Quarterlytics / Energy / Oil & Gas Midstream / ONEOK

ONEOK

oke · NYSE Energy
Claim this profile
Ticker oke
Exchange NYSE
Sector Energy
Industry Oil & Gas Midstream
Employees 1001-5000
← All annual reports
FY2021 Annual Report · ONEOK
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
C L I M AT E   C O N T R O L

F U R N I T U R E

PA C K A G I N G

C L O T H I N G

T E C H N O L O G Y

Energy
in Action

2 0 2 1   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

ONEOK, Inc. (pronounced ONE-OAK) (NYSE: OKE) is a leading midstream service provider and owner of one of the nation's premier natural gas liquids 

(NGL) systems, connecting NGL supply in the Rocky Mountain, Mid-Continent and Permian regions with key market centers and an extensive network of 

natural gas gathering, processing, storage and transportation assets. ONEOK is a FORTUNE 500 company and is included in the S&P 500. For the latest 

news about ONEOK, find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Mission:

We deliver energy 
products and 
services vital to an 
advancing world.

Vision:

To create exceptional  
value for our stakeholders 
by providing solutions for a 
transforming energy future.

Core Values:

S A F E T Y   A N D   E N V I R O N M E N TA L
We commit to a zero-incident culture for the well-being of 
our employees, contractors and communities and to operate 
in an environmentally responsible manner.

E XC E L L E N C E
We hold ourselves and others accountable to a standard of 
excellence through continuous improvement and teamwork.

E T H I C S
We act with honesty, integrity and adherence to the highest 
standards of personal and professional conduct.

D I V E R S I T Y   A N D   I N C L U S I O N
We respect the uniqueness and worth of each employee, 
and believe that a diverse, inclusive workforce is essential 
for a sense of belonging, engagement and performance.

S E R V I C E
We invest our time, effort and resources to serve each 
other, our customers and communities.

I N N OVAT I O N
We seek to develop creative solutions by leveraging 
collaboration through ingenuity and technology.

Letter to
Investors.

For ONEOK, 2021 was another year of consecutive earnings growth driven by the performance of our employees and our  
well-positioned and integrated assets, as the economy continued to recover in year two of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drilling 
activity increased and commodity prices improved as demand for natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) strengthened, 
resulting in volume growth in 2021. ONEOK’s resiliency continues to prove that it can grow and return value to shareholders 
through commodity cycles. 

In the first quarter 2021, our employees were proactive in preparing for Winter Storm Uri and made the necessary operational 
adjustments to keep our assets running to meet the critical needs of our customers as record demand for natural gas, 
propane and electricity soared. We want to express our deep appreciation for our employees who worked tirelessly during this 
extreme winter weather event.

2021 was also a year of leadership transition. In September 2021, Terry K. Spencer retired after 20 years in various executive 
leadership positions at ONEOK, including more than seven years as President and CEO, and as a member of our board of 
directors. We thank him for his leadership through a tremendous period of growth for the company and for carrying on 
ONEOK’s history of success. 

Following the CEO transition, our leadership team spent a significant amount of time reflecting on our core businesses’ 
role and their integration into our business strategy going forward in an advancing energy future. This process resulted in 
creating our company’s new Mission, Vision, Core Values and Strategic Map – changes driven by an advancing world and a 
transforming energy future.

Our new Mission, Vision and Core Values provide a road map for our employees and stakeholders to understand where we 
are headed as a company, why we are going in that direction and how we will get there. Our Mission is to deliver energy 
products and services vital to an advancing world. 

As a part of the global energy transformation underway, we continue to deliver products that improve lives. Natural gas 
provides reliable, affordable and cleaner energy. NGLs have many valuable uses including home heating, transportation fuel 
and feedstocks for a wide range of products, such as health care products, building materials, packaging, technology, clothing 
and sources of energy to promote economic growth in developing nations. The products we deliver are in action every day.

Our Vision is to create exceptional value for our stakeholders by providing solutions for a transforming  
energy future. We set a standard to be exceptional in everything we do. Central to our Vision is the transforming 
energy future. Today, we provide solutions for our natural gas and NGL customers. We will continue developing additional 
capabilities and expertise for our company as we explore new opportunities and adapt our current assets to participate in a 
lower-carbon world. 

Our Core Values and the actions associated with them (listed on the first page of this report) act as a compass that not only 
sets the direction of our company culture but also guides everything we do. They are the pillars that support the success of 
our Mission and Vision.

Among our Core Values is Safety and Environmental. ONEOK has a long history of safe, reliable and responsible operations, 
and we remain committed to our core operating principles while continuing to identify opportunities to reduce our operational 
impact to the environment. In September 2021, we announced a companywide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction 
target to achieve an absolute 30% reduction of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030, compared with 2019 base-year 
levels. This further demonstrates our dedication to emissions reductions through industry relationships, best management 
practices, the use of technology to detect and minimize emissions, and to internally set environmental targets. 

1

ONEOK’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility continues to be recognized by several leading organizations and 
agencies. In 2021, ONEOK received an MSCI ESG Rating of AA, was named to JUST Capital’s list of Top 100 U.S. Companies 
Supporting Healthy Communities and Families, and received an ESG Risk Rating placing it in the top 10% in the refiners and 
pipelines industry assessed by Sustainalytics, to name a few.  

Underscoring our commitment to create exceptional value for our stakeholders, we maintained our dividend through the 
pandemic and further strengthened our balance sheet in 2021, reducing our total outstanding debt by more than $600 million. 
Our strong 2022 outlook is supported by increasing natural gas and NGL volumes across our operations due to increasing 
producer activity; a favorable commodity price backdrop; a rising gas-to-oil ratio in the Williston Basin and expected volume 
growth from projects recently completed in our operating areas, including our Bear Creek plant expansion in North Dakota.

In November, we announced the continuation of construction of our Demicks Lake III natural gas processing facility in the 
Williston Basin and MB-5 NGL fractionator in Mont Belvieu, Texas. This decision was driven by increasing volumes and 
improving demand for natural gas and NGLs. These projects, which remain fully contracted, were suspended in 2020 due to  
the pandemic.

Demicks Lake III will support producer development plans in the core of the Williston Basin while continuing our commitment to 
help customers eliminate or minimize natural gas flaring. MB-5 will fractionate the incremental growth in NGL volumes from across 
our operations, including the Rocky Mountain region and Permian Basin. Both projects are expected to be completed in 2023. 

The capital being invested in current projects is expected to provide attractive returns and create earnings more quickly than 
typical project cycles. Many of our assets have significant capacity to grow alongside the needs of our customers as we remain 
focused on further enhancing the reliability of our infrastructure. 

The strong results for the year underscore the quality of our assets and the hard work and dedication of our more than 2,800 
employees. Our employees remained disciplined and focused on safety, reliability and the responsible operations of our assets. 
Their hard work resulted in companywide earnings growth in 2021 and has laid the foundation for continued growth in 2022. 
We again thank them for their commitment to our company. 

Guided by our Mission, Vision, Core Values and Strategic Map, we will grow by continuing to provide solutions that meet  
the needs of our current and future customers as we build on our core business and transform to play a vital role in an 
advancing world.

Thank you to our investors for your trust and commitment as you continue this journey with us and invest in ONEOK’s future. 

John W. Gibson
Chairman

March 9, 2022

Pierce H. Norton II
President and Chief Executive Officer

2

Strategic Map.

Desired 
Outcomes

Sustainable 
Business Model

Zero Incidents

Maximize Total 
Shareholder 
Return

Highly Engaged 
Workforce

Stakeholder 
Benefits

Safe, 
Reliable and 
Resilient 
Asset Base

Environmental 
Responsibility

Value Added 
Products 
and Services

Earnings 
Growth and 
Stability

Employer of 
Choice

S

U

C
O
F

S

S

E

N

I

S

U

B

E

R

O
C

N

O

I

T
A
M
R

O
F

S

N

A

R

T

Y

G

R

E

N

E

S

U

C
O
F

S

S

E

N

I

S

U

B

E

R

O
C

Internal 
Objectives

Employees

Environmental, Social 
and Governance

Growth

Financial Strength

Safety

Greenhouse Gas 
Emissions

Regulatory

Core Opportunities

Earnings Resiliency

New Opportunities

Advocacy

Cybersecurity

High Performing Workforce

Develop Individuals and Leaders

Advance an Inclusive, Diverse and Engaged Culture

Attract, Select and Retain Talent

3

 
 
 
 
 
Our Assets.

Natural Gas 
  Gathering Pipelines

Natural Gas
  Processing Plants

NGL Pipelines

NGL Fractionators

Partial Interest

Natural Gas Pipelines

Natural Gas Storage

Growth Projects

Basins

M O N T A N A

N O R T H
D A K O T A

M I N N E S O T A

POWDER 
RIVER BASIN

W Y O M I N G

WILLISTON BASIN

S O U T H   D A K O T A

W I S C O N S I N

I O W A

N E B R A S K A

DENVER-
JULESBURG
BASIN

C O L O R A D O

K A N S A S

I N D I A N A

I L L I N O I S

M I S S O U R I

K E N T U C K Y

O K L A H O M A

STACK

T E N N E S S E E

N E W   M E X I C O

SCOOP

A R K A N S A S

PERMIAN BASIN

T E X A S

L O U I S I A N A

4
4

SECURITIES ANDAA

UNITED STATES
A
EXCHANGE

COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

☒ ANNUAL

AA

REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
OR

☐ TRANSIT

RR

ION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________.

Commission file number 001-13643

ONEOK, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Oklahoma
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

100 West Fifth Street, Tulsa, OK

(Address of principal executive offices)

73-1520922
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

74103

(Zip Code)

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Common stock, par value of $0.01

Trading Symbol(s)
OKE

Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in RuleRR

405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒.

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to
Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting
company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company”
and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☒
Emerging growth company ☐

Smaller reporting company ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☐

Accelerated filer

☐

ff

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its
internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public
accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

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

Aggregate market value of registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates based on the closing trade price on June 30, 2021, was $24.4
billion.

On February

rr

22, 2022, the Company had 446,213,285 shares of common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Portions of the definitive proxy statement to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
May 25, 2022, are incorporated by reference in Part III.

ONEOK, Inc.
2021 ANNUAL REPORT

Business

Risk Factors

Unresolved Staff Comments

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safetff y Disclosures

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases
of Equity Securities

[Reserved]

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Part I.

Item 1.

Item 1A.

Item 1B.

Item 2.

Item 3.

Item 4.

Part II.

Item 5.

Item 6.

Item 7.

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Item 8.

Item 9.

Item 9A.

Item 9B.

Item 9C.

Part III.

Item 10.

Item 11.

Item 12.

Item 13.

Item 14.

Part IV.

Item 15.

Item 16.

Signatures

Financial Statements and Supple

u

mentary Data

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

Other Informa

ff

tion

Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Executive Compensation

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

Form 10-K Summary

Page No.

5

21

34

35

35

35

35

36

37

51

54

100

100

100

100

101

101

101

102

102

103

110

111

As used in this Annual Report, references to “we,” “our,” or “us” refer to ONEOK, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation, and its
predecessors and subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

2

GLOSSARY

The abbrevia

a

tions, acronyms and industry terminology used in this Annual Report are defineff

ff
d as foll

ows:

$1.5 Billion Term Loan Agreement

The senior unsecured delayed-draw three-year $1.5 billion term loan agreement

$2.5 Billion Credit Agreement
AFUDC
Annual Report
ASU
Bbl
BBtu/t d
Bcf
Bcf/d
Btu
t
CFTC
Clean Air Act
Clean Water Act
COVID-19
DJ
DOT
EBITDA
EPA
EPS
ESG
Exchange Act
FERC
Fitch
GAAP
Guardian Pipeline
GHG
Homeland Security
ICE
Intermediate Partnership

KCC
LIBOR
MBbl/d
MDth/d
MMBbl
MMBbl/d
MMBtu
MMcf/d
Moody’s
Natural Gas Act
Natural Gas Policy Act
NGL(s)
NGL products

Northern Border Pipeline
NYMEX
NYSE
OCC
ONEOK
ONEOK Partners

dated November 19, 2018

ritish thermal unit

ONEOK’s $2.5 billion revolving credit agreement, as amended
funds used during construction
Allowance forff
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021
Accounting Standards Update
Barrels, 1 barrel is equivalent to 42 United States gallons
Billion British thermal units per day
t
Billion cubic feeff
Billion cubic feeff
t per day
B
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Federal Clean Air Act, as amended
Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, as amended
Coronavirus disease 2019, including variants thereof
Denver-Julesburg
United States Department of Transportation
Earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Earnings per share of common stock
Environmental, social and governance
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Fitch Ratings, Inc.
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Guardian Pipeline, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc.
Greenhouse gas
United States Department of Homeland Security
Intercontinental Exchange
ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership, a wholly owned subsidiary

of ONEOK Partners, L.P.

