable variances in the net change in operating assets and
liabilities, primarily as a result of fluctuations in commodity prices and sales volumes, partially offset by lower net income after
taxes after adjusting for non-cash items. Please refer to the Liquidity section of this MD&A for further details on the variance in
cash from operations.
In 2023, AltaGas recorded pre-tax gains on dispositions of assets of approximately $319 million which was primarily comprised
of the gain on the Alaska Utilities Disposition. Additional proceeds included the favourable settlement of contract contingencies
related to the sale of Goleta, and the cash proceeds received from an escrow account related to the 2019 disposition of
AltaGas' interest in the Central Penn pipeline ("Central Penn"). In 2022, AltaGas recorded a pre-tax gain on disposition of
assets of approximately $3 million.
Operating and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $1,579 million, compared to $1,568 million
in 2022. The increase was due to a number of factors, including higher operating and administrative expense at the Utilities,
the impact of the higher average Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate, and higher operating costs within the global exports
business, partially offset by the impact of the Alaska Utilities Disposition, lower operating costs at the extraction facilities and
trucking business, the favourable resolution of select commercial disputes and contingencies, lower corporate operating and
administrative expenses, and lower expenses related to employee incentive plans. Depreciation and amortization expense for
the year ended December 31, 2023 was $441 million, compared to $439 million in 2022. The increase was mainly due to new
assets placed in-service, partially offset by the impact of the Alaska Utilities Disposition. Interest expense for the year ended
December 31, 2023 was $394 million, compared to $330 million in 2022. The increase was due to higher average interest
rates, higher average debt balances, $15 million of incremental hybrid interest costs due to hybrid notes replacing preferred
shares, and a higher average Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate. For the year ended December 31, 2023, AltaGas recorded
total interest expense of $37 million on the subordinated hybrid notes, which previously would have been captured in preferred
share dividends.
AltaGas recorded income tax expense of $223 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $143 million in
2022. The increase in tax expense was mainly due to higher income before income taxes and the tax impact of the Alaska
Utilities Disposition. Current tax expense of $43 million was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to
current tax expense of $23 million in 2022. The increase in current tax expense was mainly due to the tax impact of the Alaska
Utilities Disposition in the first quarter of 2023.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 27
Normalized net income was $536 million ($1.90 per share) for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $544 million
($1.94 per share) in 2022. The decrease was mainly due to higher interest expense, higher foreign exchange losses, and
higher accretion expense, partially offset by the same previously referenced factors impacting normalized EBITDA, lower net
income applicable to non-controlling interests, lower preferred share dividends, and lower normalized income tax expense.
Normalizing items in the year ended December 31, 2023 reduced normalized net income by $105 million and included
after-tax amounts related to gains on the sale of assets, unrealized losses on risk management contracts, transaction costs
related to acquisitions and dispositions, CEO transition and other restructuring costs, unrealized foreign exchange losses on
intercompany balances, loss on the redemption of preferred shares, and wind-up of the Canadian defined benefit pension
plan. Normalizing items in the year ended December 31, 2022 increased normalized net income by $145 million and included
after-tax amounts related to gains on sale of assets, transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions, loss on
redemption of preferred shares, provisions on assets, reversal of provisions on investments accounted for by the equity
method, non-controlling interest portion of non-GAAP adjustments, unrealized foreign exchange losses on intercompany
balances, and unrealized losses on risk management contracts.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 28
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This MD&A contains references to certain financial measures used by AltaGas that do not have a standardized meaning
prescribed by GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. Readers are cautioned that
these non-GAAP measures should not be construed as alternatives to other measures of financial performance calculated in
accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures and their reconciliation to GAAP financial measures are shown below.
These non-GAAP measures provide additional information that management of AltaGas ("Management") believes is
meaningful in describing AltaGas' operational performance, liquidity and capacity to fund dividends, capital expenditures, and
other investing activities. The specific rationale for, and incremental information associated with, each non-GAAP measure is
discussed below.
References to normalized EBITDA, normalized net income, normalized funds from operations, normalized income tax
expense, normalized effective income tax rate, net debt, net debt to total capitalization, invested capital, and net invested
capital throughout this MD&A have the meanings as set out in this section.
Change in Composition of Non-GAAP Measures
In the fourth quarter of 2023, Management has changed the composition of certain of AltaGas' non-GAAP measures such that
normalized net income now excludes the impact of unrealized intercompany foreign exchange gains (losses) resulting from
intercompany balances between a U.S. subsidiary and a Canadian entity, where the foreign exchange impact in the U.S.
subsidiary is recorded through gain (loss) on foreign currency translation in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive
Income and the Canadian entity revaluation is recorded through the foreign exchange gain (loss) line item on the Consolidated
Statements of Income. This change was made as a result of Management's assessment that excluding these intercompany
foreign exchange impacts from normalized net income is more representative of the Company's ongoing financial
performance. Prior period calculations of the relevant non-GAAP measures have been restated to reflect this change. The
following table summarizes the impact of this change on the periods presented in this MD&A:
Increase (decrease) as result of change
($ millions, except where noted)
Normalized net income (1)
Normalized income tax expense
Normalized effective tax rate (%)
(1) Corresponding per share amounts have also been adjusted.
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
2023
6
2
$
$
0.1 %
11
3
$
$
— %
Year Ended
December 31
2022
2023
7
2
$
$
— %
14
5
0.2 %
$
$
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 29
Normalized EBITDA
($ millions)
Income before income taxes (GAAP financial measure)
Add:
Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense
EBITDA
Add (deduct):
Transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions (1)
Unrealized losses on risk management contracts (2)
Gains on sale of assets (3)
CEO transition and other restructuring costs (4)
Wind-up of pension plan (5)
Provisions on assets
Reversal of provisions on investments accounted for by the equity method (6)
Accretion expenses
Foreign exchange losses (gains)
Normalized EBITDA
$
$
$
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
2023
161 $
78 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
716
2023
912 $
110
101
372 $
6
94
—
15
—
—
—
3
12
502 $
112
99
439
441
330
394
289 $ 1,747 $ 1,485
2
156
—
—
—
6
—
2
(1)
6
49
(3)
—
—
6
(3)
7
(10)
454 $ 1,575 $ 1,537
36
70
(319)
22
2
—
—
11
6
(1) Comprised of transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions of assets and/or equity investments in the period. These costs are included in the
"cost of sales" and "operating and administrative" line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Transaction costs include expenses, such as legal
fees, which are directly attributable to the acquisition or disposition. Please refer to Notes 3 and 4 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for
further details regarding AltaGas' acquisition and disposition of assets in the period.
Included in the "revenue" and “cost of sales” line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Please refer to Note 23 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated
Financial Statements for further details regarding AltaGas' risk management activities.
Included in the "other income" line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Please refer to Note 4 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial
Statements for further details regarding AltaGas' disposition of assets in the period.
(2)
(3)
(4) Comprised of costs related to the transition of AltaGas' CEO and other restructuring costs. These costs are included in the “operating and administrative” line
item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(5) Relates to the completion of the wind-up of the Canadian defined benefit pension plan in the second quarter of 2023. The settlement charge is included in the
"other income" line on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Please refer to Note 28 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further
details regarding the wind-up of the pension plan.
(6) Relates to the return of certain costs associated with the Constitution pipeline project as a result of its cancellation in February 2020. The provisions are
included in the “income from equity investments” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
EBITDA is a measure of AltaGas' operating profitability prior to how business activities are financed, assets are amortized, or
earnings are taxed. EBITDA is calculated from the Consolidated Statements of Income using income before income taxes
adjusted for pre-tax depreciation and amortization, and interest expense.
AltaGas presents normalized EBITDA as a supplemental measure. Normalized EBITDA is used by Management to enhance
the understanding of AltaGas' earnings over periods, as well as for budgeting and compensation related purposes. The metric
is frequently used by analysts and investors in the evaluation of entities within the industry as it excludes items that can vary
substantially between entities depending on the accounting policies chosen, the book value of assets, and the capital
structure.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 30
Normalized Net Income
($ millions)
Net income applicable to common shares (GAAP financial measure)
Add (deduct) after-tax:
$
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
2023
113 $
Transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions (1)
Unrealized losses on risk management contracts (2)
Gains on sale of assets (3)
Non-controlling interest portion of non-GAAP adjustments (4)
CEO transition and other restructuring costs (5)
Loss on redemption of preferred shares, including foreign exchange
impact (6)
Wind-up of pension plan (7)
Provisions on assets
Reversal of provisions on investments accounted for by the equity
method (8)
Unrealized foreign exchange losses on intercompany balances (9)
Normalized net income
Year Ended
December 31
2022
399
2023
641 $
27
54
(217)
—
17
5
2
—
4
39
(4)
5
—
84
—
5
54 $
1
118
—
—
—
—
—
5
5
74
—
—
11
5
—
—
—
6
214 $
—
11
189 $
—
7
536 $
(2)
14
544
$
(2)
(1) Comprised of transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions of assets and/or equity investments in the period. The pre-tax costs are included in
the "cost of sales" and "operating and administrative" line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Transaction costs include expenses, such as
legal fees, which are directly attributable to the acquisition or disposition. Please refer to Notes 3 and 4 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial
Statements for further details regarding AltaGas' acquisition and disposition of assets in the period.
The pre-tax amounts are included in the "revenue" and “cost of sales” line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Please refer to Note 23 of the
2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding AltaGas' risk management activities.
The pre-tax amounts are included in the "other income" line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Please refer to Note 4 of the 2023 Annual
Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding AltaGas' disposition of assets in the period.
The portion of non-GAAP adjustments applicable to non-controlling interests are excluded in the computation of normalized net income to ensure
consistency of normalizations applied to controlling and non-controlling interests. These amounts are included in the “net income applicable to non-controlling
interests" line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(4)
(3)
(5) Comprised of costs related to the transition of AltaGas' CEO and other restructuring costs. The pre-tax costs are included in the “operating and
administrative” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(6) Comprised of losses on the redemption of Series K Preferred Shares on March 31, 2022, the redemption of U.S. dollar denominated Series C Preferred
Shares on September 30, 2022 including an associated foreign exchange loss of approximately $69 million, and the redemption of Series E Preferred Shares
on December 31, 2023. The loss on redemption of preferred shares is recorded on the "loss of redemption of preferred shares" line on the Consolidated
Statements of Income.
(7) Relates to the completion of the wind-up of the Canadian defined benefit pension plan in the second quarter of 2023. The settlement charge is included in the
"other income" line on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Please refer to Note 28 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further
details regarding the wind-up of the pension plan.
(8) Relates to the return of certain costs associated with the Constitution pipeline project as a result of its cancellation in February 2020. The pre-tax provisions
are included in the “income from equity investments” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(9) Relates to unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains) on intercompany accounts receivable and accounts payable balances between a U.S. subsidiary and
a Canadian entity, where the impact to the U.S. subsidiary is recorded through accumulated other comprehensive income as a gain (loss) on foreign
currency translation, and the impact to the Canadian entity is recorded through the "foreign exchange gains (losses)" line item on the Consolidated
Statements of Income. As noted previously in this MD&A, in the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude the impact of
unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains) on intercompany balances between Canadian and U.S. entities. The amounts presented in this table reflect the
restated figures to align with the revised policy.
Normalized net income and normalized net income per share are used by Management to enhance the comparability of
AltaGas’ earnings, as it reflects the underlying performance of AltaGas’ business activities.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 31
Normalized Funds From Operations
($ millions)
Cash from (used by) operations (GAAP financial measure)
Add (deduct):
Net change in operating assets and liabilities
Asset retirement obligations settled
Funds from operations
Add (deduct):
Transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions (1)
Current tax expense (recovery) on asset sales (2)
CEO transition and other restructuring costs (3)
Normalized funds from operations
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
(289) $
2023
154 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
539
2023
1,121 $
198
3
355 $
6
—
15
376 $
653
5
369 $
2
—
—
371 $
(100)
15
1,036 $
650
10
1,199
36
34
22
1,128 $
6
(1)
—
1,204
$
$
$
(1) Comprised of transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions of assets and/or equity investments in the period. These costs exclude non-cash
amounts and are included in the "cost of sales" and "operating and administrative" line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Transaction costs
include expenses, such as legal fees, which are directly attributable to the acquisition or disposition. Please refer to Notes 3 and 4 of the 2023 Annual
Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding AltaGas' acquisition and disposition of assets in the period.
Included in the "current income tax expense" line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2)
(3) Comprised of costs related to the transition of AltaGas' CEO and other restructuring costs. These costs are included in the “operating and administrative” line
item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Normalized funds from operations and funds from operations are used to assist Management and investors in analyzing the
liquidity of the Corporation. Management uses these measures to understand the ability to generate funds for capital
investments, debt repayment, dividend payments, and other investing activities.
Funds from operations and normalized funds from operations as presented should not be viewed as an alternative to cash
from (used by) operations or other cash flow measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Normalized Income Tax Expense
($ millions)
Income tax expense (GAAP financial measure)
Add (deduct) tax impact of:
Transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions
Unrealized losses on risk management contracts
Gains on sale of assets
CEO transition and other restructuring costs
Provisions on assets
Reversal of provisions on investments accounted for by the equity
method
Unrealized foreign exchange losses on intercompany balances (1)
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
2023
$
33 $
12 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
143
2023
223 $
1
20
—
4
—
—
2
60 $
1
38
—
—
1
—
3
55 $
9
16
(102)
5
—
2
10
1
—
1
—
2
153 $
(1)
5
161
Normalized income tax expense
$
(1)
As noted previously in this MD&A, in the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude the impact of unrealized foreign exchange
losses (gains) on intercompany balances between Canadian and U.S. entities. The amounts presented in this table reflect the restated figures to align with
the revised policy.
The above table provides a reconciliation of normalized income tax expense from the GAAP financial measure, income tax
expense. The reconciling items are comprised of the income tax impacts of normalizing items present in the calculation of
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 32
normalized net income. For more information on the individual normalizing items, please refer to the normalized net income
reconciliation above.
Normalized income tax expense is used by Management to enhance the comparability of the impact of income tax on AltaGas’
earnings, as it reflects the underlying performance of AltaGas’ business activities, and is presented to provide this perspective
to analysts and investors.
Net Debt and Net Debt to Total Capitalization
Net debt and net debt to total capitalization are used by the Corporation to monitor its capital structure and financing
requirements. It is also used as a measure of the Corporation’s overall financial strength and is presented to provide this
perspective to analysts and investors. Net debt is defined as short-term debt, plus current and long-term portions of long-term
debt, and subordinated hybrid notes, less cash and cash equivalents. Total capitalization is defined as net debt plus
shareholders’ equity and non-controlling interests. Additional information regarding these non-GAAP measures can be found
under the Capital Resources section of this MD&A.
Invested Capital and Net Invested Capital
($ millions)
Cash used in investing activities (GAAP financial measure)
Add (deduct):
Net change in non-cash capital expenditures (1)
AFUDC (2)
Net invested capital
Business acquisition (3)
Purchase of remaining non-controlling interest in a subsidiary
Asset dispositions
Disposals of equity investments (4)
Invested capital (5)
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
336 $
2023
594 $
$
Year Ended
December 31
2022
997
2023
199 $
26
(3)
617 $
(327)
—
—
—
290 $
$
$
(7)
(3)
326 $
—
—
—
—
326 $
3
(3)
199 $
(327)
—
1,073
1
946 $
(6)
(3)
988
—
(285)
245
—
948
(1) Comprised of non-cash capital expenditures included in the "accounts payable and accrued liabilities" line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Please
(2)
refer to Note 31 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
AFUDC is the amount that a rate-regulated enterprise is allowed to recover for its cost of financing assets under construction and is included in the "property,
plant and equipment" line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Includes only the cash portion of the total consideration paid for the Pipestone Acquisition, net of cash acquired.
(3)
(4) Relates to escrow account proceeds received from AltaGas' previous investment in Central Penn. Upon close of the sale in 2019, various escrow accounts
(5)
were established to provide the purchaser a form of recourse for the settlement of indemnification obligations.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude cash paid for business acquisitions and for the purchase of remaining non-
controlling interest in a subsidiary from invested capital. Prior periods have been restated to reflect this change.
Invested capital is a measure of AltaGas' use of funds for capital expenditure activities. It includes expenditures relating to
property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets, capital contributed to long term investments, and contributions from non-
controlling interests. Net invested capital is invested capital presented net of cash paid for business acquisitions, cash paid for
the purchase of remaining non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, and proceeds from disposals of assets and equity
investments in the period. Net invested capital is calculated based on the investing activities section in the Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows, adjusted for items such as non-cash capital expenditures, AFUDC, and contributions from non-
controlling interests. Invested capital and net invested capital are used by Management, investors, and analysts to enhance
the understanding of AltaGas' capital expenditures from period to period and provide additional detail on the Company's use of
capital.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 33
Supplemental Calculations
Reconciliation of Normalized EBITDA to Normalized Net Income
The below table provides a supplemental reconciliation of normalized EBITDA to normalized net income. Both of these non-
GAAP measures have been previously reconciled to the relevant GAAP financial measures in the section above. This
supplemental information is provided as additional information to assist analysts and investors in comparing normalized
EBITDA to normalized net income and is not intended as a substitute for the reconciliations to the nearest comparable GAAP
measures. Readers should not place undue reliance on this supplemental reconciliation.
($ millions)
Normalized EBITDA (1)
Add (deduct):
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
454 $
2023
502 $
$
Year Ended
December 31
2022
1,537
2023
1,575 $
Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense
Income tax expense
Normalizing items impacting income taxes (1)
Accretion expenses
Foreign exchange gains (losses)
Unrealized foreign exchange losses on intercompany balances (2)
Non-controlling interest portion of non-GAAP adjustments (3)
Net income applicable to non-controlling interests
Preferred share dividends
Normalized net income (1) (2)
(110)
(101)
(33)
(27)
(3)
(12)
8
—
(3)
(7)
214 $
(112)
(99)
(12)
(43)
(2)
1
14
—
(5)
(7)
189 $
(441)
(394)
(223)
70
(11)
(6)
9
—
(16)
(27)
536 $
(439)
(330)
(143)
(18)
(7)
10
19
5
(50)
(40)
544
$
(1) Represents the income tax expense related to the normalizing items included in the calculation of normalized EBITDA.
(2)
As noted previously in this MD&A, in the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude the impact of unrealized foreign exchange
losses (gains) on intercompany balances between Canadian and U.S. entities. The amounts presented in this table reflect the restated figures to align with
the revised policy.
The portion of non-GAAP adjustments applicable to non-controlling interests are excluded in the computation of normalized net income to ensure
consistency of normalizations applied to controlling and non-controlling interests. These amounts are included in the “net income applicable to non-controlling
interests" line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(3)
Calculation of Normalized Effective Income Tax Rate
The below table provides a calculation of normalized effective income tax rate from normalized net income and normalized
income tax expense. Both of these non-GAAP measures have been previously reconciled to the relevant GAAP measures in
the section above. This supplemental calculation is provided as additional information to assist analysts and investors in
comparing normalized income tax expense to normalized net income and is not intended as a substitute for the reconciliations
to the nearest comparable GAAP measures. Readers should not place undue reliance on this supplemental calculation.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 34
($ millions, except where noted)
Normalized net income (1)
Add (deduct):
Normalized income tax expense (1)(2)
Net income applicable to non-controlling interests
Non-controlling interest portion of non-GAAP adjustments (3)
Preferred share dividends
Normalized net income before taxes (1)
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
189 $
2023
214 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
544
2023
536 $
60
3
—
7
284 $
55
5
—
7
256 $
153
16
—
27
732 $
161
50
(5)
40
790
$
$
Normalized effective income tax rate (%) (1)(4)
21.1
21.5
20.9
20.4
(1)
As noted previously in this MD&A, in the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude the impact of unrealized foreign exchange
losses (gains) on intercompany balances between Canadian and U.S. entities. The amounts presented in this table reflect the restated figures to align with
the revised policy.
(2) Calculated in the section above.
(3)
The portion of non-GAAP adjustments applicable to non-controlling interests are excluded in the computation of normalized net income to ensure
consistency of normalizations applied to controlling and non-controlling interests. These amounts are included in the “net income applicable to non-controlling
interests" line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(4) Calculated as normalized income tax expense divided by normalized net income before taxes.
Results of Operations by Reporting Segment
Normalized EBITDA (1)
($ millions)
Utilities
Midstream
Sub-total: Operating Segments
Corporate/Other
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
294 $
163
457 $
(3)
454 $
2023
311 $
182
493 $
9
502 $
$
$
$
(1) Non-GAAP financial measure; See discussion in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A.
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
($ millions)
Utilities
Midstream
Sub-total: Operating Segments
Corporate/Other
Revenue
($ millions)
Utilities
Midstream
Sub-total: Operating Segments
Corporate/Other
$
$
$
$
$
$
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
2023
207 $
79
286 $
(125)
161 $
80 $
113
193 $
(115)
78 $
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
1,725 $
2,145
3,870 $
28
3,898 $
2023
1,288 $
1,971
3,259 $
29
3,288 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
4,980
9,010
13,990
97
14,087
2023
4,827 $
8,069
12,896 $
101
12,997 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
933
607
1,540
(3)
1,537
2023
886 $
684
1,570 $
5
1,575 $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
548
526
1,074
(358)
716
2023
886 $
460
1,346 $
(434)
912 $
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 35
Utilities
Operating Statistics
Natural gas deliveries - end-use (Bcf) (1)
Natural gas deliveries - transportation (Bcf) (1)
Service sites (thousands) (2)
Degree day variance from normal - SEMCO (%) (3)
Degree day variance from normal - ENSTAR (%) (3)
Degree day variance from normal - Washington Gas (%) (3) (4)
Retail energy marketing - gas sales volumes (Mmcf)
Retail energy marketing - electricity sales volumes (GWh)
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
54.3
34.0
1,704
(1.7)
8.7
9.2
18,064
3,328
2023
48.3
30.5
1,560
(9.8)
n/a
(9.2)
16,863
3,518
Year Ended
December 31
2022
164.6
126.9
1,704
1.2
(2.2)
4.5
59,302
13,217
2023
133.5
108.0
1,560
(10.6)
(4.9)
(17.9)
56,438
14,339
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Bcf is one billion cubic feet.
Service sites reflect all of the service sites of the utilities, including transportation and non-regulated business lines.
A degree day is a measure of coldness determined daily as the number of degrees the average temperature during the day in question is below 65 degrees
Fahrenheit. Degree days for a particular period are determined by adding the degree days incurred during each day of the period. Normal degree days for a
particular period are the average of degree days during the prior 15 years for SEMCO, during the prior 10 years for ENSTAR, and during the prior 30 years
for Washington Gas. The degree day variance from normal for ENSTAR is for the period prior to the close of the Alaska Utilities Disposition on March 1,
2023.
In certain of Washington Gas’ jurisdictions (Virginia and Maryland) there are billing mechanisms in place that are designed to eliminate the effects of variance
in customer usage caused by weather and other factors such as conservation. In the District of Columbia, there is no weather normalization billing
mechanism nor does Washington Gas hedge to offset the effects of weather. As a result, colder or warmer weather will result in variances to financial results.
Regulatory Metrics
Approved ROE (%) (1)
Approved return on debt (%) (1)
Rate base ($ millions) (2) (3) (4)
Year Ended
December 31
2022
9.6
4.7
5,211
2023
9.6
4.5
5,100
(1) Weighted average of all the regulated utilities.
(2) Rate base is indicative of the earning potential of each utility over time. Approved revenue requirement for each utility is typically based on the rate base as
(3)
(4)
approved by the regulator for the respective rate application, but may differ from the rate base indicated above.
In U.S. dollars.
2023 rate base excludes ENSTAR and SEMCO Energy’s 65 percent interest in CINGSA, which were sold on March 1, 2023 pursuant to the Alaska Utilities
Disposition.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas’ Utilities segment experienced warmer weather at SEMCO and warmer weather at
Washington Gas compared to the same quarter of 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, AltaGas' Utilities segment experienced warmer weather at SEMCO, warmer weather
at ENSTAR prior to the close of the Alaska Utilities Disposition, and warmer weather at Washington Gas compared to 2022.
Service sites at December 31, 2023 decreased by approximately 144,000 sites compared to December 31, 2022 due to the
impact of the close of the Alaska Utilities Disposition on March 1, 2023, which was partially offset by continued customer
additions across the remaining jurisdictions.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, U.S. retail gas sales volumes were 16,863 Mmcf, compared to 18,064 Mmcf in the same quarter
of 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in commercial customers served by the business and warmer weather
in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter of 2022. In the fourth quarter of 2023, U.S. retail electricity sales
volumes were 3,518 GWh compared to 3,328 GWh in the same quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily due to an
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 36
increase in commercial customers served by the business, partially offset by warmer weather in the fourth quarter of 2023
compared to the same quarter of 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, U.S. retail gas sales volumes were 56,438 Mmcf, compared to 59,302 Mmcf in the
same period in 2022. The decrease was primarily due to significantly warmer weather in the year ended December 31, 2023
compared to 2022. For the year ended December 31, 2023, U.S. retail electricity sales volumes were 14,339 GWh compared
to 13,217 GWh in the same period in 2022. The slight increase was primarily due to an increase in commercial customers
served by the business.
Three Months Ended December 31
The Utilities segment reported normalized EBITDA of $311 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $294 million in
the same quarter in 2022. The increase in normalized EBITDA was mainly due to higher gas and power margins from WGL's
retail marketing business, customer growth, higher revenue from accelerated pipe replacement program spend, foreign
exchange hedge gains, the impact of Washington Gas' Virginia rate case, and lower operating and administrative expenses.
These factors were partially offset by the impact of the Alaska Utilities Disposition in the first quarter of 2023, decreased asset
optimization activities at Washington Gas relative to the larger-than-normal contribution in the fourth quarter of 2022, and
warmer weather in Michigan and the District of Columbia where the Utilities do not have weather normalization.
The Utilities segment income before income taxes was $207 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $80 million in
the same quarter in 2022. The increase was mainly due to lower unrealized losses on risk management contracts, the same
previously referenced factors impacting normalized EBITDA, and lower depreciation expense, partially offset by costs related
to restructuring initiatives.
Year Ended December 31
The Utilities segment reported normalized EBITDA of $886 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $933
million in 2022. The decrease in normalized EBITDA was mainly due to the impact of the Alaska Utilities Disposition,
decreased asset optimization activities at Washington Gas as a result of lower margins relative to larger-than-normal
contributions in 2022, warmer weather in Michigan and the District of Columbia where the Utilities do not have weather
normalization, higher operating and administrative expenses, and lower contributions from WGL's retail marketing business.
These factors were partially offset by an impact of approximately $35 million due to the change in foreign exchange rates, the
impact of Washington Gas' 2022 Virginia rate case, higher revenue from accelerated pipe replacement program spend, the
gain resulting in the partial debt defeasance associated with the Alaska Utilities Disposition in the first quarter of 2023,
customer growth, and foreign exchange hedge gains.
The Utilities segment income before income taxes was $886 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $548
million in 2022. The increase was mainly due to the to the gain on the Alaska Utilities Disposition and higher unrealized gains
on risk management contracts, partially offset by the same previously referenced factors impacting normalized EBITDA, higher
transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions, and costs related to restructuring initiatives.
In 2023, the Utilities segment recognized a pre-tax gain on disposition of assets of approximately $304 million due to the gain
on the Alaska Utilities Disposition.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 37
Rate Case Updates
Utility/
Jurisdiction Date Filed
Request
Washington
Gas -
Maryland
May 2023
US$49 million increase
in base rates, including
US$21 million currently
collected through the
STRIDE surcharge for
system upgrades.
Therefore, the
incremental amount of
the base rate increase
requested was
approximately US$28
million.
Washington
Gas - District
of Columbia
April 2022
US$53 million increase
in base rates, including
US$5 million currently
collected through the
PROJECTpipes
surcharge. Therefore,
the incremental amount
of the base rate increase
requested was
approximately US$48
million.
Expected
Timing of
Decision
Final order
received on
December
14, 2023.
Final order
received on
December
22, 2023.
Status
On May 18, 2023, Washington Gas filed an application
for authority to increase charges for gas service in
Maryland. On December 14, 2023, the PSC of MD
approved a US$10 million rate increase with a 9.5
percent return on equity and 52 percent equity
thickness. The amount comprised of approximately
US$12 million for costs currently recovered through the
STRIDE plan surcharge and a US$2 million decrease
in base rates, including a reduction in the allowed
ROE. Two parties, the PSC of MD Staff and the
for
filed motions
General Service Administration,
clarification. The PSC of MD Staff motion
for
clarification recommended that the PSC of MD amend
its finding to adopt a revised revenue increase of
approximately US$8 million to address inconsistencies
it believes exist in the order. Washington Gas was the
only party to file a petition for rehearing, on January
16, 2024. The MD OPC, the Apartment and Office
Building Association of Greater Washington, and the
Chesapeake Climate Action Network filed responses to
the Washington Gas petition for rehearing. PSC of MD
action on the motions is pending. The new rates went
into effect December 14, 2023.
N
On April 4, 2022, Washington Gas filed an application
for authority to increase charges for gas service in the
District of Columbia. On December 22, 2023, the PSC
of DC approved a revenue increase of approximately
US$25 million, of which approximately US$5 million is
currently collected
the PROJECTpipes 2
surcharge (net revenue increase of approximately
US$20 million), based on 9.65 percent return on equity
and 52 percent equity thickness. The new rates went
for
into effect January 19, 2024. Requests
reconsideration of certain
the
in
Commission’s decision were filed by certain parties.
On February 22, 2024, the PSC of DC issued an Order
with parameters for an affiliate cost of service study
("ACOSS"), which would include the allocation and
assignment of costs for services Washington Gas has
provided to affiliated entities and has received payment
for such services. Parties in the case have 20 days
from the date of the order to file any additional
information they believe should be included in the
ACOSS. Washington Gas must file its ACOSS 90 days
before filing its next base rate case. The Order denied
other requests for reconsideration.
findings
through
limited
-
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 38
Utility/
Jurisdiction Date Filed
Request
Status
Washington
Gas - Virginia
June 2022
US$48 million increase
in base rates, plus the
request to transfer an
additional US$39 million
currently collected in
SAVE surcharge into
base rates, for a total
increase of
approximately US$87
million.
Washington
Gas -
Maryland
August
2020
US$27 million increase
in base rates, including
US$6 million currently
collected through
STRIDE surcharges for
system upgrades.
Therefore, the
incremental amount of
the base rate increase
requested was
approximately US$21
million.
On June 29, 2022, Washington Gas filed an application
for authority to increase rates in the Commonwealth of
Virginia. On July 17, 2023, the Hearing Examiner
report was issued and recommended the SCC of VA
approve
the proposed stipulation with certain
recommendations. On August 29, 2023, the SCC of VA
adopted the Hearing Examiner's report, approving
approximately US$41 million of incremental base rates
plus approximately US$32 million of SAVE surcharges
for a total rate increase of approximately US$73
million. Amounts refundable to customers were paid
with interest by December 15, 2023, per the extension
granted by the SCC of VA.
On April 9, 2021, a final order was received from the
PSC of MD related to this rate increase application,
authorizing Washington Gas to increase its Maryland
natural gas distribution rates by approximately US$13
million (including US$6 million currently collected
through the STRIDE surcharge), reflecting a return on
equity of 9.70 percent. The revenue increase became
effective on March 26, 2021. On May 14, 2021, the MD
OPC filed a petition for re-hearing of the PSC of MD's
finding on merger synergy savings and certain rate
base additions. On May 31, 2022, the Circuit Court of
Baltimore City Circuit Court granted the PSC of MD
and Washington Gas' joint motion, determining that the
PSC of MD properly permitted Washington Gas'
recovery of corporate costs and relieving the PSC of
MD of the obligation to rule on merger synergy savings
on remand. On June 30, 2022, the MD OPC appealed
the Circuit Court's new order on merger synergy
savings to the Appellate Court of Maryland (formerly
the Maryland Court of Special Appeals). On August 11,
2023, the Supreme Court of Maryland granted OPC's
petition. On February 23, 2024, the Supreme Court of
Maryland issued a decision upholding the PSC of MD’s
decision in the rate case regarding merger synergy
savings.
-
Expected
Timing of
Decision
Final order
received
August 29,
2023.
Final order
issued April
2021.
Decision by
Court of
Special
Appeals
received
February
2024.
Other Regulatory Updates
Merger Commitments - District of Columbia
On August 9, 2023, the PSC of DC determined that AltaGas had failed to fulfill Term No. 5 Commitment of the PSC of DC’s
merger approval order related to the June 2018 merger of AltaGas, WGL, and Washington Gas. On reconsideration, the PSC
of DC confirmed, in relevant part, that it had credited AltaGas with causing the development of 2.4 MW of Tier one renewable
resources by the July 6, 2023 deadline, and that the Company had breached its Term No. 5 Commitment only for the
remaining 7.6 MW. As directed by the PSC of DC, AltaGas, the District of Columbia Government ("DCG"), and the District of
Columbia Office of People’s Counsel ("DC OPC") conducted negotiations in good faith to reach agreement on a penalty. On
November 14, 2023, DCG reported that DCG and AltaGas believed that further negotiations would be fruitless. In a November
21, 2023 motion, AltaGas confirmed that it will specifically perform its Term No. 5 obligations by continuing to cause the
development of the remaining 7.6 MW of solar renewable energy. AltaGas also proposed a penalty of approximately US$0.5
million if the Company fulfills the balance of its renewable development obligation before the end of 2024, or US$0.6 million if
the balance is not completed until after the end of 2024. On December 19, 2023, DCG proposed that AltaGas pay a penalty of
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 39
approximately US$8 million. OPC proposed a penalty not less than DCG’s proposed penalty, to be paid before September 30,
2024. Management believes that the likelihood of a civil penalty is probable however, is unable to estimate the maximum
possible penalty.
Prince William County Biogas Pipeline
On December 4, 2023, Washington Gas filed an application with the SCC of VA seeking approval for a biogas supply
investment plan and rate adjustment clause. Washington Gas seeks approval to purchase, own, operate, and maintain an
eight-mile pipeline, associated interconnection facilities and other necessary equipment to transport RNG from a biogas
production facility located at the Prince William County Landfill. Washington Gas also proposes to purchase a portion of the
facilities output, a subset of which will be accompanied by marketable environmental attributes. Washington Gas is seeking
recovery of the project costs and RNG costs through a RNG rider. Evidentiary hearing is set for March 19, 2024 and a decision
is expected around early June 2024.