Kansas Corporation Commission
London Interbank Offered Rate
Thousand barrels per day
Thousand dekatherms per day
Million barrels
Million barrels per day
Million British thermal units
Million cubicu
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
Natural
t
Natural
t
Natural gas liquid(s)
Marketable naturat

feet per day

Gas Act of 1938, as amended
Gas Policy Act of 1978, as amended

l gas liquid purity products, such as ethane, ethane/propane

t

mix, propane, iso-butane, normal butane and natural

gasoline
Northern Border Pipeline Company, a 50% owned joint venturet
New York Mercantile Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
Oklahoma Corporation Commission
ONEOK, Inc.
ONEOK Partners, L.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc.

3

OPIS
Overland Pass Pipeline
PHMSA

POP
Quarterly Report(s)
Roadrunner
RRC
S&P
SCOOP

SEC
Securities Act
Series E Preferred Stock
SOFR
STACK

WTI
XBRL

Oil Price Information Service
Overland Pass Pipeline Company, LLC, a 50% owned joint venturet
United States Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials

Safety At

dministration

Percent of Proceeds
Quarterly Report(s) on Form 10-Q
Roadrunner Gas Transmission, LLC, a 50% owned joint venturet
Railroad Commission of Texas
S&P Global Ratings
South Central Oklahoma Oil Province, an area in the Anadarko Basin in

Oklahoma

Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities Act of 1933, as amended
Series E Non-Voting, Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Secured Overnight Financing Rate
Sooner Trend Anadarko Canadian Kingfisher, an area in the Anadarko Basin in

Oklahoma

West Texas Intermediate
eXtensible Business Reporting Language

ii

rr

e

that are not histori

ion, including statements ctt

ff
cal informat
or related assumptions, are forward-looking statements.

The statements in this Annual Report
of management for future operations, economic performance
Forward-looking statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,”t
“forecast,” “goal,” “target,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,”yy “might,”
“scheduled,” “should,”ll
expec
e
tations regarding
x
assumptions will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results t
teII m 1A, Riskii Factors, and Part II,II
looking statements att
peO rations and “Forward-Looking Statements,” in this Aii
ll
Analysis

“outlook,”kk “plan,” “potential,”l “project,”
“will,” “would” and other words and terms of so imilar meaning. Although we believe that
future events att

tt o diffeff r materially from those in the forwff
nt’s Discussi
on and
ii
e

re based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that

re described under Part I, III
f Oo

of Financial Condition and Results ott

our
ctations or
ard-

oncerning plans and objectives

tt
such expex

nnual Report.

MM
Item 7, M7

anageme

i

tt

4

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

GENERAL

PART I

rr

We are incorpor
ated under the laws of the state of Oklahoma, and our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading
symbol “OKE.” We are a leading midstream service provider and own one of the nation’s premier NGL systems, connecting
NGL supply in the Rocky Mountain, Permian and Mid-Continent regions with key market centers and own an extensive
network of natural gas gathering, processing, storage and transportation assets. We apply our core capabi
processing, fractionating, transporting, storing and marketing natural gas and NGLs through vertical integration across the
midstream value chain to provide our customers with premium services while generating consistent and sustainable earnings
growth.

lities of gathering,

a

Legend

Natural Gas Gathering & Processing

Producers

Midstream Value Chain

Natural Gas Liquids

Natural Gas Pipelines

Raw natural gas is typically gathered at the
wellhead, compressed and transported through
pipelines to our processing facilities. Most raw
natural gas produced at the wellhead also
contains a mixture of NGL components,
including ethane, propane, iso-butane, normal
butane and natural gasoline.

Gas Gathering

Gathered wellhead natural gas is directed to our
processing plants to remove NGLs, resulting in
residue natural gas (primarily methane).

Gas Processing

We are connected to supply in natural gas and
NGL producing basins and have significant
basin diversification, including the Williston,
Permian, Powder River and DJ Basins and the
STACK and SCOOP areas. In our Natural Gas
Gathering and Processing segment, we have
more than 3 million dedicated acres in the
Williston Basin and approximately
300,000
a
dedicated acres in the STACK and SCOOP
areas. In our Natural Gas Liquids segment, we
are the largest NGL takeaway provider in the
Williston and Powder River Basins; Oklahoma,
including the STACK and SCOOP areas;
Kansas; and the Texas Panhandle. We also have
a significant presence in the Permian Basin.

Once processed, residue natural gas is
recompressed and delivered to intrastate and
interstate natural gas pipelines primarily in our
Natural Gas Pipelines segment.

NGL Gathering

NGL Fractionation

NGLs extracted at processing plants, both third-
party and our own, are then gathered by our
NGL gathering pipelines.

Gathered NGLs are directed to our downstream
fractionators in the Mid-Continent region and
Mont Belvieu, Texas, to be separated into purity
products.

Purity products are stored or distributed to our
customers, such as petrochemical companies,
propane distributors, heating fuel users, ethanol
producers, refineries and exporters.

End-use Market & NGL Storage

5

Residue natural gas is transported to storage
facilities and end users, such as large industrial
customers, natural gas and electric utilities
serving commercial and residential consumers,
and international markets through liquefied
natural gas exports and cross-border pipelines.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Business Update and Market Conditions - We experienced earnings growth fromff
2020, due primarily to increased producer activity and rising gas-to-oil ratios in the Rocky Mountain region, production
curtailments in 2020, increased ethane production in the Rocky Mountain region and higher commodity prices, in both our
Natural Gas Gathering and Processing and Natural Gas Liquids segments, highlighting both the resiliency of our integrated
assets and the economic recovery from the pandemic. We expect volumes to increase in 2022 due to continued increases in
producer activity, continued rising gas-to-oil ratios in the Rocky Mountain region, the recent completion of our Bear Creek
plant expansion and increased ethane demand from the petrochemical industry.

increased volumes in 2021, compared with

nd down cycles, we have positioned ourselves to reduce exposure to

Although the energy industry has experienced many up au
direct commodity price volatility. Each of our three segments are primarily feeff
approximately 90% fee-based in 2021. While our Natural
based, we have direct commodity price exposure related primarily to feeff with POP contracts. In our Natural Gas Liquids
segment, we are primarily exposed to commodity price risk resulting from the relative values of the various NGL products to
each other, the value of NGLs in storage and the relative value of NGLs to natural
and Processing and Natural
normal volumetric well decline, severe weather disruption, operational outages and crude oil, NGL and natural gas demand.
Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment is not exposed to significant volumetric risk dued
subscribed under long-term firm fee-based contracts.

gas. In addition, our Natural Gas Gathering
t
Gas Liquids segments are exposed to volumetric risk as a result of drilling and completion activity,

Gas Gathering and Processing segment’s earnings are primarily fee-

-based, and our consolidated earnings were

to nearly all of our capaa

city being

t

t

In the first quarter 2021, Winter Storm Uri brought significant challenges to the energy industry and our operating areas. Our
employees were proactive in preparing for the severe winter weather, made the necessary adjustments to keep our assets
operational and provided exceptional service to meet the needs of our customers during the difficult weather conditions.
ze-offs
gas, propane and electricity, coupled with supply reductions from producer wellhead freeff
Increased demand for natural
and power outages impacting processing plants in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions and the Permian Basin and
fractionators in the Mid-Continent region, resulted in high commodity prices at certain market hubs, particularly in the Mid-
Continent region and in Texas. Commodity prices quickly returned to previous levels as the weather improved and natural
supply returned.

t

t

t

gas

Winter Storm Uri impacted all three of our operating segments, resulting in a net positive impact to our financial results,
primarily in the first quarter 2021, as our ability to meet increased demand for natural gas and to provide services during
the
period offset the unfavorable volume impacts and higher electricity costs. Our well-positioned natural gas storage assets and
market connected pipelines in our Natural Gas Pipelines segment were able to meet critical needs during this period of severe
winter weather. The reliabia lity of our interstate and intrastate assets, including storage, enablea
d us to continue to provide our
customers access to transportation services, park-and-loan services and additional naturat
improved our financial results. However, this was partially offset by producer wellhead freeff
volumes in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing and Natural Gas Liquids segments.

ze-offs, which reduced February

l gas supply, if availablea

, which

d

As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain committed to managing the impact of the pandemic on our
on operating our assets safely, reliably
employees. We continue to protect our workforce and, as always, we remain focused
and in an environmentally responsible manner. ONEOK is a critical infrastructure business as defineff
d by Homeland Security
and, therefore, our workforce has remained full
safety-rela
t
precautions for our employees who work in the fieff
and cybersecurity measures designed so that our systems remain functional in order to both serve our operational needs and to
provide service to our customers.

ted ordinances. We began implementing our return to office plan in early 2022, and we will continue to take safety

y engaged within federal, state and local government issued guidelines and

ld or report to a ONEOK facility. We continue to apply risk-management

ff

ff

See Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in this Annual Report for more information
on our exposure to market risk.

A to AA at MSCI Inc. ESG ratings, were named a Top 100 U.S. Companies Supporting Healthy

Sustainability and Social Responsibility - In 2021 and 2022, we qualified forff
ity
Yearbook. In addition, we received a perfect score of 100 in the Human Rights Campaim gn 2021 Corporate Equality Index,
were upgraded fromff
Communities and Families, were listed as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies forff
ranked in the top 10% in the Refiners and Pipelines industry group in Sustainalytics ESG Risk Ranking. We continue to look
for ways to reduce our environmental impact and utilize more efficient technologies. We have an environmental sustainability
team that accelerated our ongoing environmental stewardship efforts and is exploring ways to lower our GHG emissions even
further. We are dedicated to the evaluation and development of renewablea

energy and low-carbon projects and are actively

inclusion in the S&P Global Sustainabila

2022 by Newsweek and were

6

researching opportunities that will complement our extensive midstream assets and expertise, strengthening the role we expect
to play in the transformation to a lower-carbon economy.

In September 2021, we announced a 30% absolute GHG emissions reduction target, or 2.2 million metric tons, of our combined
Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030, compared with 2019 base-year levels. Scope 1 and 2 emissions represent our total
operational emissions, including direct emissions from sources we operate and indirect emissions from the generation of
purchased power. We anticipate several potential pathways toward achieving our emissions reduction target, which could
on assets across our operations, methane mitigation through best
include the electrification of certain natural
management practices and system optimizations. Additionally, we are identifying potential opportunities to collaborate with
utilities and power generators to accelerate the availability of lower-carbon power options across our operations. We will
maintain a disciplined capital approach and will continue to discuss our total capital expenditures and provide our expected total
capita
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in this, and future,

al spend annually in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and

Annual Reports.

m
gas compressi

t

t

Natural Gas - In our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment, gathered and processed volumes in the Rocky Mountain
region increased in 2021, compared with 2020, due primarily to increased producer activity, rising gas-to-oil ratios and the
impact of curtailed production in 2020. In November 2021, we announced the completion of our Bear Creek plant expansion,
which increased our total processing capac
ately 1.7 Bcf/d in the Williston Basin. In addition, as we expect to
continue to benefit fromff
increased producer activity and continued rising gas-to-oil ratios in the Rocky Mountain region, we
recently announced plans to restart construction on our 200 MMcf/d Demicks Lake III natural
ity will be approximately
completion of Demicks Lake III, which is expected in the first quarter 2023, our total processing capac
1.9 Bcf/d in the Williston Basin. In the Mid-Continent region, we are experiencing increased producer drilling activity in 2022
in the SCOOP and STACK areas.

gas processing plant. Upon

ity to approxim

a

a

a

t

In our Natural Gas Pipelines segment, our assets are connected to key supply areas and demand centers, including export
markets in Mexico via Roadrunner and supply areas in Canada and the United States via our interstate and intrastate naturat
pipelines and Northern Border Pipeline, which enablea
gas transportation and storage services.
Continued demand from local distribution companies, electric-generation facilities and large industrial companies resulted in
low-cost expansions that position us well to provide additional services to our customers when needed. Our ability to provide
reliablea
service throughout the extreme weather conditions of Winter Storm Uri highlighted the importance of market-
connected pipelines and storage assets and the value of these services. In addition, during the firff st quarter 2021, we sold natural
gas that we owned and held in storage, which benefited our segment’s financial results. We continue to monitor market
conditions and sell our natural
we maximized natural gas storage withdrawals for firm service customers serving critical needs.

gas in storage during favorablea market conditions. During the extreme winter weather periods,

us to provide essential natural

l gas

t

t

NGLs - In our Natural Gas Liquids segment, NGL volumes increased in 2021, compared with 2020, due primarily to increased
production in the Rocky Mountain region, Mid-Continent region and Permian Basin, increased ethane production in the Rocky
Mountain region and the impact of curtailed production across our system in 2020, offset partially by the impact of Winter
Storm Uri in 2021 and lower volumes in the Barnett Shale. In response to increased producer activity and the expected
increased demand for ethane as two new petrochemical plants come online in 2022, we recently announced plans to restart
construction on our 125 MBbl/d MB-5 fractionator in Mont Belvieu, Texas, which is fully contracted. MB-5 is expected to be
completed in the third quarter 2023 and will increase our NGL fractionation capac
system.

ity to more than 1 MMBbl/d across our entire

a

See Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in this Annual
Report for more informa

tion on our growth projects, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources.

ff

BUSINESS STRATEGY

Our mission is to deliver energy products and services vital to an advancing world. Our vision is to create exceptional value for
our stakeholders by providing solutions for a transforming energy future. Our business strategy is focused on:

•

•

•

Zero incidents - we commit to a zero-incident culture for the well-being of our employees, contractors and
communities. Safety and environmental responsibility continue to be a primary focus for us, and our emphasis on
personal and process safetff y has produced improving trends in the key indicators we track.
Highly engaged workforce
retaining talent, advancing an inclusive, diverse and engaged culture and developing individuals and leaders.
Sustainablea
reliablea

business model - we aim to maintain prudent financial strength and fleff xibility while operating a safe,ff
and resilient asset base. We seek to maintain investment-grade credit ratings and a strong balance sheet. We

- we strive to be an employer of choice and continue to focus on attracting, selecting and

g y

g g

7

believe our internally generated cash flowff
regions and to provide value-added products and services that contribute to long-term growth, profitabila
business diversification. We continue to actively research opportunities that will complement our extensive midstream
assets and expertise, strengthening the role we expect to play in the transformation to a lower-carbon economy.

s will allow us to fund capia tal-growth projects in our existing operating

ity and

• Maximizing total shareholder return

g

al to investments that produce returns

capita
above our cost of capia tal. Producing consistent and strong returns
invested capital will allow us to not only reward our shareholders, but also provide the means and opportunit
our additional stakeholders, including employees, communities and the environment.

- we plan to grow earnings and sustain our dividend by efficff
t

iently allocating
on
t
y to serve
t

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

We report operations in the following business segments:

••
••
••

Naturalll Gas Gathering and Processing;
Naturalll Gas Liquids; and
Naturalll Gas Pipelines.

Natural Gas Gathering & Processing
Natural Gas Liquids
Natural Gas Pipelines

g
Natuural Gas Gaaathering and Processing

g

Natural Gas Gathering Plants
Natural Gas Liquids Fractionator
Natural Gas Pipelines Storage
NGL Market Hub
Growth Projects

Overview - Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment provides midstream services to producers in North Dakota,
Montana, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Rocky Mountain region - The Williston Basin is located in portions of North Dakota and Montana and includes the oil-
producing, NGL-rich Bakken Shale and Three Forks formations. Our recently completed Bear Creek plant expansion increased
our gathering and processing total capac
production from new wells.

ately 1.7 Bcf/d and will enable us to capturet

expected natural

ity to approxim

gas

a

a

t

8

The Powder River Basin is primarily located in Wyoming, which includes the NGL-rich Niobrara Shale and Frontier, Turner
and Sussex formations where we provide gathering and processing services to customers in the eastern portion of Wyoming.

Mid-Continent region - The Mid-Continent region includes the oil-producing, NGL-rich STACK and SCOOP areas and the
Cana-Woodford Shale, Woodford Shale, Springer Shale, Meramec, Granite Wash and Mississippian Lime formations of
Oklahoma and Kansas, and the Hugoton Basin.

ff

Natural Gas Gathering and Processing Pipelines
ONEOK Processing Plants
Growth Projects

STACK

SCOOP

WOODFORD

CANA-WOODFORD

Property - Our Natural Gas Gathering and P

rocessing segmen nc

t i

lul ded s tt

i
he following assets:
h f ll

t

•
•

•

17,500 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines;
13 natural gas processing plants with 1.7 Bcf/d of processing capacity
gas processing plants with 0.9 Bcf/d of processing capacity in the Mid-Continent region, and up to 150 MMcf/d of
processing capacity in the Mid-Continent region through a long-term processing services agreement with an
unaffiliated third party; and
14 MBbl/d of NGL fractionation capacity
plants.

and 26 MBbl/d of de-ethanizer capacity

at various natural gas processing

in the Rocky Mountain region, and nine natural

a

a

a

We are in the process of constructing our 200 MMcf/d Demicks Lake III natural gas processing plant in the Williston Basin,
which is not included in the assets listed above.

See “Recent Developments” in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, in this Annual Report for more information on our growth projects.

Sources of Earnings - Earnings for this segment are derived primarily from the following types of service contracts:

•

•

•

Fee with POP contracts with no producer take-in-kind rights - We purchase raw natural gas and charge contractual fees
for providing midstream services, which include gathering, treating, compressing and processing the producer’s
natural gas. After performing these services, we sell the commodities and remit a portion of the commodity sales
proceeds to the producer less our contractual fees.
Fee with POP contracts with producer take-in-kind rights - We purchase a portion of the raw natural gas stream,
charge fees for providing the midstream services listed above
a
sell the remaining commodities and remit a portion of the commodity sales proceeds to the producer less our
contractual feeff
Fee-only - Under this type of contract, we charge a feeff
gathered, processed, treated and/or compressed.

for the midstream services we provide, based on volumes

, return primarily the residue natural gas to the producer,

s.

9

For commodity sales, we contract to deliver residue natural
customers at a specifiedff

t
delivery point. Our sales of NGLs are primarily to our affilff

gas, condensate and/or unfractionated NGLs to downstream

iate in the Natural Gas Liquids segment.

our natural gas processing plants were 69% and 66% for 2021 and 2020, respectively,

Utilization - The utilization rates forff
which includes 81% and 70% in the Rocky Mountain region for 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our utilization rates in the Rocky
Mountain region increased in 2021 due primarily to increased producer activity, rising gas-to-oil ratios and the impact of
curtailed production in 2020. Our 2021 utilization rates include the impact of capac
processing plant and Bear Creek plant expansion. We calculate utilization rates using a weighted-average approach, adjusti
for the dates that assets were placed in or removed from service.

by our Demicks Lake II
ng

ity made availablea

d

a

Unconsolidated Affiliates - Our unconsolidated affiliates in this segment are not material.

See Note M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for additional discussion of our
unconsolidated affilff

iates.

t

l gas processing plant is not a facff

gas processing plants are primarily involved in extracting NGLs and, therefore, are exempt
Gas Act also exempts natural gas gathering facilities from the jurisdiction of the FERC.

the
l gas in interstate commerce and, therefore, is not subject to jurisdiction under the Natural Gas

Government Regulation - The FERC traditionally has maintained that a naturat
transportation or sale of naturat
Act. Although the FERC has made no specific declaration as to the jurisdictional statust
operations or facilities, our natural
from FERC jurisdiction. The Natural
t
We believe our natural gas gathering facilities upstream of our natural gas processing plants meet the criteria used by the FERC
for nonjurisdictional naturat
l gas gathering facility status. Interstate transmission facilities remain subject to FERC jurisdiction.
The FERC has historically distinguished between these two types of faci
basis. We transport residue natural
with Section 311(a) of the Natural
statutet
by-case basis if a complaint is filed against the gatherer with the appropria

gas from certain of our natural
Gas Policy Act. Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota also have

t-specific
gas processing plants to interstate pipelines in accordance

s regulating, to varying degrees, the gathering of natural gas in those states. In each state, regulation is applied on a case-

lities, either interstate or intrastate, on a facff

of our natural gas processing

te state regulatory agency.

ility forff

a

ff

t

t

t

See further discussion in the “Regulatory, Environmental and Safety Mt

atters” section.

Natural Gas Liquids

q

ff

lities that gather, fractionate, treat and distribute NGLs

Overview - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment owns and operates faci
and store NGL products, primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico and the Rocky Mountain region, which includes
the Williston, Powder River and DJ Basins. We provide midstream services to producers of NGLs and deliver those products
to the two primary market centers: one in the Mid-Continent in Conway, Kansas, and the other in the Gulf Coast in Mont
Belvieu, Texas. We own or have an ownership interest in FERC-regulated NGL gathering and distribution pipelines in
Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado, and terminal and storage facilities
in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois. We have a 50% ownership interest in Overland Pass Pipeline Company,
which operates an interstate NGL pipeline originating in Wyoming and Colorado and terminating in Kansas. The majori
the pipeline-connected natural
connected to our NGL gathering systems. We lease rail cars and own and operate truck- and rail-loading and -unloading
facilities connected to our NGL fractionation, storage and pipeline assets. We also own FERC-regulated NGL distribution
pipelines in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana that connect our Mid-Continent assets with Midwest
markets, including Chicago, Illinois. A portion of our ONEOK North System transports refined petroleum products, including
unleaded gasoline and diesel, from Kansas to Iowa.

gas processing plants in the Williston Basin, Oklahoma, Kansas and the Texas Panhandle are

ty of

a

t

10

Natural Gas Liquids Pipelines
Growth Projects
Natural Gas Liquids Fractionator
NGL Market Hub
Joint Venture

Property - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment includes the following assets:

city of 1,790 MBbl/d, including 6,330 miles of FERC-regulated

city of 1,150 MBbl/d, including 4,180 miles of FERC-

ity), including 520 MBbl/d in the Mid-Continent region and 400 MBbl/d in the Gulf Coast region;

ity of 920 MBbl/d (includes interests in our proportional share

•

•

•

•
•
•
•

city of 1,490 MBbl/d;

9,120 miles of gathering pipelines with operating capaa
pipelines with operating capaa
4,350 miles of distribution pipelines with operating capaa
regulated pipelines with operating capaa
eight NGL fraff ctionators with combined operating capac
of operating capac
one isomerization unit with operating capac
/
one ethane/propane
sixi NGNGL sL torage
facf
t
eight NGL product terminals.

splitter with operating capac
ililititiei s witith oh perattingi

sttorage capac

a

a

a

a

city of 1,080 MBbl/d;

ity of 10 MBbl/d;
a

ity of 40 MBbl/d;

itity of 3f 30 M0 MMBMBbl;bl andd

In addition, we lease 10 MMBbl of annual pipeline capaa
combined NGL storage capaa
Coast through service agreements.

city at facilities in Kansas and Texas and 60 MBbl/d of NGL fracff

tionation capaa

city in the Gulf

city near our ONEOK North System and have access to 5 MMBbl of

We are in the process of constructing our 125 MBbl/d MB-5 NGL fractionator in Mont Belvieu, Texas, which is not included in
the assets listed above.

See “Recent Developments” in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, in this Annual Report for more information on our growth projects.

11

Sources of Earnings - Earnings for our Natural Gas Liquids segment are derived primarily from commodity sales and purchases
and fee-based services. We purchase NGLs and condensate from third parties, as well as fromff
Processing segment. Our business activities are categorized as follows:

our Natural Gas Gathering and

•

•

•

certain product price differentials through the fraff ctionation

NGL products delivered to a market center or customer-designated location. Some of

Exchange services - We utilize our assets to gather, transport, treat and fractionate unfractionated NGLs, thereby
converting them into marketablea
these exchange volumes are under contracts with minimum volume commitments that provide a minimum level of
revenues regardless of volumetric throughput. Our exchange services activities are primarily feeff
-based and include
a
some rate-regulated tariffs; however, we also capture
process.
Transportation and storage services - We transport NGL products and refined petroleum products, primarily under
FERC-regulated tariffs. Tariffs specify the maximum rates we may charge our customers and the general terms and
conditions for transportation service on our pipelines. Our storage activities consist primarily of fee-based NGL
storage services at our Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast storage facilities.
Optimization and marketing - We utilize our assets, contract portfolio and market knowledge to capture
product and seasonal price differentials through the purchase and sale of unfractionated NGLs and NGL products. We
primarily transport NGL products between Conway, Kansas, and Mont Belvieu, Texas, to capta uret
differentials between the two market centers. Our marketing activities also include utilizing our NGL storage facilities
to capta uret
the price
seasonal price differentials and serving truck and rail markets. Our isomerization activities capturet
differential when normal butane is converted into the more valuablea
Kansas.

iso-butane at our isomerization unit in Conway,

the location price

location,

a

a

ty of our exchange services contracts, we purchase the unfractionated NGLs at the tailgate of the processing plant
tionation services we must perform before we can sell them as

In the majori
and deduct contractual feeff
NGL products. To the extent we hold unfractionated NGLs in inventory, the related contractual feeff
until the unfractionated inventory is fractionated and sold.

s related to the transportation and fracff

s will not be recognized

Utilization - Increased volumes drove higher utilization rates at our NGL fracff
impact of increased capaa
follows:

city on our NGL gathering pipelines. The utilization rates for 2021 and 2020, respectively, were as

tionators, which were offset by the fulff

l year

•
•
•

our NGL gathering pipelines were 61% and 61%;
our NGL distribution pipelines were 51% and 51%; and
our NGL fractionators were 91% and 77%.

d
We calculate utilization rates using a weighted-average approach, adjusti
ity associated with our ownership interests.
fractionation utilization rate reflects approximate proportional capac

ng for the dates that assets were placed in service. Our

a

Unconsolidated Affiliates - We have a 50% ownership interest in Overland Pass Pipeline Company, which operates an
interstate NGL pipeline system extending 760 miles, originating in Wyoming and Colorado and terminating in Kansas. Our
other unconsolidated affiliates in this segment are not material.