SEMCO Energy Waste Reduction Program ("EWRP")
On June 30, 2023, SEMCO submitted its 2024-2025 EWRP seeking approval to spend approximately US$35 million on energy
waste reduction over 2024 and 2025. SEMCO reached an in-principle settlement agreement with the MPSC staff and the
Michigan Department of Attorney General. The MPSC formally approved the settlement agreement on December 21, 2023.
EmPOWER Maryland Plan
Effective January 1, 2024, the PSC of MD approved Washington Gas’ three-year plan modifying and expanding the existing
portfolio of programs for residential, commercial, industrial, and low-income customers with a total three-year budget of
approximately US$64 million. The approved EmPOWER Plan also includes a new Demand Response program for eligible
residential customers and a pilot to test and monitor Energy Management Systems for commercial buildings with centralized
boiler heating systems.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 40
Midstream
Operating Statistics
LPG export volumes (Bbls/d) (1)
Total inlet gas processed (Mmcf/d) (1)
Extracted ethane volumes (Bbls/d) (1)
Extracted NGL volumes (Bbls/d) (1) (2)
Fractionation volumes (Bbls/d) (1) (3)
Frac spread - realized ($/Bbl) (1) (4)
Frac spread - average spot price ($/Bbl) (1) (5)
Propane Far East Index ("FEI") to Mont Belvieu spread (US$/Bbl) (1) (6)
Butane FEI to Mont Belvieu spread (US$/Bbl) (1) (7)
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
97,152
1,274
21,947
34,782
36,658
25.14
23.14
18.95
18.59
2023
90,996
1,312
23,879
36,138
38,150
23.13
20.55
26.44
27.74
Year Ended
December 31
2022
101,654
1,268
23,816
32,853
33,602
26.07
32.02
13.81
13.31
2023
106,071
1,303
25,533
34,369
38,745
24.15
22.37
20.68
21.73
Average for the period.
Fractionation volumes include NGL mix volumes processed.
(1)
(2) NGL volumes refer to propane, butane, and condensate.
(3)
(4) Realized frac spread or NGL margin, expressed in dollars per barrel of NGL, is derived from sales recorded by the segment during the period for frac spread
exposed volumes plus the settlement value of frac hedges settled in the period less extraction premiums, divided by the total frac exposed volumes produced
during the period.
Average spot frac spread or NGL margin, expressed in dollars per barrel of NGL, is indicative of the average sales price that AltaGas receives for propane,
butane and condensate less extraction premiums, before accounting for hedges, divided by the respective frac spread exposed volumes for the period.
Average propane price spread between FEI and Mont Belvieu TET commercial index.
Average butane price spread between FEI and Mont Belvieu TET commercial index.
(6)
(7)
(5)
LPG volumes exported to Asia from RIPET and Ferndale for the three months ended December 31, 2023 averaged 90,996
Bbls/d compared to 97,152 Bbls/d for the same period in 2022. There were 15 full shipments and 1 partial shipment in the
fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 16 full shipments in the same period in 2022. Lower export volumes were primarily the
result of logistical constraints and the timing of ship loadings around quarter end, partially offset by higher available supply.
LPG volumes exported to Asia from RIPET and Ferndale for the year ended December 31, 2023 averaged 106,071 Bbls/d
compared to 101,654 Bbls/d for the same period in 2022. There were 71 full shipments and 1 partial shipment during the year
ended December 31, 2023 compared to 68 shipments in the same period of 2022. The partially loaded vessels are a function
of revenue recognition taking place at the point of ship loading and select loadings taking place over quarter-ends. Higher
export volumes and shipments were primarily the result of increased offtake demand, higher available supply, and improved
logistics.
Inlet gas processing volumes for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by 38 Mmcf/d compared to the same quarter in 2022.
Higher inlet gas processing volumes in the fourth quarter of 2023 were primarily the result of higher producer volumes at the
Townsend complex and higher volumes at the Harmattan raw gas and co-stream facilities, partially offset by lower volumes at
the Edmonton ethane extraction plant ("EEEP") due to the September turnaround, which extended into the fourth quarter of
2023 and third party pipeline restrictions, as well as lower volumes at the Younger extraction plant ("Younger") due to the
extension of a plant turnaround in the area.
Inlet gas processing volumes for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by 35 Mmcf/d compared to the same period in
2022. Higher inlet gas processing volumes in the year ended December 31, 2023 were primarily the result of higher producer
volumes at the Townsend complex, higher volumes at the Harmattan raw gas and co-stream facilities, and higher frac exposed
volumes, partially offset by the impact of the Aitken Creek sale in the second quarter of 2022, and lower volumes at EEEP due
to the turnaround in September 2023 which extended into the fourth quarter of 2023, and third party pipeline restrictions.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 41
Average ethane volumes for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by 1,932 Bbls/d, while average NGL production volumes
increased by 1,356 Bbls/d compared to the same quarter in 2022. Higher ethane volumes were primarily a result of higher co-
stream inlet volumes and higher raw gas production at Harmattan, partially offset by lower volumes at EEEP due to the
extension of the plant turnaround and lower volumes at PEEP due to higher reinjection rates. Higher extracted NGL volumes
were due to higher raw gas inlet volumes at the Townsend facilities due to higher demand from third party customers.
Average ethane volumes for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by 1,717 Bbls/d compared to 2022, while average
extracted NGL volumes increased by 1,516 Bbls/d compared to the same period in 2022. Higher ethane volumes were a result
of higher co-stream inlet volumes and higher raw gas production at Harmattan, as well as higher volumes at the Joffre ethane
extraction plant ("JEEP") due to the absence of a turnaround in the third quarter of 2022, partially offset by lower volumes at
EEEP due to the turnaround in September 2023 and higher reinjection rates at PEEP. Higher extracted NGL volumes were a
result of increased production at the Townsend facilities due to higher demand from third party customers and higher
production at Harmattan due to the absence of a turnaround in the second quarter of 2022, partially offset by a third party
pipeline outage which resulted in the re-injection of NGL volumes at Gordondale in the first quarter of 2023.
Fractionation volumes for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by 1,492 compared to the same quarter in 2022. The increase
was due to higher Harmattan trucked-in NGL mix and raw gas volumes as a result of plant turnarounds in the area increasing
spot volumes and additional volumes resulting from increased customer production, higher fractionation volumes at the
Younger facility due to additional volumes sold during the turnaround extension, and higher North Pine volumes and utilization.
Fractionation volumes for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by 5,143 Bbls/d compared to the same period in
2022. Higher fractionation volumes were a result of higher North Pine volumes and utilization, higher Harmattan trucked-in
NGL mix and raw gas volumes as a result of plant turnarounds in the area increasing spot volumes and additional volumes
resulting from increased customer production, and higher fractionation volumes at the Younger facility due to additional
volumes sold during the turnaround extension, partially offset by the impact of the wildfires at the NEBC facilities in the second
quarter of 2023.
Three Months Ended December 31
The Midstream segment reported normalized EBITDA of $182 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $163 million in
the same quarter in 2022. The increase in normalized EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2023 was mainly due to strong
performance from the global exports business as a result of higher LPG margins (inclusive of hedges), partially offset by lower
merchant volumes, as well as AFUDC at MVP as a result of the resumption of construction activities in June 2023, higher
marketing volumes and margins due to the absence of the 2022 write down of natural gas storage inventory to its net
realizable value, and lower operating expenses at the processing and trucking facilities. The increase in normalized EBITDA
was partially offset by the absence of the favourable resolution of certain acquisition related commercial disputes and
contingencies in the fourth quarter of 2022, lower earnings at the extraction facilities driven by lower frac spreads and volumes
due to third party pipeline restrictions, lower power revenue at Harmattan primarily driven by lower power prices, and lower
crude marketing margins.
Income before income taxes in the Midstream segment was $79 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $113 million
in the same quarter in 2022. The decrease was mainly due to higher unrealized losses on risk management contracts and
higher depreciation expense, partially offset by the same previously referenced factors impacting normalized EBITDA and the
absence of provisions on assets.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Midstream segment recognized a pre-tax provision on assets of approximately $6 million ($5
million after-tax) primarily related to the abandoned Alton natural gas storage project.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 42
Year Ended December 31
The Midstream segment reported normalized EBITDA of $684 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to
$607 million in 2022. There were several positive and negative contributors underpinning the year-over-year variance. Positive
factors included strong performance from the global exports business as a result of higher LPG margins (inclusive of hedges)
and tolling volume growth, as well as AFUDC at MVP as a result of the resumption of construction activities in June 2023, the
absence of the 2022 write down of natural gas inventory to its net realizable value, resolution of certain commercial disputes
and contingencies, stronger performance at Harmattan, and cost management across a number of businesses. These were
partially offset by the absence of turnaround recoveries in the third quarter of 2022, the impact of the sale of AltaGas' interest
in the Aitken Creek processing facilities in the second quarter of 2022, lower inventory withdrawals, lower earnings at the
extraction facilities driven by lower frac spreads, lower marketing performance, and lower power revenue at Harmattan
primarily due to lower power prices. Other factors negatively impacting normalized EBITDA include the impact of the
turnarounds at the extraction facilities in the third quarter of 2023 and the wildfires at NEBC facilities in the second quarter of
2023, the latter of which included a 12.5 day force majeure.
Income before income taxes in the Midstream segment was $460 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to
$526 million in 2022. The decrease was mainly due to higher unrealized losses on risk management contracts, higher
depreciation expense, and higher transaction costs related to acquisitions and dispositions, partially offset by the same
previously referenced factors impacting normalized EBITDA and the absence of provision on assets.
Midstream Hedges
Frac exposed volumes (Bbls/d)
NGL volumes hedged (Bbls/d)
Average price of NGL volumes hedged ($/Bbl) (1)
Average export volumes hedged (Bbls/d) (2)
Average FEI to North American NGL price spread for volumes hedged
(US$/Bbl)
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
10,927
8,000
34
55,953
2023
10,597
8,000
36
60,418
Year Ended
December 31
2022
10,440
8,204
34
54,721
2023
10,062
7,496
36
63,254
15
11
14
16
Excludes basis differential.
(1)
(2) Represents volumes hedged using financial contracts excluding tolling and take or pay volumes.
Corporate/Other
Three Months Ended December 31
In the Corporate/Other segment, normalized EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $9 million, compared to a loss of $3
million in the same quarter in 2022. The increase in normalized EBITDA was mainly due to lower expenses related to
employee incentive plans and lower corporate operating and administrative expenses.
Loss before income taxes in the Corporate/Other segment was $125 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $115
million in the same quarter in 2022. The higher loss was mainly due to higher foreign exchange losses and costs related to the
CEO transition and other restructuring initiatives, partially offset by the same previously referenced factors impacting
normalized EBITDA and lower unrealized losses on risk management contracts.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 43
Year Ended December 31
In the Corporate/Other segment, normalized EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $5 million, compared to a
loss of $3 million in 2022. The increase in normalized EBITDA was mainly due to lower corporate operating and administrative
expenses and lower expenses related to employee incentive plans, partially offset by a lower contribution from Blythe.
Loss before income taxes in the Corporate/Other segment was $434 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared
to $358 million in 2022. The higher loss was mainly due to higher interest expense, costs related to the CEO transition and
other restructuring initiatives, higher foreign exchange losses, and higher transaction costs on acquisitions and dispositions,
partially offset by higher unrealized gains on risk management contracts, the same factors impacting normalized EBITDA, and
additional proceeds received due to contract contingencies on the sale of Goleta in the first quarter of 2022.
In 2023, the Corporate/Other segment recognized an additional pre-tax gain of approximately $11 million on the sale of Goleta
in 2022 as a result of a payment received in the first quarter of 2023 for the favourable settlement of outstanding contingencies
based on contract outcomes. In 2022, the Corporate/Other segment recognized a pre-tax gain on disposition of assets of
approximately $5 million which was comprised of a pre-tax gain of $7 million on the previously mentioned sale of Goleta,
partially offset by a pre-tax loss of $2 million on the sale of a power plant in Brush, Colorado.
Net Invested Capital
Net invested capital is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this
MD&A for further discussion.
($ millions)
Invested capital:
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Invested capital
Acquisitions and dispositions:
Business acquisition (1)
Net invested capital
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2023
Utilities
Midstream
Corporate/
Other
$
$
$
192 $
—
192 $
—
192 $
89 $
4
93 $
327
420 $
4 $
1
5 $
—
5 $
Total
285
5
290
327
617
(1)
Includes only the cash portion of the total consideration paid for the Pipestone Acquisition, net of cash acquired.
($ millions)
Invested capital:
Utilities
Midstream
Corporate/
Other
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Long-term investments
Invested capital and net invested capital
$
$
271 $
1
—
272 $
49 $
3
1
53 $
1 $
—
—
1 $
Total
321
4
1
326
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2022
During the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas’ invested capital was $290 million, compared to $326 million in the same quarter in
2022. The decrease in invested capital was primarily due to lower additions to property, plant, and equipment as a result of
lower spend primarily on system betterment, new business, and general plant programs at Washington Gas, partially offset by
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 44
higher maintenance capital in the Midstream segment. In the fourth quarter of 2023, acquisitions related to the cash paid for
the Pipestone Acquisition.
The invested capital in the fourth quarter of 2023 included maintenance capital of $31 million (2022 - $18 million) in the
Midstream segment and $1 million (2022 - less than $1 million) related to remaining power assets in the Corporate/Other
segment. The increase in Midstream maintenance capital in the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily related to routine maintenance
expenditures at the Younger, Harmattan, and Sarnia facilities, as well as turnaround expenditures at the EEEP and Ferndale
facilities.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas’ cash flow from investing activities was an outflow of $594 million, compared to $336
million in the same quarter in 2022. Please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Liquidity sections of this MD&A for
further information on AltaGas' cash flow from investing activities.
($ millions)
Invested capital:
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Long-term investments
Invested capital
Acquisitions and dispositions:
Business acquisition (1)
Asset dispositions
Disposals of equity method investments (2)
Net invested capital
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Utilities
Midstream
Corporate/
Other
$
$
$
745 $
—
—
745 $
—
(1,059)
—
(314) $
180 $
8
4
192 $
327
(3)
(1)
515 $
8 $
1
—
9 $
—
(11)
—
(2) $
Total
933
9
4
946
327
(1,073)
(1)
199
Includes only the cash portion of the total consideration paid for the Pipestone Acquisition, net of cash acquired.
(1)
(2) Relates to escrow account proceeds received from AltaGas' previous investment in Central Penn. Upon close of the sale in 2019, various escrow accounts
were established to provide the purchaser a form of recourse for the settlement of indemnification obligations.
($ millions)
Invested capital:
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Long-term investments
Invested capital (1)
Acquisitions and dispositions:
Purchase of remaining non-controlling interest
in a subsidiary
Asset dispositions
Net invested capital
Year Ended
December 31, 2022
Utilities
Midstream
Corporate/
Other
$
$
$
822 $
2
—
824 $
—
—
824 $
108 $
6
(1)
113 $
285
(225)
173 $
10 $
1
—
11 $
—
(20)
(9) $
Total
940
9
(1)
948
285
(245)
988
(1)
In the fourth quarter of 2023, AltaGas changed its non-GAAP policy to exclude cash paid for business acquisitions and for the purchase of remaining non-
controlling interest in a subsidiary from invested capital. Prior periods have been restated to reflect this change.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, AltaGas’ invested capital was $946 million, compared to $948 million in 2022. The
slight decrease in invested capital was primarily due to the lower spend on system betterment and new business programs in
the Utility segment, the impact of the Alaska Utilities Disposition, and lower maintenance capital in both the Midstream and
Corporate/Other segments. The decrease was partially offset by higher spend on accelerated pipe replacement programs at
Washington Gas, the impact of the higher average Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate, higher spend on the Harmattan acid
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 45
gas injection well, and higher growth capital spend in the Midstream segment primarily related to Pipestone Phase ll, new
business development, and various optimization projects.
In 2023, acquisitions related to the cash paid for the Pipestone Acquisition, while asset dispositions primarily related to the
Alaska Utilities Disposition and additional proceeds received for the favourable settlement of outstanding contingencies on the
sale of Goleta in the first quarter of 2022. In 2022, acquisitions related to cash paid to purchase the remaining equity
ownership of Petrogas, while asset dispositions primarily related to proceeds received from the sale of AltaGas' interest in the
Aitken Creek processing facilities, a power plant in Brush, Colorado, and the previously mentioned sale of Goleta.
The invested capital for the year ended December 31, 2023 included maintenance capital of $53 million (2022 - $66 million) in
the Midstream segment and $4 million (2022 - $8 million) related to remaining power assets in the Corporate/Other segment.
The decrease in maintenance capital for the Midstream segment was primarily due to lower turnaround spend while the
decrease in maintenance capital for the Corporate/Other segment was primarily due to lower maintenance costs at Blythe.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, AltaGas’ cash flow from investing activities was an outflow of $199 million,
compared to $997 million in 2022. Please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Liquidity sections of this MD&A for
further information on AltaGas' cash flow from investing activities.
Risk Management
AltaGas is subject to a variety of risks which could have a material impact on the financial results and operations of the
Company. Shareholders and prospective investors should carefully evaluate risk factors noted by the Company before
investing in the Company’s securities, as each of these risks may negatively affect the trading price of the Company’s
securities, the amount of dividends paid to shareholders and the ability of the Company to fund its debt obligations, including
debt obligations under its outstanding notes and any other debt securities that the Company may issue from time to time. For
discussion of the risks and trends that could materially affect the Company’s performance please refer to AltaGas' 2023 Annual
Information Form, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Risk Management Contracts
AltaGas is exposed to various market risks in the normal course of operations that could impact earnings and cash flows.
AltaGas enters into physical and financial derivative contracts to manage exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices and
foreign exchange rates, as well as to optimize certain owned and managed natural gas assets. These contracts do not
eliminate AltaGas' exposure to risk associated with fluctuations in commodity prices or foreign exchange rates. The Board of
Directors of AltaGas has established a risk management policy for the Corporation establishing AltaGas’ risk management
control framework. Derivative instruments are governed under, and subject to, this policy. As at December 31, 2023 and
December 31, 2022, the fair values of the Corporation’s derivatives were as follows:
($ millions)
Natural gas
Energy exports
NGL frac spread
Power
Crude oil and NGLs
Foreign exchange
Net derivative liability
December 31,
2023
(46) $
(4)
1
(75)
4
19
(101) $
$
$
December 31,
2022
(203)
27
(3)
(78)
4
—
(253)
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 46
AltaGas strives to continuously and systematically de-risk the business in order to drive predictable and durable returns and
maximize long-term value for stakeholders. For Midstream, this includes striving to match financial hedges with physical
volumes, and for Utilities, this includes purchasing physical gas throughout the year to help shield customers from major cost
spikes during peak winter demand. AltaGas may also enter into foreign exchange forward derivatives to manage the risk
associated with variations in foreign exchange rates.
Commodity Price Contracts
The Corporation executes natural gas, power, LPG, crude oil, ocean freight, and other physical and financial commodity
contracts to serve its customers as well as manage and optimize its asset portfolio. A portion of these physical contracts are
not recorded at fair value because they are either: 1) designated as “normal purchases and normal sales”; 2) do not qualify as
derivative instruments due to the significance of their notional amount relative to the applicable liquid markets; or 3) are
weather derivatives, which are not exchanged or traded and the underlying variables relate to a climactic, geological, or other
physical variable. The fair value of commodity contracts that qualify as derivatives was calculated using estimated forward
prices based on published sources for the relevant period. For AltaGas’ Midstream segment, changes in the fair value of these
derivative contracts are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period in which the change occurs. For the
Utilities segment, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments recoverable or refundable to customers are recorded to
regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, while changes in the fair value of derivative
instruments not affected by rate regulation are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period in which the
change occurs. The Midstream segment also executes fixed-for-floating NGL frac spread swaps to manage exposure to frac
spreads as the financial results of several extraction plants are affected by fluctuations in NGL frac spreads.
▪
The average indicative spot NGL frac spread for the year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately $22/Bbl
(2022 – $32/Bbl), inclusive of basis differentials. The average NGL frac spread realized by AltaGas (based on
average spot price and realized hedge price inclusive of basis differentials) for the year ended December 31, 2023
was approximately $24/Bbl inclusive of basis differentials (2022 - $26/Bbl).
AltaGas continues to focus on de-risking its business and managing direct commodity price exposure to drive predictable and
durable results. While the Company does have exposure, it plans to maintain an active hedging program that proactively
hedges commodity price and spread risk to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in margins and cash flows. For 2024, AltaGas
has hedged:
▪
▪
Approximately 90 percent of AltaGas' 2024 expected global export volumes through a combination of tolls and
financial hedges with an average FEI to North American financial hedge price of approximately US$18/Bbl for non-
tolled propane and butane volumes.
Approximately 80 percent of its 2024 expected frac exposed volumes hedged at approximately US$27/Bbl, prior to
transportation costs.
• Materially all of AltaGas' expected Baltic freight exposure is protected through time charters, financial hedges, and
tolled volumes in 2024.
Additionally, AltaGas uses physical and financial derivatives for the purchase and sale of natural gas in order to optimize
owned storage and transportation capacity as well as manage transportation and storage assets on behalf of third parties.
The Utilities segment enters into hedging contracts and other contracts that may qualify as derivative instruments related to the
purchase of natural gas to manage price risk for its ratepayers. Additionally, Washington Gas executes commodity-related
physical and financial contracts in the form of forward, futures, and option contracts as part of an asset optimization program.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 47
Under this program, Washington Gas realizes value from its long-term natural gas transportation and storage capacity
resources when they are not being fully used to serve utility customers. To serve retail customers, WGL Energy Services
enters into both physical and financial contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity and natural gas. Beginning in 2023,
WGL Energy Services also began purchasing natural gas indexed to NYMEX Henry Hub to be sold to third party customers.
WGL Energy Services' risk management objective and strategy is to protect earnings against the risk of price fluctuations
associated with forecasted NYMEX Henry Hub purchases through the use of the NYMEX Henry Hub financial swaps.
The Corporate/Other segment has various fixed-for-floating power purchase and sale contracts in the Alberta market, which
are expected to be settled over the next year.
Foreign Exchange Contracts
AltaGas is exposed to foreign exchange risk as changes in foreign exchange rates may affect the fair value or future cash
flows of the Corporation’s financial instruments. AltaGas has foreign operations whereby the functional currency is the U.S.
dollar. As a result, the Corporation’s earnings, cash flows, and other comprehensive income are exposed to fluctuations
resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates. This risk is partially mitigated to the extent that AltaGas has U.S. dollar-
denominated debt outstanding. AltaGas may also enter into foreign exchange forward derivatives to manage the risk of
fluctuating cash flows and earnings due to variations in foreign exchange rates as well as to benefit from favorable movements
in the rates. Any hedges transacted are subject to risk limits and guidelines and are actively monitored and managed by
AltaGas’ risk management team to ensure they align with AltaGas’ overall financial strategy.
▪
▪
As at December 31, 2023, Management has designated US$715 million of outstanding loans as a net investment
hedge to hedge against the currency translation effect of its foreign investments (December 31, 2022 - US$281
million).
For the year ended December 31, 2023, a $25 million after-tax unrealized gain on the net investment hedge was
recorded in other comprehensive income (2022 - after-tax unrealized loss $15 million).
As at December 31, 2022, AltaGas did not have any outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts. The following foreign
exchange forward contracts are outstanding as at December 31, 2023:
Foreign exchange forward contract
Forward USD sales (deliverable)
Forward USD sales (non-deliverable)
Forward USD sales (non-deliverable)
Duration
Fair Value
($ millions)
Less than 1 month less than $1 million
10
9
Less than 1 year $
1 - 2 years $
For the year ended December 31, 2023, AltaGas had pre-tax gains on foreign exchange contracts of $25 million. Of this, an
unrealized gain of less than $1 million, as well as a realized gain of less than $1 million related to foreign exchange contracts
entered into for the purpose of risk associated with cash management, was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of
Income under the line item "foreign exchange gains" (year ended December 31, 2022 - $nil). Additionally, an unrealized gain of
$19 million, as well as a realized gain of $6 million related to foreign exchange contracts entered into for the purpose of
managing income statement risk, was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income under the line item "revenue" (year
ended December 31, 2022 - $nil).
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 48
Interest Rate Contracts
AltaGas is exposed to interest rate risk as changes in interest rates may impact future cash flows and the fair value of its
financial instruments. The Corporation manages its interest rate risk by holding a mix of both fixed and floating interest rate
debt.
From time to time, AltaGas may concurrently draw on its credit facility in U.S. dollars and enter into cross currency basis swaps
whereby, on final settlement, AltaGas receives U.S. dollars from the counterparty and pays Canadian dollars to the
counterparty.
Weather Instruments
WGL Energy Services utilizes heating degree day ("HDD") instruments from time to time to manage weather and price risks
related to its natural gas and electricity sales during the winter heating season. WGL Energy Services also utilizes cooling
degree day ("CDD") instruments and other instruments to manage weather and price risks related to its electricity sales during
the summer cooling season. These instruments cover a portion of estimated revenue or energy-related cost exposure to
variations in HDDs or CDDs. For the year ended December 31, 2023, a pre-tax loss of $8 million (2022 - pre-tax loss of less
than $1 million) was recorded related to HDD and CDD instruments.
The Effects of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income
The following table presents the unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments as recorded in the Corporation’s
Consolidated Statements of Income:
($ millions)
Natural gas
Energy exports
Crude oil and NGLs
NGL frac spread
Power
Foreign exchange
Three Months Ended
December 31
2022
2023
2023
$
$
(29) $
(50)
(16)
1
(20)
20
(94) $
(98) $
(12)
(4)
(5)
(37)
—
(156) $
Year Ended
December 31
2022
(57)
21
2
16
(31)
—
(49)
(12) $
(78)
(5)
4
2
19
(70) $
Please refer to Note 23 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding AltaGas' risk
management activities.
Liquidity
As a result of certain commitments made to the PSC of DC, the PSC of MD, and the SCC of VA in respect of the acquisition of
WGL Holdings, Inc. (the "WGL Acquisition"), Washington Gas is subject to certain restrictions when paying dividends to
AltaGas. However, AltaGas does not expect that this will have an impact on AltaGas’ ability to meet its obligations.
In addition, Wrangler SPE LLC and Washington Gas made certain ring fencing commitments to the PSC of DC, the PSC of
MD, and the SCC of VA with the intention of removing Washington Gas from the bankruptcy estate of AltaGas and its affiliates,
other than Washington Gas and Wrangler SPE LLC (together, the “Ring Fenced Entities”). Because of these ring fencing
measures, none of the assets of the Ring Fenced Entities would be available to satisfy the debt or contractual obligations of
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 49
AltaGas or any non-Ring Fenced Entity Affiliate, including any indebtedness or other contractual obligations of AltaGas, and
the Ring Fenced Entities do not bear any liability for indebtedness or other contractual obligations of any non-Ring Fenced
Entity, and vice versa.
($ millions)
Cash from operations
Investing activities
Financing activities
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
Cash From Operations
Year Ended
December 31
2022
539
(997)
435
(23)
2023
1,121 $
(199)
(882)
40 $
$
$
Cash from operations increased by $582 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 2022, primarily due to
favourable variances in the net change in operating assets and liabilities, partly offset by lower net income after taxes (after
adjusting for non-cash items). The majority of the variance in net change in operating assets and liabilities was due to
increased cash flow from accounts receivable due to fluctuations in commodity prices, sales volumes, and weather, and higher
cash flows from inventory as a result of increased volumes held, partially offset by lower cash flow from accounts payable and
accrued liabilities due to fluctuations in commodity prices, and lower cash flows from regulatory liabilities primarily due to
overall warmer weather experienced by the Utilities segment.
Working Capital
($ millions, except working capital ratio)
Current assets
Current liabilities
Working capital (deficiency)
Working capital ratio (1)
(1) Calculated as current assets divided by current liabilities.
December 31,
2023
3,045 $
3,413
(368) $
0.89
December 31,
2022
4,638
3,407
1,231
1.36
$
$
The decrease in the working capital ratio was primarily due to decreases in assets held for sale related to the Alaska Utilities
Disposition, accounts receivable, inventory, and risk management assets, as well as an increase in current portion of long-term
debt. This was partially offset by decreases in liabilities associated with assets held for sale, accounts payable and accrued
liabilities, short-term debt, regulatory liabilities, and risk management liabilities. AltaGas’ working capital will fluctuate in the
normal course of business. The working capital deficiency is expected to be funded using cash flow from operations and
available credit facilities as required.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $199 million, compared to $997 million in 2022.
Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily included proceeds of approximately $1.1 billion from the
disposition of assets primarily related to the Alaska Utilities Disposition and additional proceeds received for the favourable
settlement of outstanding contingencies on the sale of Goleta, partially offset by expenditures of approximately $943 million for
property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets, the cash payment, net of cash acquired, of $327 million for the Pipestone
Acquisition, and approximately $4 million of net contributions to equity investments. Investing activities for the year ended
December 31, 2022 included expenditures of approximately $958 million for property, plant, and equipment and intangible
assets, and a cash payment of approximately $285 million for the purchase of the remaining non-controlling interest of
Petrogas, partially offset by proceeds of $245 million from the disposition of assets primarily related to the disposition of the
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 50
interest in the Aitken Creek processing facilities, a 60 MW stand-alone energy development project in Goleta, California, and a
power plant in Brush, Colorado, as well as approximately $1 million of contributions to equity investments.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $882 million, compared to cash from financing
activities of $435 million in 2022. Financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 were primarily comprised of net
repayments under credit facilities of $678 million, repayments of long-term debt of $338 million, dividends of $343 million,
redemption of preferred shares of $200 million, purchase of marketable securities in connection with debt defeasance of $193
million, and distributions to non-controlling interests of $18 million, partially offset by long-term debt issuances of $673 million,
issuance of subordinated hybrid notes, net of issuance costs of $198 million, and net proceeds from common shares issued on
the exercise of options granted pursuant to AltaGas' share option plan ("Share Options") of $17 million. Financing activities for
the year ended December 31, 2022 were primarily comprised of long-term debt issuances of $718 million, net issuances under
credit facilities of $466 million, issuance of subordinated hybrid notes, net of debt issuance costs of $544 million, issuances of
short-term debt of $128 million, and net proceeds from common shares issued on the exercise of Share Options of $25 million,
partially offset by repayments of long-term debt of $513 million, dividends of $338 million, redemption of preferred shares of
$574 million, and distributions to non-controlling interests of $21 million.
Capital Resources
AltaGas' objective for managing capital is to maintain its investment grade credit ratings, ensure adequate liquidity, optimize
the profitability of its existing assets, and grow its energy infrastructure to create long-term value and enhance returns for its
investors. AltaGas' capital structure is comprised of shareholders' equity (including non-controlling interests), short-term and
long-term debt (including the current portion and debt classified as held for sale), and subordinated hybrid notes, less cash and
cash equivalents.
The use of debt or equity funding is based on AltaGas’ capital structure, which is determined by considering the norms and
risks associated with operations and cash flow stability and sustainability.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 51
($ millions)
Short-term debt
Current portion of long-term debt (1)
Current portion of finance lease liabilities
Long-term debt (2)
Subordinated hybrid notes (3) (4)
Finance lease liabilities
Debt classified as held for sale
Finance lease liabilities classified as held for sale
Total debt
Less: cash and cash equivalents
Net debt
Shareholders' equity
Non-controlling interests
Total capitalization
Net debt-to-total capitalization (%)
$
$
$
December 31,
2023
129 $
999
11
7,528
742
120
—
—
9,529
(95)
9,434 $
7,713
150
17,297 $
December 31,
2022
293
327
7
8,679
544
15
60
3
9,928
(53)
9,875
7,456
162
17,493
55
56
(1) Net of debt issuance costs of less than $1 million as at December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022 - less than $1 million).
(2) Net of debt issuance costs of $38 million as at December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022 - $41 million).
(3)
The $300 million subordinated hybrid notes, Series 1 have a coupon rate of 5.25 percent, and are due on January 11, 2082. The $250 million subordinated
hybrid notes, Series 2 have a coupon rate of 7.35 percent and are due on August 17, 2082. The $200 million subordinated hybrid notes, Series 3, have a
coupon rate of 8.90% and are due on November 10, 2083. These notes were offered under AltaGas' short form base shelf prospectus dated March 31, 2023,
as supplemented by a prospectus supplement dated November 7, 2023.
(4) Net of debt issuance costs of $8 million as at December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022 - $6 million).
As at December 31, 2023, AltaGas’ total debt primarily consisted of outstanding medium-term notes ("MTNs") of $3.9 billion
(December 31, 2022 - $3.8 billion), WGL and Washington Gas long-term debt of $3.0 billion (December 31, 2022 - $2.8
billion), reflecting fair value adjustments on acquisition, SEMCO long-term debt of $393 million (December 31, 2022 - $670
million, of which $63 million was classified as held for sale), $1.0 billion drawn under the bank credit facilities (December 31,
2022 - $1.5 billion), $750 million of subordinated hybrid notes (December 31, 2022 - $550 million), and short-term debt of $129
million (December 31, 2022 - $293 million). In addition, AltaGas had $252 million of letters of credit outstanding (December 31,
2022 - $198 million).
As at December 31, 2023, AltaGas’ total market capitalization was approximately $8.2 billion based on approximately 295
million common shares outstanding and a closing trading price on December 31, 2023 of $27.82 per common share.
AltaGas' earnings interest coverage for the rolling twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was 3.0 times (twelve months
ended December 31, 2022 – 2.4 times).
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 52
Credit Facilities
($ millions)
AltaGas demand credit facilities (1) (2)
AltaGas revolving credit facilities (1) (2)
AltaGas term credit facility (1)(3)
SEMCO Energy US$150 million credit facilities (1) (2)
WGL US$300 million revolving credit facility (1) (2) (4)
Washington Gas US$450 million revolving credit facility (1) (2) (4)
Borrowing
capacity
Drawn at
December 31,
2023
$
$
70 $
2,300
450
198
397
595
4,010 $
— $
484
450
86
199
261
1,480 $
Drawn at
December 31,
2022
—
861
450
189
250
429
2,179
(1)
Amount drawn at December 31, 2023 converted at the month-end rate of 1 U.S. dollar = 1.3226 Canadian dollar (December 31, 2022 - 1 U.S. dollar = 1.3544
Canadian dollar).
All US$ borrowing capacity was converted at the December 31, 2023 U.S./Canadian dollar month-end exchange rate.
(2)
(3) Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, SOFR loans, or banker's acceptances where interest is prepaid and netted against
(4)
the face value repayable at maturity. As at December 31, 2023 the net amount outstanding on the facility is $449 million.
Amounts drawn include commercial paper that is supported by the long term facilities. WGL and Washington Gas have the right to request additional
borrowings of up to US$100 million with the bank’s approval, for a total of US$400 million and US$550 million on their respective facilities.