See Note M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for additional discussion of
unconsolidated affiliates.

Government Regulation - The operations and revenues of our NGL pipelines are regulated by various state and federal
government agencies. Our interstate NGL pipelines are regulated under the Interstate Commerce Act, which gives the FERC
jurisdiction to regulate the terms and conditions of service, rates, including depreciation and amortization policies, and initiation
of service. In Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas, certain aspects of our intrastate NGL pipelines that provide common carrier
service are subject to the jurisdiction of the OCC, KCC and RRC, respectively.

See further discussion in the “Regulatory, Environmental and Safety Matters” section.

Natural Gas Pipelines

p

Overview - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment, through its wholly owned assets, provides transportation and storage services
to end users. We have 50% ownership interests in Northern Border Pipeline and Roadrunner, which provide transportation
services to various end users.

12

i

ines - Our interstate pipelines are regulated by the FERC and are located in North Dakota, Minnesota,

Interstate Pipel
Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. Our interstate pipeline companies
include:

•

• Midwestern Gas Transmission, which is a bidirectional system that interconnects with Tennessee Gas Transmission
Company’s pipeline near Portland, Tennessee, and with several interstate pipelines that have access to both the Utica
Shale and the Marcellus Shale at the Chicago Hub near Joliet, Illinois;
Viking Gas Transmission, which is a bidirectional system that interconnects with a TC Energy Corporation pipeline at
the United States border near Emerson, Canada, and ANR Pipeline Company near Marshfield, Wisconsin;
Guardian Pipeline, which interconnects with several pipelines at the Chicago Hub near Joliet, Illinois, and with local
natural
t
OkTex Pipeline, which has interconnections with several pipelines in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico.

gas distribution and electric generation companies in Wisconsin; and

•

•

i

ines and Storage - Our intrastate naturat

l gas pipeline assets in Oklahoma transport natural

Intrastate Pipel
state and have access to the major natural gas production areas in the Mid-Continent region, which include the STACK and
SCOOP areas and the Cana-Woodford Shale, Woodford Shale, Springer Shale, Meramec, Granite Wash and Mississippian
Lime formations. In Texas, our intrastate naturat
the Texas Panhandle, including the Granite Wash formation and Delaware and Midland Basins in the Permian Basin. These
pipelines are capabl
a
pipelines may be accessed forff
east and the Mid-Continent market to the north. Our intrastate naturat
Central Kansas Uplift Basins in Kansas. Our intrastate pipelines are also connected to our storage assets in Oklahoma and
Texas.

transportation to western markets, exports to Mexico, the Houston Ship Channel market to the

gas throughout the western portion of Texas, including the Waha area where other

l gas pipeline assets also have access to the Hugoton and

l gas pipelines are connected to the majoa r natural

gas producing formations in

e of transporting natural

gas throughout the

t

t

t

Natural Gas Pipelines
Joint ventures (50% ownership interest)
Natural Gas Pipelines Storage

Property - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment includes the following assets:

•
•
•

1,500 miles of FERC-regulated interstate naturat
5,100 miles of state-regulated intrastate transmission pipelines with transportation capac
six underground natural gas storage facilities with 52.2 Bcf of total active working natural

l gas pipelines with 3.5 Bcf/d of transportation capac

ity of 4.3 Bcf/d; and
gas storage capac

ity;

a

a

a

t

ity.

13

Our storage includes two underground natural gas storage facilities in Oklahoma, two underground natural gas storage facilities
in Kansas and two underground natural

gas storage facilities in Texas.

t

We are in the process of expanding the capac
the assets listed above.

a

ity of our Texas natural gas storage facilities by 1.1 Bcf, wff

hich is not included in

Sources of Earnings - Earnings in this segment are derived primarily fromff

transportation and storage services.

Our transportation earnings are primarily fee-based from the folff

lowing types of services:

•

•

d quantity of pipeline capaa

Firm service - Customers reserve a fixeff
the customer to pay regardless of usage. Under this type of contract, the customer pays a monthly fixeff
incremental fees, known as commodity charges, which are based on the actual volumes of natural gas they transport or
store. Under the firff m service contract, the customer generally is guaranteed access to the capac
ity they reserve.
Interruptible service - Under interruptible service transportation agreements, the customer may utilize available
capac
a
a
capac

ity after firm service requests are satisfied. The customer is not guaranteed use of our pipelines unless excess
ity is available.

city for a specified period of time, which obligates

d feeff

and

a

t

gas transportation services contracts are based upon rates stated in the respective tariffs, which have

Our regulated natural
generally been established through shipper specific negotiation, discounts and negotiated settlements. The rates are filed with
FERC or the appropriate state jurisdictional agencies. In addition, customers typically are assessed feeff
s, such as a commodity
charge, and we may retain a percentage of natural gas in-kind based on the natural

gas volumes transported.

t

Our storage earnings are primarily fee-based from the folff

lowing types of services:

•

•

d feeff

ity, including injection and withdrawal rights, and
s based on the quantity of capacity reserved plus an injen ction and withdrawal fee. Firm storage

Firm service - Customers reserve a specific quantity of storage capac
generally pay fixeff
contracts typically have terms longer than one year.
Park-and-loan service - An interruptible storage service offered to customers providing the ability to park (inject) or
loan (withdraw) natural gas into or out of our storage, typically forff monthly or seasonal terms. Customers reserve the
right to park or loan natural
ity
is available.

gas based on a specified quantity, including injection and withdrawal rights when capac

a

a

t

Utilization - Our natural gas pipelines were 95% and 96% subscribed in 2021 and 2020, respectively, and our natural gas
storage facilities were 70% and 71% subscribed in 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Unconsolidated Affiliates - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment includes the following unconsolidated affilff

iates:

•

•

50% ownership interest in Northern Border Pipeline, which owns a FERC-regulated interstate pipeline that transports
natural
gas from the Montana-Saskatchewan border near Port of Morgan, Montana, and the Williston Basin in North
t
Dakota to a terminus near North Hayden, Indiana.
50% ownership interest in Roadrunner, a bidirectional pipeline, which has the capaa
t
natural
transport approximately 1.0 Bcf/d of natural
Roadrunner.

gas from the Permian Basin in West Texas to the Mexican border near El Paso, Texas, and has capacity to

gas from the Delaware Basin to the Waha area. We are the operator of

city to transport 570 MMcf/d of

t

See Note M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for additional discussion of
unconsolidated affilff

iates.

Government Regulation - Interstate - Our interstate naturat
the FERC jurisdiction to regulate virtually all aspects of this business, such as transportation of natural gas, rates and charges
for services, construction of new facilities, depreciation and amortization policies, acquisition and disposition of facilities, and
the initiation and discontinuation of services.

l gas pipelines are regulated under the Natural

Gas Act, which gives

t

l gas pipelines in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas are regulated by the OCC, KCC and RRC,

Intrastate - Our intrastate naturat
respectively, and by the FERC under the Natural
regulated natural gas pipelines. While we have fleff xibility in establishing natural gas transportation rates with customers, there
is a maximum rate that we can charge our customers in Oklahoma and Kansas and for the services regulated by the FERC. In
Texas and Kansas, natural

Gas Policy Act for certain services where we deliver natural gas into FERC

gas storage may be regulated by the state and by the FERC forff

certain types of services. In

t

t

14

Oklahoma, natural gas storage operations are not subject to rate regulation by the state, and we have market-based rate authority
from the FERC forff

certain types of services.

See further discussion in the “Regulatory, Environmental and Safety Matters” section.

Market Conditions and Seasonalityy

Supply and Demand - Supply for each of our segments depends on crude oil and natural gas drilling and production activities,
which are driven by the strength of the economy; natural gas, crude oil and NGL prices; the demand forff
each of these products
from end users; the decline rate of existing production; producer access to capital and investment in the industry; or producer
firm commitments to transportation pipelines.

t

gas production by producers in the regions in which we
gather and process

gas. Demand for NGLs and the ability of natural gas processors to successfully and economically sustain their

Demand for gathering and processing services is dependent on natural
operate. Producers’ targets to limit natural gas flaring have increased the need forff
natural
t
operations affect the volume of unfractionated NGLs produced by natural gas processing plants, thereby affecff
for NGL gathering, transportation and fracff
conditions and the demand associated with the various industries that utilize the commodities, such as butanes and natural
gasoline used by the refini
crude oil.
Ethane, propane, butanes and natural gasoline are also used by the petrochemical industry to produce chemical components,
used for a range of products that improve our daily lives and promote economic growth, including health care products,
recyclable food
packaging, clothing, technology, building materials, industrial, manufacturing and energy infrastructure,
lightweight vehicle components and batteries. Propane is also used to heat homes and businesses.

ng industry as blending stocks for motor fuel, denaturant for ethanol and diluents forff

tionation services. Natural gas and NGL products are affecff

our services to capta ure,

ted by economic

ting the demand

ff

ff

t

-based in all three of our segments, however in our Natural Gas Gathering

Commodity Prices - Our earnings are primarily feeff
and Processing segment, we are exposed to commodity price risk as a result of retaining a portion of the commodity sales
proceeds associated with our fee with POP contracts. Under certain fee with POP contracts, our contractual
fees and POP
percentage may increase or decrease if production volumes, delivery pressures or commodity prices change relative to specified
thresholds. In certain commodity price environments, our contractual feeff
which would impact the average fee rate in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment. In our Natural
segment, we are exposed to commodity price risk associated with changes in the price of NGLs; the location differential
between the Mid-Continent, Chicago, Illinois, and Gulf Coast regions; and the relative price differe
NGLs and individual NGL products, which affecff
storage services, and optimization and marketing financial results. NGL storage revenue may be affected by price volatility and
forward pricing of NGL physical contracts versus the price of NGLs on the spot market. In our Natural
Gas Pipelines segment,
we are exposed to minimal commodity price risk associated with (i) changes in the price of natural
costs and retained fuel in-kind received forff
contracts and the price of naturat
services.

l gas on the spot market, which may affect our customer demand for our natural gas storage

our services; and (ii) the differential between forward pricing of natural gas physical

t our NGL purchases and sales, our exchange services, transportation and

t
gas, which impact our fuel

s on these fee with POP contracts may decrease,

ntial between natural gas,

Gas Liquids

ff

t

t

t

See additional discussion regarding our commodity price risk and related hedging activities under “Commodity Price Risk” in
Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, in this Annual Report.

Seasonality - Cold temperatures usually increase demand forff
heating fuels for homes and businesses. Warm temperatures
generation for residential and commercial cooling, as well as agriculture-re
dryers. Demand for butanes and natural gasoline, which are primarily used by the refining industry arr
motor fuel, denaturant for ethanol and diluents for crude oil, are also subject to some variabila
certain government restrictions on motor fuel blending products change. During periods of peak demand for a certain
commodity, prices forff

lated equipment like irrigation pumps and crop
s blending stocks for

natural gas and certain NGL products, such as propane, which are
usually increase demand for natural gas used in gas-fired electric

that product typically increase.

seasonal periods when

d
ity during

t

t

Extreme weather conditions, seasonal temperaturet
abilities of the processing equipment impact the volumes of natural
transported and fractionated. Power interruptions and inaccessible well sites as a result of severe storms or freeff
phenomenon where water produced fromff
temporary interruption in the flow of natural gas and NGLs.

ze-offs, a
natural gas freezes at the wellhead or within the gathering system, may cause a

changes and the impact of temperaturet

gas gathered and processed and NGL volumes gathered,

and humidity on the mechanical

t

In our Natural Gas Pipelines segment, natural gas storage is necessary to balance the relatively steady natural gas supply with
the seasonal demand of residential, commercial and electric-generation users.

15

Competition - We compete for natural
integrated oil companies
and independent exploration and production companies that have gathering and processing assets, fractionators, intrastate and
interstate pipelines and storage facilities. The factors that typically affect our ability to compete forff
are:

with other midstream companies, majora

gas and NGL supply

natural gas and NGL supply

u

t

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•

quality of services provided;
producer drilling activity;
proceeds remitted and/or fees charged under our contracts;
proximity of our assets to natural gas and NGL supply areas and markets;
proximity of our assets to alternative energy production;
location of our assets relative to those of our competm itors;
ity of our operations;
efficiency and reliabila
lities for natural
a
receipt and delivery capabi
storage location;
the petrochemical industry’s level of capac
current and forward natural gas and NGL prices; and
al.
cost of and access to capita

a

t

ity utilization and feedstock requirements;

gas and NGLs that exist in each pipeline system, plant, fractionator and

We have remained competitive by making capita
increasing gathering, processing, fractionation and pipeline capaa
lities;
t
and improving operating efficiency so that we competm e effectively. Our and our competm itors’ infrastructure projects may affecff
commodity prices and could displace supply volumes from the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions and the Permian
Basin where our assets are located. We believe our assets are located strategically, connecting diverse supply areas to market
centers.

al investments to access and connect new supplies with end-user demand;
city; increasing storage, withdrawal and injection capabi

a

Customers - Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing and Natural Gas Liquids segments derive services revenue from majoa r
and independent crude oil and natural gas producers. Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s customers also include other NGL
and natural gas gathering and processing companies. Our downstream commodity sales customers are primarily petrochemical,
gasoline distributors, propane distributors and
refining and marketing companies, utilities, large industrial companies, natural
municipalities. Our Natural Gas Pipeline segment’s assets primarily serve local natural
gas distribution companies, electric-
generation facilities, large industrial companies, municipalities, producers, processors and marketing companies. Our utility
customers generally require our services regardless of commodity prices. See discussion regarding our customer credit risk
under “Counterparty Credit Risk” in Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, in this
Annual Report.

t

t

Other

Through ONEOK Leasing Company, L.L.C. and ONEOK Parking Company, L.L.C., we own a 17-story office building
(ONEOK Plaza) and a parking garage in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, where our headquarters are located. ONEOK Leasing
Company, L.L.C. leases excess office space to others and operates our headquarters office building. ONEOK Parking
Company, L.L.C. owns and operates a parking garage adjacent to our headquarters.

REGULATORY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY MATTERS

t to a variety of historical preservation and environmental laws and/or regulations that
operations. Regulated activities include, but are not limited to, those involving air

Environmental Matters - We are subjecb
affect many aspects of our present and futuret
emissions, storm water and wastewater discharges, handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, wetlands and
waterways preservation, wildlife conservation, cultural
resources protection, hazardous materials transportation, and pipeline
and facility construction. These laws and regulations require us to obtain and/or comply with a wide variety of environmental
clearances, registrations, licenses, permits and other approvals. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations, licenses and
permits may expose us to fines, penalties, reputational harm and/or interruptions in our operations that could be material to our
results of operations or financial condition. In addition, emissions controls and/or other regulatory or permitting mandates
under the Clean Air Act and other similar federal and state laws could require unexpected capia tal expenditures at our facilities.
We cannot assure that existing environmental statutes and regulations will not be revised or that new regulations will not be
adopted or become appli
to us. We also cannot assure that existing permits will not be revised or cancelled, potentially
impacting facility construction activities or ongoing operations.

cablea

a

t

16

International, federal, regional and/or state legislative and/or regulatory initiatives may attempt to control or limit GHG
emissions, including initiatives directed at issues associated with climate change. Various federal and state legislative proposals
have been introduced to regulate the emission of GHGs, particularly carbon
Supreme Court has ruled
international efforts seeking legally binding reductions in emissions of GHGs.

that carbon dioxide is a pollutant subject to regulation by the EPA. In addition, there have been

dioxide and methane, and the United States

r

r

Recently, the EPA has proposed updat
methane emissions, which includes increased monitoring frequency and more stringent repair requirements forff
modified oil and gas faci
ff
methane emissions from existing facilities.

new and
lities. In addition, the EPA is proposing new nationwide emission guidelines for states to limit

ing the New Source Performance Standards Subpart OOOO regulations to further reduce

u

PHMSA has submitted to the Federal Register an advisory bulletin underscoring to pipeline and pipeline facility operators
requirements to minimize methane emissions in the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (
Act of 2020. The PIPES Act directs pipeline operators to update their inspection and maintenance plans to address the
elimination of hazardous leaks, and to minimize naturat
address the replacement or remediation at facilities that historically have been known to experience leaks.

l gas releases from pipeline facilities. The updated plans must also

t PIPES)

issions
i
issions byby 2030, compa dred i hwith 2019 bbas ye-year llevells. Scope 1 a dnd 2 e imi

dreductiion ta grget, or 2.2

imilllliion met iric tons, of our

combi dned
bi
issions represent our tot lal

lonal emiissiions, iin lcluding

In Septe bmber 2021, we announc ded a 30% babs lolute GHG emi
Scope 1 a dnd Scope 2 e imi
opera iti
uding didirect e imi
purchasedd power. We antiiciipate severall potentiiall pathhwayys tow dard achihi
purcha
iincl dlude hthe lelec itrifificatiion of cert iain nat
t
lural
ma gnagement practiices
iutilili ities

dand ysystem optiimiizatiions.

issions from sources we operate

imi itiggatiion hthrough
ggas compre ission assets across our operatiions, me hthane
iies to c lolllabborat
t
iunit
fying potentiiall opport

ddAddii itionallllyy, we are idide intifying

dand iindidirect emi
issions
i

ievi gng our emi

issions from hthe ggeneratiion of
i
couldd
l
dreductiion ta grget, hiwhi hch
rough bbest
a

e wi hith

dand power ggenerators to accellerate hthe availil biabilili yty of llower-ca brbon power o iptions across our operatiions.

We participate in the EPA’s Natural Gas STAR Program and the Our Nation’s Energy (ONE) Future Coalition to voluntarily
report methane emission reductions and to calculate our methane intensity. We continue to focus on maintaining low methane
gas release rates through expanded implementation of best practices to limit the release of natural
facility maintenance and operations.

gas during pipeline and

t

We believe it is likely that future governmental legislation and/or regulation on the fedff
us to limit GHG emissions associated with our operations, pay additional taxes or purchase allowances forff
However, we cannot predict precisely what form these future regulations will take, the stringency of the regulations, when they
will become effective or the impact on our capia tal expenditures, competitive position and results of operations. In addition to
activities on the federal level, state and regional initiatives could also lead to the regulation of GHG emissions sooner than or
independent of federal regulation. These regulations could be more stringent than any federal legislation that may be adopted.

eral, state or regional level may require
certain emissions.

For additional information regarding the potential impact of laws and regulations on our operations see Item 1A “Risk Factors.”

Pipeline Safety - We are subject to PHMSA safety regulations, including pipeline asset integrity-management regulations. The
t mprovement Act of 2002 requires pipeline companies operating high-pressure pipelines to perform integrity
Pipeline Safety I
assessments on pipeline segments that pass through densely populated areas or near specifically designated high-consequence
areas (HCAs). The Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty and Job Creation Act of 2011 (the 2011 Pipeline Safety Act)
increased maximum penalties for violating federal pipeline safety r
to conduct further review or studie
stringent regulations.

s on issues that may or may not be material to us and may result in the imposition of more

egulations, directs the DOT and Secretary of Transportation

t

t

In 2015, PHMSA issued notices of proposed rule-making for hazardous liquid pipeline safety regulations, natural gas
transmission and gathering lines and underground natural gas storage facilities. For natural gas and natural
pipelines, the new proposed regulations became known as “the Mega Rule.” Due to the large number of rules being considered,
PHMSA partitioned the new rule-making into three sections. The first section of rules was final
the Federal Register and became effective in July 2020. These final rulrr es mostly address congressional mandates due to former
pipeline safety reauthorizations and established criteria forff
PHMSA Gas Mega Rule, which is still not currently published, focuses on repair requirements for HCAs and non-HCAs. The
third section of the Mega Rule establia
and was published in November 2021 and will become effective in May 2022.

shed new regulations for certain gas gathering lines, which were formff

verifying current operating pressures. The second section of the

ized and published in 2019 in

erly unregulated,

gas gathering

ff

t

We do not anticipate the potential capital and operating expenditures
material impact to our planned capital or operations and maintenance costs. At this point, we do not fully know the impact of

related to the first and third sections of the rules to create a

t

17

the regulations that remain to be finff alized. Coupled together, these new rules may provide increased requirements forff
operating
and maintenance, integrity management, public awareness and civil/criminal penalties; however, we do not anticipate a material
impact to our planned capia tal or operations and maintenance costs resulting from compliance with the new or pending
regulations.

In 2020, legislation was passed to reauthorize PHMSA through 2024. Certain requirements forff
integrity management, leak detection and public awareness will be subject to futuret
capita
to our planned capital or operations and maintenance costs resulting from compliance with the new regulations.

al and operating expenditures related to the new regulations are not fully known, but we do not anticipate a material impact

rule-making as a result. The potential

operations and maintenance,

ff

Air and Water Emissions - The Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, analogous state laws and/or regulations impose
restrictions and controls regarding the discharge of pollutants into the air and water in the United States. Under the Clean Air
Act, a fede
sources of significant air emissions. We may be required to incur
certain capia tal expenditures forff
approvals for sources of air emissions. The Clean Water Act imposes substantial potential liabila
into waters of the United States and requires remediation of waters affected by such discharge.

air pollution-control equipment in connection with obtaining or maintaining permits and

rally enforceable operating permit is required forff

pollutants discharged

ity forff

International, federal, regional and/or state legislative and/or regulatory initiatives may attempt to control or limit GHG
emissions, including initiatives directed at issues associated with climate change. We monitor all relevant legislation and
regulatory initiatives to assess the potential impact on our operations and otherwise take efforts
our facilities, including methane. The EPA’s Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule requires annual GHG emissions
reporting from affected facilities and the carbon dioxide emission equivalents forff
all NGLs produced by us as if all of these
products were combusted, even if they are used otherwise.

to limit GHG emissions from

ff

Our 2020 total estimated GHG emissions were 66.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, which includes
3.8 million metric tons of Scope 1 emissions and 2.5 million metric tons of Scope 2 emissions. Scope 1 emissions originate
from the combustion of fuel in our equipment, such as compressor engines and heaters, as well as fugitive methane emissions,
Scope 2 emissions are generated fromff
purchased power sources and Scope 3 emissions reflect the carbon dioxide emissions that
would result from the complete combustion or oxidation of the annual quantity of NGL products produced and sold or delivered
to others. The additional cost to gather and report this emission data did not have, and we do not expect it to have, a material
impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. In addition, Congress has considered, and may consider in
the future, legislation to reduce GHG emissions, including carbon dioxide and methane. Likewise, the EPA may institutet
additional future regulatory rule-making associated with GHG emissions from the oil and natural gas industry. At this time, no
rule or legislation has been enacted that assesses any material costs, fees or expenses on any of these emissions.

l rulrr e-makings. Generally, EPA rule-makings require expenditures

We monitor proposed and finaff
ilities. At this time, we do not anticipate a material impact
controls, monitoring and recordkeeping requirements at affected facff
to our planned capital, operations and maintenance costs resulting from compliance with the current or pending regulations and
EPA actions. However, the EPA may issue additional regulations, responses, amendments and/or policy guidance, which could
alter our present expectations.

for updated emissions

t

Chemical Site Security - Homeland Security released the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards in 2007, and the final
rule associated with these regulations was issued in December 2014. We provided information regarding our chemicals via
Top-Screens submitted to Homeland Security, and our facilities subsequently were assigned one of four risk-based tiers ranging
from high (Tier 1) to low (Tier 4) risk, or not tiered at all due to low risk. To date, one of our facilities has been given a Tier 4
rating. Facilities receiving a Tier 4 rating are required to complete Site Security Plans, including possible physical security
enhancements. The cost of the Site Security Plans and security enhancements did not have a material impact on our results of
operations, financial position or cash flows.

Pipeline Security - Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the DOT have completed a review
and inspection of our “critical facilities” and identified no material security issues. Also, the TSA has released new pipeline
security guidelines that include broader definitions for the determination of pipeline “critical facilities.” We have reviewed our
pipeline facilities according to the new guideline requirements, and there have been no material changes required to date.

The TSA issued two security directives in 2021 in response to ongoing cybersecurity threats to the pipeline industry. The firff st
security directive was issued in May 2021 and requires critical pipeline owners and operators to (1) report confirmed and
potential cybersecurity incidents to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA); (2) designate a cybersecurity
coordinator to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; (3) review current practices; and, (4) identify any gapsa
related remediation measures to address cyber-related risks and report the results to TSA and CISA within 30 days. The second

and

18

security directive was issued in July 2021 and requires owners and operators of TSA-designated critical pipelines to implement
specific mitigation measures to protect against ransomware and other known threats to information technology and operational
technology systems, develop and implement a cybersecurity contingency and recovery plan, and conduct a cybersecurity
architecture design review. While compliance with the security directives is utilizing significant internal and external
resources, we do not expect it to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

HUMAN CAPITAL

The long-term sustainability of our business is dependent on our continued ability to maintain a highly engaged workforce. To
accomplish this, our business strategy includes attracting, selecting and retaining talent, advancing an inclusive, diverse and
engaged culturet

and developing individuals and leaders.

As of December 31, 2021, we had 2,847 employees. Listed below is a summary of our human capital resources, measures and
objectives that are collectively important to our success as an organization.