In addition to the facilities listed above, AltaGas has demand Letter of Credit facilities of $451 million (December 31, 2022 -
$461 million). At December 31, 2023, there were letters of credit for $252 million (December 31, 2022 - $198 million) issued on
these facilities and an additional less than $1 million (December 31, 2022 - less than $1 million) issued on the Company's
revolving credit facilities.
WGL and Washington Gas use short-term debt in the form of commercial paper or unsecured short-term bank loans to fund
seasonal cash requirements. Revolving committed credit facilities are maintained in an amount equal to or greater than the
expected maximum commercial paper position. As at December 31, 2023, commercial paper outstanding totaled $461 million
for WGL and Washington Gas (December 31, 2022 – $679 million).
All of the borrowing facilities have covenants customary for these types of facilities, which must be met at each quarter end.
AltaGas and its subsidiaries have been in compliance with all financial covenants each quarter since the establishment of the
facilities. AltaGas and its subsidiaries are also in compliance with trust indenture requirements for its MTNs as at
December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
The following table summarizes the Corporation's primary financial covenants as defined by the credit facility agreements:
Ratios
Bank debt-to-capitalization (1) (2)
Bank EBITDA-to-interest expense (1) (2)
Bank debt-to-capitalization (SEMCO) (2) (3)
Bank EBITDA-to-interest expense (SEMCO) (2) (3)
Bank debt-to-capitalization (WGL) (2) (4)
Bank debt-to-capitalization (Washington Gas) (2) (4)
Debt covenant
requirements
not greater than 65%
not less than 2.5x
not greater than 60%
not less than 2.25x
not greater than 65%
not greater than 65%
As at December 31, 2023
less than 52%
greater than 3.8x
less than 43%
greater than 6.5x
less than 49%
less than 50%
(1) Calculated in accordance with the Corporation’s $2.3 billion credit facility agreement, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The covenants are
(2)
(3)
equivalent and applicable to all the Corporation’s committed credit facilities.
Estimated, subject to final adjustments.
Bank EBITDA-to-interest expense (SEMCO) and bank debt-to-capitalization (SEMCO) are calculated based on SEMCO’s consolidated financial statements
and are calculated similarly to bank debt-to-capitalization and bank EBITDA-to-interest expense.
(4) WGL’s bank debt-to-capitalization ratio is calculated based on WGL’s consolidated financial statements.
On March 31, 2023, a short form base shelf prospectus for the issuance of certain types of future public debt and/or equity
issuances was filed to replace the short form base shelf prospectus dated February 22, 2021. This enables AltaGas to access
the Canadian capital markets on a timely basis during the 25-month period that the short form base shelf prospectus remains
effective.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 53
Contractual Obligations
December 31, 2023
($ millions)
Short-term debt
Long-term debt (1)
Subordinated hybrid notes (2)
Operating and finance leases (3)
Purchase obligations
Capital project commitments
Pension plan and retiree benefits (4)
Merger commitments (5)
Environmental commitments
Other liabilities (6)
Total contractual obligations (7)
Total
Less than
1 year
$
129 $
8,492
750
969
17,548
23
14
5
12
43
$ 27,985 $
129 $
999
—
145
2,849
23
14
2
6
43
4,210 $
1 - 3
years
— $
2,092
—
252
4,222
—
—
3
2
—
6,571 $
— $
4 - 5
years
After 5
years
—
3,853
750
386
7,502
—
—
—
3
—
4,710 $ 12,494
1,548
—
186
2,975
—
—
—
1
—
Excludes deferred financing costs, discounts, and the fair value adjustment on the WGL Acquisition.
Excludes deferred financing costs.
Payments are presented on an undiscounted cash basis.
Assumes only required payments will be made into the pension plans in 2024. Contributions are made in accordance with independent actuarial valuations.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5) Relates to merger commitments arising from the WGL Acquisition. Represents the estimated future payments of merger commitments that have been
accrued but not paid. Among other things, these commitments include rate credits distributable to both residential and non-residential customers to partially
offset rate increases resulting from gas expansion, extension of natural gas service over a 10-year period and other programs, various public interest
commitments, and safety programs. As at December 31, 2023, the cumulative amount of merger commitments that have been expensed but not yet paid is
approximately US$3 million. Additionally, there are a number of operational commitments with various timeframes, including the funding of leak mitigation
and reducing leak backlogs, the funding of damage prevention efforts, developing projects to extend natural gas service, maintaining pre-merger quality of
service standards including odor call response times, increasing supplier diversity, achieving synergy savings benefits, as well as reporting and tracking
related to certain commitments, and causing the development of 15 MW of either electric grid energy storage or tier one renewable resources within five
years of the WGL Acquisition, comprised of 10 MW in the District of Columbia and 5 MW in Maryland. Several of these commitments ended in the second
quarter of 2023, or five years after the WGL Acquisition. Please refer to Note 29 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion
of the commitment to develop renewable energy resources in the District of Columbia.
Excludes non-financial liabilities.
(6)
(7) U.S. dollar commitments have been converted to Canadian dollars using the December 31, 2023 exchange rate.
AltaGas expects to fund its obligations through internally-generated cash flow, asset sales, and normal course borrowings on
existing committed credit facilities.
Related Party Transactions
In the normal course of business, AltaGas transacts with its subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures. Refer to Note 30 of the
2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for the amounts due to or from related parties on the Consolidated Balance
Sheets and the classification of revenue, income, and expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 54
Credit Ratings
The below table summarizes the most recent credit ratings for AltaGas and subsidiaries:
Entity
Rating Agency
Debt Rated
Most Recent
Rating
BBB-
BBB-
Issuer rating
Senior unsecured
Preferred shares and
Junior Subordinated
P-3 / BB
AltaGas
Standard &
Poor's ("S&P")
Fitch Ratings
("Fitch")
Washington
Gas
WGL
SEMCO
S&P
Fitch
S&P
Fitch
Moody's
S&P
Issuer
Senior unsecured
Preferred shares and
Junior Subordinated
Unsecured debt
Commercial paper
Unsecured debt
Issuer
Senior unsecured
Commercial paper
Issuer
Long-term issuer
Senior secured notes
Long-term issuer
Senior secured notes
Comments
Last reviewed June 23, 2023.
Last reviewed June 23, 2023.
Last reviewed November 9, 2023. Junior
Subordinated added on January 5 and August 3,
2022, and November 9, 2023.
Last reviewed on June 30, 2023.
Last reviewed on January 4, 2024.
Last reviewed on November 7, 2023. Junior
Subordinated added on January 5 and August 3,
2022, and November 7, 2023.
Last reviewed June 28, 2023.
Last reviewed June 28, 2023.
Last reviewed June 30, 2023.
BBB
BBB
BB+
A-
A-2
A
BBB-
Last reviewed June 28, 2023.
BB+
A-3
BBB
A3
A1
BBB
A-
Last reviewed June 28, 2023.
Last reviewed June 28, 2023.
Last reviewed June 30, 2023.
Last reviewed May 26, 2023.
Last reviewed May 26, 2023.
Last reviewed September 28, 2023.
Last reviewed September 28, 2023.
Please refer to the S&P, Moody's, and Fitch websites for additional details on their ranking systems.
Share Information
Issued and outstanding
Common shares
Preferred Shares
Series A
Series B
Series G
Series H
Issued
Share options
Share options exercisable
As at March 1, 2024
295,327,138
6,746,679
1,253,321
6,885,823
1,114,177
5,122,890
5,120,729
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 55
Dividends
AltaGas declares and pays a quarterly dividend to its common shareholders. Dividends on preferred shares are also paid
quarterly. Dividends are at the discretion of the Board of Directors and dividend levels are reviewed periodically, giving
consideration to the ongoing sustainable cash flow from operating activities, maintenance and growth capital expenditures,
and debt repayment requirements of AltaGas.
The following table summarizes AltaGas’ dividend declaration history:
Common Share Dividends
Year Ended December 31
($ per common share)
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Total
Series A Preferred Share Dividends
Year Ended December 31
($ per preferred share)
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Total
Series B Preferred Share Dividends
Year Ended December 31
($ per preferred share)
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Total
Series C Preferred Share Dividends (1)
Year Ended December 31
(US$ per preferred share)
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Total
2023
0.280000 $
0.280000
0.280000
0.280000
1.120000 $
2022
0.265000
0.265000
0.265000
0.265000
1.060000
2023
0.191250 $
0.191250
0.191250
0.191250
0.765000 $
2022
0.191250
0.191250
0.191250
0.191250
0.765000
2023
0.418750 $
0.450260
0.455150
0.492580
1.816740 $
2022
0.171920
0.198020
0.260690
0.376700
1.007330
2023
— $
—
—
— $
2022
0.330625
0.330625
0.330625
0.991875
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(1) On September 30, 2022, AltaGas redeemed all of its outstanding Series C Preferred Shares.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 56
Series E Preferred Share Dividends (1)
Year Ended December 31
($ per preferred share)
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Total
(1) On December 31, 2023, AltaGas redeemed all of its outstanding Series E Preferred Shares.
Series G Preferred Share Dividends
Year Ended December 31
($ per preferred share)
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Total
Series H Preferred Share Dividends
Year ended December 31
($ per preferred share)
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Total
Series K Preferred Share Dividends (1)
Year Ended December 31
($ per preferred share)
First quarter
Total
2023
0.337063 $
0.337063
0.337063
0.337063
1.348252 $
2022
0.337063
0.337063
0.337063
0.337063
1.348252
2023
0.265125 $
0.265125
0.265125
0.265125
1.060500 $
2022
0.265125
0.265125
0.265125
0.265125
1.060500
2023
0.443404 $
0.475190
0.480350
0.517780
1.916724 $
2022
0.196582
0.222950
0.285890
0.401900
1.107322
2023
— $
— $
2022
0.312500
0.312500
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(1) On March 31, 2022, AltaGas redeemed all of its outstanding Series K Preferred Shares.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Since a determination of the value of many assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses is dependent upon future events, the
preparation of AltaGas' Consolidated Financial Statements requires the use of estimates and assumptions that have been
made using careful judgment. AltaGas’ significant accounting policies are contained in the notes to the 2023 Annual
Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of these policies involve critical accounting estimates as a result of the
requirement to make particularly subjective or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain, and because of
the likelihood that materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.
Significant estimates and judgments made by Management in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements are
outlined below:
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 57
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
SEMCO and Washington Gas engage in the delivery and sale of natural gas. SEMCO is regulated by the MPSC, and
Washington Gas is regulated by the PSC of DC in the District of Columbia, the PSC of MD in Maryland, and the SCC of VA in
Virginia.
The regulatory agencies exercise statutory authority over matters such as tariffs, rates, construction, operations, financing,
returns and certain contracts with customers. In order to recognize the economic effects of the actions and decisions of the
regulators, the timing of recognition of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as a result of regulation may differ
from that otherwise expected using U.S. GAAP for entities not subject to rate regulation.
Regulatory assets represent future revenues associated with certain costs incurred in the current period or in prior periods that
are expected to be recovered from customers in future periods through the rate-setting process. Regulatory liabilities represent
future reductions or limitations of increases in revenue associated with amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers
through the rate-setting process.
Asset Impairment
AltaGas reviews long-lived assets, regulatory assets, and intangible assets with indefinite and finite lives whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is determined
based on an estimate of undiscounted cash flows or other indicators of fair value, and measurement of an impairment loss is
determined based on the fair value of the assets. The determination of fair value requires Management to make assumptions
about future cash inflows and outflows over the life of an asset. Any changes to the assumptions used for the future cash flow
could result in revisions to the evaluation of the recoverability of the long-lived assets or intangible assets and the recognition
of an impairment loss in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
AltaGas also tests goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is
more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. The Corporation has the option to first
assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the
quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed, the fair value of the Corporation’s reporting units is compared to the
carrying values. If the carrying value of a reporting unit, including allocated goodwill exceeds its fair value, goodwill impairment
is measured as the excess of the carrying value amount of the reporting unit’s allocated goodwill over the implied fair value of
the goodwill. Based on the valuation approach, the fair value used in the quantitative impairment test of goodwill requires
determining appropriate market multiples of earnings or estimating future cash flows as well as appropriate discount rates.
AltaGas has assessed goodwill for impairment as at December 31, 2023 and determined that no write-down was required.
Asset Retirement Obligations
AltaGas records liabilities relating to asset retirement obligations when there is a legal obligation. In estimating the obligations,
Management is required to make assumptions regarding inflation and discount rates, ultimate amounts and timing of
settlements, and expected changes in environmental laws and regulation. A change in any of these estimates could have a
material impact on AltaGas' Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Taxes
The Corporation is subject to the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada) for purposes of determining the amount of income
that will be subject to tax in Canada and the Internal Revenue Code (U.S.) for the purposes of determining the amount of
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 58
income that will be subject to tax in the United States. The determination of AltaGas’ and its subsidiaries’ provision for income
taxes requires the application of these complex rules.
The recognition of deferred tax assets depends on the assumption that future earnings will be sufficient to realize the deferred
benefit. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets where all or a portion of that asset is not expected to be
realized. The amount of the deferred tax asset or liability recorded is based on Management’s best estimate of the timing of the
realization of the assets or liabilities.
If Management’s interpretation of tax legislation differs from that of tax authorities, or if timing of reversals is not as anticipated,
the provision for income taxes could increase or decrease in future periods. See Note 20 of the 2023 Annual Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits
The determination of pension plan obligations and expense is based on a number of actuarial assumptions. Critical
assumptions include the expected long-term rate-of-return on plan assets, the discount rate applied to pension plan
obligations, the expected rate of compensation increase, and mortality rates. For post-retirement benefit plans, which provide
for certain health care premiums and life insurance benefits for qualifying retired employees and which are not funded, critical
assumptions in determining post-retirement obligations and expense are the discount rate and the assumed health care cost
trend rates.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets are based on Management’s judgment
of the estimated useful life of the assets. When it is determined that assigned asset lives do not reflect the estimated remaining
period of benefit, prospective changes are made to the depreciable lives of those assets. For regulated entities, amortization
rates are generally prescribed by the applicable regulatory authority. There are a number of uncertainties inherent in estimating
the remaining useful life of certain assets and changes in assumptions could result in material adjustments to the amount of
amortization that AltaGas recognizes from period to period.
Loss Contingencies
AltaGas and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal claims and actions arising in the normal course of business. Liabilities
for loss contingencies are determined on a case-by-case basis and are accrued for when it is probable that a liability has been
incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required to determine the probability of having
incurred the liability and the estimated amount. Estimates are reviewed regularly and updated as new information is received.
As at December 31, 2023, no material provisions on loss contingencies have been recorded by the Corporation. However, due
to the inherent uncertainty of the litigation process, the resolution of any particular contingencies could have a material adverse
effect on the Corporation’s results of operations or financial position.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the amount of consideration that would be agreed upon in an arms-length transaction, other than a
forced sale or liquidation, between knowledgeable, willing parties who are under no compulsion to act. The best evidence of
fair value is a quoted bid or ask price, as appropriate, in an active market. Fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices in an
active market requires minimal judgment by Management. Where bid or ask prices in an active market are not available,
Management’s judgment on valuation inputs is necessary to determine fair value. AltaGas enters into physical and financial
derivative contracts to manage exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices and foreign exchange rates, as well as to optimize
certain owned and managed natural gas assets. AltaGas estimates forward prices based on published sources adjusted for
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 59
factors specific to the asset or liability, including basis and location differentials, discount rates, and currency exchange. The
forward curves used to mark these derivative instruments to market are vetted against public sources. Where observable
market data is not available, AltaGas uses valuation techniques which require significant judgment by Management. Changes
in estimates and assumptions about these inputs could affect the reported fair value.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Effective January 1, 2023, AltaGas adopted the following Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting
Standards Updates ("ASU"):
§
In October 2021, FASB issued ASU 2021-08 "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets
and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers". The amendments in this ASU require an entity to recognize
and measure contract assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606. The
adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements.
§
In March 2022, FASB issued ASU No. 2022-01 "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Fair Value Hedging - Portfolio
Layer Method". The amendments in this ASU will allow non-prepayable financial assets to be included in a closed
portfolio hedged using the portfolio layer method and promote consistency in single and multiple hedged layers. The
adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements.
§
In March 2022, FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt
Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures". The amendments in this ASU will eliminate the accounting guidance for
troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") by creditors while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan
refinancings and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, as well as require the
disclosure of current-period write offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases.
The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements.
§
In September 2022, FASB issued ASU No. 2022-04 "Liabilities (Subtopic 405-50) - Supplier Finance Programs". The
amendments in this ASU will require a buyer in a supplier finance program to disclose the key terms of the program,
the amount outstanding at the end of the period, a roll forward of that obligation during the period, and where the
obligation is presented on the balance sheet. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas'
consolidated financial statements.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 60
Future Changes in Accounting Principles
In June 2022, FASB issued ASU No. 2022-03 "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity
Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions". The amendments in this ASU clarify that a contractual restriction on the
sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security, and therefore, is not considered in
measuring fair value. In addition, an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize a contractual sale restriction.
Equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions also require certain additional disclosures. The amendments in this
ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and should be applied prospectively with adjustments as
a result of adopting this ASU being recognized in earnings. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact
on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements.
In March 2023, FASB issued ASU No. 2023-01 "Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements". The relevant
amendments in this ASU allow entities to amortize leasehold improvements under common control over the economic life of
the leasehold improvements as long as the lessee controlled the use of the leased asset. The amendments in this ASU are
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years and can be
applied using one of the following three methods: 1) prospectively to all new leasehold improvements recognized on or after
the date the entity applies the amendments, 2) prospectively to all new leasehold improvements recognized on or after the
date the entity applies the amendments, with any remaining unamortized balance of existing leasehold improvements
amortized over their remaining useful life to the common-control group determined at that date, or 3) retrospectively to the
beginning of the period in which the entity first applied Topic 842, with any leasehold improvements that otherwise would not
have been amortized or impaired recognized through a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings at the
beginning of the earliest period presented. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on AltaGas'
consolidated financial statements.
In March 2023, FASB issued ASU No. 2023-02 "Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323) - Accounting for
Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method". The amendments in this ASU allow entities
the option to elect to account for tax equity investments, regardless of the tax credit program from which the income tax credits
are received, using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. The amendments in this ASU are
effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those
fiscal years and can applied on either a modified prospective or retrospective basis. The adoption of this ASU is not expected
to have a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements.
In October 2023, FASB issued ASU No. 2023-06 "Disclosure Improvements". The amendments in this ASU modify the
disclosure or presentation requirements of a variety of topics in the codification as a result of FASB's decision to incorporate
disclosures referred to in SEC Release No. 33-10532, which sought to simplify SEC disclosure requirements. The
amendments in this ASU allow users to more easily compare entities subject to the SEC's existing disclosures with those
entities that were not previously subject to the SEC's requirements. This Update is only effective upon the removal of the
related disclosure from SEC regulations with an expiration of June 30, 2027. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have
a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements at this time, but may have an impact in future periods as
AltaGas is subject to the scope of this ASU.
In November 2023, FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07 "Segment Reporting (Topic 280)". This ASU requires all public entities
required to report segment information in accordance with Topic 280 to provide: (1) annual and interim disclosure of significant
segment expenses regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), (2) annual and interim disclosure of
other segment items, (3) annual disclosures about reportable segment profit or loss and assets currently required by Topic 280
in interim periods, (4) disclosure of additional measures used to measure a segments profit or loss outside of GAAP, (5)
disclosure of the title and position of the CODM, and (6) a public entity that has a single reportable segment to provide all the
disclosures required by this update and all existing segment disclosures in Topic 280. This update is effective for fiscal years
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 61
beginning after December 31, 2023, and interim periods with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The adoption of
this ASU will have an impact on AltaGas' segment disclosures.
In December 2023, FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures". The
amendments in this ASU require that public business entities on an annual basis: (1) disclose additional categories about
federal, state, and foreign income taxes in the rate reconciliation table and (2) provide additional information for reconciling
items that meet a quantitative threshold. Additionally, entities are required to annually disclose disaggregated income from
continuing operations, income tax expense, and income taxes paid (net of refunds received) by certain tax authorities and
jurisdictions. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The adoption of this ASU will have
an impact on AltaGas' income tax disclosures.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
AltaGas is not party to any contractual arrangements with unconsolidated entities that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a
current or future material effect on the Corporation’s financial performance or financial condition including liquidity and capital
resources.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures ("DCP") and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
("ICFR")
Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, are responsible for establishing and
maintaining DCP and ICFR, as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 "Certification of Disclosure in Issuers'
Annual and Interim Filings". The objective of this instrument is to improve the quality, reliability, and transparency of information
that is filed or submitted under securities legislation.
Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, have designed, or caused to be designed
under their supervision, DCP and ICFR to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by AltaGas
in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports to be filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is made known to
them, is reported on a timely basis, financial reporting is reliable, and financial statements prepared for external purposes are
in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The ICFR have been designed based on the framework established in the 2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO").
Management has designed the existing framework to result in both a complete and accurate consolidation of related
information. During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were no changes made to AltaGas' ICFR that materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its ICFR or DCP.
The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have evaluated, with the assistance of AltaGas' employees, the
effectiveness of AltaGas' DCP and ICFR as at December 31, 2023 and concluded that as at December 31, 2023 AltaGas' DCP
and ICFR were effective.
Limitation on Scope
In accordance with the provisions under National Instrument 52-109, the scope of the evaluation does not include ICFR related
to the Pipestone Acquisition, which closed on December 22, 2023. These provisions allow an issuer to exclude a business
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 62
which was acquired not more than 365 days before the issuer's financial year-end from the scope of its certifications. As such,
the controls, policies, and procedures related to the Pipestone Acquisition were excluded from management's evaluation of the
effectiveness of AltaGas' ICFR as at December 31, 2023. Summary financial information of the Pipestone Acquisition included
in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2023, includes total assets of
approximately $887 million and revenues of approximately $14 million.
It should be noted that a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not
absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control
systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, including instances of fraud, if any,
have been detected. The design of any system of controls is also based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of
future events, and there can be no assurances that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential
conditions.
Summary of Consolidated Results for the Eight Most Recent Quarters (1)
($ millions)
Total revenue
Normalized EBITDA (2)
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares
($ per share)
Net income (loss) per common share
Basic
Diluted
Dividends declared
Q4-23 Q3-23 Q2-23 Q1-23 Q4-22 Q3-22 Q2-22 Q1-22
3,288 3,030 2,631 4,048 3,898 3,056 3,241 3,892
574
252
454
233
582
502
239
276
113
357
Q4-23 Q3-23 Q2-23 Q1-23 Q4-22 Q3-22 Q2-22 Q1-22
133
445
(50)
(48)
54
35
0.40
0.40
0.28
(0.18)
(0.18)
0.28
0.47
0.47
0.28
1.58
1.57
0.28
0.19
0.19
0.27
(0.17)
(0.17)
0.27
0.12
0.12
0.27
1.27
1.26
0.27
Amounts may not add due to rounding.
(1)
(2) Non-GAAP financial measure. Prior periods have been revised to reflect a change in the composition of normalized EBITDA made in the third quarter of
2022. See discussion in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this MD&A.
AltaGas’ quarter-over-quarter financial results are impacted by seasonality, fluctuations in commodity prices, weather, the U.S./
Canadian dollar exchange rate, planned and unplanned plant outages, timing of in-service dates of new projects, and
acquisition and divestiture activities.
Revenue for the Utilities is generally the highest in the first and fourth quarters of any given year as the majority of natural gas
demand occurs during the winter heating season, which typically extends from November to March.
Other significant items that impacted quarter-over-quarter revenue during the periods noted include:
▪
▪
▪
The impact of the sale of AltaGas' interest in the Aitken Creek processing facilities in the second quarter of 2022;
The impact of the Alaska Utilities Disposition in the first quarter of 2023; and
The impact of the Pipestone Acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares is also affected by non-cash items such as deferred income tax, depreciation
and amortization expense, accretion expense, provisions on assets, gains or losses on long-term investments, and gains or
losses on the sale of assets. In addition, net income (loss) applicable to common shares is also impacted by preferred share
dividends and gains or losses on the redemption of preferred shares. For these reasons, net income (loss) may not
necessarily reflect the same trends as revenue. Net income (loss) applicable to common shares during the periods noted was
impacted by:
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 63
§ After-tax transaction costs of approximately $27 million and $4 million incurred throughout 2023 and 2022,
respectively, primarily due to asset sales and the Pipestone Acquisition;
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
The gain on the sale of Goleta in the first quarter of 2022 as well as an additional gain recorded in the first quarter of
2023 a result of the favourable settlement of outstanding contingencies;
The loss on the Series K Preferred Shares that were redeemed on March 31, 2022;
Favourable resolution of certain acquisition related commercial disputes and contingencies in 2022 and in the first
quarter of 2023;
The loss on the redemption of the U.S. dollar denominated Series C Preferred Shares in September 2022, including
the associated foreign exchange impact;
The gain resulting from the partial defeasance of SEMCO's First Mortgage Bonds in the first quarter of 2023;
The gain on the Alaska Utilities Disposition in the first quarter of 2023; and
The loss on the Series E Preferred Shares that were redeemed on December 31, 2023.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 64
SELECTED ANNUAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
($ millions, except where noted)
Revenue
Net income applicable to common shares
Net income per common share - basic
Net income per common share - diluted
Total assets
Total long-term liabilities
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (millions)
Dividends declared per common share ($ per share)
Preferred share dividends declared ($ per share)
2023
12,997
641
2.27
2.26
23,471
12,195
282
2022
14,087
399
1.42
1.41
23,965
12,940
281
1.120000
1.060000
Series A
Series B
Series C (US$) (1)
Series E (2)
Series G
Series H
Series K (2)
(1)
(2)
(3)
Series C Preferred Shares were redeemed on September 30, 2022.
Series E Preferred Shares were redeemed on December 31, 2023.
Series K Preferred Shares were redeemed on March 31, 2022.
0.765000
1.816740
1.348252
1.060500
1.916724
0.765000
1.007330
— 0.991875
1.348252
1.060500
1.107322
— 0.312500
2021
10,573
230
0.82
0.82
21,593
11,335
280
0.999600
0.765000
0.694360
1.322500
1.348252
1.060500
0.794372
1.250000
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 65
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT
The Consolidated Financial Statements of AltaGas Ltd. ("AltaGas", the "Corporation", or the "Company") and other financial
information included in this report are the responsibility of Management. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been
prepared by Management in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("U.S. GAAP") and
include amounts that are based on Management’s best estimates and judgments. It is Management's responsibility to ensure
that judgments, estimates and accounting principles and methods used in the preparation of financial information are
reasonable, appropriate, and applied consistently.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting for the
Corporation (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act and under National Instrument 52-109).
Management has used the framework established in the 2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO") to evaluate the effectiveness of the
Corporation's internal control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, Management, including the CEO and CFO,
has concluded that the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting is effective as at December 31, 2023.
In accordance with the provisions under National Instrument 52-109, the scope of the evaluation does not include ICFR related
to the Pipestone Acquisition, which closed on December 22, 2023. As such, the controls, policies, and procedures related to
the Pipestone Acquisition were excluded from management's evaluation of the effectiveness of AltaGas' ICFR as at December
31, 2023. Summary financial information of the Pipestone Acquisition included in the audited Consolidated Financial
Statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2023, includes total assets of approximately $887 million and revenues
of approximately $14 million.
Internal control over financial reporting may not prevent all misstatements due to its inherent limitations. In addition, the
evaluation of internal control was made as of a specific date and continued effectiveness in future periods is subject to the risk
that controls may become inadequate.
The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that Management fulfills its responsibilities for financial reporting and
internal controls. The Board is assisted in carrying out its responsibilities principally through its Audit Committee which is
composed of independent non-management directors. The Audit Committee meets with Management regularly and meets
independently with internal and external auditors and as a group to review any significant accounting, internal controls, and
auditing matters in accordance with the terms of the Charter of the Audit Committee, which is set out in the Annual Information
Form.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 66
The shareholders have appointed Ernst & Young LLP as independent external auditors to express an opinion as to whether
the Consolidated Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the Corporation’s consolidated financial position,
results of operations, and cash flows in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Ernst & Young LLP is not required under securities law to
express an opinion as to the effectiveness of the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting. The report of Ernst &
Young LLP outlines the scope of its examination and its opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(signed) "Vern Yu"
(signed) "James Harbilas"
VERN YU
President and
Chief Executive Officer of
AltaGas Ltd.
March 7, 2024
JAMES HARBILAS
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of
AltaGas Ltd.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 67
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
To the Shareholders and Directors of AltaGas Ltd.
Opinion
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of AltaGas Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the Group), which comprise the
consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the consolidated statements of income, consolidated
statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of equity and consolidated statements of cash flows for the
years then ended, and notes to the consolidated financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position of the Group as at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the consolidated results of its operations and its
consolidated cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles
(“US GAAP”).
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our responsibilities under those
standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements section of
our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the
consolidated financial statements in Canada, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these
requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our
opinion.
Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in the audit of the
consolidated financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of the audit of the
consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming the auditor’s opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate
opinion on these matters. For the matter below, our description of how our audit addressed the matter is provided in that
context.
We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial
statements section of our report, including in relation to this matter. Accordingly, our audit included the performance of
procedures designed to respond to our assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial
statements. The results of our audit procedures, including the procedures performed to address the matter below, provide the
basis for our audit opinion on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 68
Key audit matter
As described in note 23 to the consolidated financial statements, AltaGas Ltd. enters into commodity
Fair Value Measurement of Level 3 Derivatives
How our audit
addressed the key
audit matter
contracts that qualify as derivative instruments and are accounted for under ASC Topic 815,
Derivatives and Hedging. The fair value measurements of certain of these contracts are considered
Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy as they are determined using significant unobservable inputs. As
of December 31, 2023, derivative assets of $82 million and derivative liabilities of $135 million were
recorded based on Level 3 fair value measurements.
Auditing the fair value measurement of Level 3 derivative instruments was complex given the
judgmental nature of the assumptions used as inputs into the valuation models. In particular, the
valuation of Level 3 derivative instruments is sensitive to significant unobservable inputs used by the
Group such as the assumed natural gas basis prices and implied volatilities of natural gas prices.
These unobservable assumptions can be affected by future economic and market conditions.
To test the Group's valuation of Level 3 derivative instruments, our audit procedures included, among
others:
•
•
•
•
•
Evaluated the appropriateness of the underlying valuation methodologies used by the Group.
For a sample of instruments, we independently determined the significant unobservable
assumptions described above, calculated the resulting fair values and compared them to the
Group’s estimates.
For a sample of instruments, we obtained forward prices from independent sources, including
broker quotes, evaluated the Group’s assumptions related to their forward curves and
obtained external confirmation of key contract terms from counterparties.
Performed sensitivity analyses using independent sources of market data to evaluate the
change in fair value of Level 3 derivative instruments that would result from changes in
underlying assumptions.
Evaluated the adequacy of the Level 3 fair value measurement note disclosure in the
consolidated financial statements related to the matter.
Other information
Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises:
• Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of
assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in
doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our
knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
We obtained Management's Discussion and Analysis prior to the date of this auditor's report. If, based on the work we have
performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact in this
auditor's report. We have nothing to report in this regard.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 69
Responsibilities of management and those charged with governance for the consolidated financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance
with US GAAP, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of
consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to continue as
a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting
unless management either intends to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial reporting process.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion.
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with
Canadian generally accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can
arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to
influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we exercise professional judgment
and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
•
Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud
or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient
and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from
fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions,
•
•
•
•
•
misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s
internal control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and
related disclosures made by management.
Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the
audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant
doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are
required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or,
if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained
up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue
as a going concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the
disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a
manner that achieves fair presentation.
Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities
within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for direction,
supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 70
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the
audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements
regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to
bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.
From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most
significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters.
We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or
when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the
adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such
communication.
The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Ann-Marie Brockett.
Chartered Professional Accountants
Calgary, Canada
March 7, 2024
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 71
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As at December 31
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents (note 31)
Accounts receivable (net of credit losses of $29 million) (notes 9 and 23)
Inventory (note 6)
Regulatory assets (note 21)
Risk management assets (note 23)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (notes 28 and 31)
Assets held for sale
Property, plant and equipment (note 7)
Intangible assets (note 8)
Operating right-of-use assets (note 9)
Goodwill (note 10)
Regulatory assets (note 21)
Risk management assets (note 23)
Prepaid post-retirement benefits (note 28)
Long-term investments and other assets (net of credit losses of $1 million)
(notes 11, 28, and 31)
Investments accounted for by the equity method (note 13)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (notes 17, 18, 23, and 28)
Short-term debt (notes 14 and 23)
Current portion of long-term debt (notes 15 and 23)
Customer deposits
Regulatory liabilities (note 21)
Risk management liabilities (note 23)
Operating lease liabilities (note 9)
Current portion of finance lease liabilities (note 9 and 23)
Other current liabilities (note 23)
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
Long-term debt (notes 15 and 23)
Asset retirement obligations (note 17)
Unamortized investment tax credits (note 20)
Deferred income taxes (note 20)
Subordinated hybrid notes (notes 16 and 23)
Regulatory liabilities (note 21)
Risk management liabilities (note 23)
Operating lease liabilities (note 9)
Finance lease liabilities (note 9 and 23)
Other long-term liabilities (notes 19 and 23)
Future employee obligations (note 28)
2023
2022
$
95 $
$
$
1,844
847
58
54
147
—
3,045
12,728
122
337
5,270
329
57
626
271
686
23,471 $
1,863 $
129
999
92
85
97
92
11
45
—
3,413
7,528
448
1
1,536
742
1,274
115
258
120
124
49
$
15,608 $
53
2,091
1,060
38
140
169
1,087
4,638
11,686
120
281
5,250
448
77
538
273
654
23,965
1,902
293
327
79
183
172
92
7
57
295
3,407
8,679
451
2
1,369
544
1,201
298
215
15
122
44
16,347
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 72
As at December 31
Shareholders' equity
Common shares, no par values, unlimited shares authorized;
2023 - 294.9 million and 2022 - 281.5 million issued and outstanding (note 25)
Preferred shares (note 25)
Contributed surplus
Accumulated deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) (note 22)
Total shareholders' equity
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
2023
2022
$
$
$
7,120 $
391
624
(817)
395
7,713
150
7,863 $
23,471 $
6,761
586
625
(1,142)
626
7,456
162
7,618
23,965
Acquisitions (note 3)
Variable interest entities (note 12)
Commitments, guarantees and contingencies (note 29)
Related party transactions (note 30)
Segmented information (note 32)
Subsequent events (note 33)
See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Approved by the Board of Directors of AltaGas Ltd.