Values - Our success relies on the skills, experience and dedication of our employees. We are committed to cultivating an
inclusive and dynamic work environment where talented people can find opportunities to succeed, grow and contribute to the
success of the company. Our employees work each day to provide safe and reliablea
states where we operate. Our core values, listed below, guide the way in which our employees conduct our business and
operations.

services to a wide range of customers in the

•

•
•

•

•
•

for the well-being of our employees, contractors and

Safetyff & Environmental: we commit to a zero-incident culturet
communities and to operate in an environmentally responsible manner.
Ethics: we act with honesty, integrity and adherence to the highest standards of personal and professional conduct.
Diversity & Inclusion: we respect the uniqueness and worth of each employee and believe that a diverse, inclusive
workforce is essential for a sense of belonging, engagement and performance.
Excellence: we hold ourselves and others accountable to a standard of excellence through continuous improvem
teamwork.
Service: we invest our time, effort and resources to serve each other, our customers and communities.
Innovation: we seek to develop creative solutions by leveraging collaboration through ingenuity and technology.

m

ent and

Diversity and Inclusion - Our diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy is a cross-functional effort that draws upon contributions
from employees at all levels of the organization and is focus
strategy is guided by a D&I Council composed of a diverse group of employe
locations, points of view, roles and levels of seniority. We also have a team within our human resources department that is
wholly dedicated to supporting our D&I efforts.

ed on enhancing the workplace to retain and attract talent. The

es who represent different demographics, work

m

ff

ff

and support for five employee-led business resource groups (BRGs): a Black/African American
In 2021, we provided funding
Resource Group; an Indigenous/Native American Resource Group; a Latinx/Hispanic American Resource Group; a Veterans
Resource Group; and a Women’s Resource Group. A new LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and others)
BRG has been approved for 2022. Each BRG’s purpose is to promote the attraction, development, motivation and retention of
members of traditionally underrepresented groups in our industry and workplace in an effort to drive positive business
outcomes. A key factor in the success of our BRGs is the active participation by officer-level executive sponsors and allies
from outside the BRG’s underrepresented populations. All employees are invited to become a supporter of one or more of our
BRGs.

We embed D&I concepts into our core leadership development curriculum and sponsor a number of internal programs intended
to promote D&I. In addition, we seek to give back to the communities where we operate by partnering on initiatives to support
underrepresented community members and local charitable organizations.

u

f our employees is critical to our operations and success. By promoting the safety of our

Employee Safety - The safety ot
employees, monitoring and investing in the integrity of our assets, we are enhancing the long-term sustainability of our
businesses. We continuously assess the risks our employees face in their jobs, and we work to mitigate those risks through
training, appropriate engineering controls, work procedures and other preventive safety programs. Reducing incidents and
improving our personal safety incident rates are important, but we are not focused only on statistics. Low personal safetyt
incident rates alone cannot prevent a large-scale incident, which is why we continue to focus on enhancing our Environmental,
rograms, such as key risk/key control identification and knowledge
Safety and Health management systems and process safety pt
sharing. We endeavor to operate our assets safely, reliablya
and in an environmentally responsible manner. We maintain mature
and robust programs that guide trained staff in the completion of these activities, and we continue to enhance and improve these

19

programs and our internal capabila
2022, and we will continue to take safetyff
such as increased facff
procedures.

ities. With respect to COVID-19, we began implementing our returnt
precautions for our employees who work in the fieff

ld or report to a ONEOK faci

to office plan in early
lity,

ff

ility access restrictions, workspace modifications, social distancing, face covering protocols and sanitation

Health and Welfare - We provide a variety of benefits to help promote the health and welfare of our employees and their
families. These benefits include medical, dental and vision plans, virtual health visits and engagement of third-party service
providers to offer company on-site and near-site clinics in several of our operating areas, which have access to both rapida
antigen and polymerase chain reaction COVID-19 testing. In response to COVID-19, we provided temporary benefit
adjustments, including waiving charges for COVID-19 diagnostic tests and COVID-19 vaccines. Current resources include a
dedicated employee information site that houses regular updat
es regarding COVID-19 and provides resources for prevention
best practices, physical health, mental health and caregiver services. Eligible employees also have access, at no charge, to an
employee assistance program, a medical second opinion service and a health care concierge service to assist with finding in-
network providers and resolving claims. We offer full
o 240 hours per
qualifying event. We also provide up to $10,000 for reasonable and necessary expenses of a qualifying adoption and/or
surrogacy. Additional benefits provided forff
disability plans, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, fertility benefits, disease prevention and management
programs and full pay while on bereavement or personal and family care leave.

the welfare of our employees include, among others, life insurance and long-term

pay for maternity, paternity or adoption leave of up tu

u

ff

t

We also provide the opportunit
donated vacation hours or monetary donations. The ONE Trust Fund is a nonprofit, charitablea
employee volunteers, that serves our employees in times of personal crises due to natural
other hardships.

our employees to help fellow employees through the ONE Trust Fund by contributing
organization run entirely by
disasters, medical emergencies or

y forff

t

Personal and Professional Development - We provide various options to assist with career growth and development. For
employees just entering the workforce who desire to advance their career and continue to learn or forff
interested in developing their skills, we provide education and training in a variety of areas, including leadership, functional and
industry-specific topics, professional development and skill-building opportunities. Our organizational development and D&I
classroom training, computer-based self-study
teams provide live in-person and virtual
available to all employees.

and one-on-one coaching that is

the professional who is

ff

t

tion and assist eligible employees with the expense of furthering their educad

We value educad
up to $5,000 per year in qualifying tuition expenses. We also may reimburse employe
certification examination fees.

m

tion in job-related fields, including

es for certain job-related professional

Recruiting - We make it a priority to attract, select, develop, motivate, challenge and retain the talent necessary to support our
key business strategies. We use targeted recruitment events, maintain strong relationships with area technical schools, colleges
and universities, and we offer compensation benefits and career opportunities that are designed to position us as an employer of
choice. In response to COVID-19, we continue to recruit and hire new employe
virtual
t
from groups that are historically underrepresented in our industry and workplace.

interviews. D&I continues to be a priority in recruiting, and we deploy sourcing strategies designed to access talent

es for critical positions primarily through

m

Retirement - We maintain a 401(k) Plan for our employees and match 100% of employee contributions up to 6% of eligible
compensation each payroll period, subject to applicablea
certain employees and former employees, which closed to new participants in 2005. Employees that do not participate in our
defined benefit pension plan are eligible to receive quarterly and annual profit-sharing contributions under our 401(k) Plan. As
of December 31, 2021, 96% of eligible employees were contributing to our 401(k) Plan. For additional information about our
retirement benefits, see Note K of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

tax limits. We also have a defined benefit pension plan covering

20

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

All executive officers are elected annually by our Board of Directors. Our executive officers listed below include the officers
who have been designated by our Board of Directors as our Section 16 executive officers.

Name and Position

John W. Gibson

Chairman of the Board

Pierce H. Norton II

Age

Business Experience in Past Five Years

69

2011 to present

Chairman of the Board, ONEOK

2007 to 2017

Chairman of the Board, ONEOK Partners

62

2021 to present

President and Chief Executive Officer, ONEOK

President and Chief Executive Officer

2021 to present

Member of the Board of Directors, ONEOK

2014 to 2021

President and Chief Executive Officer, ONE Gas, Inc.

2014 to 2021

Member of the Board of Directors, ONE Gas, Inc.

Robert F. Martinovich

64

2015 to present

Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, ONEOK

Executive Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer
Walter S. Hulse III

Chief Financial Offiff cer, Treasurer and Executive
Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Affairs

2015 to 2017

Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, ONEOK Partners

58

2019 to present

Chief Financial Offiff cer, Treasurer and Executive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Affairs,
ONEOK

2017 to 2019

2015 to 2017

Chief Financial Offiff cer and Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning and Corporate Affairs,
ONEOK

Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning and Corporate Affairs, ONEOK and ONEOK
Partners

Kevin L. Burdick

57

2017 to present

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, ONEOK

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer

2017

Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, ONEOK and ONEOK Partners

2016 to 2017

Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, ONEOK Partners

Charles M. Kelley

63

2018 to present

Senior Vice President, Natural Gas, ONEOK

Senior Vice President, Natural Gas

2017 to 2018

Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Gathering & Processing, ONEOK

2015 to 2017

Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning and Development, ONEOK and ONEOK Partners

Sheridan C. Swords

52

2017 to present

Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Liquids, ONEOK

Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Liquids

2013 to 2017

Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Liquids, ONEOK Partners

Stephen B. Allen

48

2017 to present

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, ONEOK

Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Assistant Secretary

2008 to 2017

Vice President and Associate General Counsel, ONEOK and ONEOK Partners

Mary M. Spears

42

2019 to present

Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, ONEOK

Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

2015 to 2019

Director, SEC Reporting, ONEOK

2015 to 2017

Director, SEC Reporting, ONEOK Partners

No family relationships exist between any of the executive officers, nor is there any arrangement or understanding between any
executive officer and any other person pursuant to which the officer was selected.

INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE

, freeff

of charge, on our website (www.oneok.com) copies of our Annual Reports, Quarterly Reports, Current

We make availablea
Reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports fileff d or furnished
Exchange Act and reports of holdings of our securities filed by our officers and directors under Section 16 of the Exchange Act
as soon as reasonably practicablea
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Director Independence Guidelines, Corporate
Sustainability Report, Response to COVID-19 and the written charters of our Board Committees also are availablea
website, and we will provide copies of these documents upon request.

after filing such material electronically or otherwise furnishing it to the SEC. Copies of our

to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the

on our

ff

In addition to our filings with the SEC and materials posted on our website, we also use social media platforms
channels of distribution to reach public investors. Information contained on our website, posted on our social media accounts,
and any corresponding applications, are not incorporated by reference into this report.

as additional

ff

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

Our investors should consider the following risks that could affect us and our business. Although we have tried to identify key
factors, our investors need to be aware that other risks may prove to be important in the future. New risks may emerge at any
time, and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial performance. Investors
should consider carefully the folff
this Annual Report, including “Forward-Looking Statements,” which are included in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

lowing discussion of risks and the other information included or incorporated by reference in

21

RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected adversely, and could further affect adversely, our results of operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to global and regional economic disruption, volatility in the financial markets and a weakened
commodity price environment. The outbrea
k and government measures taken in response, including extended quarantines,
closures and reduced operations of businesses had a significant adverse impacm t, both direct and indirect, on our business and the
economy.

t

tion of global impacts dued

to COVID-19. This uncertainty, and the occurrence of these
Uncertainty remains regarding the durad
r affect adversely our results of operations by, among other things, reducing
events and measures taken in response, could furthe
iency of our workforce, creating
demand for the services we provide, impacting our supply chains and the availabila
operational challenges and impacm ting our ability to access capital markets. The degree to which the pandemic further impacts
our business and results of operations will depend on future developments beyond our control, including the success of
vaccination efforts
what extent economic and operating conditions resume to pre-COVID-19 levels, and the severity and duration of reduced
global and regional economic activity resulting from the pandemic.

and the effectiveness of such vaccines against futuret mutations of the COVID-19 virus, how quickly and to

ity and efficff

ff

ff

If the level of drilling in the regions in which we operate declines substantially near our assets, our volumes and
revenues could decline.

ly declines over time. As a result, our cash flows associated with these wells will also decline over time. In order to

Our gathering and transportation pipeline systems are dependent upon production from natural gas and crude oil wells, which
natural
t
maintain or increase throughput levels on our gathering and transportation pipeline systems and the asset utilization rates at our
processing and fractionation facilities, we must continually obtain new supplies. Our ability to maintain or expand our
businesses depends largely on the level of drilling and production by third parties in the regions in which we operate. Our
natural
t
Drilling and production are impacted by factors beyond our control, including:

gas and NGL supply volumes may be impacted if producers curtail or redirect drilling and production activities.

•
•
•
•

•
•

natural gas, NGLs and crude oil;

demand and prices forff
producers’ access to capita
al;
producers’ finding and development costs of reserves;
producers’ desire and abia lity to obtain necessary permits, drilling rights and surface access in a timely manner and on
reasonable terms;
crude oil and associated natural
capacity constraints and/or shut downs on the pipelines that transport crude oil, natural
areas and our facilities.

gas field characteristics and production performance; and

gas and NGLs from producing

t

t

areas; however, a prolonged period of low commodity prices may reduce drilling and production activities across

Commodity prices have experienced significant volatility. Drilling and production activity levels may vary across our
geographic
a
all areas. If we are not able to obtain new supplies to replace the natural decline in volumes fromff
existing wells or because
of competition, throughput on our gathering and transportation pipeline systems and the utilization rates of our processing
and fractionation facilities would decline, which could affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position
and cash flows, and our ability to pay cash dividends.