(signed) "Vern Yu"
(signed) "Linda Sullivan"
VERN YU
Director
LINDA SULLIVAN
Director
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 73
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Year Ended December 31
REVENUE (note 24)
EXPENSES
Cost of sales, exclusive of items shown separately
Operating and administrative
Accretion expenses (note 17)
Depreciation and amortization (notes 7 and 8)
Provisions on assets (note 5)
Income from equity investments (note 13)
Other income (note 27)
Foreign exchange gains (losses)
Interest expense
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense (note 20)
Current
Deferred
Net income after taxes
Net income applicable to non-controlling interests
Net income applicable to controlling interests
Preferred share dividends
Loss on redemption of preferred shares (note 25)
Net income applicable to common shares
Net income per common share (note 26)
Basic
Diluted
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding (millions) (note 26)
Basic
Diluted
See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
2023
2022
$
12,997 $
14,087
10,112
1,579
11
441
—
12,143
55
403
(6)
(394)
912
43
180
689
16
673
(27)
(5)
641 $
2.27 $
2.26 $
11,138
1,568
7
439
6
13,158
13
94
10
(330)
716
23
120
573
50
523
(40)
(84)
399
1.42
1.41
282.1
283.7
281.0
283.3
$
$
$
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 74
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Year Ended December 31
Net income after taxes
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
Gain (loss) on foreign currency translation
Unrealized gain (loss) on net investment hedge (note 23)
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit (PRB) plans (note 28)
Settlement of Canadian defined benefit pension plan (note 28)
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges (note 23)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI), net of taxes
Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interests and non-controlling
interests, net of taxes
Comprehensive income attributable to:
Non-controlling interests
Controlling interests
See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
2023
2022
$
689 $
573
(250)
25
1
2
(9)
(231) $
643
(15)
3
—
—
631
458 $
1,204
16 $
442
458 $
53
1,151
1,204
$
$
$
$
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 75
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
Year Ended December 31
2023
2022
Common shares (note 25)
Balance, beginning of year
Shares issued for cash on exercise of options
Shares issued related to Pipestone Acquisition (note 3)
Deferred taxes on share issuance costs
Balance, end of year
Preferred shares (note 25)
Balance, beginning of year
Redemption of preferred shares (note 25)
Balance, end of year
Contributed surplus
Balance, beginning of year
Share options expense
Exercise of share options
Purchase of remaining non-controlling interest in a subsidiary
Balance, end of year
Accumulated deficit
Balance, beginning of year
Net income applicable to controlling interests
Common share dividends
Preferred share dividends
Loss on redemption of preferred shares (note 25)
Balance, end of year
AOCI (note 22)
Balance, beginning of year
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Purchase of remaining non-controlling interest in a subsidiary
Balance, end of year
Total shareholders' equity
Non-controlling interests
Balance, beginning of year
Net income applicable to non-controlling interests
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Contributions from non-controlling interests to subsidiaries
Distributions by subsidiaries to non-controlling interests
Acquisition of remaining non-controlling interest in a subsidiary
Adjustment on disposition of assets (note 4)
Balance, end of year
Total equity
See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
6,761 $
19
340
—
7,120 $
586
(195)
391 $
625
1
(2)
—
624 $
(1,142)
673
(316)
(27)
(5)
(817) $
626
(231)
—
395 $
7,713 $
162
16
—
33
(18)
—
(43)
150 $
7,863 $
6,735
28
—
(2)
6,761
1,076
(490)
586
388
3
(3)
237
625
(1,243)
523
(298)
(40)
(84)
(1,142)
(7)
628
5
626
7,456
652
50
3
—
(21)
(522)
—
162
7,618
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 76
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31
Cash from operations
Net income after taxes
Items not involving cash:
Depreciation and amortization (notes 7 and 8)
Provisions on assets (note 5)
Accretion expenses (note 17)
Share-based compensation (note 25)
Deferred income tax expense (note 20)
Gains on sale of assets (notes 4 and 27)
Gain on debt defeasance (note 15)
Income from equity investments (note 13)
Unrealized losses on risk management contracts (note 23)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
Allowance for credit losses (note 23)
Change in pension and other post-retirement benefits (note 28)
Other
Asset retirement obligations settled (note 17)
Distributions from equity investments
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (note 31)
Investing activities
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (note 3)
Capital expenditures - property, plant and equipment
Capital expenditures - intangible assets
Distributions from (contributions to) equity investments
Proceeds from disposition of equity investments
Proceeds from disposition of assets, net of transaction costs (note 4)
Purchase of remaining non-controlling interest in a subsidiary
Financing activities
Net issuance of short-term debt
Issuance of long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs
Purchase of marketable securities in connection with debt defeasance (note 15)
Repayment of long-term debt and finance leases
Net borrowing (repayment) under credit facilities
Issuance of subordinated hybrid notes, net of debt issuance costs (note 16)
Dividends - common shares
Dividends - preferred shares
Distributions to non-controlling interests
Net proceeds from shares issued on exercise of options (note 25)
Redemption of preferred shares (note 25)
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and
restricted cash
Net change in cash classified within assets held for sale
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash beginning of year
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash end of year (note 31)
See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
2023
2022
$
689 $
573
441
—
11
1
180
(319)
(14)
(55)
70
8
24
6
(19)
(15)
13
100
1,121 $
(327)
(934)
(9)
(4)
1
1,074
—
(199) $
—
673
(193)
(338)
(678)
198
(316)
(27)
(18)
17
(200)
(882) $
40
—
—
64
104 $
$
$
$
$
439
6
7
3
120
(3)
—
(13)
49
6
26
(46)
18
(10)
14
(650)
539
—
(945)
(13)
1
—
245
(285)
(997)
128
718
—
(513)
466
544
(298)
(40)
(21)
25
(574)
435
(23)
4
(1)
84
64
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 77
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts and amounts in footnotes to tables are in millions of Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.)
1. Organization and Overview of the Business
The businesses of AltaGas are operated by the Company and a number of its subsidiaries including, without limitation, AltaGas
Services (U.S.) Inc., AltaGas Utility Holdings (U.S.) Inc., WGL Holdings, Inc. ("WGL"), Wrangler 1 LLC, Wrangler SPE LLC,
Washington Gas Resources Corp., WGL Energy Services, Inc. ("WGL Energy Services"), and SEMCO Holding Corporation; in
regard to the Utilities business, Washington Gas Light Company ("Washington Gas"), Hampshire Gas Company, and SEMCO
Energy, Inc.; and in regard to the Midstream business, AltaGas Extraction and Transmission Limited Partnership, AltaGas
Pipeline Partnership, AltaGas Processing Partnership, AltaGas Northwest Processing Limited Partnership, Harmattan Gas
Processing Limited Partnership, Ridley Island LPG Export Limited Partnership, AltaGas Pacific Partnership, AltaGas LPG
Limited Partnership, Petrogas Energy Corporation ("Petrogas"), Petrogas Holdings Partnership, and Petrogas, Inc. In the
Corporate/Other segment the main subsidiary is AltaGas Power Holdings (U.S.) Inc. SEMCO Energy conducts its Michigan
natural gas distribution business under the name SEMCO Energy Gas Company ("SEMCO").
AltaGas is a leading North American energy infrastructure company that connects customers and markets to affordable and
reliable sources of energy. The Company operates a diversified, lower-risk, high-growth energy infrastructure business that is
focused on delivering resilient and durable value for its stakeholders.
AltaGas' operating segments include the following:
§
Utilities, which owns and operates franchised, cost-of-service, rate regulated natural gas distribution and storage utilities
that focus on providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy to approximately 1.6 million residential and commercial
customers. This includes operating two utilities that operate across four major U.S. jurisdictions with a rate base of
approximately US$5.1 billion. The Utilities business also includes storage facilities and contracts for interstate natural gas
transportation and storage services, as well as WGL Energy Services, an affiliated retail energy marketing business,
which sells natural gas and electricity directly to residential, commercial, and industrial customers located in Maryland,
Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the District of Columbia; and
§ Midstream, which is a leading North American platform that connects customers and markets from wellhead to tidewater.
The three pillars of the Midstream business include: 1) global exports, which includes AltaGas' two operational LPG export
terminals and one prospective development terminal; 2) natural gas gathering, processing and extraction; and 3)
fractionation and liquids handling. AltaGas' Midstream segment also includes its natural gas and NGL marketing business,
domestic logistics, trucking and rail terminals, and liquid and natural gas storage capability.
The Corporate/Other segment consists of AltaGas' corporate activities and a small portfolio of gas-fired power generation and
distribution assets capable of generating 508 MW of power primarily in the state of California.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 78
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
These Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by Management in accordance with United States Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles ("U.S. GAAP").
Pursuant to National Instrument 52-107, "Acceptable Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards" ("NI 52-107"), U.S. GAAP
reporting is generally permitted by Canadian securities laws for companies subject to reporting obligations under U.S.
securities laws. On March 28, 2023, AltaGas filed Form 15 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and as
such, is no longer an SEC issuer and can no longer rely on the provisions of NI 52-107. Therefore, AltaGas sought and
obtained exemptive relief by the securities regulators in Alberta and Ontario to permit it to prepare its financial statements in
accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Alberta Securities Commission exemption will terminate on or after the earlier of January 1,
2027, the date to which AltaGas ceases to have activities subject to rate regulation, or the first day of AltaGas' fiscal year that
commences on or following the latter of: a) the effective date prescribed by the IASB for a mandatory rate regulated standard;
or b) two years after the IASB publishes the final version of a mandatory rate regulated standard.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
These Consolidated Financial Statements of AltaGas include the accounts of the Corporation, its subsidiaries, variable interest
entities ("VIEs") for which the Corporation is the primary beneficiary, and its interest in various partnerships and joint ventures
where AltaGas has an undivided interest in the assets and liabilities. Investments in unconsolidated companies that AltaGas
has significant influence, but not control, over are accounted for using the equity method.
Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value ("HLBV") methodology is used for AltaGas' investment in Mountain Valley Pipeline
("MVP") This methodology is used when the governing structuring agreement over the equity investment results in different
liquidation rights and priorities than what is reflected by the underlying ownership interest percentage.
All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated on consolidation. Where there is a party with a non-controlling
interest in a subsidiary that AltaGas controls, that non-controlling interest is reflected as “non-controlling interests” in the
Consolidated Financial Statements. The non-controlling interests in net income of consolidated subsidiaries are shown as an
allocation of the consolidated net income and are presented separately in "net income applicable to non-controlling interests".
USE OF ESTIMATES AND MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY
The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires Management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the period. Key areas where Management has made complex or subjective judgments, when matters are
inherently uncertain, include but are not limited to: determining the nature and timing of satisfaction of performance obligations
and determining the transaction price and amounts allocated to performance obligations for revenue recognition; depreciation
and amortization rates; determination as to whether a contract is or contains a lease; determination of the classification, term,
and discount rate for leases; fair value of asset retirement obligations; fair value of property, plant and equipment and goodwill
for impairment assessments; fair value of financial instruments; measurement of credit losses; provisions for income taxes;
assumptions used to measure employee future benefits; provisions for contingencies; purchase price allocations; and carrying
value of regulatory assets and liabilities. Certain estimates are necessary for the regulatory environment in which AltaGas'
subsidiaries or affiliates operate, which often require amounts to be recorded at estimated values until these amounts are
finalized pursuant to regulatory decisions or other regulatory proceedings. By their nature, these estimates are subject to
measurement uncertainty and may impact the Consolidated Financial Statements of future periods.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 79
COMPARATIVE AMOUNTS
Certain prior year comparative figures in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Rate-Regulated Operations
SEMCO, Washington Gas, Hampshire Gas, and, prior to the Alaska Utilities Disposition, ENSTAR (collectively "the Utilities")
engage in the delivery, sale, and storage of natural gas. SEMCO is regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission
("MPSC"). Washington Gas operates in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, and is regulated in those jurisdictions
by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia ("PSC of DC"), the Maryland Public Service Commission ("PSC
of MD"), and the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission ("SCC of VA"), respectively. Hampshire is
regulated under a cost-of-service tariff by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC").
The MPSC, PSC of DC, PSC of MD, and SCC of VA exercise statutory authority over matters such as tariffs, rates,
construction, operations, financing, returns, accounting, and certain contracts with customers. In order to recognize the
economic effects of the actions and decisions of the MPSC, PSC of DC, PSC of MD, and SCC of VA, the timing of recognition
of certain assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses as a result of regulation may differ from that otherwise expected using
U.S. GAAP for entities not subject to rate regulation.
Regulatory assets represent future revenues associated with certain costs incurred in the current period or in prior periods that
are expected to be recovered from customers in future periods through the rate setting process. Regulatory liabilities represent
future reductions or limitations of increases in revenue associated with amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers
through the rate setting process.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, balances with banks, and investments in money market instruments with
original maturities of less than three months.
Restricted Cash Holdings from Customers
Cash deposited, which is restricted and is not available for general use by AltaGas, is separately presented as restricted cash
holdings in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Pursuant to the acquisition of WGL Holdings, Inc. (the "WGL Acquisition"), rabbi
trust funds were funded to satisfy certain Washington Gas executive and outside director retirement benefit plan obligations.
The rabbi trust funds are invested in money market funds which are considered cash equivalents. These balances are
included in "prepaid expenses and other current assets" and "long-term investments and other assets" in the Consolidated
Balance Sheets.
Accounts Receivable
Receivables are recorded net of the allowance for credit losses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. AltaGas regularly
analyzes and evaluates the collectability of the accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. If circumstances
related to the collectability change, the allowance for credit losses is further adjusted. Accounts are written off when collection
efforts are complete and future recovery is unlikely.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 80
Inventory
Inventory consists of materials, supplies, natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil and condensates, processed finished
products, and emission compliance instruments which are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventory also
includes renewable energy credits which are valued using the specific identification method. Cost of inventory is assigned
using a weighted average cost formula. In general, commodity costs and variable transportation costs are capitalized as gas in
underground storage. Fixed costs, primarily pipeline demand charges and storage charges, are expensed as incurred through
the cost of gas.
Property, Plant, and Equipment ("PP&E"), Depreciation and Amortization
Property, plant, and equipment are carried at cost. The Corporation depreciates the cost of capital assets, net of salvage value,
on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets, with the exception of rate-regulated utilities assets, for
which depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis or over the contract term of a specific agreement at rates as approved
by the regulatory authorities.
The Utilities charge maintenance and repairs directly to operating expense and capitalize betterments and renewal costs. In
accordance with regulatory requirements, depreciation expense includes an amount allowed for regulatory purposes to be
collected in current rates for future removal and site restoration costs.
Interest costs are capitalized on major additions to property, plant, and equipment until the asset is ready for its intended use.
The interest rate used for calculating the interest costs to be capitalized is based on AltaGas' prior quarter actual borrowing
long-term interest rate.
The Utilities capitalize an imputed carrying cost on assets during construction as authorized by regulatory authorities and the
amount so capitalized is an allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC"). AFUDC is the amount that a rate-
regulated enterprise is allowed to recover for its cost of financing assets under construction. Capitalized overhead,
administrative expenses, and AFUDC are included in the cost of the related assets and are recovered in rates charged to
customers through depreciation expense, as allowed by the regulators.
The range of useful lives for AltaGas’ PP&E is as follows:
Utilities assets
Midstream assets
Corporate/Other assets
4 to 69 years
1 to 43 years
3 to 46 years
As required by the regulatory authority, net additions to SEMCO's utility assets are amortized for one half-year in the year in
which they are brought into active service. Net additions to WGL’s assets are amortized in the month after they are brought
into active service.
Generally, when a regulated asset is retired or disposed of, there is no gain or loss recorded in the Consolidated Statements of
Income. Any difference between the cost and accumulated depreciation of the asset, net of salvage proceeds, is charged to
accumulated depreciation or another regulatory asset or liability account. It is expected that any gain or loss that is charged to
accumulated depreciation or another regulatory account will be reflected in future depreciation expense when it is refunded or
collected in rates. When a non-regulated asset is retired or disposed of from PP&E, the original cost and related accumulated
depreciation and amortization are derecognized and any gain or loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 81
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are recorded at cost. Intangible assets which have a finite useful life are amortized on a straight-line basis
over their term or estimated useful life. The range of useful lives for intangible assets with a finite life is as follows:
Energy services relationships
Software
6 to 20 years
3 to 20 years
Extraction and Transmission ("E&T") Contracts
25 years
Commodity contracts
7 to 13 years
Assets Held for Sale
The Corporation classifies assets as held for sale when the carrying amount will be principally recovered through a sale
transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is met when Management approves and commits to a formal
plan to sell the assets, the assets are available for immediate sale in their present condition, and Management expects the
sale to close within the next 12 months. Upon classifying an asset as held for sale, an asset is recorded at the lower of its
carrying value or the estimated fair value less cost to sell. Assets held for sale are not depreciated or amortized.
Business Acquisitions
Business acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method. Under the acquisition method, assets and liabilities of
the acquired entity are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Management applies its best
estimates and assumptions to determine the fair value of net assets acquired; however, the estimates are subject to further
refinement of assumptions over a measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date. During the
measurement period, adjustments to assets acquired and liabilities assumed may be recorded, with a corresponding impact to
goodwill.
Provisions on Assets
If facts and circumstances suggest that a long-lived asset or an intangible asset may be impaired, the carrying value is
reviewed. If this review indicates that the value of the asset is not recoverable, as determined by the projected undiscounted
cash flows related to the asset over its remaining life, then the carrying value of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value
and an impairment loss is recognized.
Goodwill is not subject to amortization, but assessed at least annually for impairment, or more often when events or changes
in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. The annual assessment of goodwill is performed at the reporting unit
level, which is an operating segment or one level below. The Corporation has the option to first assess qualitative factors to
determine whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that the goodwill may be impaired. If a quantitative impairment
test is performed, the fair value of the reporting unit will be compared to its carrying value (including goodwill). If the carrying
value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, goodwill is reduced to its fair value and an impairment loss would be
recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 82
Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method
The equity method of accounting is used for investments in which AltaGas has the ability to exercise significant influence, but
does not have a controlling interest. Equity investments are initially measured at cost and are adjusted for the Corporation’s
proportionate share of earnings or losses. Equity investments are increased for contributions made and decreased for
distributions received. To the extent an investee undertakes activities necessary to commence its planned principal operations,
the Corporation will capitalize interest costs associated with its investment during such period.
The HLBV methodology is used to allocate earnings or losses for certain WGL equity method investments when WGL’s
ownership interest percentage is different than distribution percentages. When applying HLBV accounting, the Corporation
determines the amount that it would receive if an equity investment entity were to liquidate all of its assets at book value (as
valued in accordance with U.S. GAAP) and distribute that cash to the investors based on the contractually defined liquidation
priorities. The change in the Corporation’s claim on the equity investment entity's book value at the beginning and end of the
reporting period (adjusted for contributions and distributions) is the Corporation’s share of the earnings or losses from the
equity investment for the period.
An equity method investment is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable. When such condition is deemed other than temporary, the carrying
value of the investment is written down to its fair value, and an impairment charge is recorded in the Consolidated Statements
of Income.
Financial Instruments
Cash inflows and outflows related to derivative instruments are classified as cash from operations in the Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows.
Non-Utility Operations
All financial instruments are initially recorded at fair value unless they qualify for, and are designated under, a normal purchase
and normal sale ("NPNS") exemption. Subsequent measurement of the financial instruments is based on their classification.
The financial assets are classified as "held-for-trading", "held-to-maturity", or "loans and receivables". Financial liabilities are
classified as "held-for-trading" or other financial liabilities. Subsequent measurement is determined by classification.
A physical contract generally qualifies for the NPNS exemption if the transaction is reasonable in relation to AltaGas’ business
needs and AltaGas has the ability, and intent, to deliver or take delivery of the underlying item. AltaGas continually assesses
the contracts designated under the NPNS exemption and will discontinue the treatment of these contracts under this
exemption where the criteria are no longer met.
Held-for-trading instruments include non-derivative financial assets and financial assets and liabilities that may consist of
swaps, options, forwards, and equity securities. These financial instruments are initially recorded at their fair value, with
subsequent changes in fair value recorded in net income. Held-to-maturity, loans and receivables, and other financial liabilities
are recognized at amortized cost using the effective interest method unless they are held-for-sale and recognized at the lower
of cost or fair value less transaction fees.
Investments in equity instruments not accounted for under the equity method that do not have a quoted market price in an
active market are measured at cost. Income earned from these investments is included in the Consolidated Statements of
Income under "other income".
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 83
Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or contracts (the host instrument) are recorded separately and are
measured at fair value if the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are not closely related to the host
instrument, the terms of the embedded derivative are the same as those of a standalone derivative, and the entire contract is
not held-for-trading or accounted for at fair value. Changes in fair value are included in earnings.
The fair values recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect netting of the asset and liability positions where
counterparty master netting arrangements contain provisions for net settlement.
Transaction costs related to the acquisition of held-for-trading financial assets and liabilities are expensed as incurred.
Transaction costs for obtaining debt financing other than line-of-credit arrangements are recognized as a direct deduction from
the related debt liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Transaction costs related to line-of-credit arrangements are
capitalized and included under "long-term investments and other assets" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Premiums and
discounts are netted against long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The deferred charges are amortized over
the life of the related debt on an effective interest basis and included in “interest expense” on the Consolidated Statements of
Income.
Regulated Utility Operations
All physical and financial derivative contracts are initially recorded at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivative
instruments that are recoverable or refunded to customers when they settle are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities.
Changes in the fair value of derivatives not affected by rate regulation are reflected in net income.
Transaction costs for obtaining debt financing and reacquired debt costs are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities, or as a
reduction of the debt liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Weather-Related Instruments
WGL purchases certain weather-related instruments, such as heating degree day ("HDD") derivatives and cooling degree day
("CDD") derivatives to manage weather and price risks related to its natural gas and electricity sales. These derivatives are
accounted for in accordance with ASC 815-45, Derivatives and Hedging – Weather Derivatives. For HDD derivatives, gains or
losses are recognized when the actual HDDs falls above or below the contractual HDDs for each instrument. For CDD
derivatives, gains or losses are recognized when the average temperature exceeds or is below a contractually stated level
during the contract period. Refer to Note 23 for further discussion on weather-related instruments.
Hedges
As part of its risk management strategy, AltaGas may use derivatives to reduce its exposure to commodity price, interest rate,
and foreign exchange risk. AltaGas may designate certain outstanding loans to hedge against the currency translation effect of
its foreign investments. In 2023, AltaGas began to designate certain commodity financial swaps as cash flow hedges in
accordance with ASC Topic 815. For more information, please refer to Note 23.
Non-Utility Operations
The change in fair value of cash flow hedges is recognized in OCI. Gains or losses from cash flow hedges are reclassified to
net income when the hedged transaction affects earnings, such as when the hedged forecasted transaction occurs.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 84
Regulated Utility Operations
During planned issuances of debt securities, Washington Gas may utilize derivative instruments to manage the risk of interest-
rate volatility. Gains and losses associated with these types of derivatives are recorded as regulatory liabilities or assets, and
amortized in accordance with regulatory requirements, typically over the life of the related debt.
Credit Losses
AltaGas regularly analyzes and evaluates the collectability of the accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. If
circumstances related to the collectability change, the allowance for credit losses is adjusted. Accounts are written off when
collection efforts are complete and future recovery is unlikely. See below for a description of how expected credit loss
estimates are developed.
Utilities Customer Receivables and Contract Assets
AltaGas is exposed to risk through the non-payment of utility bills by customers. To manage this customer credit risk, AltaGas'
regulated utilities customers are offered budget billing options or high risk customers may be required to provide a cash
deposit until the requirement for deposit refunds are met. AltaGas can recover a portion of non-payments from customers in
future periods through the rate-setting process. For accounts receivable generated by the Utilities business, an allowance for
credit losses is recognized using a loss-rate based on historical payment and collection experience. This rate may be adjusted
based on Management’s expectations of unusual macroeconomic conditions and other factors. AltaGas regularly evaluates the
reasonableness of the allowance based on a combination of factors, such as: the length of time receivables are past due,
historical expected payment, collection experience, financial condition of customers, and other circumstances that could
impact customers' ability or desire to make payments. For retail energy marketing customer receivables where AltaGas has
enrolled in a regulatory utility purchase of receivable program, the associated utility discount rate is used to determine credit
losses.
Midstream Customer Receivables and Contract Assets
AltaGas operates under an existing credit policy that is designed to mitigate credit risk. Credit limits are established for each
counterparty and credit enhancements such as letters of credit, parent guarantees, and cash collateral may be required. The
creditworthiness of all counterparties is continuously monitored. A credit loss reserve is recorded for receivables with
customers and trading counterparties AltaGas considers to be below investment grade by applying an estimated loss rate. The
estimated loss rate is based on the historical default rates published by external rating agencies. For accounts receivable, a
one-year rate is used. For contract assets, historical loss rates associated with the estimated time frame that the contract asset
will be billed to the customer is used. In the event a customer or trading counterparty no longer exhibits similar risk
characteristics, the associated receivable is evaluated individually.
Other
For other long-term receivables, associated counterparties are evaluated and assigned internal credit ratings based on
AltaGas' credit policy. An allowance for credit losses is recorded based on historical default rates published by external credit
rating agencies and a rate commensurate with the period in which the receivables are expected to be collected.
Debt
AltaGas uses short-term debt in the form of commercial paper and advances under its syndicated bank credit facilities to fund
seasonal cash requirements. Short-term obligations are excluded from current liabilities if AltaGas has the ability and the intent
to refinance these obligations on a long-term basis. The ability to refinance is primarily demonstrated through the availability of
long-term revolving committed credit facilities in an amount equal to or greater than the expected maximum short-term
obligation.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 85
Asset Retirement Obligations
AltaGas recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which the legal obligation is incurred and a reasonable
estimate of fair value can be determined. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount
of the asset and are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. The liability is increased due to the passage of time
over the estimated period until the settlement of the obligation, with a corresponding charge to accretion expense for asset
retirement obligations.
There are timing differences between accretion and depreciation amounts being recorded pursuant to GAAP and the
recognition of depreciation expense for legal asset removal costs that are recovered in rates, as allowed by the regulators.
These timing differences are recorded as a reduction to “regulatory liabilities” in accordance with ASC 980.
Certain midstream and utility assets will have future legal obligations on retirement, but an asset retirement obligation has not
been recorded due to its indeterminate life and corresponding indeterminable timing and scope of these asset retirement
obligations. The Utilities recognize asset retirement obligations for some interim retirements, as expected by their regulators.
Revenue Recognition
AltaGas has revenue from various sources, including rate-regulated revenue, commodity sales, midstream service contracts,
gas sales and transportation services, and storage services. For a detailed description of the Corporation’s revenue
recognition policy by major source of revenue, please refer to Note 24.
Foreign Currency Translation
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are converted to the functional currency using the exchange
rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Adjustments resulting from the conversion are recorded in the Consolidated
Statements of Income. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are converted at the historical exchange rate in effect at the
transaction date. Revenues and expenses are converted at the exchange rate applicable at the transaction date.
For foreign entities with a functional currency other than Canadian dollars, AltaGas’ reporting currency, assets and liabilities
are translated into Canadian dollars at the rate in effect at the reporting date. Revenues and expenses are translated at
average exchange rates during the reporting period. All adjustments resulting from the translation of the foreign operations are
recorded in OCI.
AltaGas may designate certain outstanding loans to hedge against the currency translation effect of its foreign investments.
Accordingly, foreign exchange gains and losses, from the dates of designation, on the translation of these loans are included in
OCI. Additionally, AltaGas may enter into foreign exchange forward derivatives to manage the risk of fluctuating cash flows and
earnings due to variations in foreign exchange rates as well as to benefit from favorable movements in the rates. Any hedges
transacted are subject to risk limits and guidelines and are actively monitored and managed by AltaGas’ risk management
team to ensure they align with AltaGas’ overall financial strategy. Gains and losses arising from the settlements of the
derivatives entered into for the purpose of managing income statement risk are included in the line item "revenue" on the
Consolidated Statements of Income, while gains and losses arising from the settlements of the derivatives entered into for the
purpose of cash management are included in the line item "foreign exchange gains (losses)" on the Consolidated Statements
of Income. For more information, please refer to Note 23.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 86
Share Options and Other Compensation Plans
Share Options granted are recorded using fair value. Compensation expense is measured at the date of the grant using the
Black-Scholes-Merton model and is recognized over the vesting period of the options. Consideration received by AltaGas on
exercise of the Share Options is credited to shareholders’ equity.
AltaGas has a phantom unit plan ("Phantom Plan") for eligible employees, officers, and directors, which includes two types of
awards: restricted units ("RUs") and performance units ("PUs"). AltaGas’ RUs and PUs are valued based on the dividends
declared during the vesting period and the weighted average share price of AltaGas' common shares multiplied by the units
outstanding at the end of the vesting period. Upon vesting, the RUs and PUs are paid in cash. All PUs are also subject to a
performance multiplier ranging from 0 to 2 dependent on the Corporation's performance relative to performance targets as
approved by the Board of Directors. Compensation expense is recognized using the liability method and is recorded as
operating and administrative expense over the vesting period. A change in value of the RUs or PUs is recognized in the period
the change occurs. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur instead of estimating the number of awards that are expected
to vest.
In addition, AltaGas has a deferred share unit plan ("DSUP") for directors, officers, and eligible employees as an additional
form of long-term variable compensation incentive. Although the DSUP is available to directors, officers, and eligible
employees, AltaGas currently only grants deferred share units ("DSUs") under the DSUP as a form of director compensation.
The DSUs granted are fully vested upon being credited to a participant’s account, the participant is entitled to payment upon
retirement, and payment is not subject to satisfaction of any requirements as to any minimum period of membership or
employment or other conditions. DSUs are accounted for at fair value. Compensation expense is determined based on the fair
value of the DSUs on the date of the grant and fluctuations in fair value are recognized in the period the change occurs.
Forfeitures are recognized when they occur instead of estimating the number of awards that are expected to vest.
Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits
AltaGas maintains defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans, and other post-retirement benefit plans for eligible
employees. Contributions made by the Corporation to the defined contribution plans are expensed in the period in which the
contribution occurs.
The cost of defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement benefits is actuarially determined using the projected benefit
method prorated based on service and Management’s best estimate of expected plan investment performance, salary
escalation, retirement ages of employees, expected health care costs, and other actuarial factors including discount rates and
mortality. Pension plan assets are measured at fair value. The expected return on plan assets is based on historical and
projected rates of return for each asset class in the plan portfolio. The projected benefit obligation is discounted using the
market interest rate on high-quality debt instruments with cash flows matching the timing and amount of benefit payments.
Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10 percent of the greater of the benefit obligation and the fair value of
plan assets or the market-related value of assets along with any unamortized past service costs and credits are amortized on a
straight-line basis over the expected average remaining service life of active employees.
AltaGas recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of its pension and post-retirement benefit plans as either assets or
liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and past service costs and credits that
arise during the period are recognized in OCI or a regulatory asset or liability.
For certain regulated utilities, the Corporation expects to recover pension expense in future rates and therefore records
unrecognized balances as either regulatory assets or liabilities. The regulatory assets or liabilities are amortized on a straight-
line basis over the expected average remaining service life of active employees.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 87
Income Taxes
Income taxes for the Corporation and its subsidiaries are calculated using the liability method of accounting for income taxes.
Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the carrying value
and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are in effect in the
periods in which the differences are expected to be settled or realized. Deferred income tax assets are routinely reviewed, and
a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not
be realized.
The financial statement effects of an uncertain tax position are recognized when it is more likely than not, based on technical
merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. The current and deferred tax impact is equal
to the largest amount, considering possible settlement outcomes, that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon
settlement with the taxing authorities.
Investment tax credits are recognized as reductions to income tax expense over the estimated service lives of the related
properties.
The rate-regulated natural gas distribution subsidiaries recognize a separate regulatory asset or liability for the amount of
deferred income taxes expected to be recovered from, or paid to, customers in the future. Any tax related interest and/or
penalty incurred is included in interest expense.
Net Income per Share
Basic net income per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during
the period. Dilutive net income per common share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding adjusted for dilutive common shares related to the Corporation’s share-based compensation awards.
The potentially dilutive impact of the share-based compensation awards is determined using the treasury stock method. Under
the treasury stock method, awards are treated as if they had been exercised with any proceeds used to repurchase common
stock at the average market price during the period. Any incremental difference between the assumed number of shares
issued and purchased is included in the diluted share computation.
Contingencies
Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation and other sources are recorded when it is
probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Any such accruals are adjusted
thereafter as additional information becomes available or circumstances change.
Leases
The following are the Corporation’s significant accounting policies:
Leases – Lessee
AltaGas determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in right-of-use ("ROU") assets,
current operating lease liabilities, and long-term operating lease liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance leases
are included in property, plant and equipment and current portion of finance lease liabilities, and long-term finance lease
liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 88
ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to
make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement
date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. AltaGas uses the rate implicit in the lease when
readily determinable. When the implicit lease rate is not readily determinable, AltaGas uses its incremental borrowing rate to
determine the present value of lease payments. AltaGas includes lessee options to renew or terminate the lease term in the
determination of the ROU asset and lease liability when exercise is reasonably certain. The operating lease ROU asset is
adjusted for lease payments made in advance of the commencement date, initial direct costs, and any lease incentives.
Variable lease payments are based on a rate.
Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term in "operating and administrative expense".
Depreciation and interest expense are recorded on finance leases.
Leases – Lessor
AltaGas determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Lease payments under an operating lease are recognized on a
straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Variable lease payments are recognized as revenue as the facts and
circumstances on which the variable lease payment is based occur.
AltaGas does not include taxes assessed by governmental authorities, such as sales and related taxes, in the lease payments
or variable lease payments.
ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Effective January 1, 2023, AltaGas adopted the following Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting
Standards Updates ("ASU"):
§
In October 2021, FASB issued ASU 2021-08 "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and
Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers". The amendments in this ASU require an entity to recognize and
measure contract assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606. The adoption of
this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements.
§
In March 2022, FASB issued ASU No. 2022-01 "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Fair Value Hedging - Portfolio Layer
Method". The amendments in this ASU will allow non-prepayable financial assets to be included in a closed portfolio
hedged using the portfolio layer method and promote consistency in single and multiple hedged layers. The adoption of
this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements.
§
In March 2022, FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt
Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures". The amendments in this ASU will eliminate the accounting guidance for troubled
debt restructurings ("TDRs") by creditors while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and
restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, as well as require the disclosure of current-
period write offs by year of origination for financing receivables and net investments in leases. The adoption of this ASU
did not have a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements.
§
In September 2022, FASB issued ASU No. 2022-04 "Liabilities (Subtopic 405-50) - Supplier Finance Programs". The
amendments in this ASU will require a buyer in a supplier finance program to disclose the key terms of the program, the
amount outstanding at the end of the period, a roll forward of that obligation during the period, and where the obligation is
presented on the balance sheet. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated
financial statements.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 89
FUTURE CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
In June 2022, FASB issued ASU No. 2022-03 "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity
Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions". The amendments in this ASU clarify that a contractual restriction on the
sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security, and therefore, is not considered in
measuring fair value. In addition, an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize a contractual sale restriction.
Equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions also require certain additional disclosures. The amendments in this
ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and should be applied prospectively with adjustments as
a result of adopting this ASU being recognized in earnings. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact
on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements.
In March 2023, FASB issued ASU No. 2023-01 "Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements". The relevant
amendments in this ASU allow entities to amortize leasehold improvements under common control over the economic life of
the leasehold improvements as long as the lessee controlled the use of the leased asset. The amendments in this ASU are
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years and can be
applied using one of the following three methods: 1) prospectively to all new leasehold improvements recognized on or after
the date the entity applies the amendments, 2) prospectively to all new leasehold improvements recognized on or after the
date the entity applies the amendments, with any remaining unamortized balance of existing leasehold improvements
amortized over their remaining useful life to the common-control group determined at that date, or 3) retrospectively to the
beginning of the period in which the entity first applied Topic 842, with any leasehold improvements that otherwise would not
have been amortized or impaired recognized through a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings at the
beginning of the earliest period presented. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on AltaGas'
consolidated financial statements.
In March 2023, FASB issued ASU No. 2023-02 "Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323) - Accounting for
Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method". The amendments in this ASU allow entities
the option to elect to account for tax equity investments, regardless of the tax credit program from which the income tax credits
are received, using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. The amendments in this ASU are
effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those
fiscal years and can applied on either a modified prospective or retrospective basis. The adoption of this ASU is not expected
to have a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements.
In October 2023, FASB issued ASU No. 2023-06 "Disclosure Improvements". The amendments in this ASU modify the
disclosure or presentation requirements of a variety of topics in the codification as a result of FASB's decision to incorporate
disclosures referred to in SEC Release No. 33-10532, which sought to simplify SEC disclosure requirements. The
amendments in this ASU allow users to more easily compare entities subject to the SEC's existing disclosures with those
entities that were not previously subject to the SEC's requirements. This Update is only effective upon the removal of the
related disclosure from SEC regulations with an expiration of June 30, 2027. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have
a material impact on AltaGas' consolidated financial statements at this time, but may have an impact in future periods as
AltaGas is subject to the scope of this ASU.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 90
In November 2023, FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07 "Segment Reporting (Topic 280)". This ASU requires all public entities
required to report segment information in accordance with Topic 280 to provide: (1) annual and interim disclosure of significant
segment expenses regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), (2) annual and interim disclosure of
other segment items, (3) annual disclosures about reportable segment profit or loss and assets currently required by Topic 280
in interim periods, (4) disclosure of additional measures used to measure a segments profit or loss outside of GAAP, (5)
disclosure of the title and position of the CODM, and (6) a public entity that has a single reportable segment to provide all the
disclosures required by this update and all existing segment disclosures in Topic 280. This update is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 31, 2023, and interim periods with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The adoption of
this ASU will have an impact on AltaGas' segment disclosures.
In December 2023, FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures". The
amendments in this ASU require that public business entities on an annual basis: (1) disclose additional categories about
federal, state, and foreign income taxes in the rate reconciliation table and (2) provide additional information for reconciling
items that meet a quantitative threshold. Additionally, entities are required to annually disclose disaggregated income from
continuing operations, income tax expense, and income taxes paid (net of refunds received) by certain tax authorities and
jurisdictions. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The adoption of this ASU will have
an impact on AltaGas' income tax disclosures.
3. Pipestone Acquisition
On December 22, 2023, AltaGas closed the previously announced acquisition of natural gas processing and storage
infrastructure assets in the Pipestone area of the Alberta Montney (the "Pipestone Acquisition") with Tidewater Midstream and
Infrastructure Ltd. ("Tidewater") for consideration upon close of $328 million in cash and approximately 12.5 million AltaGas
common shares, inclusive of working capital and other adjustments. The Pipestone Acquisition includes the Pipestone natural
gas processing facility Phase I, the Pipestone Phase II expansion project which is being developed, the Dimsdale natural gas
storage facility, the Pipestone condensate truck-in/truck-out terminal, and the associated gathering pipeline systems required
to operate these assets. Following the completion of key de-risking milestones in December 2023, AltaGas declared a positive
final investment decision ("FID") on the Pipestone Phase II expansion project.
AltaGas accounted for the acquisition as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting whereby the
acquired assets and assumed liabilities are recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of
purchase price over estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill at the
acquisition date.
The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation representing the consideration paid and the
estimated fair value of the net assets acquired as at December 22, 2023. The purchase price allocation is preliminary and
reflects Management’s current best estimate of the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities based on the analysis of
information obtained to date. Management is continuing to obtain specific information to support the valuation of current
assets, property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, long term investments and other assets, current liabilities, asset
retirement obligations, deferred taxes, and contingencies. As additional information becomes available, the purchase price
allocation may differ materially from the preliminary purchase price allocation below. The offset to any adjustments made to the
aforementioned financial statement captions during the measurement period are expected to be recorded in goodwill. Any
adjustments to the purchase price allocation will be made as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the date of
acquisition.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 91
Cash payment
Shares issued
Effective date and other adjustments
Total purchase consideration
Fair value assigned to net assets
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Operating right-of-use assets
Long-term investments and other assets
Current liabilities
Asset retirement obligations
Deferred income taxes
Operating lease liabilities
Finance lease liabilities
Fair value of net assets acquired
Goodwill
$
$
$
328
340
8
676
32
646
30
3
5
(52)
(5)
(18)
(2)
(96)
543
133
The preliminary purchase price allocation includes goodwill of approximately $133 million. The goodwill is primarily related to
incremental growth opportunities in the Midstream business as a result of the acquisition and greater financial flexibility as a
result of increased scale and earnings diversification. The goodwill recognized as part of this transaction is not deductible for
income tax purposes, and as such, no deferred taxes have been recorded related to this goodwill.
Pre-tax acquisition expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 of approximately $10 million were incurred and included
in the "cost of sales" and "operating and administrative" line items on the Consolidated Statements of Income. For the period
from close of the transaction through December 31, 2023, the Pipestone assets have generated approximately $14 million in
revenues and less than $1 million in net income after taxes.
The following supplemental unaudited, pro forma consolidated financial information for the years ended December 31, 2023
and 2022 gives effect to the Pipestone Acquisition as if it had closed on January 1, 2022. This pro forma information is
presented for information purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the results that would have occurred had the
Pipestone Acquisition taken place at the beginning of 2022, nor is it indicative of the results that may be expected in future
periods.
Pro forma revenue
Pro forma net income after taxes
Year Ended December 31
2023
13,497 $
697 $
2022
14,854
584
$
$
Pro forma net income after taxes excludes all non-recurring acquisition-related expenses incurred by AltaGas and Tidewater in
relation to the Pipestone Acquisition. Proforma net income after taxes has also been adjusted for finance costs associated with
credit facilities used to fund the acquisition and the related tax impacts. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the total after-
tax pro forma adjustments decreased net income after taxes by $6 million (2022 – $9 million).
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 92
4. Dispositions
Alaskan Utilities
On March 1, 2023, AltaGas closed the sale of its 100 percent interest in ENSTAR and 65 percent indirect interest in CINGSA
and other ancillary operations ("Alaska Utilities Disposition"), for consideration of approximately $1.1 billion (US$800 million),
prior to closing adjustments. As a result, AltaGas recognized a pre-tax gain on disposition of approximately $304 million in the
Consolidated Statements of Income under the line item "other income" for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Energy Storage Development Project
In the first quarter of 2022, AltaGas completed the sale of a 60 MW stand-alone energy storage development project in Goleta,
California for total proceeds of $20 million (US$15 million), subject to certain contingencies. In February 2023, the parties
reached an agreement on outstanding contingencies and as a result, the buyer paid AltaGas an additional payment of
approximately $11 million (US$8 million) which was recognized as a pre-tax gain on disposition in the Consolidated
Statements of Income under the line item "other income" for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Meade Escrow Proceeds
In 2019, AltaGas completed the disposition of its investment in Meade Pipeline Co. LLC ("Meade"), which held WGL
Midstream's indirect, non-operating interest in the Central Penn pipeline. Upon close of the sale, various escrow accounts
were established to provide the purchaser a form of recourse for the settlement of indemnification obligations. In the second
quarter of 2023, AltaGas received approximately $1 million (US$1 million) of cash proceeds from the indemnity escrow
account. As a result, AltaGas recognized a pre-tax gain on disposition of approximately $1 million in the Consolidated
Statements of Income under the line item "other income" for the year ended December 31, 2023.
5. Provisions on Assets
Year Ended December 31
Midstream
Midstream
$
$
2023
— $
— $
2022
6
6
In 2022, AltaGas recorded a pre-tax provision of $6 million related to the Alton Natural Gas Storage Project as a result of
updated reclamation cost estimates. Since AltaGas has abandoned this project, the resulting property, plant and equipment
associated with the estimated reclamation costs was impaired. The pre-tax provisions were primarily recorded against
property, plant and equipment.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 93
6. Inventory
As at December 31
Natural gas held in storage (a)
Natural gas liquids
Crude oil and condensate
Renewable energy credits and emission compliance instruments
Materials and supplies
Processed finished products
Less: inventory reclassified to assets held for sale
$
$
$
2023
282 $
156
132
202
66
9
847 $
—
847 $
2022
588
197
152
127
76
6
1,146
(86)
1,060
(a)
As at December 31, 2023, $247 million of the natural gas held in storage was held by rate-regulated utilities (2022 - $520 million).
7. Property, Plant and Equipment
As at
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Utilities
Midstream
Corporate/Other
Reclassified to assets held for sale
Cost
Accumulated
amortization
Net book
value
Accumulated
amortization
Net book
value
Cost
$
9,472 $
(595) $
8,877 $
9,806 $
(614) $
9,192
4,655
867
—
(997)
(674)
—
3,658
3,810
193
879
—
(1,124)
(884)
(665)
478
2,926
214
(646)
$ 14,994 $
(2,266) $ 12,728 $ 13,371 $
(1,685) $ 11,686
Interest capitalized on long-term capital construction projects for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $2 million (2022 -
less than $1 million).
As at December 31, 2023, the Corporation had approximately $822 million (December 31, 2022 - $571 million) of capital
projects under construction that were not yet subject to depreciation.
Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment (including assets under capital leases) for the year ended
December 31, 2023 was $394 million (2022 - $375 million).
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 94
8. Intangible Assets
As at
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Cost
Accumulated
amortization
Net book
value
Accumulated
amortization
Cost
Net book
value
E&T contracts
$
27 $
(19) $
8 $
26 $
Energy services relationships
Software
Land rights
Commodity contracts
Reclassified to assets held for sale
115
309
1
7
—
(94)
(219)
—
(5)
—
21
90
1
2
—
96
359
1
8
(30)
$
459 $
(337) $
122 $
460 $
(18) $
(86)
(255)
—
(6)
25 $
(340) $
8
10
104
1
2
(5)
120
Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $47 million (2022 - $64 million).
As at December 31, 2023, the Corporation excluded $41 million (December 31, 2022 - $6 million) from the asset base subject
to amortization. Items excluded relate to software assets under development, energy services relationships associated with
projects under construction, and assets with an indefinite life.
The following table sets forth the estimated amortization expense of intangible assets, excluding any amortization of assets not
yet subject to amortization as well as assets with an indefinite life, for the years ended December 31:
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Thereafter
9. Leases
Lessee
$
$
$
$
$
$
34
25
11
1
1
9
AltaGas has operating and finance leases for office space, office equipment, field equipment, rail cars, aquatic use, vehicles,
power and gas facilities, transmission and distribution assets, and land.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Operating lease cost (includes variable lease payments)
Finance lease cost
Amortization of right-of-use assets
Interest on lease liabilities
Total finance lease cost
Total lease cost
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
$
$
$
105 $
9
1
10 $
115 $
Year Ended
December 31, 2022
100
7
1
8
108
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 95
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
Year Ended December 31
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases
Operating cash flows used by operating leases
Financing cash flows used by finance leases (a)
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities
Operating leases
Finance leases
(a)
Included within repayment of long-term debt on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
As at December 31
Operating Leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Long-term
Included in assets held for sale
Total operating lease right-of-use assets
Operating lease liabilities
Current
Long-term
Included in liabilities associated with assets held for sale
Total operating lease liabilities
Finance Leases
Property and equipment, gross
Accumulated depreciation
Total property and equipment, net
Less: finance lease property and equipment reclassified to assets held for
sale
Property and equipment, net
Current portion of finance lease liabilities
Finance lease liabilities
Total finance lease liabilities
Less: finance lease liabilities reclassified to liabilities associated with assets
held for sale
Finance lease liabilities
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2023
2022
(1) $
(104) $
(10) $
141 $
114 $
—
(111)
(8)
56
14
$
$
$
$
$
2023
2022
337 $
—
337 $
(92) $
(258)
—
(350) $
163 $
(25)
138 $
—
138 $
(11) $
(120)
(131) $
—
(131) $
281
1
282
(92)
(215)
(1)
(308)
46
(21)
25
(3)
22
(8)
(17)
(25)
3
(22)
As at
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases
Finance leases
Weighted average discount rate (%)
Operating leases
Finance leases
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
6.4
4.2
4.15
4.56
6.4
4.5
2.91
3.29
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 96
Maturity analysis of lease liabilities was as follows:
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Thereafter
Total lease payments
Less: imputed interest
Total
Lessor
Operating
Leases
95 $
79
66
48
30
91
409 $
(59)
350 $
$
$
$
Finance
Leases
18
18
17
15
12
127
207
(76)
131
Certain of AltaGas’ revenues are obtained through power purchase agreements or take-or-pay contracts whereby AltaGas is
the lessor in these operating lease arrangements. Minimum lease payments received are amortized over the term of the lease.
Contingent rentals are recorded when the condition that created the present obligation to make such payments occurs such as
when actual electricity is generated and delivered.
Maturity analysis of lease receivables was as follows:
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Thereafter
Total
Operating
Leases
47
50
50
50
2
74
273
$
$
The carrying value of property, plant, and equipment associated with these leases was approximately $193 million as at
December 31, 2023.
AltaGas manages its risk associated with the residual value of its leased assets through strategically constructing leased
facilities in key commercial regions and retaining the ability to sell commodities and ancillary services via the merchant market
or through commodity sales agreements.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 97
10. Goodwill
As at
Balance, beginning of year
Business acquisition (note 3)
Reclassified to assets held for sale
Foreign exchange translation
Balance, end of year
$
December 31,
2023
5,250 $
133
—
(113)
5,270 $
December 31,
2022
5,153
—
(226)
323
5,250
$
11. Long-Term Investments and Other Assets
As at
Deferred lease receivable
Debt issuance costs associated with credit facilities
Refundable deposits
Prepayment on long-term service agreements
Deferred information technology costs
Cash calls from joint venture partners
Contract asset (net of credit losses of $1 million) (notes 23 and 24)
Rabbi trust (notes 28 and 31)
Capitalized contract costs
Financial transmission rights
Other
Less: long-term investments and other assets reclassified to assets held for sale
$
$
$
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
17
7
10
79
24
21
37
8
5
39
27
274
(1)
273
15 $
4
10
84
37
19
36
6
4
26
30
271 $
—
271 $
12. Variable Interest Entities
Consolidated VIEs
AltaGas consolidates a variable interest entity ("VIE") where the Corporation is deemed the primary beneficiary. The primary
beneficiary of a VIE has the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance
such as being the provider of construction, operating and marketing services to the entity. In addition, the primary beneficiary
of a VIE also has the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant
to the VIE. AltaGas determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the following VIEs:
Ridley Island LPG Export Limited Partnership
On May 5, 2017, AltaGas LPG Limited Partnership ("AltaGas LPG"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas, and Vopak
Development Canada Inc. ("Vopak"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koninklijke Vopak N.V. ("Royal Vopak"), a public company
incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, formed the Ridley Island LPG Export Limited Partnership ("RILE LP") to
develop, own and operate the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal ("RIPET"). AltaGas’ subsidiaries hold a 70 percent
interest while Vopak holds a 30 percent interest in RILE LP. The construction cost of RIPET was funded by AltaGas LPG and
Vopak in proportion to their respective interests in RILE LP. As part of the arrangements, AltaGas entered into a long-term
agreement for the capacity of RIPET with RILE LP, and AltaGas and certain of its subsidiaries provide operating services to
RILE LP.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 98
AltaGas has determined that RILE LP is a VIE in which it holds variable interests and is the primary beneficiary. In the
determination that AltaGas is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, AltaGas noted that it has the power to direct the activities that
most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance through the operating and marketing services provided to RILE LP.
In addition, AltaGas has the obligation to absorb the losses and the right to receive the benefits that could potentially be
significant to RILE LP through the long-term agreement for the capacity of RIPET. As such, AltaGas has consolidated RILE LP.
The assets of RILE LP are the property of RILE LP and are not available to AltaGas for any other purpose. RILE LP’s asset
balances can only be used to settle its own obligations. The liabilities of RILE LP do not represent additional claims against
AltaGas’ general assets. AltaGas’ exposure to loss as a result of its interest as a limited partner is its net investment. AltaGas
and Royal Vopak have provided limited guarantees for the obligations of their respective subsidiaries for the construction cost
of RIPET. With the commencement of commercial operations at RIPET, the terms of the long-term capacity agreement
between AltaGas LPG and RILE LP provide for a return on and of capital and reimbursement of RIPET's operating costs by
AltaGas LPG in accordance with the terms set out in the agreement.
The following table represents amounts included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets attributable to AltaGas’ consolidated VIE:
As at
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Long-term investments and other assets
Current liabilities
Asset retirement obligations
Net assets
Ridley Island Energy Export Facility
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
12
353
45
(16)
(4)
390
8 $
349
42
(15)
(5)
379 $
$
$
On April 4, 2023, AltaGas LPG and Vopak formed the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility Limited Partnership ("REEF LP") to
develop, own, and operate the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility ("REEF"). AltaGas’ subsidiaries and Vopak each hold a 50
percent interest in REEF LP. The construction cost of REEF is being funded by AltaGas LPG and Vopak in proportion to their
respective interests in REEF LP. As part of the project definitive agreements, AltaGas entered into a long-term agreement for
100 percent of the capacity of REEF with REEF LP. Additionally, AltaGas and certain of its subsidiaries have been contracted
to provide operating and project development services to REEF LP.
AltaGas has determined that REEF LP is a VIE in which it holds variable interests and is the primary beneficiary. In the
determination that AltaGas is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, AltaGas noted that it has the power to direct the activities that
most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance through its control of all operating and commercial aspects of the
project. In addition, AltaGas has the obligation to absorb the losses and the right to receive the benefits that could potentially
be significant to REEF LP through the long-term agreement for the capacity of REEF. As such, AltaGas has consolidated
REEF LP.
The assets of REEF LP are the property of REEF LP and are not available to AltaGas for any purpose other than as described
in the long-term capacity agreement. REEF LP’s asset balances can only be used to settle its own obligations and the
liabilities of REEF LP do not represent additional claims against AltaGas' general assets. AltaGas’ exposure to loss as a result
of its interest as a limited partner is its net investment. AltaGas and Royal Vopak have provided limited guarantees for the
obligations of their respective subsidiaries for the construction cost of REEF. With the commencement of commercial
operations at REEF, the terms of the long-term capacity agreement between AltaGas LPG and REEF LP provide for a return
on and of capital and reimbursement of REEF's operating costs by AltaGas LPG in accordance with the terms set out in the
agreement.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 99
The following table represents amounts included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets attributable to REEF LP:
As at
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Net assets
AltaGas Hybrid Trust
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
$
$
7 $
65
72 $
—
—
—
On January 11, 2022, AltaGas closed its offering of $300 million of 5.25 percent Fixed-to-Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes,
Series 1 (Note 16). In conjunction with the debt offering, AltaGas issued $300 million in Preferred Shares, Series 2022-A, to be
held in the AltaGas Hybrid Trust with Computershare Trust Company of Canada acting as trustee. The Preferred Shares were
issued to satisfy the obligations under the indenture governing the associated Series 1 Subordinated Notes. Following the
occurrence of certain bankruptcy or insolvency events in respect of AltaGas, subject to certain exceptions, the Series 2022-A
Preferred Shares would be delivered to the holders of the Series 1 Subordinated Notes. Upon delivery of the Series 2022-A
Preferred Shares, the Series 1 Subordinated Notes would be immediately and automatically surrendered and cancelled and all
rights of any Series 1 Subordinated Notes will automatically cease.
On August 17, 2022, AltaGas closed its offering of $250 million of 7.35 percent Fixed-to-Fixed Subordinated Notes, Series 2
(Note 16). In conjunction with the debt offering, AltaGas issued $250 million in Preferred Shares, Series 2022-B, to be held in
the AltaGas Hybrid Trust with Computershare Trust Company of Canada acting as trustee. The Preferred Shares were issued
to satisfy the obligations under the indenture governing the associated Series 2 Subordinated Notes. Following the occurrence
of certain bankruptcy or insolvency events in respect of AltaGas, subject to certain exceptions, the Series 2022-B Preferred
Shares would be delivered to the holders of the Series 2 Subordinated Notes. Upon delivery of the Series 2022-B Preferred
Shares, the Series 2 Subordinated Notes would be immediately and automatically surrendered and cancelled and all rights of
any Series 2 Subordinated Notes will automatically cease.
On November 10, 2023, AltaGas closed its offering of $200 million of 8.90 percent Fixed-to-Fixed Subordinated Notes, Series
3 (Note 16). In conjunction with the debt offering, AltaGas issued $200 million in Preferred Shares, Series 2023-A, to be held in
the AltaGas Hybrid Trust with Computershare Trust Company of Canada acting as trustee. The Preferred Shares were issued
to satisfy the obligations under the indenture governing the associated Series 3 Subordinated Notes. Following the occurrence
of certain bankruptcy or insolvency events in respect of AltaGas, subject to certain exceptions, the Series 2023-A Preferred
Shares would be delivered to the holders of the Series 3 Subordinated Notes. Upon delivery of the Series 2023-A Preferred
Shares, the Series 3 Subordinated Notes would be immediately and automatically surrendered and cancelled and all rights of
any Series 3 Subordinated Notes will automatically cease. The only assets held by the holding trust are the Series 2022-A,
Series 2022-B and Series 2023-A Preferred Shares.
AltaGas has determined that AltaGas Hybrid Trust is a VIE in which it holds variable interests and is the primary beneficiary. In
the determination that AltaGas is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, AltaGas noted that it has the power to direct the activities
that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance through its role as the sole administrative agent. In addition,
AltaGas has the obligation to absorb the administrative expenses that are significant to the trust through the associated
administrative agreement. As such, AltaGas has consolidated the AltaGas Hybrid Trust.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 100
Unconsolidated VIE
Strathcona Storage Limited Partnership ("SSLP")
AltaGas owns an interest in SSLP, a partnership formed with ATCO Energy Solutions Ltd. to construct, operate, and maintain
underground NGL storage caverns at Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. The facility currently has five underground NGL storage salt
caverns.
As at December 31, 2023, AltaGas held a 40 percent equity investment in SSLP with a carrying value of $130 million (2022 -
$130 million). SSLP is not consolidated by AltaGas and instead is accounted for by the equity method of accounting. AltaGas
is not the primary beneficiary of SSLP and it does not have the power to direct the activities most significant to the economic
performance of SSLP. The maximum financial exposure to loss as a result of the involvement with this VIE is equal to AltaGas'
net investment in SSLP.
13. Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method
Description
Constitution Pipeline, LLC ("Constitution")
Eaton Rapids Gas Storage System
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC ("MVP") (a) (b)
Sarnia Airport Storage Pool LP
Petrogas Terminals Penn LLC
Strathcona Storage LP
Location
United States
United States
United States
Canada
United States
Canada
Carrying value as
at December 31
Equity income (loss)
for the year ended
December 31
Ownership
Percentage
2023
2022
2023
2022
10 $
— $
— $
— $
50
10
50
50
40
28
511
16
1
28
478
17
1
130
130
3
45
1
—
6
$
686 $
654 $
55 $
3
3
—
1
—
6
13
(a)
(b)
The equity method is considered appropriate because MVP is an LLC with specific ownership accounts and ownership between five and fifty percent,
resulting in AltaGas exercising a more than minor influence over the investee's operating and financing policies.
Equity income for the year ended December 31, 2023 relates to allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC") as a result of the resumption of
construction activities in June 2023.
The carrying amount of certain equity investments differs from the amount of the underlying equity in net assets. These basis
differences include amounts related to purchase accounting adjustments, capitalized interest, and a contractual cap on
contributions to MVP.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 101
Summarized combined financial information, assuming a 100 percent ownership interest in AltaGas’ equity investments listed
above, is as follows:
Year Ended December 31
Revenues
Expenses
As at December 31
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Long-term investments and other assets
Current liabilities
Other long-term liabilities
14. Short-term Debt
As at (a)
Commercial paper
2023
543 $
(28)
515 $
2023
476 $
11,633 $
16 $
(498) $
(17) $
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2022
50
(26)
24
2022
136
9,544
12
(166)
(14)
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
$
$
129 $
129 $
293
293
(a)
As at December 31, 2023, AltaGas' weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings outstanding was 5.7 percent (December 31, 2022 - 4.8
percent).
Credit Facilities
As at December 31, 2023, AltaGas held a $70 million (December 31, 2022 - $70 million) unsecured demand revolving
operating credit facility with a Canadian chartered bank. Draws on the facility bear interest at the lender's prime rate or at the
bankers' acceptance rate plus a stamping fee. As at December 31, 2023, there were no letters of credit outstanding under this
facility (December 31, 2022 - $nil).
As at December 31, 2023, AltaGas held a US$322 million (December 31, 2022 - US$300 million) unsecured bilateral letter of
credit demand facility, amended in November 2023, with a Canadian chartered bank. Borrowings on the facility incur fees and
interest at rates relevant to the nature of the draws made. Letters of credit outstanding under this facility as at December 31,
2023 were $252 million (December 31, 2022 - $181 million).
WGL and Washington Gas use short-term debt in the form of commercial paper and advances under its syndicated bank credit
facilities to fund seasonal cash requirements. Revolving committed credit facilities are maintained in an amount equal to or
greater than the expected maximum commercial paper position. As at December 31, 2023, commercial paper outstanding
classified as short-term debt totaled $129 million (December 31, 2022 - $293 million).
As at December 31, 2022, Petrogas held a $30 million unsecured bilateral letter of credit demand facility. Letters of credit
outstanding under this facility as at December 31, 2022 were $16 million. The facility was terminated in November 2023.
As at December 31, 2023, Petrogas held a $25 million (December 31, 2022 - $25 million) unsecured bilateral letter of credit
demand facility. As at December 31, 2023, there were no letters of credit outstanding under this facility (December 31, 2022 -
$nil).
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 102
15. Long-Term Debt
As at
Credit facilities
$2.3 billion unsecured extendible revolving facility (a)
US$150 million unsecured extendible revolving facility
Commercial paper (b)
$450 million term loan
AltaGas Ltd. medium-term notes ("MTNs")
$300 million Senior unsecured - 3.57 percent
$200 million Senior unsecured - 4.40 percent
$350 million Senior unsecured - 1.23 percent
$300 million Senior unsecured - 3.84 percent
$500 million Senior unsecured - 2.16 percent
$350 million Senior unsecured - 4.12 percent
$400 million Senior unsecured - 4.64 percent
$200 million Senior unsecured - 2.17 percent
$200 million Senior unsecured - 3.98 percent
$500 million Senior unsecured - 2.08 percent
$200 million Senior unsecured - 2.48 percent
$100 million Senior unsecured - 5.16 percent
$300 million Senior unsecured - 4.50 percent
$250 million Senior unsecured - 4.99 percent
WGL and Washington Gas MTNs and private placement notes
US$20 million Senior unsecured - 6.65 percent
US$41 million Senior unsecured - 5.44 percent
US$53 million Senior unsecured - 6.62 to 6.82 percent
US$72 million Senior unsecured - 6.40 to 6.57 percent
US$52 million Senior unsecured - 6.57 to 6.85 percent
US$9 million Senior unsecured - 7.50 percent
US$150 million Senior unsecured - 6.06 percent
US$50 million Senior unsecured - 5.70 to 5.78 percent
US$75 million Senior unsecured - 5.21 percent
US$75 million Senior unsecured - 5.00 percent
US$300 million Senior unsecured - 4.22 to 4.60 percent
US$450 million Senior unsecured - 3.80 percent
US$400 million Senior unsecured - 3.65 percent (c)
US$200 million Senior unsecured - 2.98 percent
US$25 million Senior unsecured - 5.25 percent
US$175 million Senior unsecured - 5.33 percent
US$50 million Senior unsecured - 6.43 percent
SEMCO long-term debt
US$82 million CINGSA Senior secured - 4.48 percent
US$225 million First Mortgage Bonds - 2.45 percent
US$225 million First Mortgage Bonds - 3.15 percent
Fair value adjustment on WGL acquisition
Less: debt issuance costs
Less: current portion
Less: liabilities associated with assets held for sale
$
Maturity date
20-May-2027
20-Dec-2026
Various
25-Aug-2024
12-Jun-2023
15-Mar-2024
18-Mar-2024
15-Jan-2025
10-Jun-2025
7-Apr-2026
15-May-2026
16-Mar-2027
4-Oct-2027
30-May-2028
30-Nov-2030
13-Jan-2044
15-Aug-2044
4-Oct-2047
20-Mar-2023
11-Aug-2025
Oct 2026
Feb - Sep 2027
Jan - Mar 2028
1-Apr-2030
14-Oct-2033
Jan - Mar 2036
3-Dec-2040
15-Dec-2043
Sep - Nov 2044
15-Sep-2046
15-Sep-2049
15-Dec-2051
29-Dec-2042
29-Dec-2052
15-Oct-2053
n/a
21-Apr-2030
21-Apr-2050
$
$
$
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
484 $
86
332
449
—
200
350
300
500
350
400
200
200
500
200
100
300
250
—
54
70
95
69
11
199
66
99
99
397
595
549
265
33
231
66
860
188
386
450
300
200
350
300
500
350
—
200
200
500
200
100
300
250
27
55
72
98
70
12
—
68
102
102
405
608
563
271
34
237
—
—
95
298
74
8,566 $
(39)
8,527 $
(999)
—
7,528 $
60
305
305
79
9,107
(41)
9,066
(327)
(60)
8,679
(a)
Borrowings on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, SOFR loans, bankers' acceptances, or letters of credit. Borrowings on the
facility have fees and interest at rates relevant to the nature of the draw made. This facility has a $2 billion four-year extendable committed revolving tranche
and a $300 million two-year extendable side car revolving tranche.
(b) Commercial paper is supported by the availability of long-term committed credit facilities maturing in 2026. Commercial paper intended to be repaid within the
next year is recorded as short-term debt (Note 14).
The outstanding balance includes a US$15 million premium which is amortized as a reduction to interest expense over the term of the note.
(c)
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 103
Credit Facilities
As at December 31, 2023, AltaGas held $2.3 billion (December 31, 2022 - $2.5 billion) of unsecured revolving credit facilities.
These facilities include a four-year extendable committed revolving tranche, and a two-year extendable side car revolving
tranche. Draws on the facilities can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, SOFR loans, bankers' acceptances, or
letters of credit. Outstanding bank loans under this facility as at December 31, 2023 were $484 million (December 31, 2022 -
$860 million). In 2023, AltaGas terminated the $200 million revolving credit facility set to mature in 2025, which had previously
been part of the overall unsecured revolving credit facilities.
As at December 31, 2023, AltaGas held a $450 million (December 31, 2022 - $450 million) unsecured two-year term credit
facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, SOFR loans, bankers' acceptances, or letters
of credit. Outstanding bank loans under this facility as at December 31, 2023 were $449 million (December 31, 2022 -
$450 million).
As at December 31, 2023, WGL held a US$300 million (December 31, 2022 - US$300 million) unsecured revolving credit
facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans, bankers’ acceptances, or letters
of credit. There were no outstanding bank loans under this facility as at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.
As at December 31, 2023, Washington Gas held a US$450 million (December 31, 2022 - US$450 million) unsecured revolving
credit facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of prime loans, U.S. base-rate loans, LIBOR loans, bankers’ acceptances, or
letters of credit. There were no outstanding bank loans under this facility as at December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.
WGL and Washington Gas use short-term debt in the form of commercial paper and advances under its syndicated bank credit
facilities to fund seasonal cash requirements. Revolving committed credit facilities are maintained in an amount equal to or
greater than the expected maximum commercial paper position. As at December 31, 2023, outstanding commercial paper
classified as long-term debt totaled $332 million (December 31, 2022 - $386 million).
As at December 31, 2023, SEMCO held a US$150 million (December 31, 2022 - US$150 million) unsecured extendible
revolving facility. Draws on the facility can be by way of letters of credit, Alternate Base Rate or Eurodollar loans. There were
US$65 million outstanding bank loans under this facility as at December 31, 2023 (December 31, 2022 - US$140 million).
SEMCO Debt Defeasance
In the first quarter of 2023, SEMCO executed a partial legal defeasance transaction to derecognize US$153 million of its
previously issued 2.45 percent First Mortgage Bonds, Series 2020A-1, due April 21, 2030 (the "Defeased Bonds") in the
aggregate principal amount of US$225 million. In satisfaction of the discharge requirements outlined in the indenture, certain
assets were transferred to the indenture trustee to be held in trust to satisfy the remaining principal and interest obligations of
the Defeased Bonds. As a result, SEMCO has been legally released from being the primary obligor of the Defeased Bonds. At
transaction close AltaGas recognized a pre-tax gain of $14 million on the derecognition of the Defeased Bonds under the line
item "other income" for the year ended December 31, 2023.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 104
16. Subordinated Hybrid Notes
As at
$300 million subordinated notes, Series 1
$250 million subordinated notes, Series 2
$200 million subordinated notes, Series 3
Less: debt issuance costs
Maturity date
11-Jan-2082
17-Aug-2082
10-Nov-2083
December 31,
2023
300 $
250
200
750 $
(8)
742 $
December 31,
2022
300
250
—
550
(6)
544
$
$
$
On November 10, 2023, AltaGas closed its offering of $200 million of 8.90 percent Fixed-to-Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes,
Series 3, due November 10, 2083. The subordinated notes were offered under AltaGas' short form base shelf prospectus
dated March 31, 2023, as supplemented by a prospectus supplement dated November 7, 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, AltaGas recorded interest expense of $37 million on the subordinated hybrid notes
(2022 - $22 million).
17. Asset Retirement Obligations
As at December 31
Balance, beginning of year
Obligations acquired (note 3)
New obligations
Obligations settled (a)
Disposals
Revision in estimated cash flow
Accretion expense (b)
Foreign exchange translation
Reclassified to liabilities associated with assets held for sale
Total
Less: current portion (included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities)
Balance, end of year
$
$
$
2023
451 $
5
—
(15)
—
(3)
26
(9)
—
455 $
(7)
448 $
2022
429
—
3
(10)
(1)
(2)
20
23
(4)
458
(7)
451
(a) During the year ended December 31, 2023, approximately $7 million of asset retirement obligations included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities were
settled (December 31, 2022 - $7 million).
(b) Certain amounts relating to Utility asset retirement obligations are recorded through regulatory assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets due to
regulatory treatment. The remaining portion is recorded through the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The majority of the asset retirement obligations are associated with distribution and transmission systems in the Utilities
segment.
AltaGas estimates the undiscounted cash required to settle the asset retirement obligations, excluding growth for inflation, at
December 31, 2023 was $759 million (December 31, 2022 - $877 million).
The asset retirement obligations have been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements at estimated values discounted
at rates between 2.0 and 8.4 percent (December 31, 2022 - between 2.0 to 8.4 percent) and are expected to be incurred
between 2024 and 2141 (December 31, 2022 - between 2023 and 2140). No assets have been legally restricted for settlement
of the estimated liability.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 105
18. Environmental Matters
AltaGas is subject to federal, provincial, state and local laws and regulations related to environmental matters. These laws and
regulations may require expenditures over a long time frame to control environmental effects. Almost all of the environmental
liabilities AltaGas has recorded are for costs expected to be incurred to remediate sites where AltaGas or a predecessor
affiliate operated manufactured gas plants ("MGPs"). Estimates of liabilities for environmental response costs are difficult to
determine with precision because of the various factors that can affect their ultimate level. These factors include, but are not
limited to, the following:
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
the complexity of the site;
changes in environmental laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels;
the number of regulatory agencies or other parties involved;
new technology that renders previous technology obsolete or experience with existing technology that proves
ineffective;
the level of remediation required; and
variations between the estimated and actual period of time that must be dedicated to respond to an environmentally-
contaminated site.
AltaGas has identified up to twelve sites where it or its predecessors may have operated MGPs. In connection with these
operations, AltaGas is aware that coal tar and certain other by-products of the gas manufacturing process are present at or
near some former sites and may be present at others.
As at December 31, 2023, a liability of $12 million has been recorded on an undiscounted basis related to future environmental
response costs (December 31, 2022 - $13 million) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the line items “accounts payable
and accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities”. These estimates principally include the minimum liabilities associated
with a range of environmental response costs expected to be incurred. As at December 31, 2023, AltaGas estimated the
maximum liability associated with all of its sites to be approximately $54 million (December 31, 2022 - $50 million). The
estimates were determined by AltaGas’ environmental experts, based on experience in remediating MGP sites and advice
from legal counsel and environmental consultants. The variation between the recorded and estimated maximum liability
primarily results from differences in the number of years that will be required to perform environmental response processes
and the extent of remediation that may be required.
As at December 31, 2023, AltaGas reported a regulatory asset of $16 million (December 31, 2022 - $15 million) for the portion
of environmental response costs that are expected to be recoverable in future rates (Note 21).
In 2023, AltaGas received a Directive Letter from the Department of Energy and Environment ("DOEE") related to a MGP that
was formerly owned by Washington Gas known as the “West Station Gas Works.” The Directive Letter requests certain
information and a site investigation. AltaGas is unable to estimate the total amount of potential costs or timing associated with
a site investigation at this time. AltaGas has accrued an amount for estimated information request response costs based on a
potential range of estimates.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 106
(a) Consists of long-term portion of liabilities relating to employee incentive plans and other non-retirement related employee benefits.
19. Other Long-term Liabilities
As at
Deferred revenue
Customer advances for construction
Merger commitments
Non-retirement employee benefits (a)
Uncertain tax positions (note 20)
Other
Less: liabilities associated with assets held for sale
20. Income Taxes
Year Ended December 31
Income before income taxes - consolidated
Statutory income tax rate (%)
Expected taxes at statutory rates
Add (deduct) the tax effect of:
Permanent differences
Statutory and other rate differences
Deferred income tax recovery on regulated assets
Tax differences on divestitures and transactions
Other
Income tax provision
Current
Deferred
Effective income tax rate (%)
Net deferred income tax liabilities were composed of the following:
As at
PP&E and intangible assets
Regulatory assets
Tax pools, deferred financing, and compensation
Other
Valuation allowance
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
$
16 $
13
3
51
20
21
124 $
—
124 $
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2023
912 $
23.0
210 $
— $
(1)
(16)
37
(7)
223 $
43 $
180
223 $
24.5
11
69
5
51
20
19
175
(53)
122
2022
716
23.0
165
2
1
(21)
(3)
(1)
143
23
120
143
20.0
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
$
1,969 $
1,862
(166)
(179)
(90)
2
(187)
(238)
(69)
1
$
1,536 $
1,369
The amount shown on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as deferred income tax liabilities represents the net differences
between the tax basis and book carrying values on the Corporation's balance sheets at enacted tax rates.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 107
As at December 31, 2023, the Corporation had tax-effected non-capital losses of approximately $282 million, which will be
available to offset future taxable income. If not used, these losses will expire between 2028 and 2043.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The Corporation recognizes the benefit of an uncertain tax position only when it is more likely than not that such a position will
be sustained by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The current and deferred tax impact is
equal to the largest amount, considering possible settlement outcomes, that has greater than 50 percent likelihood of being
realized upon settlement with the taxing authorities.
On an annual basis, the Corporation and its subsidiaries file tax returns in Canada and various foreign jurisdictions. In Canada,
AltaGas' federal and provincial tax returns for the years 2014 to 2022 remain subject to examination by taxation authorities. In
the United States, both the federal and state tax returns for the years 2019 to 2022 remain subject to examination by the
taxation authorities.
Management determined that the following provision was required for uncertainty on income taxes during the year:
Year ended December 31
Balance, beginning of year
Balance, end of year
$
$
2023
20 $
20 $
2022
20
20
21. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
AltaGas accounts for certain transactions in accordance with ASC 980, Regulated Operations. AltaGas refers to this
accounting guidance for regulated entities as “regulatory accounting”. Under regulatory accounting, utilities are permitted to
defer expenses and income as regulatory assets and liabilities, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets when it is
probable that those expenses and income will be allowed in the rate-setting process in a period different from the period in
which they would have been reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income by a non-rate-regulated entity. These
deferred regulatory assets and liabilities are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income in future periods when the
amounts are reflected in customer rates. If an application is filed to modify customer rates with certain regulatory commissions,
AltaGas is permitted to charge customers new rates, subject to refund, until the regulatory commission renders a final
decision. During this interim period, a provision is recorded for a rate refund regulatory liability based on the difference
between the amount collected in rates and the amount expected to be recovered from a final regulatory decision.
Management’s assessment of the probability of recovery or pass-through of regulatory assets and liabilities requires judgment
and interpretation of laws and regulatory agency orders, rules, and rate-making conventions. The relevant regulatory bodies
are the MPSC, PSC of DC, PSC of MD, and SCC of VA.
If, for any reason, the Corporation ceases to meet the criteria for application of regulatory accounting for all or part of its
operations, the regulatory assets and liabilities related to those portions ceasing to meet such criteria would be de-recognized
from the Consolidated Balance Sheets and included in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the period in which the
discontinuance of regulatory accounting occurs. Criteria that give rise to the discontinuance of regulatory accounting include:
(i) increasing competition that restricts the ability of the Corporation to charge prices sufficient to recover specific costs, and (ii)
a significant change in the manner in which rates are set by regulatory agencies from cost-based regulation to another form of
regulation. The Corporation’s review of these criteria currently supports the continued application of regulatory accounting for
all its utilities.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 108
The following table summarizes the regulatory assets and liabilities recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as
the remaining period, as at December 31, 2023 and 2022, over which the Corporation expects to realize or settle the assets or
liabilities:
As at December 31
Regulatory assets - current
Deferred cost of gas (a)
Accelerated replacement recovery mechanisms (b)
Interruptible sharing (c)
Energy optimization costs
Virginia and Maryland revenue normalization (c)
Regulatory assets - non-current
Deferred regulatory costs (c) (d)
Future recovery of pension and other retirement benefits (c)
Future recovery of non-retirement employee benefits (c) (e)
Deferred environmental costs (c) (f)
Deferred loss on debt transactions and derivative instruments (c) (g)
Deferred future income taxes (c) (h)
Energy efficiency program - Maryland (i)
COVID-19 costs (j)
District of Columbia rate case (k)
Other
Less: non-current regulatory assets reclassified to assets held for sale
Regulatory liabilities - current
Deferred cost of gas (a)
Federal income tax rate change (l)
Virginia rate refund (m)
Interruptible sharing (c)
Virginia and Maryland revenue normalization (a)
Other
Regulatory liabilities - non-current
Future expense of pension and other retirement benefits (c)
Future removal and site restoration costs (n)
Deferred gain on debt transactions and derivative instruments (c) (g)
Federal income tax rate change (l)
Other
Less: non-current regulatory liabilities associated with assets held for sale
2023
2022
Recovery
Period
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
11 $
22
1
4
20
58 $
74 $
1
4
16
84
97
39
2
6
6
329 $
—
329 $
67 $
1
—
2
3
12
85 $
283 $
409
1
571
10
1,274 $
—
1,274 $
15 Less than one year
11 Less than one year
— Less than one year
4 Less than one year
8 Less than one year
38
254
1
16
15
91
42
31
4
4
4
462
(14)
448
1 - 52 years
Various
Various
Various
Various
Various
Various
Various
Various
Various
164 Less than one year
1 Less than one year
5 Less than one year
3 Less than one year
2 Less than one year
8 Less than one year
183
235
490
1
568
3
1,297
(96)
1,201
Various
Various
Various
Various
Various
(a) Washington Gas is not entitled to a rate of return on these assets. Washington Gas is allowed to recover and required to pay, using short-term interest rates,
the carrying costs related to billed gas costs due from and to its customers in the District of Columbia and Virginia jurisdictions.
(b) Represents amounts for deferred over or under collections of surcharges associated with Washington Gas' accelerated pipeline recovery programs in the
District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.
(c) Washington Gas is not entitled to a rate of return on these assets.
(d)
(e) Represents the timing difference between the recognition of workers compensation and short-term disability costs in accordance with generally accepted
Includes deferred gas costs and fair value of derivatives, which are not included in customer bills until settled.
(f)
(g)
accounting principles and the way these costs are recovered through rates.
This balance represents allowed environmental remediation expenditures at SEMCO and Washington Gas sites to be recovered through rates. The recovery
period is over several years.
The losses or gains on the issuance and extinguishment of debt and interest-rate derivative instruments include unamortized balances from transactions
executed in prior years. These transactions create gains and losses that are amortized over the remaining life of the debt as prescribed by regulatory
accounting requirements. As at December 31, 2023, this also includes a fair value adjustment of $70 million (December 31, 2022 - $74 million) recorded on
the WGL Acquisition in 2018.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 109
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
This balance represents amounts due from customers for deferred tax assets and liabilities related to tax benefits/expenses on deductions flowed directly to
customers prior to the adoption of income tax normalizations for ratemaking purposes and to tax rate changes.
Represents amounts for deferred credits associated with Washington Gas' participation in the energy conservation and efficiency program EmPower in
Maryland that are recovered from customers over time.
Regulatory assets established to capture and track incremental COVID-19 related costs.
This balance represents costs incurred in association with District of Columbia rate cases.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") was enacted on December 22, 2017, and required the Corporation to revalue its U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities
in 2018 to the lower federal corporate tax rate of 21 percent, resulting in excess accumulated deferred income taxes. The tax rate reduction created a
reduction in deferred tax liability, which SEMCO and Washington Gas are required to refund to ratepayers. For the year ended December 31, 2023,
$59 million was reclassified from a regulatory liability to a regulatory asset to be consistent with the normalization provision of the TCJA requiring cost of
removal to be accounted for separately from deferred income taxes related to the depreciation of property, plant and equipment.
(m) This amount represents estimated refunds related to customers billed at a higher rate during the interim period as part of the 2022 Virginia rate case.
This amount and timing of draw down is dependent upon the cost of removal of the underlying utility property, plant, and equipment and its useful life.
(n)
22. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
($ millions)
Opening balance, January 1, 2023
OCI before reclassification
Settlement of Canadian defined benefit pension
plan (note 28)
Amounts reclassified from OCI
Current period OCI (pre-tax)
Income tax on amounts retained in AOCI
Net current period OCI
Ending balance, December 31, 2023
Opening balance, January 1, 2022
OCI before reclassification
Current period OCI (pre-tax)
Income tax on amounts retained in AOCI
Net current period OCI
Purchase of remaining non-controlling interest in
subsidiaries
Ending balance, December 31, 2022
Cash Flow
Hedges
Defined benefit
pension and
PRB plans
Hedge net
investments
Translation
foreign
operations
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
— $
(10)
—
1
(9) $
—
(9) $
(9) $
— $
—
— $
—
— $
—
— $
(5) $
2
2
—
4 $
(1)
3 $
(2) $
(8) $
4
4 $
(1)
3 $
—
(5) $
(173) $
28
—
—
28 $
(3)
25 $
(148) $
(158) $
(17)
(17) $
2
(15) $
—
(173) $
804 $
(250)
—
—
(250) $
—
(250) $
554 $
159 $
640
640 $
—
640 $
5
804 $
Total
626
(230)
2
1
(227)
(4)
(231)
395
(7)
627
627
1
628
5
626
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI components reclassified
Defined benefit pension and PRB plans (a) Other income
Cost of sales
Cash flow hedges
Income statement line item
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Year Ended
December 31, 2022
$
$
$
2 $
1 $
3 $
—
—
—
(a) Reclassification from AOCI for the year ended December 31, 2023 relates to the settlement of the Canadian defined benefit pension plan. Refer to Note 28
for more details.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 110
23. Financial Instruments and Financial Risk Management
The Corporation’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, risk management
contracts, certain long-term investments and other assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, dividends payable, short-
term and long-term debt, and certain other current and long-term liabilities.
Fair Value Hierarchy
AltaGas categorizes its financial assets and financial liabilities into one of three levels based on fair value measurements and
inputs used to determine the fair value.
Level 1 - fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values are
based on direct observations of transactions involving the same assets or liabilities and no assumptions are used. Included in
this category are publicly traded shares valued at the closing price as at the balance sheet date.
Level 2 - fair values are determined based on valuation models and techniques where inputs other than quoted prices included
within Level 1 are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly. AltaGas enters into derivative instruments in
the futures, over-the-counter and retail markets to manage fluctuations in commodity prices and foreign exchange rates. The
fair values of power, natural gas, NGL, LPG, ocean freight, and crude oil derivative contracts were calculated using forward
prices based on published sources for the relevant period, adjusted for factors specific to the asset or liability, including basis
and location differentials, discount rates, and currency exchange. The fair value of foreign exchange derivative contracts was
calculated using quoted market rates.
Level 3 - fair values are based on inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data. AltaGas uses
valuation techniques when observable market data is not available. Level 3 derivatives include physical contracts at illiquid
market locations with no observable market data, long-dated positions where observable pricing is not available over the life of
the contract, contracts valued using historical spot price volatility assumptions, and valuations using indicative broker quotes
for inactive market locations. A significant change to any one of these inputs in isolation could result in a significant upward or
downward fluctuation in the fair value measurement.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each significant class of financial instruments:
Other current liabilities - the carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Current portion of long-term debt, long-term debt (including debt classified as held for sale), subordinated hybrid notes, and
other long-term liabilities - the fair value of these liabilities was estimated based on discounted future interest and principal
payments using the current market interest rates of instruments with similar terms.
Risk management assets and liabilities - the fair values of power, natural gas, NGL, and crude oil derivative contracts were
calculated using forward prices from published sources for the relevant period. The fair value of foreign exchange derivative
contracts was calculated using quoted market rates. The fair value of Level 3 derivative contracts was calculated using
internally developed valuation inputs and pricing models.
Loans and receivables – the fair value of these assets was estimated based on discounted future interest and principal
payments using the current market interest rates of instruments with similar terms.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 111
As at
Financial assets
Fair value through net income (a)(b)
Risk management assets - current
Risk management assets - non-current
Fair value through regulatory assets (a)
Risk management assets - current
Risk management assets - non-current
Financial liabilities
Fair value through net income (a)
Risk management liabilities - current
Risk management liabilities - non-current
Fair value through regulatory liabilities (a)
Risk management liabilities - current
Risk management liabilities - non-current
Amortized cost
Current portion of long-term debt
Current portion of finance lease liabilities
Long-term debt
Finance lease liabilities
Subordinated hybrid notes
Other current liabilities (c)
December 31, 2023
Carrying
Amount
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total Fair
Value
$
$
$
$
49 $
37
5
20
111 $
85 $
70
12
45
999
11
7,528
120
742
43
9,655 $
— $
—
—
—
— $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
17 $
12
—
—
29 $
51 $
25
1
—
999
11
6,812
120
700
43
8,762 $
32 $
25
5
20
82 $
34 $
45
11
45
—
—
—
—
—
—
135 $
49
37
5
20
111
85
70
12
45
999
11
6,812
120
700
43
8,897
(a)
(b)
(c)
To manage price risk associated with acquiring natural gas supply for Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia utility customers, Washington Gas, a
subsidiary of the Corporation, enters into physical and financial derivative transactions. Any gains and losses associated with these derivatives are recorded
as regulatory liabilities or assets, respectively, to reflect the rate treatment for these economic hedging activities. Additionally, as part of its asset optimization
program, Washington Gas enters into derivatives with the primary objective of securing operating margins that Washington Gas will ultimately
realize. Regulatory sharing mechanisms provide for the annual realized profit from these transactions to be shared between Washington Gas' shareholder
and customers; therefore, changes in fair value are recorded through earnings, or as regulatory assets or liabilities to the extent that it is probable that
realized gains and losses associated with these derivative transactions will be included in the rates charged to customers when they are realized.
Includes the fair value of designated hedging instruments classified as level 2 totaling $9 million. The change in fair value of these instruments is recorded to
AOCI. Refer to the Cash Flow Hedges section below for more details.
Excludes non-financial liabilities.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 112
As at
Financial assets
Fair value through net income (a)
Risk management assets - current
Risk management assets - non-current
Fair value through regulatory assets (a)
Risk management assets - current
Financial liabilities
Fair value through net income (a)
Risk management liabilities - current
Risk management liabilities - non-current
Fair value through regulatory liabilities (a)
Risk management liabilities - current
Risk management liabilities - non-current
Amortized cost
Current portion of long-term debt
Current portion of finance lease liabilities
Long-term debt
Finance lease liabilities
Subordinated hybrid notes
Debt classified as held for sale
Other current liabilities (b)
December 31, 2022
Carrying
Amount
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Fair Value
$
$
$
132 $
77
8
217 $
133 $
170
39
128
327
7
8,679
15
544
63
52
$
10,157 $
— $
—
—
— $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
96 $
52
6
154 $
11 $
4
—
—
327
7
7,706
15
480
60
52
8,662 $
36 $
25
2
63 $
122 $
166
39
128
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
455 $
132
77
8
217
133
170
39
128
327
7
7,706
15
480
60
52
9,117
(a)
(b)
To manage price risk associated with acquiring natural gas supply for Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia utility customers, Washington Gas, a
subsidiary of the Corporation, enters into physical and financial derivative transactions. Any gains and losses associated with these derivatives are recorded
as regulatory liabilities or assets, respectively, to reflect the rate treatment for these economic hedging activities. Additionally, as part of its asset optimization
program, Washington Gas enters into derivatives with the primary objective of securing operating margins that Washington Gas will ultimately realize.
Regulatory sharing mechanisms provide for the annual realized profit from these transactions to be shared between Washington Gas' shareholder and
customers; therefore, changes in fair value are recorded through earnings, or as regulatory assets or liabilities to the extent that it is probable that realized
gains and losses associated with these derivative transactions will be included in the rates charged to customers when they are realized.
Excludes non-financial liabilities.
Financial assets and liabilities not included in the fair value hierarchy table include money market funds, short-term debt, and
commercial paper. The carrying value of these financial instruments approximate their fair value, which reflects the short-term
maturity and/or normal credit terms of these financial instruments.
The following table includes quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value
measurement of Level 3 financial instruments as at December 31, 2023:
Net Fair
Value
Valuation
Technique
Discounted
Cash Flow
Unobservable Inputs
Range
Weighted
Average (a)
Natural Gas Basis Price (per Dth)
$ (2.61)
- $ 5.91
$
(0.03)
(29)
Option
Model
(1)
Discounted
Cash Flow
(23)
Natural Gas Basis Price (per Dth)
Annualized Volatility of Spot Market
Natural Gas
$ (1.79)
- $ 4.40
$
0.42
11 % -
282 %
40 %
Electricity Congestion Price (per MWh)
$ (9.81)
- $ 111.35 $
13.09
Natural gas
Natural gas
Electricity
$
$
$
(a) Unobservable inputs were weighted by transaction volume.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 113
The following tables provide a reconciliation of changes in net fair value of derivative assets and liabilities classified as Level 3
in the fair value hierarchy:
For the year ended December 31
2023
2022
Balance, beginning of year
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Natural
Gas Electricity
(226) $
(166) $
Total
(392) $
$
Natural
Gas
(107) $
Electricity
(48) $
Total
(155)
Recorded in income
Recorded in regulatory assets
Transfers out of Level 3
Purchases
Settlements
Foreign exchange translation
Balance, end of year
72
104
(6)
—
24
2
(30) $
168
—
(5)
(3)
(18)
1
(23) $
240
104
(11)
(3)
6
3
(53) $
(43)
(100)
2
—
35
(13)
(226) $
(213)
—
(30)
16
118
(9)
(166) $
(256)
(100)
(28)
16
153
(22)
(392)
$
Transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy may occur based on fluctuations in the valuation and on the level
of observable inputs used to value the instruments from period to period. Transfers into and out of the different levels of the fair
value hierarchy are presented at the fair value as of the beginning of the period. Transfers out of Level 3 during the year ended
December 31, 2023 were due to an increase in valuations using observable market inputs.
Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) Recorded to Income for Level 3 Measurements
Year Ended December 31
Recorded to revenue
Recorded to cost of sales
$
$
2023
172 $
68
240 $
Summary of Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Risk Management Contracts Recognized in Net Income
Year Ended December 31
Natural gas
Energy exports
Crude oil and NGLs
NGL frac spread
Power
Foreign exchange
$
$
2023
(12) $
(78)
(5)
4
2
19
(70) $
2022
(258)
2
(256)
2022
(57)
21
2
16
(31)
—
(49)
Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities
Certain of AltaGas’ risk management contracts are subject to master netting arrangements that create a legally enforceable
right for a counterparty to offset the related financial assets and financial liabilities. As part of these master netting agreements,
cash, letters of credit and parental guarantees may be required to be posted or obtained from counterparties in order to
mitigate credit risk related to both derivative and non-derivative positions. Collateral balances are also offset against the
related counterparties’ derivative positions to the extent the application would not result in the over-collateralization of those
derivative positions on the balance sheet.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 114
As at
Derivative instruments not
designated as hedging instruments
December 31, 2023
Derivative
instruments
designated as
hedging
instruments
Gross amounts
of recognized
assets/liabilities
Gross amounts
offset in
balance sheet
Gross amounts of
recognized
assets/liabilities
Netting
of collateral
Net amounts
presented in
balance sheet
Risk management
assets (a)
Natural gas
Energy exports
Crude oil and NGLs
NGL frac spread
Power
Foreign exchange
Risk management
liabilities (b)
Natural gas
Energy exports
Crude oil and NGLs
NGL frac spread
Power
$
$
$
$
96 $
34
4
8
72
19
233 $
164 $
119
6
7
147
443 $
(44) $
(31)
(6)
(7)
(40)
—
(128) $
(44) $
(31)
(6)
(7)
(40)
(128) $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
— $
9 $
—
—
—
—
9 $
— $
—
6
—
—
—
6 $
(31) $
(81)
—
—
—
(112) $
52
3
4
1
32
19
111
98
7
—
—
107
212
(a) Net amount of risk management assets on the Balance Sheet is comprised of risk management assets (current) balance of $54 million and risk management
assets (non-current) balance of $57 million.
(b) Net amount of risk management liabilities on the Balance Sheet is comprised of risk management liabilities (current) balance of $97 million and risk
management liabilities (non-current) balance of $115 million.
As at
December 31, 2022
Gross amounts of
recognized
assets/liabilities
Gross amounts
offset in
balance sheet
Netting
of collateral
Net amounts
presented in
balance sheet
Risk management assets (a)
Natural gas
Energy exports
Crude oil and NGLs
NGL frac spread
Power
Risk management liabilities (b)
Natural gas
Energy exports
Crude oil and NGLs
NGL frac spread
Power
$
$
$
$
174 $
105
6
6
153
444 $
360 $
112
4
9
231
716 $
(80) $
(112)
(4)
(6)
(44)
(246) $
(80) $
(112)
(4)
(6)
(44)
(246) $
(17) $
34
2
—
—
19 $
— $
—
—
—
—
— $
77
27
4
—
109
217
280
—
—
3
187
470
(a) Net amount of risk management assets on the Balance Sheet is comprised of risk management assets (current) balance of $140 million and risk
management assets (non-current) balance of $77 million.
(b) Net amount of risk management liabilities on the Balance Sheet is comprised of risk management liabilities (current) balance of $172 million and risk
management liabilities (non-current) balance of $298 million.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 115
Cash Collateral
The following table presents collateral not offset against risk management assets and liabilities:
As at
Collateral posted with counterparties
Cash collateral held representing an obligation
December 31,
2023
$
$
12 $
— $
December 31,
2022
2
4
Any collateral posted that is not offset against risk management assets and liabilities is included in line item “prepaid expenses
and other current assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Collateral received and not offset against risk management
assets and liabilities is included in line item “customer deposits” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Certain derivative instruments contain contract provisions that require collateral to be posted if the credit rating of AltaGas or
certain of its subsidiaries falls below certain levels. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, AltaGas has not posted
any collateral related to its derivative liabilities that contained credit-related contingent features. The following table shows the
aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-related contingent features that are in a liability position, as well as
the maximum amount of collateral that would be required if specific credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these
agreements were triggered:
As at
Risk management liabilities with credit-risk-contingent features
Maximum potential collateral requirements
Risks Associated with Financial Instruments
December 31,
2023
158 $
111 $
December 31,
2022
145
68
$
$
AltaGas is exposed to various financial risks in the normal course of operations such as market risks resulting from fluctuations
in commodity prices, currency exchange rates and interest rates as well as credit risk and liquidity risk.
Commodity Price Risk
AltaGas enters into financial derivative contracts to manage exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices. The use of
derivative instruments is governed under formal risk management policies and is subject to parameters set out by AltaGas’
Risk Management Committee and Board of Directors.
Natural Gas
In the normal course of business, AltaGas purchases and sells natural gas to support its infrastructure business. The fixed
price and market price contracts for both the purchase and sale of natural gas extend to 2034. In addition, AltaGas may enter
into financial derivative contracts as part of WGL’s asset optimization program. WGL optimized the value of its long-term
natural gas transportation and storage capacity resources during periods when these resources are not being used to
physically serve utility customers.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 116
AltaGas had the following contracts outstanding as at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
Sales
Purchases
Swaps (a)
Fixed price
(per GJ)
0.80 to 9.38
0.55 to 9.54
1.77 to 9.38
Period
(months)
Notional volume
(GJ)
1-118
1-119
1-62
233,499,133 $
629,298,784 $
127,829,390 $
Fair Value
($ millions)
(27)
(4)
(15)
(a) Includes approximately 15,765,174 GJ of natural gas swaps designated as hedging instruments that have terms extending until 2029.
December 31, 2022
Sales
Purchases (a)
Swaps
Fixed price
(per GJ)
1.75 to 20.38
1.75 to 20.38
3.28 to 17.02
Period
(months) Notional volume (GJ)
1-130
1-98
1-57
244,060,786 $
521,045,852 $
147,565,012 $
Fair Value
($ millions)
(54)
(169)
20
(a) Excludes approximately 191,071,366 GJ of natural gas purchases through 2023 that are contingent on the in-service date of MVP.
Crude Oil and NGLs
In the normal course of business, AltaGas utilizes commodity swaps to manage the impact of timing between when product is
purchased and sold in addition to differing indices on purchase and sales. AltaGas had the following contracts outstanding as
at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
Swaps
December 31, 2022
Swaps
Energy Exports
Fixed price
(per Bbl)
33.87 to 106.53
Fixed price
(per Bbl)
44.19 to 120.45
Period
(months)
1-8
Notional volume
(Bbl)
2,399,972 $
Fair Value
($ millions)
4
Period
(months)
Notional volume
(Bbl)
1-12
1,597,173 $
Fair Value
($ millions)
4
In the normal course of business, AltaGas enters into swaps to lock in a portion of the volumes exposed to the propane and
butane price differentials between North American Indices and the Far East Index for contracts not under tolling arrangements
at RIPET and Ferndale. AltaGas had the following contracts outstanding as at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
Purchases
Propane and butane swaps
December 31, 2022
Purchases
Propane and butane swaps
Fixed price
(per Bbl)
14.70 to 22.75
7.45 to 147.70
Fixed price
(per Bbl)
9.45
4.8 to 118.69
Period
(months)
1-51
1-15
Notional volume
(Bbl)
4,017,118 $
76,931,889 $
Fair Value
($ millions)
(1)
(3)
Period
(months)
1-3
1-12
Notional volume
(Bbl)
90,646
89,433,941 $
Fair Value
($ millions)
Less than $1 million
27
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 117
NGL Frac Spread
In the normal course of business, AltaGas enters into swaps to lock in a portion of the volumes exposed to NGL frac spread.
AltaGas had the following contracts outstanding as at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
Propane swaps
Crude oil swaps
Natural gas swaps
December 31, 2022
Propane swaps
Crude oil swaps
Natural gas swaps
Power
Fixed price
34.38 to 51.50/Bbl
93.37 to 111.74/Bbl
1.28 to 3.55/GJ
Fixed price
48.94 to 50.79/Bbl
108.65 to 113.88/Bbl
4.5 to 4.98/GJ
Period
(months)
1-12
1-12
1-12
Period
(months)
1-12
1-12
1-12
Notional volume
1,040,595 Bbl $
194,513 Bbl $
7,513,045 GJ $
Fair Value
($ millions)
5
1
(5)
Notional volume
1,075,194 Bbl $
214,255 Bbl $
6,139,191 GJ $
Fair Value
($ millions)
5
1
(9)
AltaGas sells power to the Alberta Electric System Operator at market prices, as well as through its WGL Energy Services
affiliate, to commercial, industrial and mass market users within the PJM Regional Transmission Organization at fixed and
market prices. AltaGas' strategy is to mitigate the cash flow risk to power prices to provide predictable earnings. Therefore,
AltaGas uses third-party swaps and purchase contracts to fix the prices over time on a portion of the volumes to mitigate
financial exposure associated with the sale contracts. These power purchase and sale contracts extend to 2027. As at
December 31, 2023, AltaGas had no intention to terminate any contracts prior to maturity. AltaGas had the following contracts
outstanding as at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
Power sales
Power purchases
Swap purchases
December 31, 2022
Power sales
Power purchases
Swap purchases
Fixed price
(per MWh)
26.98 to 102.04
26.98 to 102.04
(9.81) to 133
Fixed price
(per MWh)
37.18 to 167.07
37.18 to 167.07
(10.86) to 185.54
Period
(months)
1-42
1-42
1-41
Notional volume
(MWh)
5,256,989 $
6,157,474 $
26,220,739 $
Period
(months)
1-42
1-42
1-41
Notional volume
(MWh)
5,276,832 $
6,341,582 $
23,888,348 $
Fair Value
($ millions)
35
(43)
(67)
Fair Value
($ millions)
(96)
99
(81)
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 118
The table below provides the potential impact on pre-tax income due to changes in the fair value of risk management contracts
in place as at December 31, 2023:
Factor
PJM power price
NYMEX natural gas price
Energy Exports:
Propane Far East Index to domestic supply
Baltic LPG Freight
NGL frac spread:
Propane
Natural gas
Foreign Exchange Risk
Increase or decrease to
forward prices
Increase or
decrease to income
before tax ($ millions)
US$1/MWh
US$0.50/GJ
$1/Bbl
$1/Bbl
$1/Bbl
$0.50/GJ
37
136
(3)
3
(1)
4
AltaGas is exposed to foreign exchange risk as changes in foreign exchange rates may affect the fair value or future cash
flows of the Corporation’s financial instruments. AltaGas has foreign operations whereby the functional currency is the U.S.
dollar. As a result, the Corporation’s earnings, cash flows, and OCI are exposed to fluctuations resulting from changes in
foreign exchange rates. This risk is partially mitigated to the extent that AltaGas has U.S. dollar-denominated debt outstanding.
AltaGas may also enter into foreign exchange forward derivatives to manage the risk of fluctuating cash flows and earnings
due to variations in foreign exchange rates as well as to benefit from favorable movements in the rates. Any hedges transacted
are subject to risk limits and guidelines and are actively monitored and managed by AltaGas’ risk management team to ensure
they align with AltaGas’ overall financial strategy.
AltaGas may designate its external U.S. dollar-denominated debt or certain U.S. dollar-denominated loans that may give rise
to a foreign currency transaction gain or loss as a net investment hedge of its U.S. subsidiaries. As at December 31, 2023,
AltaGas has designated US$715 million of outstanding loans as a net investment hedge (December 31, 2022 - US$281
million). For the year ended December 31, 2023, a $25 million after-tax unrealized gain on the net investment hedge was
recorded in OCI (2022 - after-tax unrealized loss of $15 million).
As at December 31, 2022, AltaGas did not have any outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts. The following foreign
exchange forward contracts were outstanding as at December 31, 2023:
Foreign exchange forward contract
Forward USD sales (deliverable)
Forward USD sales (non-deliverable)
Forward USD sales (non-deliverable)
Duration
Less than 1 month
Less than 1 year $
1 - 2 years $
Fair Value
less than $1 million
10
9
For the year ended December 31, 2023, AltaGas had pre-tax gains on foreign exchange contracts of $25 million. Of this, an
unrealized gain of less than $1 million, as well as a realized gain of less than $1 million related to foreign exchange contracts
entered into for the purpose of risk associated with cash management, was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of
Income under the line item "foreign exchange gains" (year ended December 31, 2022 - $nil). Additionally, an unrealized gain of
$19 million, as well as a realized gain of $6 million related to foreign exchange contracts entered into for the purpose of
managing income statement risk, was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income under the line item "revenue" (year
ended December 31, 2022 - $nil).
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 119
Cash Flow Hedges
In the normal course of business, WGL Energy Services purchases natural gas indexed to NYMEX Henry Hub to be sold to
third party customers. WGL Energy Services' risk management objective and strategy is to protect earnings against the risk of
price fluctuations associated with forecasted NYMEX Henry Hub purchases through the use of the NYMEX Henry Hub
financial swaps. Beginning April 1, 2023, WGL Energy Services began prospectively designating its NYMEX Henry Hub
financial swaps as cash flow hedges in accordance with ASC Topic 815 as it expects that the hedging relationship will be
highly effective at achieving offsetting changes in cash flows attributable to the risk being hedged.
For hedging relationships that qualify as highly effective, the change in fair value of the hedging instrument will be recorded to
AOCI. Amounts in AOCI will be reclassified into earnings in the same period the hedged forecasted transactions affect
earnings, or when non-regulated cost of energy-related sales is recorded. For swaps that settle the month ahead of the
physical transaction, the swap impact will be reclassified into earnings in the subsequent month when the associated hedged
transaction is recorded into earnings. For storage inventory purchases, such reclassification into earnings will be based on
WGL Energy Services' inventory turnover schedules for finished goods in which the hedged natural gas purchases are used.
When applicable, the ineffective portion of a cash flow hedge will immediately be recognized in earnings.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, an after-tax unrealized loss on outstanding cash flow hedges of $9 million was
recorded in OCI (year ended December 31, 2022 - $nil). For the year ended December 31, 2023, a loss of $1 million was
reclassified from AOCI to the income statement during the period under the line item "cost of sales".
Interest Rate Risk
AltaGas is exposed to interest rate risk as changes in interest rates may impact future cash flows and the fair value of its
financial instruments. The Corporation manages its interest rate risk by holding a mix of both fixed and floating interest rate
debt. As at December 31, 2023, approximately 84 percent of AltaGas’ total outstanding short-term and long-term debt was at
fixed rates (December 31, 2022 - 78 percent). In addition, from time to time, AltaGas may enter into interest rate swap
agreements to fix the interest rate on a portion of its banker’s acceptances issued under its credit facilities. There were no
outstanding interest rate swaps as at December 31, 2023.
Credit Risk
Credit risk results from the possibility that a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to fulfill its obligations in accordance
with the terms of the contract.
AltaGas' credit policy details the parameters used to grant, measure, monitor and report on credit provided to counterparties.
AltaGas minimizes counterparty risk by conducting credit reviews on counterparties in order to establish specific credit limits,
both prior to providing products or services and on a recurring basis. In addition, most contracts include credit mitigation
clauses that allow AltaGas to obtain financial or performance assurances from counterparties under certain circumstances.
AltaGas maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts in the normal course of its business.
AltaGas' maximum credit exposure consists primarily of the carrying value of the non-derivative financial assets and the fair
value of derivative financial assets. As at December 31, 2023, AltaGas had no concentration of credit risk with a single
counterparty.
Weather Related Instruments
WGL Energy Services utilizes heating degree day ("HDD") instruments from time to time to manage weather and price risks
related to its natural gas and electricity sales during the winter heating season. WGL Energy Services also utilizes cooling
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 120
degree day ("CDD") instruments and other instruments to manage weather and price risks related to its electricity sales during
the summer cooling season. These instruments cover a portion of estimated revenue or energy-related cost exposure to
variations in HDDs or CDDs. For the year ended December 31, 2023, a pre-tax loss of less than $8 million was recorded
related to these instruments (2022 - pre-tax loss of less than $1 million).
Accounts Receivable Past Due or Impaired
With the exception of accounts receivable which are due in one year or less as summarized in the following table, AltaGas
does not have any past due or impaired accounts receivable ("AR") as at December 31, 2023:
As at December 31, 2023
Trade receivable
Other
Allowance for credit losses
As at December 31, 2022
Trade receivable
Other
Allowance for credit losses
Total
1,742 $
131
(29)
1,844 $
Total
2,067 $
65
(41)
2,091 $
$
$
$
$
AR
accruals
Receivables
impaired
Less than
30 days
31 to
60 days
61 to
90 days
609 $
—
—
609 $
29 $
—
(29)
— $
944 $
131
—
1,075 $
58 $
—
—
58 $
AR
accruals
Receivables
impaired
Less than
30 days
31 to
60 days
61 to
90 days
1,078 $
—
—
1,078 $
41 $
—
(41)
— $
751 $
65
—
816 $
87 $
—
—
87 $
Over
90 days
83
—
—
83
19 $
—
—
19 $
Over
90 days
84
—
—
84
26 $
—
—
26 $
The following table provides a summary of changes to the allowance for credit losses by segment and major type:
Utilities
Balance, beginning of period
Foreign exchange translation
Adjustments to allowance
Written off
Recoveries collected
Balance, end of period
Midstream
Balance, beginning of period
Balance, end of period
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Accounts Receivable
Contract
Assets (a)
$
$
$
$
$
40 $
(2)
24
(38)
4
28 $
1 $
1 $
29 $
— $
— $
—
—
—
— $
1 $
1 $
1 $
Total
40
(2)
24
(38)
4
28
2
2
30
(a)
An allowance for credit loss is assessed quarterly and is recorded based on historical default rates published by external credit rating agencies and a rate
associated with the estimated time frame that the contract asset will be billed to the customer.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 121
Utilities
Balance, beginning of period
Foreign exchange translation
Adjustments to allowance (b)
Written off
Recoveries collected
Reclassified to assets held for sale (note 5)
Balance, end of period
Midstream
Balance, beginning of period
Balance, end of period
Total
$
$
$
$
$
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Accounts Receivable
Contract
Assets (a)
38 $
2
26
(29)
4
(1)
40 $
1 $
1 $
41 $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
— $
1 $
1 $
1 $
Total
38
2
26
(29)
4
(1)
40
2
2
42
(a)
(b)
An allowance for credit loss is assessed quarterly and is recorded based on historical default rates published by external credit rating agencies and a rate
associated with the estimated time frame that the contract asset will be billed to the customer.
Includes $2 million recorded to a regulatory asset relating to the impact of COVID-19 on uncollectible accounts.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that AltaGas will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they come due. AltaGas manages this
risk through its extensive budgeting and monitoring process to ensure it has sufficient cash and credit facilities to meet its
obligations. AltaGas' objective is to maintain its investment-grade ratings to ensure it has access to debt and equity funding as
required.
AltaGas had the following contractual maturities with respect to financial liabilities:
After
5 years
—
—
—
2
—
3,853
750
4,605
As at December 31, 2023
Total
Contractual maturities by period (a)
Less than
1 year
1-3 years
4-5 years
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
1,863 $
1,863 $
— $
— $
Short-term debt
Other current liabilities (b)
Risk management contract liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt (c)
Long-term debt (c)
Subordinated hybrid notes
129
43
212
999
7,493
750
129
43
97
999
—
—
—
—
91
—
—
—
22
—
2,092
1,548
—
—
$
11,489 $
3,131 $
2,183 $
1,570 $
(a) Refer to Note 9 for contractual maturities relating to operating and finance leases.
(b)
(c)
Excludes non-financial liabilities.
Excludes deferred financing costs, discounts, and the fair value adjustment on the WGL Acquisition.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 122
As at December 31, 2022
Total
Contractual maturities by period (a)
Less than
1 year
1-3 years
4-5 years
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
1,902 $
1,902 $
Short-term debt
Other current liabilities (b)
Risk management contract liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt (c)
Long-term debt (c)
Debt classified as held for sale
Subordinated hybrid notes
293
52
470
327
8,641
(60)
550
293
52
172
327
—
(7)
—
— $
—
—
183
—
— $
—
—
57
—
After
5 years
—
—
—
58
—
2,241
1,968
4,432
(12)
—
(12)
—
(29)
550
(a) Refer to Note 9 for contractual maturities relating to operating and finance leases.
(b)
(c)
Excludes non-financial liabilities.
Excludes deferred financing costs, discounts, the fair value adjustment on the WGL Acquisition, and debt classified as held for sale.
$
12,175 $
2,739 $
2,412 $
2,013 $
5,011
24. Revenue
The following tables disaggregate revenue by major sources for the year:
Revenue from contracts with customers
Commodity sales contracts
Midstream service contracts
Gas sales and transportation services
Storage services (a)
Other
Total revenue from contracts with customers
Other sources of revenue
Revenue from alternative revenue programs (b)
Leasing revenue (c)
Risk management and trading activities (d)
Other
Total revenue from other sources
Total revenue
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Corporate/
Other
Midstream
Utilities
$
$
$
$
$
1,971 $
—
2,506
4
11
4,492 $
167 $
—
173
(5)
335 $
4,827 $
6,347 $
1,541
8
—
9
7,905 $
— $
221
(97)
40
164 $
8,069 $
— $
—
—
—
—
— $
— $
99
2
—
101 $
101 $
Total
8,318
1,541
2,514
4
20
12,397
167
320
78
35
600
12,997
(a) Relates to revenue earned for the period prior to the close of the Alaska Utilities Disposition on March 1, 2023.
(b)
A large portion of revenue generated from the Utilities segment is subject to rate regulation and accordingly there are circumstances where the revenue
recognized is mandated by the applicable regulators in accordance with ASC 980.
(c) Revenue generated from certain of AltaGas’ gas facilities is accounted for as operating leases. For the Corporate/Other segment, a significant amount of
revenue earned is through power purchase agreements which are accounted for as operating leases.
(d) Risk management activities involve the use of derivative instruments such as physical and financial swaps, and commodity and foreign exchange forward
contracts. Certain of these derivatives are accounted for under ASC 815 and ASC 825. A portion of revenue generated by the Utilities segment is from the
physical sale and delivery of natural gas and power to end users.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 123
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Corporate/
Other
Midstream
Utilities
Revenue from contracts with customers
Commodity sales contracts
Midstream service contracts
Gas sales and transportation services
Storage services
Other
Total revenue from contracts with customers
Other sources of revenue
Revenue from alternative revenue programs (a)
Leasing revenue (b)
Risk management and trading activities (c)
Other
Total revenue from other sources
Total revenue
$
$
$
$
$
1,715 $
—
3,179
24
9
4,927 $
94 $
—
(28)
(13)
53 $
4,980 $
6,260 $
2,411
—
—
—
8,671 $
— $
232
76
31
339 $
9,010 $
— $
—
—
—
1
1 $
— $
99
(3)
—
96 $
97 $
Total
7,975
2,411
3,179
24
10
13,599
94
331
45
18
488
14,087
(a)
A large portion of revenue generated from the Utilities segment is subject to rate regulation and accordingly there are circumstances where the revenue
recognized is mandated by the applicable regulators in accordance with ASC 980.
(b) Revenue generated from certain of AltaGas’ gas facilities is accounted for as operating leases. For the Corporate/Other segment, a significant amount of
revenue earned is through power purchase agreements which are accounted for as operating leases.
(c) Risk management activities involve the use of derivative instruments such as physical and financial swaps, forward contracts, and options. These derivatives
are accounted for under ASC 815 and ASC 825. A portion of revenue generated by the Utilities segment is from the physical sale and delivery of natural gas
and power to end users.
Revenue Recognition
The following is a description of the Corporation’s revenue recognition policy by segment and by major source of revenue from
contracts with customers.
Utilities Segment
Gas Sales and Transportation Services
Customers are billed monthly based on regular meter readings. Customer billings are based on two main components: (i) a
fixed service fee and (ii) a variable fee based on usage. Revenue is recognized over time when the gas has been delivered or
as the service has been performed. As meter readings are performed on a cycle basis, AltaGas recognizes accrued revenue
for any services rendered to its customers but not billed at month-end. The vast majority of these contracts are “at-will” as
customers may cancel their service at any time, however, there are certain contracts that have terms of one year or longer. For
these long-term contracts, there is generally a contract demand specified in the contract whereby the customer has to pay
regardless of whether or not gas has been delivered. These contracts generally do not contain any make up rights and
revenue is recognized on a monthly basis as service has been performed.
Commodity Sales
Commodity sales also include gas sales to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in certain states where WGL
Energy Services is authorized as a competitive service provider. These commodity sales contracts have varying terms that
generally range from one to five years. Customers are billed monthly based on the amount of gas delivered to the customer.
Revenue is recognized based on the amount the Corporation is entitled to invoice the customer.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 124
Midstream Segment
Commodity Sales
A portion of the NGL production from AltaGas’ extraction facilities is subject to frac spread between NGLs extracted and the
natural gas purchased to make up the heating value of the NGLs extracted. For commodity sales contracts that do not meet
the definition of a derivative or for contracts whereby AltaGas has elected to apply the normal purchase normal sales scope
exception, the sales contract is accounted for under ASC 606. These commodity sales contracts have varying terms but the
majority of the contracts have a one-year term which coincides with the NGL year. AltaGas recognizes revenue for commodity
sales contracts at a point in time based on the actual volumes of the commodity sold at the delivery point, which corresponds
to the customer’s monthly invoice amount.
Commodity sales contracts at RIPET and Ferndale generate revenue from the sale and delivery of LPGs to customers in Asia
shipped from offshore export terminals. Revenue is recognized when LPGs are loaded onto transport vessels, which is the
delivery point. AltaGas has the right to consideration in an amount that directly corresponds to the volumes of LPGs loaded on
a vessel. AltaGas' commodity sales also include the sale of upgraded crude oil, processed finished products, and various
fuels. Delivery takes place when there is a sales contract in place, specifying delivery volumes and sales prices. The
consideration received under these contracts is variable based on commodity prices.
Midstream Service Contracts
AltaGas earns revenue from its field gathering and processing facilities, extraction facilities, storage facilities, truck hauling
services, rail and truck loading and unloading terminalling, and transmission systems through a variety of contractual
arrangements. For arrangements that do not contain a lease, the revenue is accounted for under ASC 606 as follows:
Fee-for-service – The customer is charged a fee for the service provided on a per unit volume basis. Contract terms generally
range from one month to up to the life of the reserves. Revenue under this type of arrangement is recognized over time as the
service is provided, which corresponds to the customer’s monthly invoice amount.
Take-or-pay – The customer has agreed to a minimum volume commitment whereby the customer must have AltaGas process
or deliver a specified volume at a rate per unit that is specified in the contract. Quantities that the customer is unable to deliver
are considered deficiency quantities. Certain of AltaGas’ take-or-pay contracts contain provisions whereby the customer can
make up deficiency quantities in subsequent periods. Under this type of arrangement, any consideration received relating to
the deficiency quantities that will be made up in a future period will be deferred until either: (i) the customer makes up the
volumes or (ii) the likelihood that the customer will make up the volumes before the make up period expires becomes remote.
If AltaGas does not expect the customer to make up the deficiency quantities (also referred to as breakage amount), AltaGas
may recognize the expected breakage amount as revenue before the make up period expires. Significant judgment is required
in estimating the breakage amount. For contracts where the customer has no make up rights, revenue is recognized on a
monthly basis based on the higher of (i) the actual quantity delivered times the per unit rate or (ii) the contracted minimum
amount.
Storage fees are typically recognized in revenue ratably over the term of the contract and rail and truck loading and unloading
fees are recognized when the volumes are delivered or received.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 125
Corporate/Other Segment
For the Corporate/Other segment, the majority of revenue relates to remaining power assets, from which revenue is primarily
earned through power purchase agreements which are accounted for as operating leases. In instances where power
generation is not sold under a power purchase agreement, the commodity is sold via a merchant market, or via commodity
sales agreements which are accounted for as financial instruments. For commodity sales contracts that do not meet the
definition of a lease, derivative or for contracts whereby AltaGas has elected to apply the normal purchase normal sales scope
exception, the sales contract is accounted for under ASC 606.
Contract Balances
As at December 31, 2023, a contract asset of $40 million (December 31, 2022 - $41 million) has been recorded on the
Consolidated balance Sheets, of which $37 million ($36 million net of credit losses) is included within long-term investments
and other assets (December 31, 2022 – $37 million net of credit losses) and $4 million within prepaid expenses and other
current assets (December 31, 2022 - $4 million). This contract asset represents the difference in revenue recognized under
new rates in blend-and-extend contract modifications with customers. Revenue from these contract modifications was
recognized at the pre-modification rate until the effective date of the contract modification on the original contracts, with the
excess revenue recorded as a contract asset. The contract asset is now being drawn down over the remaining term of the
modified contracts.
Contract Assets
As at
Balance, beginning of year
Additions
Amortization (a)
Transfers to accounts receivable (b)
Balance, end of year
December 31,
2023
$
$
41 $
3
(4)
—
40 $
December 31,
2022
54
1
(4)
(10)
41
(a) Represents the drawdown of a contract asset under a blend-and-extend contract modification.
(b)
Amounts included in contract assets are transferred to accounts receivable when AltaGas’ right to consideration becomes unconditional.
Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Obligations
The following table includes estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that
are unsatisfied as of December 31, 2023:
Midstream service contracts
Other
2024
157 $
1
158 $
2025
141 $
1
142 $
2026
138 $
1
139 $
2027
134 $
1
135 $
2028
123 $
—
123 $
$
$
2029 &
beyond
795 $
4
799 $
Total
1,488
8
1,496
AltaGas applies the practical expedient available under ASC 606 and does not disclose information about the remaining
performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, (ii) contracts for which revenue is
recognized at the amount to which AltaGas has the right to invoice for performance completed, and (iii) contracts with variable
consideration that is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation or to a wholly unsatisfied promise to
transfer a distinct good or service that forms part of a single performance obligation. In addition, the table above does not
include any estimated amounts of variable consideration that are constrained. The majority of midstream service contracts,
gas sales and transportation service contracts, and storage service contracts contain variable consideration whereby
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 126
uncertainty related to the associated variable consideration will be resolved (usually on a daily basis) as volumes are
processed, gas is delivered or as service is provided.
25. Shareholders’ Equity
Authorization
AltaGas is authorized to issue an unlimited number of voting common shares. AltaGas is also authorized to issue such number
of preferred shares in series at any time as have aggregate voting rights either directly or on conversion or exchange that in
the aggregate represent less than 50 percent of the voting rights attaching to the then issued and outstanding common shares.
Common Shares Issued and Outstanding (a)
January 1, 2022
Shares issued for cash on exercise of options
Deferred taxes on share issuance cost
December 31, 2022
Shares issued for cash on exercise of options
Shares issued related to Pipestone Acquisition (note 3)
Issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023
Number of
shares
280,269,038 $
1,262,795
—
281,531,833 $
905,493
12,466,437
294,903,763 $
Amount
6,735
28
(2)
6,761
19
340
7,120
(a) Dividends declared per common share for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $1.12 (December 31, 2022 - $1.06).
Preferred Shares
As at
Issued and Outstanding (a) (b) (c)
Series A
Series B
Series E (d)
Series G
Series H
Share issuance costs, net of taxes
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Number of shares
6,746,679 $
1,253,321
—
6,885,823
1,114,177
16,000,000 $
Amount
169
31
—
172
28
(9)
391
Number of shares
6,746,679 $
1,253,321
8,000,000
6,885,823
1,114,177
24,000,000 $
Amount
169
31
200
172
28
(14)
586
(a) On January 11, 2022, in connection with the offering of the Subordinated Notes, Series 1, AltaGas issued $300 million in Preferred Shares, Series 2022-A, to
be held in the AltaGas Hybrid Trust with Computershare Trust Company of Canada acting as a trustee. Refer to Notes 12 and 16 for more details.
(b) On August 17, 2022, in connection with the offering of the Subordinated Notes, Series 2, AltaGas issued $250 million in Preferred Shares, Series 2022-B, to
be held in the AltaGas Hybrid Trust with Computershare Trust Company of Canada acting as a trustee. Refer to Notes 12 and 16 for more details.
(c) On November 10, 2023, in connection with the offering of the Subordinated Notes, Series 3, AltaGas issued $200 million in Preferred Shares, Series 2023-A,
to be held in the AltaGas Hybrid Trust with Computershare Trust Company of Canada acting as a trustee. Refer to Notes 12 and 16 for more details.
(d) On December 31, 2023, AltaGas redeemed all of its outstanding Series E Preferred Shares. A loss of approximately $5 million was recognized upon
redemption related to share issuance costs for the preferred shares.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 127
The following table outlines the characteristics of the cumulative redeemable preferred shares (a) (h) (i) (j):
Series A (e)
Series B (f) (g)
Series G (e)
Series H (f) (g)
Current
yield
3.060 %
Floating
4.242 %
Floating
Annual dividend
per share(b)
$0.76500
Floating
$1.06050
Floating
Redemption
price per
share (g)
$25
$25
$25
$25
Redemption and
conversion option date(c)(g)
September 30, 2025
September 30, 2025
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2024
Right to
convert
into(d)
Series B
Series A
Series H
Series G
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
The Corporation is authorized to issue up to 8,000,000 of Series F Shares, subject to certain conditions, upon conversion by the holders of the applicable
currently issued and outstanding series of preferred shares noted opposite such series in the table on the applicable conversion option date. If issued upon
the conversion of the applicable series of preferred shares, Series F Shares are also redeemable for $25.50 on any date after the applicable conversion
option date, plus all accrued but unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.
The holders of Series A Shares and Series G Shares are entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly fixed dividend as and when declared by the Board of
Directors. The holders of Series B Shares and Series H Shares are entitled to receive a quarterly floating dividend as and when declared by the Board of
Directors. If issued upon the conversion of the applicable series of preferred shares, the holders of Series F Shares will be entitled to receive a quarterly
floating dividend as and when declared by the Board of Directors.
AltaGas may, at its option, redeem all or a portion of the outstanding shares for the redemption price per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends on the
applicable redemption option date and on every fifth anniversary thereafter.
The holder will have the right, subject to certain conditions, to convert their preferred shares of a specified series into preferred shares of that other specified
series as noted in this column of the table on the applicable conversion option date and every fifth anniversary thereafter.
(f)
(h)
(g)
(e) Holders of Series A Shares and Series G Shares will be entitled to receive cumulative quarterly fixed dividends, which will reset on the redemption and
conversion option date and every fifth year thereafter, at a rate equal to the sum of the then five-year Government of Canada bond yield plus 2.66 percent
(Series A Shares) and 3.06 percent (Series G Shares).
Holders of Series B Shares and Series H Shares will be entitled to receive cumulative quarterly floating dividends, which will reset each quarter thereafter at
a rate equal to the sum of the then 90-day Government of Canada Treasury Bill rate plus 2.66 percent (Series B Shares) and 3.06 percent (Series H Shares).
Each quarterly dividend is calculated as the annualized amount multiplied by the number of days in the quarter, divided by the number of days in the year.
Commencing December 31, 2023, the floating quarterly dividend rate is $0.47874 per share for Series B Shares and $0.50361 per share for Series H Shares
for the period starting December 31, 2023 to, but excluding, March 31, 2024.
Series B Shares can be redeemed for $25.50 per share on any date after September 30, 2015 that is not a Series B conversion date, plus all accrued and
unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption. Series H Shares can be redeemed for $25.50 per share on any date after September 30,
2019 that is not a Series H conversion date, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.
The Series 2022-A Shares were issued to Computershare Trust Company of Canada to be held in trust to satisfy AltaGas’ obligations under the Series 1
Indenture, in connection with the issuance of the Subordinated Notes, Series 1. Holders of the Series 2022-A Shares shall not be entitled to receive any
dividends, nor shall any dividends accumulate or accrue, on the Series 2022-A Shares prior to delivery to the holders of the Subordinated Notes, Series 1
following the occurrence of certain bankruptcy or insolvency events in respect of AltaGas. If at any time, AltaGas redeems, purchases for cancellation or
repays the Subordinated Notes, Series 1 such number of Series 2022-A Shares with an aggregate issue price equal to the principal amount of Subordinated
Notes, Series 1 redeemed, purchased for cancellation or repaid by AltaGas will be redeemed in accordance with the terms of the Series 2022-A Shares.
The Series 2022-B Shares were issued to Computershare Trust Company of Canada to be held in trust to satisfy AltaGas’ obligations under the Series 2
Indenture, in connection with the issuance of the Subordinated Notes, Series 2. Holders of the Series 2022-B Shares shall not be entitled to receive any
dividends, nor shall any dividends accumulate or accrue, on the Series 2022-B Shares prior to delivery to the holders of the Subordinated Notes, Series 2
following the occurrence of certain bankruptcy or insolvency events in respect of AltaGas. If at any time, AltaGas redeems, purchases for cancellation or
repays the Subordinated Notes, Series 2 such number of Series 2022-B Shares with an aggregate issue price equal to the principal amount of Subordinated
Notes, Series 2 redeemed, purchased for cancellation or repaid by AltaGas will be redeemed in accordance with the terms of the Series 2022-B Shares.
The Series 2023-A Shares were issued to Computershare Trust Company of Canada to be held in trust to satisfy AltaGas’ obligations under the Series 3
Indenture, in connection with the issuance of the Subordinated Notes, Series 3. Holders of the Series 2023-A Shares shall not be entitled to receive any
dividends, nor shall any dividends accumulate or accrue, on the Series 2023-A Shares prior to delivery to the holders of the Subordinated Notes, Series 3
following the occurrence of certain bankruptcy or insolvency events in respect of AltaGas. If at any time, AltaGas redeems, purchases for cancellation or
repays the Subordinated Notes, Series 3 such number of Series 2023-A Shares with an aggregate issue price equal to the principal amount of Subordinated
Notes, Series 3 redeemed, purchased for cancellation or repaid by AltaGas will be redeemed in accordance with the terms of the Series 2023-A Shares.
(i)
(j)
Share Option Plan
AltaGas has an employee share option plan under which officers, employees, and service providers (as defined by the TSX)
are eligible to receive grants. As at December 31, 2023, 10,807,874 shares were reserved for issuance under the plan.
As at December 31, 2023, Share Options granted under the plan have a term of six years until expiry and vest no longer than
over a four-year period.
As at December 31, 2023, the unexpensed fair value of share option compensation cost associated with future periods was
less than one million (December 31, 2022 - $1 million).
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 128
The following table summarizes information about the Corporation’s Share Options:
As at
Share options outstanding, beginning of year
Exercised
Forfeited
Expired
Share options outstanding, end of year
Share options exercisable, end of year
(a) Weighted average.
December 31, 2023
Options outstanding
Number of
options
6,958,139 $
(905,493)
(83,257)
(422,001)
5,547,388 $
4,990,946 $
Exercise
price (a)
19.28
18.22
21.90
31.53
18.48
18.45
December 31, 2022
Options outstanding
Number of
options
8,679,508 $
(1,262,795)
(107,799)
(350,775)
6,958,139 $
4,960,341 $
Exercise
price (a)
19.98
19.94
26.24
32.19
19.28
19.38
As at December 31, 2023, the aggregate intrinsic value of the total Share Options exercisable was $47 million (December 31,
2022 - $24 million), the total intrinsic value of Share Options outstanding was $52 million (December 31, 2022 - $33 million)
and the total intrinsic value of Share Options exercised was $8 million (December 31, 2022 - $11 million).
The following table summarizes the employee share option plan as at December 31, 2023:
Options outstanding
Options exercisable
Number
outstanding
Weighted
average
exercise price
Weighted average
remaining
contractual life
(years)
Number
exercisable
Weighted
average
exercise price
Weighted average
remaining
contractual life
(years)
1,477,888 $
3,909,998
159,502
5,547,388 $
15.54
19.27
26.31
18.48
1.06
2.25
0.55
1.89
1,477,888 $
3,354,494
158,564
4,990,946 $
15.54
19.36
26.31
18.45
1.06
2.13
0.53
1.76
$14.52 to $18.00
$18.01 to $25.08
$25.09 to $26.31
Phantom Unit Plan ("Phantom Plan") and Deferred Share Unit Plan ("DSUP")
AltaGas has a Phantom Plan for employees, executive officers, and directors, which includes restricted units ("RUs") and
performance units ("PUs") with vesting periods of 36 months from the grant date. In addition, AltaGas has a DSUP, pursuant to
which directors and certain executives receive deferred share units ("DSUs"). DSUs granted under the DSUP vest immediately
but settlement of the DSUs occur when the individual ceases to be a director.
PUs, RUs, and DSUs (number of units)
Balance, beginning of year
Granted
Vested and paid out
Forfeited
Units in lieu of dividends
Additional units added by performance factor
Outstanding, end of year
2023
4,332,062
2,281,596
(2,047,793)
(551,390)
210,332
828,111
5,052,918
2022
3,877,843
1,413,790
(1,784,293)
(140,150)
172,563
792,309
4,332,062
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the compensation expense recorded for the Phantom Plan and DSUP was $69 million
(2022 – $50 million). As at December 31, 2023, the unrecognized compensation expense relating to the remaining vesting
period for the Phantom Plan was $33 million (December 31, 2022 - $14 million) and is expected to be recognized over the
vesting period.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 129
26. Net Income Per Common Share
The following table summarizes the computation of net income per common share:
Numerator:
Net income applicable to controlling interests
Less: Preferred share dividends
Loss on redemption of preferred shares
Net income applicable to common shares
Denominator:
(millions of shares)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Dilutive equity instruments (a)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
Basic net income per common share
Diluted net income per common share
(a) Determined using the treasury stock method.
Year Ended December 31
2023
2022
673 $
(27)
(5)
641 $
282.1
1.6
283.7
2.27 $
2.26 $
523
(40)
(84)
399
281.0
2.3
283.3
1.42
1.41
$
$
$
$
For the year ended December 31, 2023, less than a million Share Options (2022 – less than a million) were excluded from the
diluted net income per common share calculation as their effects were anti-dilutive.
27. Other Income
Year Ended December 31
Gains on asset sales (note 4)
Other components of net benefit cost (note 28)
Gain on debt defeasance (note 15)
Interest income and other revenue
Total
28. Pension Plans and Retiree Benefits
$
$
2023
319 $
57
14
13
403 $
2022
3
74
—
17
94
The costs of the defined benefit and post-retirement benefit plans are based on Management's estimate of the future rate of
return on the fair value of pension plan assets, salary escalations, mortality rates and other factors affecting the payment of
future benefits.
Defined Contribution Plan
AltaGas has a defined contribution ("DC") pension plan for substantially all employees. The pension cost recorded for the DC
plan and DC Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP") was $26 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 (2022
- $25 million).
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 130
Defined Benefit Plans
AltaGas has three defined benefit pension plans for unionized and non-unionized employees in the United States. These
include a qualified, trusteed, non-contributory defined benefit pension plan. Actuarial valuations for funding purposes are
required annually for AltaGas’ U.S. defined benefit plans. The defined benefit plans are fully funded.
In 2021, AltaGas made the decision to wind-up the Canadian defined benefit pension plan effective March 31, 2022. In
October 2022, approval of the wind-up was received from the Alberta Superintendent of Pensions. On June 1, 2023, the wind-
up of the Canadian defined benefit pension plan was completed and as a result a settlement charge of $2 million was recorded
under the line item "other income" for the year ended December 31, 2023.
SERP
AltaGas has non-registered defined benefit plans that provide defined benefit pension benefits to eligible executives based on
average earnings, years of service and age at retirement. The SERP benefits will be paid from the general revenue of the
Corporation as payments come due or from the Rabbi Trusts funded as part of the WGL acquisition. Security will be provided
for the SERP benefits through a letter of credit within a retirement compensation arrangement trust account.
Several executive officers of Washington Gas participate in a separate non-funded defined benefit SERP (a non-qualified
pension plan) and a non-funded defined benefit restoration SERP. The defined benefit SERP was closed to new entrants
beginning January 1, 2010 and the defined benefit restoration SERP was closed to new entrants in 2020.
In 2023, AltaGas closed the Canadian SERP to new entrants and launched a new a defined contribution SERP effective July
1, 2023, for eligible executives who join the Executive Committee on or after that date.
Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
AltaGas has several post-retirement benefit plans for unionized and non-unionized employees, including one in Canada and
four in the United States. The post-retirement benefit plan in Canada is limited to the payment of life insurance and an annual
allocation to a Healthcare Spending Account ("HSA"). This benefit plan is not funded.
Post-retirement benefit plans in the United States provide certain medical, prescription drug, dental, and life insurance benefits
to eligible retired employees, their spouses and covered dependents. Benefits are based on a combination of the retiree's age
and years of service at retirement. For eligible Washington Gas retirees and dependents not yet receiving Medicare benefits,
Washington Gas provides medical, prescription drug, and dental benefits through Preferred Provider Organization ("PPO") or
Health Maintenance Organization ("HMO") plans, through the Washington Gas Light Company Retiree Health and Welfare
Plan. For Medicare-eligible retirees age 65 and older and their dependents, eligible retirees and dependents participate in a
tax-free Health Reimbursement Account ("HRA") Plan. The HRA plan provides an annual subsidy to help purchase
supplemental medical, prescription drug and dental coverage in the marketplace. Three of these plans are fully funded, and
one is not funded.
Rabbi Trusts
Rabbi trusts of $9 million as at December 31, 2023 have been funded to satisfy the employee benefit obligations associated
with WGL’s various pension plans (December 31, 2022 - $11 million). These balances are included in the "prepaid expenses
and other current assets" and "long-term investments and other assets" line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 131
The following table summarizes the details of the defined benefit plans, including the SERP and post-retirement plans in
Canada and the United States:
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Canada
United States
Total
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Projected benefit obligation (a)
Balance, beginning of year
$
28 $
2 $
1,268 $
332 $
1,296 $
334
(10)
6
2
18
(20)
—
(7)
323
842
116
—
2
(21)
—
—
(21)
918
595
Actuarial loss (gain)
Current service cost
Member contributions
Interest cost
Benefits paid
Settlements
Foreign exchange translation
Balance, end of year
Plan assets
Fair value, beginning of year
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Member contributions
Benefits paid
Settlements
Other
Foreign exchange translation
Fair value, end of year
Funded status
$
$
$
$
2
6
—
1
(3)
(11)
—
23 $
(1)
—
—
—
—
—
—
35
12
—
69
(83)
—
(29)
(9)
6
2
18
(20)
—
(7)
37
18
—
70
(86)
(11)
(29)
1 $
1,272 $
322 $
1,295 $
13 $
— $
1,266 $
—
3
—
(3)
(11)
—
—
2 $
(21) $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
113
4
—
(83)
—
1
(30)
842 $
116
—
2
(21)
—
—
(21)
1,279 $
113
7
—
(86)
(11)
1
(30)
— $
(1) $
1,271 $
(1) $
918 $
596 $
1,273 $
(22) $
(a)
For post-retirement benefit plans, the projected benefit obligation represents the accumulated benefit obligation.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 132
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Canada
United States
Total
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Projected benefit obligation (a)
Balance, beginning of year
Actuarial gain
Current service cost
Member contributions
Interest cost
Benefits paid
Expenses paid
Settlements
Other
Foreign exchange translation
Less: projected benefit obligation
reclassified to liabilities associated
with assets held for sale
Balance, end of year
Plan assets
Fair value, beginning of year
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Member contributions
Benefits paid
Expenses paid
Settlements
Other
Foreign exchange translation
Less: plan assets reclassified to
assets held for sale
Fair value, end of year
Funded status (b)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
34 $
2 $
1,743 $
430 $
1,777 $
(6)
3
—
1
(4)
—
—
—
—
28 $
—
28 $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2 $
—
2 $
(473)
(118)
(479)
22
—
52
(83)
(1)
(5)
—
10
3
13
(23)
—
—
1
25
—
53
(87)
(1)
(5)
—
98
1,353 $
25
341 $
98
1,381 $
(85)
(9)
(85)
1,268 $
332 $
1,296 $
432
(118)
10
3
13
(23)
—
—
1
25
343
(9)
334
16 $
— $
1,715 $
1,058 $
1,731 $
1,058
(3)
4
—
(4)
—
—
—
—
13 $
—
13 $
(15) $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
—
— $
(2) $
(374)
(254)
(377)
(254)
8
—
(83)
(1)
(5)
—
99
1,359 $
(93)
1,266 $
6 $
—
3
(23)
—
—
1
60
845 $
(3)
842 $
504 $
12
—
(87)
(1)
(5)
—
99
1,372 $
(93)
1,279 $
(9) $
—
3
(23)
—
—
1
60
845
(3)
842
502
(a)
For post-retirement benefit plans, the projected benefit obligation represents the accumulated benefit obligation.
(b) Calculation includes plan assets and liabilities that were classified as held for sale on December 31, 2022.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, AltaGas' defined benefit pension plans incurred actuarial losses primarily due to the
decrease in discount rates, which were the result of a decrease in high-quality corporate bond yield curves in the Canadian
and U.S. markets, while AltaGas' post-retirement benefits plans incurred actuarial gains primarily due to updated census data
and assumptions related to the HRA, partially offset by the decrease in discount rates. For the year ended December 31,
2022, AltaGas' defined benefit and post-retirement benefit pension plans incurred actuarial gains primarily due to the increase
in discount rates, which were the result of an increase in high-quality corporate bond yield curves in the Canadian and U.S.
markets.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 133
The following amounts were included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
December 31, 2023
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Prepaid post-retirement benefits
Assets held for sale
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (a)
Future employee obligations
Liabilities associated with assets held for
sale
$
$
29 $
—
(4)
(47)
—
(22) $
597 $
—
—
(2)
—
Total
626 $
—
(4)
(49)
—
595 $
573 $
December 31, 2022
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
28 $
8
(3)
(42)
—
(9) $
510 $
—
—
(2)
(6)
502 $
Total
538
8
(3)
(44)
(6)
493
(a)
Account balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets also include certain non-pension related amounts.
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit plans were:
As at
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Canada
United States
Canada
United States
Accumulated benefit obligation (a)
$
21 $
1,222 $
27 $
1,307
(a)
Accumulated benefit obligation differs from projected benefit obligation in that it does not include an assumption with respect to future compensation levels.
For those pension plans where the projected benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets as at December 31,
2023, the cumulative obligation and asset balances were:
As at
Projected benefit obligation
Plan assets
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
$
$
52 $
2 $
2 $
— $
Defined
Benefit
49 $
3 $
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
11
3
For those pension plans where the accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets as at December 31,
2023, the cumulative obligation and asset balances were:
As at
Accumulated benefit obligation
Plan assets
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
$
$
50 $
2 $
2 $
— $
Defined
Benefit
48 $
3 $
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
11
3
The following amounts were recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and have not yet been recognized in net periodic
benefit cost:
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 134
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Canada
United States
Total
Past service cost
Net actuarial gain (loss)
Recognized in AOCI pre-tax
Increase by the amount
included in deferred tax liabilities
Net amount in AOCI after-tax
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Past service cost
Net actuarial loss
Recognized in AOCI pre-tax
Increase by the amount
included in deferred tax liabilities
Net amount in AOCI after-tax
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
— $
—
— $
—
— $
— $
—
— $
—
— $
— $
1
1 $
—
1 $
(1) $
(3)
(4) $
1
(3) $
Canada
United States
(1)
(3)
(4)
1
(3)
— $
1
1 $
—
1 $
Total
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
— $
(2)
(2) $
—
(2) $
— $
—
— $
—
— $
— $
—
— $
—
— $
(1) $
(3)
(4) $
1
(3) $
— $
(2)
(2) $
—
(2) $
(1)
(3)
(4)
1
(3)
$
$
$
$
$
$
The following amounts were recorded in a regulatory asset (liability) and have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit
cost:
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Canada
United States
Total
Past service credit
Net actuarial gain
Recognized in regulatory liability
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Past service credit
Net actuarial gain
Less: regulatory asset (liability)
reclassified to assets (liabilities associated
with assets) held for sale
Recognized in regulatory liability
$
$
$
$
$
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
— $
—
— $
— $
—
— $
— $
(50)
(44) $
(188)
(50) $
(232) $
Canada
United States
Total
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
— $
—
— $
— $
—
— $
— $
(47)
(64) $
(123)
(47) $
(187) $
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
(44)
— $
(50)
(50) $
(188)
(232)
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
(64)
— $
(47)
(47) $
(123)
(187)
—
—
(3)
3
(3)
3
— $
— $
(50) $
(184) $
(50) $
(184)
The costs of the defined benefit and post-retirement benefit plans are based on Management's estimate of the future rate of
return on the fair value of pension plan assets, salary escalations, mortality rates and other factors affecting the payment of
future benefits.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 135
The net pension expense by plan was as follows:
Current service cost (a)
Interest cost (b)
Expected return on plan assets (b)
Amortization of past service credit (b)
Amortization of net actuarial gain (b)
Plan settlements (b)
Net benefit cost (income) recognized
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Canada
United States
Total
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
$
6 $
— $
12 $
6 $
18 $
1
—
—
—
2
—
—
—
—
—
69
(78)
—
—
4
18
(48)
(19)
(4)
(2)
70
(78)
—
—
6
$
9 $
— $
7 $
(49) $
16 $
6
18
(48)
(19)
(4)
(2)
(49)
(a) Recorded under the line item “operating and administrative” expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(b) Recorded under the line item “other income” on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Canada
United States
Total
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Current service cost (a)
Interest cost (b)
Expected return on plan assets (b)
Amortization of past service credit (b)
Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain) (b)
Net benefit cost (income) recognized
$
3 $
— $
22 $
10 $
25 $
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
52
(79)
—
2
13
(38)
(18)
(7)
53
(79)
—
2
$
4 $
— $
(3) $
(40) $
1 $
10
13
(38)
(18)
(7)
(40)
(a) Recorded under the line item “operating and administrative” expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(b) Recorded under the line item “other income” on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The objective for fund returns for the pension plans in the United States, over three to five-year periods, is the sum of two
components - a passive component, which is the benchmark index market returns for the asset mix in effect, plus the added
value expected from active management, if applicable to the fund. It is the Corporation’s belief that the potential additional
returns justify the additional risk associated with active management. The risk inherent in the investment strategy over a
market cycle (a three-to five-year period) is two-fold. There is a risk that the market returns, as measured by the benchmark
returns, will not be in line with expectations. The other risk is that the expected added value of active management over
passive management will not be realized over the time period prescribed in each fund manager's mandate. There is also the
risk of annual volatility in returns, which means that in any one year the actual return may be very different from the expected
return.
Cash and money market investments may be held from time to time as short-term investment decisions at the discretion of the
fund manager(s) within the constraints prescribed by their mandate(s).
Upon wind-up of the Canadian defined benefit plan, the remaining assets in Canada consist of cash and cash equivalents
attributable to the Canadian SERP and will continue to be held as such. The target asset mix for SEMCO plans is 33 percent
fixed income assets, for WGL plans is 50 percent to 70 percent fixed income assets. These objectives have taken into account
the nature of the liabilities and the risk-reward tolerance of the Corporation.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 136
The collective investment mixes for the defined benefit plans are as follows as at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Canada
December 31, 2023
Cash and short-term equivalents
December 31, 2022
Cash and short-term equivalents
Fixed income
Canadian bonds
United States
December 31, 2023
Cash and short-term equivalents
Canadian equities
Foreign equities (a)
Fixed income
Government debt
Corporate debt
Derivatives
Other (b)
Total investments in the fair value hierarchy
Investments measured at net asset value
using the NAV practical expedient (c)
Pooled separate accounts (d)
Collective trust funds (e)
Total fair value of plan investments
Net payable (f)
December 31, 2022
Cash and short-term equivalents
Canadian equities
Foreign equities (a)
Fixed income
Government debt
Corporate debt
Derivatives
Other (b)
Total investments in the fair value hierarchy
Investments measured at net asset value
using the NAV practical expedient (c)
Pooled separate accounts (d)
Collective trust funds (e)
Total fair value of plan investments
Net receivable (f)
Less: investments reclassified to assets held for sale
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Fair value
Level 1
Level 2
Percentage of
Plan Assets (%)
2 $
2 $
2 $
11
13 $
2 $
2 $
2 $
11
13 $
—
—
—
—
—
100
100
15
85
100
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Fair value
Level 1
Level 2
Percentage of
Plan Assets (%)
2 $
3
203
62
23
—
—
293 $
2 $
2
247
80
30
—
—
361 $
—
—
—
345
299
8
10
662
—
—
—
333
325
2
11
671
2 $
3
203
407
322
8
10
955 $
39
281
1,275
(4)
1,271
2 $
2
247
413
355
2
11
1,032 $
43
279
1,354
5
1,359
(93)
1,266
—
—
16
32
25
1
1
75
3
22
100
—
100
—
—
20
33
28
—
1
82
3
22
107
—
107
(7)
100
(a) Consists of investments in foreign equities include U.S. and international securities.
(b)
As at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, these investments consisted primarily of non-U.S. government bonds and asset-backed securities.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 137
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
In accordance with ASC Topic 820, these investments are measured at fair value using net asset value (NAV) per share as a practical expedient and,
therefore, have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliations of the fair
value hierarchy to the statements of net assets available for plan benefits.
As at December 31, 2023, investments in pooled separate accounts consisted of 100 percent income producing properties located in the United States
(December 31, 2022 - 100 percent).
As at December 31, 2023, investments in collective trust funds consisted primarily of 85 percent common stock of U.S. companies (December 31, 2022 - 79
percent), 13 percent income producing properties located in the United States (December 31, 2022 - 16 percent), and 2 percent of short-term money market
investments (December 31, 2022 - 5 percent).
As at December 31, 2023, this net payable primarily represents pending trades for investments purchased net of pending trades for investments sold and
interest receivables. As at December 31, 2022, this net receivable primarily represents pending trades for investments sold and interest receivable net of
pending trades for investments purchased.
The collective investment mixes for the post-retirement benefit plans are as follows as at December 31, 2023 and
December 31, 2022:
United States
December 31, 2023
Cash and short-term equivalents
Foreign equities (a)
Fixed income
Government debt
Corporate debt
Other (b)
Total investments in the fair value hierarchy
Investments measured at net asset value
using the NAV practical expedient (c)
Commingled funds (d)
December 31, 2022
Cash and short-term equivalents
Foreign equities (a)
Fixed income
Government debt
Corporate debt
Other (b)
Total investments in the fair value hierarchy
Investments measured at net asset value
using the NAV practical expedient (c)
Commingled funds (d)
Total fair value of plan investments
Less: investments reclassified to assets held for sale
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Fair value
Level 1
Level 2
Percentage of
Plan Assets (%)
8 $
50
22
8
—
88 $
8 $
50
21
8
—
87 $
—
—
91
83
5
179
—
—
80
77
5
162
8 $
50
113
91
5
267 $
651
918
8 $
50
101
85
5
249 $
596
845
(3)
842
1
5
12
10
1
29
71
100
1
6
12
10
1
30
71
101
(1)
100
(a) Consists of investments in foreign equities include U.S. and international securities.
(b)
(c)
As at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, these investments consisted primarily of non-U.S. government bonds.
In accordance with ASC Topic 820, these investments are measured at fair value using net asset value (NAV) per share as a practical expedient and,
therefore, have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliations of the fair
value hierarchy to the statements of net assets available for plan benefits.
As at December 31, 2023, investments in commingled funds consisted of approximately 50 percent common stock of large-cap U.S. companies
(December 31, 2022 - 49 percent), 24 percent U.S. Government fixed income securities (December 31, 2022 - 23 percent), and 26 percent corporate bonds
for WGL’s post-retirement benefit plans (December 31, 2022 - 28 percent).
(d)
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 138
Year Ended December 31
Significant actuarial assumptions used in measuring net
benefit plan costs
Discount rate (%)
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (%) (a)
Rate of compensation increase (%)
(a) Only applicable for funded plans
2023
2022
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
4.60 - 5.60
5.30 - 5.70
2.50 - 5.05
3.10
6.45 - 6.75
4.50 - 6.45
2.83 - 6.50
3.00 - 6.50
2.50 - 4.00
3.00
2.50 - 4.00
3.00
As at December 31
Significant actuarial assumptions used in measuring
benefit obligations
Discount rate (%)
2023
2022
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
Defined
Benefit
Post-
Retirement
Benefits
4.60 - 5.40
4.65 - 5.40
5.05 - 5.60
5.30 - 5.70
Rate of compensation increase (%)
3.00 - 4.00
3.00
2.50 - 4.00
3.00
The expected rate of return on assets is based on the current level of expected returns on risk free investments, the historical
level of risk premium associated with other asset classes in which the portfolio is invested, and the expectations for future
returns of each asset class. The expected return for each asset class was then weighted based on the target asset allocation
to develop the expected rate of return on assets assumption for the portfolio.
The discount rate is based on yields available on high-quality long-term corporate bonds, with maturities matching the
estimated timing and amount of expected benefit payments.
The estimates for health care benefits take into consideration increased health care benefits due to aging and cost increases
in the future. The assumed health care cost trend rate used to measure the expected cost of benefits for the next year was
between 4.2 and 6.5 percent. The health care cost trend rates were assumed to decline to between 2.5 and 5.0 percent by
2030.
The following table shows the expected cash flows for defined benefit pension and other post-retirement plans:
Expected employer contributions:
2024
Expected benefit payments:
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029 - 2033
Defined
Benefit
Post-Retirement
Benefits
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
14 $
87 $
88 $
89 $
90 $
91 $
462 $
—
21
21
22
22
22
111
29. Commitments, Guarantees, and Contingencies
Commitments
AltaGas has long-term natural gas purchase and transportation arrangements, LPG purchase agreements, crude oil and
condensate purchase agreements, electricity purchase arrangements, service agreements, pipeline and storage service
contracts, capital commitments, environmental commitments, merger commitments, and operating leases for office space,
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 139
office equipment, vehicles, rail cars, land, storage, aquatic surface use, and other equipment, all of which are transacted at
market prices and in the normal course of business.
Future payments of these commitments as at December 31, 2023 are estimated as follows:
Gas purchase (a) (b)
Transportation and storage services (b) (c)
LPG purchase (d)
Electricity purchase (e)
Operating and finance leases (f)
Service agreements (g) (h) (i) (j)
Environmental (k)
Crude oil and condensate purchase (l)
Merger commitments (m)
Capital projects (n)
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029 &
beyond
Total
$
643 $
704 $
685 $
676 $
610 $ 5,187 $ 8,505
804
470
863
145
59
6
10
2
23
802
321
442
133
54
1
—
2
—
812
210
150
119
42
1
—
1
—
768
186
33
103
32
1
—
—
—
465 1,738 5,389
169
328 1,684
7
83
29
—
—
—
—
9 1,504
386
240
3
—
—
—
969
456
12
10
5
23
$ 3,025 $ 2,459 $ 2,020 $ 1,799 $ 1,363 $ 7,891 $ 18,557
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
AltaGas enters into contracts to purchase natural gas from various suppliers for its utilities. These contracts are used to ensure that there is an adequate
supply of natural gas to meet the needs of customers and to minimize exposure to market price fluctuations. Gas purchase commitments are valued based
on fixed prices and forward prices, which may fluctuate significantly from period to period.
Includes $401 million of commitments as a result of the Pipestone Acquisition on December 22, 2023. Please refer to Note 3 for more details on the
Pipestone Acquisition.
Transportation and storage commitments include minimum payments for natural gas transportation, storage and peaking contracts that have expiration dates
through 2044.
AltaGas enters into contracts to purchase LPGs for its operations at RIPET and Ferndale. These contracts are used to ensure that there is an adequate
supply of LPGs to meet shipment commitments and to minimize exposure to market price fluctuations. LPG purchase commitments are valued based on
forward prices, which may fluctuate significantly from period to period.
AltaGas enters into contracts to purchase electricity from various suppliers for its non-utility business. Electricity purchase commitments are based on
existing fixed price and fixed volume contracts and include US$108 million of commitments related to renewable energy credits.
Operating and finance leases include lease arrangements for office space, office equipment, field equipment, rail cars, aquatic use, vehicles, power and gas
facilities, transmission and distribution assets, and land. Operating leases also include $240 million in future undiscounted cash flows associated with leasing
arrangements for the use of three Very Large Gas Carriers ("VLGCs"), two of which are anticipated to commence in the first quarter of 2024, and one in the
first half of 2026, as well as $47 million in future discounted cash flows associated with leasing arrangements for rail cars commencing in 2024 and 2025, and
$66 million associated with a new office lease beginning in 2024.
In 2014, AltaGas' Blythe facility entered into a Long-Term Service Agreement ("LTSA") with a service pro to complete various upgrade and maintenance
services on the Combustion Turbines ("CT") at the Blythe facility over 124,000 equivalent operating hours per CT, or 25 years, whichever comes first. The
LTSA has variable fees on a per equivalent operating hour basis. As at December 31, 2023, the total commitment was $149 million payable over the next 12
years, of which $59 million is expected to be paid over the next 5 years.
In 2017, AltaGas entered into a 12-year service agreement commencing in 2019 for tug services to support the marine operations of RIPET.
In 2015, AltaGas entered into a Project Agreement that contemplated the sublease of lands from Ridley Terminals Inc. ("RTI", now Trigon Pacific Terminals
Ltd. ("Trigon")), provision of certain terminal services, and access to Trigon's terminal facilities to support RIPET's operations for an initial term of 20 years
ending in 2039. In 2019, RILE LP and Trigon executed a Terminal Services Agreement that formalized the concepts outlined in the Project Agreement.
Includes a commitment related to a service contract that involves a hosting arrangement.
Environmental commitments include committed payments related to certain environmental response costs.
AltaGas enters into contracts to purchase crude oil and condensates for marketing, sale, and distribution. These contracts are used to ensure that there is an
adequate supply of crude oil and condensates to meet the needs of customers and to minimize exposure to market price fluctuations. Crude oil and
condensate commitments are valued based on forward prices, which may fluctuate significantly from period to period.
(m) Represents the estimated future payments of WGL merger commitments that have been accrued but not paid. Among other things, these commitments
include rate credits distributable to both residential and non-residential customers to partially offset rate increases resulting from gas expansion, extension of
natural gas service over a 10-year period and other programs, various public interest commitments, and safety programs. As at December 31, 2023, the
cumulative amount of merger commitments that have been expensed but not yet paid is approximately US$3 million. Additionally, there are a number of
operational commitments with various timeframes, including the funding of leak mitigation and reducing leak backlogs, the funding of damage prevention
efforts, developing projects to extend natural gas service, maintaining pre-merger quality of service standards including odor call response times, increasing
supplier diversity, achieving synergy savings benefits, as well as reporting and tracking related to certain commitments, and causing the development of 15
MW of either electric grid energy storage or tier one renewable resources within five years of the WGL Acquisition, comprised of 10 MW in the District of
Columbia and 5 MW in Maryland. Several of these commitments ended in the second quarter of 2023, or five years after the WGL Acquisition.
(n) Commitments for capital projects. Estimated amounts are subject to variability depending on the actual construction costs.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 140
Guarantees
AltaGas has guaranteed payments primarily for certain commitments on behalf of some of its subsidiaries. As at December 31,
2023, AltaGas has no guarantees issued on behalf of external parties.
Contingencies
AltaGas and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal claims and actions arising in the normal course of business. While the
final outcome of such legal claims and actions cannot be predicted with certainty, the Corporation does not believe that the
resolution of such claims and actions will have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial position or results
of operations.
Merger Commitments - District of Columbia
On August 9, 2023, the PSC of DC determined that AltaGas had failed to fulfill Term No. 5 Commitment of the PSC of DC’s
merger approval order related to the June 2018 merger of AltaGas, WGL, and Washington Gas. On reconsideration, the PSC
of DC confirmed, in relevant part, that it had credited AltaGas with causing the development of 2.4 MW of Tier one renewable
resources by the July 6, 2023 deadline, and that the Company had breached its Term No. 5 Commitment only for the
remaining 7.6 MW. As directed by the PSC of DC, AltaGas, the District of Columbia Government ("DCG"), and the District of
Columbia Office of People’s Counsel ("DC OPC") conducted negotiations in good faith to reach agreement on a penalty. On
November 14, 2023, DCG reported that DCG and AltaGas believed that further negotiations would be fruitless. In a November
21, 2023 motion, AltaGas confirmed that it will specifically perform its Term No. 5 obligations by continuing to cause the
development of the remaining 7.6 MW of solar renewable energy. AltaGas also proposed a penalty of approximately US$0.5
million if the Company fulfills the balance of its renewable development obligation before the end of 2024, or US$0.6 million if
the balance is not completed until after the end of 2024. On December 19, 2023, DCG proposed that AltaGas pay a penalty of
approximately US$8 million. OPC proposed a penalty not less than DCG’s proposed penalty, to be paid before September 30,
2024. Management believes that the likelihood of a civil penalty is probable however, is unable to estimate the maximum
possible penalty.
30. Related Party Transactions
In the normal course of business, AltaGas transacts with its subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures. Amounts due to or from
related parties on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were measured at the exchange amount and were as follows:
As at
Due from related parties
Accounts receivable (a)
Due to related parties
Accounts payable (b)
(a) Receivables from affiliates.
Payables to affiliates.
(b)
December 31,
2023
December 31,
2022
$
$
1 $
1 $
1
1
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 141
The following transactions with related parties have been recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years
ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Year Ended December 31
Cost of sales (a)
2023
7 $
2022
7
$
(a)
In the ordinary course of business, AltaGas obtained natural gas storage services from a joint venture.
31. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table details the changes in operating assets and liabilities from operating activities:
Source (use) of cash:
Accounts receivable
Inventory
Risk management assets - current
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Regulatory assets - current
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Customer deposits
Regulatory liabilities - current
Risk management liabilities - current
Other current liabilities
Other operating assets and liabilities
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
The following table details the changes in non-cash investing and financing activities:
Decrease (increase) of balance:
Exercise of stock options
Net right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
Net right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
The following cash payments have been included in the determination of earnings:
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest)
Income taxes paid
Year Ended
December 31
2023
2022
271 $
242
(53)
(1)
(17)
(178)
11
(97)
—
(11)
(67)
100 $
(691)
(324)
4
(1)
13
377
14
98
(6)
(12)
(122)
(650)
Year Ended
December 31
2023
2022
2 $
(141) $
(114) $
(3) $
3
(56)
(14)
6
Year Ended
December 31
2023
377 $
36 $
2022
304
17
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 142
The following table is a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash balances:
As at December 31
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets (a)
Restricted cash included in long-term investments and other assets (note 11) (a)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash per Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
$
$
2023
95 $
3
6
104 $
2022
53
3
8
64
(a)
The restricted cash balances included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and long-term investments and other assets relate to Rabbi trusts
associated with WGL’s pension plans (see Note 28).
32. Segmented Information
AltaGas owns and operates a portfolio of assets and services used to move energy from the source to the end-user. The
following describes the Corporation’s reporting segments:
Utilities
Midstream
Corporate/
Other
n rate-regulated natural gas distribution assets in Michigan, the District of Columbia,
Maryland, and Virginia. The sale of the Alaskan Utilities closed on March 1, 2023;
n rate-regulated natural gas storage in the United States, of which certain storage facilities in Alaska
were sold on March 1, 2023, pursuant to the Alaska Utilities Disposition; and
n sale of natural gas and power to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the District of
Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
n NGL processing and extraction plants;
n natural gas storage facilities;
n liquefied petroleum gas ("LPG") export terminals;
n transmission pipelines to transport natural gas and NGLs;
n natural gas gathering lines and field processing facilities;
n purchase and sale of natural gas;
n natural gas and NGL marketing;
n marketing, storage and distribution of wellsite fluids and fuels, crude oil and condensate diluents; and
n interest in a regulated pipeline in the Marcellus/Utica gas formation.
n the cost of providing corporate services, financing and general corporate overhead, corporate assets,
financing other segments, and the effects of changes in the fair value of certain risk management
contracts; and
n a small portfolio of remaining power assets.
The following table provides a reconciliation of segment revenue to the disaggregated revenue table disclosed in Note 24:
External revenue (note 24)
Segment revenue
External revenue (note 24)
Segment revenue
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Corporate/
Other
Midstream
Utilities
4,827 $
4,827 $
8,069 $
8,069 $
101 $
101 $
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Corporate/
Other
Midstream
Utilities
4,980 $
4,980 $
9,010 $
9,010 $
97 $
97 $
$
$
$
$
Total
12,997
12,997
Total
14,087
14,087
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 143
Geographic Information
Year Ended December 31
Revenue (a)
Canada
United States
Total
2023
2022
$
$
8,137 $
4,772
12,909 $
8,915
5,155
14,070
(a) Operating revenue from external customers, excluding unrealized gains and losses on risk management contracts.
As at December 31
Property, plant and equipment
Canada
United States
Total
Operating right-of-use assets
Canada
United States
Total
The following tables show the composition by segment:
Segment revenue (note 24)
Cost of sales
Operating and administrative
Accretion expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Income from equity investments
Other income
Foreign exchange losses
Interest expense
Income (loss) before income taxes
Net additions (reductions) to:
Property, plant and equipment (a)
Intangible assets
2023
2022
3,664 $
9,064
12,728 $
2,930
8,756
11,686
276 $
61
337 $
212
69
281
$
$
$
$
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Utilities Midstream
Corporate/
Other
4,827 $
(2,988)
(1,047)
(1)
(288)
3
380
—
—
886 $
8,069 $
(7,098)
(436)
(10)
(123)
52
6
—
—
460 $
101 $
(26)
(96)
—
(30)
—
17
(6)
(394)
(434) $
Total
12,997
(10,112)
(1,579)
(11)
(441)
55
403
(6)
(394)
912
(314) $
— $
177 $
8 $
(3) $
1 $
(140)
9
$
$
$
$
(a) Net additions to property, plant, and equipment, and intangible assets may not agree to changes reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows due
to classification of business acquisition and foreign exchange changes on U.S. assets.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 144
Segment revenue (note 24)
Cost of sales
Operating and administrative
Accretion expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Provision on assets (note 5)
Income from equity investments
Other income
Foreign exchange gains
Interest expense
Income (loss) before income taxes
Net additions (reductions) to:
Property, plant and equipment (a)
Intangible assets
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Utilities Midstream
Corporate/
Other
4,980 $
(3,197)
(1,023)
(1)
(290)
—
2
77
—
—
548 $
9,010 $
(7,915)
(461)
(6)
(116)
(6)
11
9
—
—
526 $
97 $
(26)
(84)
—
(33)
—
—
8
10
(330)
(358) $
Total
14,087
(11,138)
(1,568)
(7)
(439)
(6)
13
94
10
(330)
716
822 $
2 $
(117) $
6 $
(10) $
1 $
695
9
$
$
$
$
(a) Net additions to property, plant, and equipment, and intangible assets may not agree to changes reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows due
to classification of business acquisition and foreign exchange changes on U.S. assets.
The following table shows goodwill and total assets by segment:
As at December 31, 2023
Goodwill
Segmented assets
As at December 31, 2022
Goodwill
Segmented assets
33. Subsequent Events
Utilities
Midstream
Corporate/
Other
$
$
$
$
3,630 $
15,272 $
1,640 $
7,578 $
3,718 $
16,782 $
1,532 $
6,728 $
— $
621 $
— $
455 $
Total
5,270
23,471
5,250
23,965
On January 8, 2024, AltaGas issued $400 million of senior unsecured medium-term notes with a 4.67 percent coupon, due on
January 8, 2029. The net proceeds were used to pay down existing indebtedness under AltaGas' credit facilities (part of which
was incurred to fund the debt portion of the Pipestone Acquisition), to fund working capital, and for general corporate
purposes.
Subsequent events have been reviewed through March 7, 2024, the date on which these audited Consolidated Financial
Statements were issued.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 145
SUPPLEMENTAL QUARTERLY OPERATING INFORMATION
Q4-23
Q3-23
Q2-23
Q1-23
Q4-22
OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
UTILITIES
Natural gas deliveries - end use (Bcf) (1)
Natural gas deliveries - transportation (Bcf) (1)
Service sites (thousands) (2)
Degree day variance from normal - SEMCO (%) (3)
Degree day variance from normal - ENSTAR (%) (3)
Degree day variance from normal - Washington Gas (%) (3) (4)
WGL retail energy marketing - gas sales volumes (Mmcf)
WGL retail energy marketing - electricity sales volumes (GWh)
MIDSTREAM
LPG export volumes (Bbls/d) (5)
Total inlet gas processed (Mmcf/d) (5)
Extracted ethane volumes (Bbls/d) (5)
Extracted NGL volumes (Bbls/d) (5) (6)
Fractionation volumes (Bbls/d) (5) (7)
Frac spread - realized ($/Bbl) (5) (8)
Frac spread - average spot price ($/Bbl) (5) (9)
Propane Far East Index ("FEI") to Mont Belvieu spread (US$/Bbl) (5) (10)
Butane FEI to Mont Belvieu spread (US$/Bbl) (5) (11)
61.3
38.2
15.3
19.5
8.5
19.9
48.3
30.5
54.3
34.0
1,560 1,553 1,553 1,554 1,704
(1.7)
8.7
9.2
10,623 20,402 18,064
3,365 3,322 3,328
16,863 8,550
3,518 4,134
(5.6)
n/a
(27.0)
(19.4)
n/a
—
(12.1)
(4.9)
(22.2)
(9.8)
n/a
(9.2)
90,996 118,213 115,589
1,344
1,312
24,927
23,879
35,765
36,138
38,364
38,150
23.87
23.13
21.56
20.55
97,152
1,274
21,947
34,782
36,658
25.14
23.14
26.44 21.30 14.54 20.46 18.95
27.74 22.07 15.29 16.99 18.59
99,444
1,372
21,796
34,390
41,655
27.04
26.89
1,182
25,501
36,070
39,699
23.75
21.31
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Bcf is one billion cubic feet.
Service sites reflect all of the service sites of the utilities, including transportation and non-regulated business lines.
A degree day is a measure of coldness determined daily as the number of degrees the average temperature during the day in question is below 65 degrees
Fahrenheit. Degree days for a particular period are determined by adding the degree days incurred during each day of the period. Normal degree days for a
particular period are the average of degree days during the prior 15 years for SEMCO, during the prior 10 years for ENSTAR, and during the prior 30 years
for Washington Gas. The degree day variance from normal for ENSTAR is for the period prior to the close of the Alaska Utilities Disposition on March 1,
2023.
In certain of Washington Gas’ jurisdictions (Virginia and Maryland) there are billing mechanisms in place that are designed to eliminate the effects of variance
in customer usage caused by weather and other factors such as conservation. In the District of Columbia, there is no weather normalization billing
mechanism nor does Washington Gas hedge to offset the effects of weather. As a result, colder or warmer weather will result in variances to financial results.
Average for the period.
(5)
(6) NGL volumes refer to propane, butane, and condensate.
(7)
(8) Realized frac spread or NGL margin, expressed in dollars per barrel of NGL, is derived from sales recorded by the segment during the period for frac spread
exposed volumes plus the settlement value of frac hedges settled in the period less extraction premiums, divided by the total frac exposed volumes produced
during the period.
Average spot frac spread or NGL margin, expressed in dollars per barrel of NGL, is indicative of the average sales price that AltaGas receives for propane,
butane and condensate less extraction premiums, before accounting for hedges, divided by the respective frac spread exposed volumes for the period.
Fractionation volumes include NGL mix volumes processed.
(9)
(10) Average propane price spread between FEI and Mont Belvieu TET commercial index.
(11) Average butane price spread between FEI and Mont Belvieu TET commercial index.
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 146
OTHER INFORMATION
DEFINITIONS
Bbls/d
Bcf
CBM
Dth
GJ
GWh
Mmcf
barrels per day
billion cubic feet
cubic meter
dekatherm
gigajoule
gigawatt-hour
million cubic feet
Mmcf/d
million cubic feet per day
MW
MWh
US$
megawatt
megawatt-hour
United States dollar
ABOUT ALTAGAS
AltaGas is a leading North American energy infrastructure Company that connects NGLs and natural gas to domestic and
global markets. The Company operates a diversified, lower-risk, high-growth Utilities and Midstream business that is focused
on delivering resilient and durable value for its stakeholders.
For more information visit www.altagas.ca or reach out to one of the following:
Jon Morrison
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
Jon.Morrison@altagas.ca
Adam McKnight
Director, Investor Relations
Adam.McKnight@altagas.ca
Investor Inquiries
1-877-691-7199
investor.relations@altagas.ca
Media Inquiries
1-403-206-2841
media.relations@altagas.ca
AltaGas Ltd. – 2023 MD&A and Financial Statements - 147
For investor relations inquiries contact:
investor.relations@altagas.ca | altagas.ca
Telephone: 403.691.7100 | Toll-free: 1.877.691.7199
1700, 355 - 4th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 0J1
For investor relations inquiries contact: For investor relations inquiries contact: investor.relations@altagas.ca investor.relations@altagas.ca || altagas.ca altagas.ca Telephone: 403.691.7100 | Toll-free: 1.877.691.7199 Telephone: 403.691.7100 | Toll-free: 1.877.691.7199 1700, 355 - 4 1700, 355 - 4thth Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 0J1 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 0J1