Our operating results may be affected adversely by unfavorable economic and market conditions.

r
t the crude

oil and natural

the COVID-19 pandemic, an adverse change in economic conditions worldwide or in the economic
gas markets, as well as in the specific segments in

In addition to impacts fromff
regions in which we operate could negatively affecff
which we operate, resulting in reduced demand and increased price competition for our services and products. Our operating
results in one or more geographic regions may also be affected by uncertain or changing economic conditions within that
region. Volatility in commodity prices may have an impact on many of our suppliers and customers, which, in turn, could have
a negative impact on their abia lity to meet their obligations to us. Periods of severe volatility in equity and credit markets may
disrupt our access to such markets, make it difficult to obtain financing necessary to expand facilities or acquire assets, increase
financing costs and result in the imposition of restrictive financial covenants. If adverse global or regional economic and
market conditions remain uncertain or persist, spread or deteriorate furt
business, results of operations, financial position, cash flows and liquidity.

her, we may experience material impacts on our

ff

t

22

The volatility of natural gas, crude oil and NGL prices could affect adversely our earnings and cash flows.

ff

t

Lower commodity prices could reduce crude oil, natural gas and NGL production which could decrease the demand for our
services. Additionally, a significant portion of our revenues are derived fromff
conjunction with natural
gas gathering and processing services, the transportation and storage of natural
purchase and sale of NGLs and NGL products. As commodity prices decline, we could be paid less forff
thereby reducing our cash flows. Historically, commodity prices have been volatile and can change quickly. For example, in
March 2020, unsuccessful negotiations between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia
regarding crude
crude oil significantly exceeded demand and led to a collapse in crude oil prices. It is likely that commodity prices will
continue to be volatile in the futff ure.

the sale of commodities that are received in
gas, and from the
t
our commodities

oil production cuts resulted in a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia. As a result, the global supply of

rr

t

The prices we receive for our commodities are subjeu
control, including, but not limited to, the following:

ct to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of facff

tors beyond our

overall domestic and global economic conditions;
relatively minor changes in the supply of, and demand for, domestic and foreign energy;

t

gas, NGLs and crude oil;

ity and cost of third-party transportation, natural gas processing and fractionation capac

geopolitical conditions impacm ting supply and demand for natural
production decisions by other countries, such as the failure of countries to abia de by recent agreements to reduce
production volumes;
the availabila
the level of consumer product demand and storage inventory levels;
ethane rejection;
weather conditions;
domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes;
the price and availabila
speculation in the commodity future
the effecff
the effecff
the impact of new supplies, new pipelines, processing and fractionation facilities on location price differe
technology and improved efficff

and exports on the price of naturat
m
ts of imports
t of worldwide energy-conservation measures;

iency impacting supply and demand for natural gas, NGLs and crude oil.

l gas, crude oil, NGL and liquefied natural

ity of alternative fuels;

s markets;

gas;

ity;

a

ff

ff

t

ntials; and

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
• market uncertainty;
•
•

These external facff
commodities and the impact commodity price fluctuations have on our customers and their need for our services, which could
affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

of the energy markets make it difficult to reliably estimate future prices of

tors and the volatile naturet

ff

Increasing attention to ESG matters, including climate change, may impact our business.

There are increasing expectations that companies across all industries address ESG matters, including climate change. Changes
in regulatory policies, public sentiment or widespread adoption of technologies that aim to address climate change through
reducing GHG emissions may result in a reductd
increased use of renewable energy. These changes could reduce the demand for our services, impacm ting our business, results of
operations, financial position and cash flows.

ion in the demand for hydrocarbon products, restrictions on their use or

ff

In addition, increasing attention to climate change has resulted in an increased likelihood of governmental regulations,
investigations, shareholder activism and private litigation, which could increase our costs or otherwise affect adversely our
business. For examplem , there are plans to propose new climate change disclosure requirements this year. While we do not
know what form those requirements may take, we may facff e increased costs associated with complying with any new climate
disclosure requirements.

ff

on ESG matters, including climate change. Further, organizations that provide

Certain investors are increasingly focused
information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have also increased their focus on ESG matters and have
developed ratings processes forff
increased negative investor sentiment toward us. Due to climate change concerns, some investors may choose to either not
invest, or to reduce their investment, in companies that gather, process, fractionate, transport, store or market products derived
from hydrocarbons. If this negative investor sentiment increases, we may see reduced demand for our securities, which could
impact our liquidity or the value of our securities. Additionally, certain large institutional lenders have begun to announce their
own policies to meet publicly announced climate commitments, which often involve commitments to shift lending activities in

evaluating companies on various ESG initiatives. Unfavorable ESG ratings may lead to

23

the energy sector to meet GHG emissions goals. As a result, certain institutional lenders may impose additional requirements
on us, or decide not to lend to us, based on ESG concerns, which could adversely affect our access to capita
terms or at all and, as a result, our financial condition. To the extent financial markets view climate change and emissions of
GHGs as a finaff
and conditions in futuret

ncial risk, this could also negatively affect our ability to access capital or cause us to receive less favorable terms

al on reasonable

financings.

In September 2021, we announced a 30% absolute GHG reduction target, or 2.2 million metric tons, of our combined Scope 1
and Scope 2 emissions by 2030, compared with 2019 base-year levels. To the extent that the potential pathways we have
identified to achieve this emissions reduction target are not available to us, or to the extent we otherwise are unable to make
progress toward other ESG-related targets we may establia
to meet them entirely, which could negatively impact our business and reputation.

l
sh, we may facff e additional costs to meet these targets, or we may faiff

We may be subject to physical and financial risks associated with climate change.

t

For residential customers, heating and cooling represent their

The threat of global climate change may create physical and financial risks to our business. Some of our customers’ energy
needs vary with weather conditions, primarily temperature.
largest energy use. To the extent weather conditions may be affected by climate change, customers’ energy use could increase
or decrease depending on the durad
tion and magnitude of any changes. Increased energy use due to weather changes may
require us to invest in more pipelines and other infrastructure to serve increased demand. A decrease in energy use due to
weather changes may affecff
t our financial condition, through decreased revenues. Extreme weather conditions in general
require more system backup, adding to costs, and can contribute to increased system stresses, including service interruptions.
Weather conditions outside of our operating territory could also have an impact on our revenues. Severe weather impacts our
operating territories primarily through hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornados, freezing temperatures and snow or ice storms. To
the extent the severity or frequency of extreme weather events increases, this could increase our cost of providing services,
including the cost of insurance, and decrease the availabila
higher costs to our customers or recover all costs related to mitigating these physical risks.

ity of certain insurance coverages. We may not be able to pass on the

Our operations are subject to operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions, which could affect adversely our
business and for which we may not be adequately insured.

a

ity and efficff

iency. Other operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions include adverse weather

Our operations are subject to all the risks and hazards typically associated with the operation of natural gas and NGL gathering,
transportation and distribution pipelines, storage facilities and processing and fractionation facilities, which include, but are not
ilities below
limited to, leaks, pipeline ruptures, the breakdown or failure of equipment or processes and the performance of facff
expected levels of capac
conditions, infectious disease including a pandemic, cybersecurity attacks, geopolitical reactions, accidents, explosions, fires,
the collision of equipment with our pipeline facilities (for example, this may occur if a third party were to perform excavation
or construction work near our facilities) and catastrophic events such as tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and other
similar events beyond our control. Extreme cold weather can result in supply reductions from producer wellhead freeze-offs, as
well as power curtailments or outages, any of which can negatively impact our business, results of operations, financial position
and cash flows. Further, the United States government warned that energy assets, specifically the nation’s pipeline
infrastructure,
customers or those of other pipelines. A casualty occurrence may result in injury
environmental damage. Liabilities incurred and interruptions to the operations of our pipeline or other faci
an event could reduce our revenues and increase expenses, thereby impairing our ability to meet our obligations.

may be targets of terrorist attacks. An act of terrorism could target our facilities, those of our suppliers or

or loss of life, extensive property damage or
ff

lities caused by such

n

t

As a result of market conditions, premiums and deductibles for certain insurance policies can increase substantially, and, in
some instances, certain insurance may become unavailable or availablea
we may not be able to renew existing insurance policies or purchase other desirablea
terms, if at all. Insurance proceeds may not be adequate to cover all liabila
ities or expenses incurred or revenues lost, and we are
not fully insured against all risks inherent to our business. If we were to incur a significff ant liability for which we were not fully
insured, it could affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Further, the proceeds of
any such insurance may not be paid in a timely manner.

only for reduced amounts of coverage. Consequently,

insurance on commercially reasonable

ff

Continued development of supply sources outside of our operating regions could impact demand for our services.

Production areas outside of our operating regions may compete with natural
areas connected to our systems, which may cause natural gas and NGLs in supply areas connected to our systems to be diverted
ity utilization adversely on our pipeline systems and our
to markets other than our traditional market areas and may affect capac
ability to renew or replace existing contracts. In our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment, the development of

gas and NGL supply originating in production

a

t

24

reserves could move drilling rigs from our current service areas to other areas, which may reduced
our Natural Gas Pipelines segment, the displacement of natural gas originating in supply areas connected to our pipeline
systems by supply sources that are closer to the end-use markets could reduce demand for our services. Either of these
possibilities could result in lower revenues, which could affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position
and cash flows.

demand for our services. In

We do not hedge fulff
ly against commodity price risk or interest rate risk, including commodity price changes, seasonal
price diffeff rentials, product price differff entials or location price differff entials. This could result in decreased revenues,
increased costs and lower margins, affecting adversely our results of operations.

Certain of our businesses are exposed to market risk and the impact of market fluff ctuat
prices. Market risk refers to the risk of loss of future
prices. Our primary commodity price exposures arise from:

ff

t

cash flows and earnings arising from adverse changes in commodity

ions in natural

t

gas, NGLs and crude oil

•
•

•
•
•
•

the value of the commodities sold under feeff with POP contracts of which we retain a portion of the sales proceeds;
the price differentials between the individual NGL products with respect to our NGL transportation and fractionation
agreements;
the location price differe
ff
the seasonal price differentials in natural
the price risk related to electric costs to operate our facilities; and
t
the fuel costs and the value of the retained fuel in-kind in our natural

gas and NGLs related to our storage operations;

gas pipelines and storage operations.

ntials in the price of natural

gas and NGLs;

t

t

ff

market price fluctuations in natural gas, NGLs, crude oil and electricity prices, we may use derivative

To manage the risk fromff
instruments such as swaps, futures, forwards
and we therefore retain some exposure to market risk. Further, hedging instruments that are used to reduce our exposure to
interest-rate fluff ctuat
ions could expose us to risk of financial loss where we may contract for fixed-rate swap instruments to
hedge variable-rate instruments and the fixed rate exceeds the variable rate. Finally, hedging arrangements forff
and purchases are used to reduce our exposure to commodity price fluctuations and may limit the benefit we would otherwise
ff
receive if market prices for natural
commodities.

and options. However, we do not hedge fully against commodity price changes,

from the stated price in the hedge instrument for these

gas, crude oil and NGLs differ

forecasted sales

t

t

A breach of information security, including a cybersecurity attack, or failure of one or more key information technology
or operational systems, or those of third parties, may affect adversely our operations, financial results or reputation.

Our businesses are dependent upon our operational systems to process a large amount of data and complex transactions. The
various uses of these information technology systems, networks and services include, but are not limited to:

•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

controlling our plants and pipelines with industrial control systems including Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition;
collecting and storing customer, employee, investor and other stakeholder information and data;
processing transactions;
summarizing and reporting results of operations;
hosting, processing and sharing confidential and proprietary research, business plans and financial information;
complying with regulatory, legal, finaff
providing data security; and
other processes necessary t

ncial or tax requirements;

o manage our business.

rr

ff

tions, which could affecff

If any of our systems are damaged, fail to function properly or otherwise become unavailable, we may incur substantial costs to
repair or replace them and may experience loss or corruption of critical data and interruptions or delays in our ability to perform
critical func
l, either as a result of inadvertent error or by deliberately
affected adversely if an individual causes our operational systems to faiff
tampering with or manipulating our operational systems. In addition, dependence upon automated systems may further increase
the risk that operational system flaws, employee tampering or manipulation of those systems will result in losses that are
difficult to detect.

t adversely our business and results of operations. Our financial results could also be

Due to increased technology advances and an increase in remote work arrangements dued
to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have
become more reliant on technology to help increase efficiency in our businesses. We use software to help manage and operate
our businesses, and this may subjeu
pandemic there has been a rise in the number and sophistication of cyberattacks on companies’ network and information
systems by both state-sponsored and criminal organizations, and as a result, the risks associated with such an event continue to

ct us to increased risks. According to experts, since the beginning of the COVID-19

25

ct to liability under relevant contractual obligations and laws and regulations protecting
by us and our vendors to develop, implement and maintain security measures may not be

increase. A significant failure, compromise, breach or interruption in our systems, or those of our vendors, could result in a
disruption of our operations, physical or environmental damages, customer dissatisfaction, damage to our reputation and a loss
of customers or revenues. If any such failure, interruption or similar event results in the improper disclosure of information
maintained in our information systems and networks or those of our vendors, including personnel, customer and vendor
information, we could also be subjeu
personal data and privacy. Efforts
successful in anticipating, detecting or preventing these events fromff
occurring, and any network and information systems-
related events could require us to expend significant resources to identify, assess and remedy such events. Cybersecurity,
physical security and the continued development and enhancement of our controls, processes and practices designed to protect
ately
our enterprise, information systems and data fromff
report cyberattacks, remain a priority forff
us. Although we believe that we have robust information security procedures and
other safeguards in place, including sufficient insurance, as cyberthreats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend
additional resources to continue to enhance our information security measures and/or to investigate and remediate information
security vulnerabila

attack, damage or unauthorized access and to identify and appropri

ities.

a

ff

Cyberattacks against us or others in our industry could result in additional regulations or contractual
efforts by the federal government, such as the Improving
security directives issued in May and July 2021, have utilized significant internal and external resources, and any potential
future statutet
capita

s, regulations or orders could lead to further increased regulatory compliance costs, insurance coverage costs or
We cannot predict the potential impact to our business resulting from additional regulations.

Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity executive order, and the TSA

obligations. Current

al expenditures.

m

t

t

Growing our business by constructing new pipelines and facilities or making modifications to our existing facilities
subjects us to construction risk and supply risks, should adequate natural gas or NGL supply be unavailable upon
completion of the facilities.

To expand our business, we regularly construct new and modify or expand existing pipelines and gathering, processing, storage
and fractionation facilities. The construction and modification of these facilities may involve the folff

lowing risks:

•

•
•

•
•

•

•

•

a

materials and rights of way, which may, in turn, affecff

projects may require significant capia tal expenditures, which may exceed our estimates, and involve numerous
regulatory, environmental, political, legal and weather-related uncertainties;
projects may increase demand for labor,
t our costs and schedule;
we may be unable to obtain new rights of way to connect new natural gas or NGL supplies to our existing gathering or
transportation pipelines;
if we undertake these projects, we may not be able to complete them on schedule or at the budgeted cost;
our revenues may not increase immediately uponu
of funds on a particular project. For instance, if we
build a new pipeline, the construction will occur over an extended period of time, and we will not receive any material
increases in revenues until after completion of the project;
we may construct facilities to capture anticipated future
production growth does not materialize;
opposition from environmental and social groups, landowners, tribal groups, local groups and other advocates could
result in organized protests, attempts to block or sabotage our construction activities or operations, intervention in
regulatory or administrative proceedings involving our assets, or lawsuits or other actions designed to prevent, disrupt
or delay the construction or operation of our assets; and
we may be required to rely on third parties downstream of our facilities to have available capac
t
natural

growth in production in a region in which anticipated

gas or NGLs, which may not yet be operational.

the expendituret

our delivered

ity forff

a

ff

ff
As a result, new faci
which could affect

lities may not be able to attract enough natural gas or NGLs to achieve our expected investment return,
adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

ff

Estimates of hydrocarbon reserves may be inaccurate, which could result in lower than anticipated volumes.

We may not be able to accurately estimate hydrocarbon reserves and production volumes expected to be delivered to us for a
variety of reasons, including the unavailabila
ity of sufficiently detailed information and unanticipated changes in producers’
expected drilling schedules. Accordingly, we may not have accurate estimates of total reserves committed to our assets, the
anticipated life of such reserves or the expected volumes to be produced from those reserves. In such event, if we are unablea
secure additional sources, then the volumes that we gather, process, fractionate and transport in the futff uret
could be less than
anticipated. A decline in such volumes could affect
adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash
flows.

ff

to

26

We do not own all of the land on which our pipelines and facilities are located, and we lease certain facil
equipment, which could disrupt our operations.

ff

ities and

We do not own all of the land on which certain of our pipelines and facilities are located, and we are, therefore, subjecb
risk of increased costs to maintain necessary land use. We obtain the rights to construct and operate certain of our pipelines and
related facilities on land owned by third parties and governmental agencies for a specificff period of time. Our loss of these
rights, through our inabila
affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

ity to renew right-of-way contracts on acceptable terms or increased costs to renew such rights, could

t to the

Measurement adjustments on our pipeline system may be impacted materially by changes in estimation, type of
commodity and other facff

tors.

Natural gas and NGL measurement adjustments occur as part of the normal operating conditions associated with our assets.
The quantification and resolution of measurement adjustments are complicated by several facff
quantities (i.e., thousands) of measurement equipment that we use across our natural gas and NGL systems, primarily around
t
our gathering and processing assets; (ii) varying qualities of natural
systems and the mixed nature of NGLs gathered and fracff
metering technologies and standards. Each of these factors may contribute to measurement adjustmd
systems, which could affecff

t adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

tionated; and (iii) variances in measurement that are inherent in

gas in the streams gathered and processed through our

ents that may occur on our
ff

tors including: (i) the significant

In the competition for supply, we may have significant levels of excess capacity on our natural gas and NGL pipelines,
processing, fractionation and storage assets.

Our natural gas and NGL pipelines, processing, fractionation and storage assets competm e with other pipelines, processing,
fractionation and storage assets for natural
we may have significant levels of uncontracted or discounted capaa
results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

gas and NGL supply delivered to the markets we serve. As a result of competition,
t adversely our business,
city on our assets, which could affecff

t

Many of our assets have been in service for several decades.

Many of our pipeline and storage assets are designed as long-lived assets. Over time the age of these assets could result in
increased maintenance or remediation expenditures and an increased risk of product releases and associated costs and liabilities.
Any significant increase in these expenditures,
financial position and cash flows, as well as our ability to pay cash dividends.

costs or liabilities could affect adversely our business, results of operations,

t

Our operating cash flows

ff

are derived partially from cash distributions we receive from our unconsolidated affiliates.

Our operating cash flows are derived partially fromff
discussed in Note M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report. The amount of cash that our
unconsolidated affilff
respective operations, which may fluff ctuat
policies of our unconsolidated affilff
quarter to continue paying dividends at the current levels.

iates can distribute principally depends upon the amount of cash flows these affiliates generate from their

iates. This lack of control may contribute to us not having sufficient available cash each

cash distributions we receive from our unconsolidated affilff

quarter to quarter. We do not have any direct control over the cash distribution

iates, as

e fromff

t

Additionally, the amount of cash that we have available forff
ion of profitabila
working capita
depreciation, amortization and provisions for asset impairments. As a result, we may be able to pay cash dividends during
periods when we record losses and may not be able to pay cash dividends during periods when we record net income.

u
ity, which will be affected by noncash items such as

cash dividends depends primarily upon

al borrowings, and is not solely a funct

our cash flows, including

ff

We may be unable to cause our joint ventures to take or not to take certain actions unless some or all of our joint-
venture participants agree.

u

ntial investments in the joint venturet

We participate in several joint ventures. Due to the naturet
ventures has made substa
documents contain certain features
of the joint venture and to protect its investment, as well as any other assets that may be substantially dependent on or otherwise
affected by the activities of that joint venture. These participation and protective features customarily include a corporate
governance structure that requires at least a majority-in-interest vote to authorize many basic activities and requires a greater
o 100%) to authorize more significant activities. Examples of these more significant activities
voting interest (sometimes up tu

designed to provide each participant with the opportunity to participate in the management

and, accordingly, has required that the relevant charter

ments, each participant in these joint

of some of these arrange

r

t

27

t

are large expenditures or contractual
raising capia tal, transactions with affilff
business, among others. Thus, without the concurrence of joint-venturet
t
unable to cause any of our joint ventures
t
interest of us or the particular joint venture.

commitments, the construction or acquisition of assets, borrowing money or otherwise
iates of a joint-venture participant, litigation and transactions not in the ordinary course of

to take or not to take certain actions, even though those actions may be in the best

participants with enough voting interests, we may be

ct to contractual

Moreover, subjeu
ownership interest in a joint venture, whether in a transaction involving third parties or the other joint-venturet
such transaction could result in us being required to partner with different or additional parties who may have business interests
different from ours.

owner generally may sell, transfer or otherwise modify its

restrictions, any joint-venturet

owners. Any

t

We do not operate all of our joint-venture assets nor do we employ directly all of the persons responsible for providing
administrative, operating and management services. This reliance on others to operate joint-venture assets and to
provide other services could affect adversely our business and results of operations.

assets. We
We rely on others to provide administrative, operating and management services for certain of our joint-venturet
have a limited ability to control the operations and the associated costs of such operations. The success of these operations
depends on a number of facff
tors that are outside our control, including the competence and financial resources of the operator or
an outsourced service provider. We may have to contract elsewhere for outsourced services, which may cost more than we are
currently paying. In addition, we may not be able to obtain the same level or kind of service or retain or receive the services in
t adversely our business and results of
a timely manner, which may impact our ability to perform under our contracts and affecff
operations.

RISK FACTORS RELATED TO REGULATION

Increased regulation of exploration and production activities, including hydraulic fracturing, well setbacks and disposal
of wastewater, could result in reductions or delays in drilling and completing new crude oil and natural gas wells.

The crude oil and natural gas industry is relying increasingly on supplies fromff
sands. Natural gas extracted from these sources frequently requires hydraulic fracturing, which involves the pressurized
injection of water, sand and chemicals into a geologic formation to stimulate crude oil and natural
or regulations placing restrictions on exploration and production activities, including hydraulic fracturing and disposal of
wastewater, could result in operational delays, increased operating costs and additional regulatory burdens on exploration and
production operators. Any of these factors could reduce their production of unprocessed natural
adversely our revenues and results of operations by decreasing the volumes of natural
processed, fractionated and transported on our or our joint ventures’

t
gas and, in turn, affecff
gas and NGLs gathered, treated,

nonconventional sources, such as shale and tight

gas production. Legislation

assets.

t

t

t

t

Our business is subject to regulatory oversight and potential penalties.

The energy industry historically has been subjeu
businesses and operations, including:

ct to heavy state and federal regulation that extends to many aspects of our

change to federal, state and local taxation;
regulatory approval and review of certain of our rates, operating terms and conditions of service;
the types of services we may offer our counterparties;
construction and operation of new facilities;
the integrity, safety at
acquisition, extension or abandonment of services or faci
reporting and information posting requirements;

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• maintenance of accounts and records; and
•

iate companies involved in all aspects of the natural gas and energy businesses.

relationships with affilff

ilities and operations;

nd security of facff

lities;

ff

Compliance with these requirements can be costly and burdensome. Future changes to laws, regulations and policies in these
areas may impair our ability to compete for business or to recover costs and may increase the cost and burden of our operations.
We cannot guarantee that state or fedff
acquisitions that we may propose in the future
will be made in a timely manner or will be free from potentially burdensome conditions.

eral regulators will not challenge our safety practices or will authorize any projects or

. Moreover, there can be no guarantee that, if granted, any such authorizations

ff

28

Under the Natural Gas Act, which is appli
to our interstate natural
is applicable to our NGL pipelines, our interstate transportation rates are regulated by the FERC and many changes to our
pipeline tariffs must be approved in a regulatory proceeding. Additionally, shippers, the FERC and/or state regulatory agencies
may investigate our tariff rates which could result in, among other things, being ordered to reduce rates or make refunds to
shippers.

gas pipelines, and the Interstate Commerce Act, which

cablea

a

t

Failure to comply with all applicablea
and fines.

state or fedff

eral statutes, rules and regulations and orders could bring substantial penalties

We may face significant costs to comply with the regulation of GHG emissions.

GHG emissions originate primarily from combustion engine exhaust, heater exhaust and fugitive methane gas emissions.
International, federal, regional and/or state legislative and/or regulatory initiatives may attempt to control or limit GHG
emissions, including initiatives directed at issues associated with climate change. Various federal and state legislative proposals
have been introduced to regulate the emission of GHGs, particularly carbon
Supreme Court has ruled
international efforts seeking legally binding reductions in emissions of GHGs.

that carbon dioxide is a pollutant subject to regulation by the EPA. In addition, there have been

dioxide and methane, and the United States

r

r

We believe it is likely that future governmental legislation and/or regulation on the fedff
us either to limit GHG emissions associated with our operations, pay additional taxes or to purchase allowances for certain
emissions. These legislative and/or regulatory initiatives could make some of our activities uneconomic to maintain or operate.
However, we cannot predict precisely what form these future regulations will take, the stringency of the regulations, when they
will become effective or the impact on our capia tal expenditures, competitive position and results of operations. In addition to
activities on the federal level, state and regional initiatives could also lead to the regulation of GHG emissions sooner than or
independent of federal regulation. These regulations could be more stringent than any federal legislation that may be adopted.
Further, we may not be able to pass on the higher costs to our customers or recover all costs related to complying with GHG
regulatory requirements. Our future results of operations, financial position or cash flows could be affected adversely if such
costs are not recovered or otherwise passed on to our customers.

eral, state or regional level may require

Our operations are subject to federal and state laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, which
may expose us to significant costs and liabilities. Increased litigation challenging oil and gas development and changes
to laws, regulations and policies could impact adversely our business.

The risk of incurring substantial environmental costs and liabilities is inherent in our business. Our operations are subject to
extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into, or otherwise relating to the
protection of, the environment. Examples of these laws include:

•
•

•

•

the Clean Air Act and analogous state laws that impose obligations related to air emissions;
the Clean Water Act and analogous state laws that regulate discharge of wastewater from our facilities into state and
federal waters;
the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and analogous state
laws that regulate the cleanup of hazardous substances that may have been released at properties currently or
previously owned or operated by us or locations to which we have sent waste for disposal; and
the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and analogous state laws that impose requirements for
the handling and discharge of solid and hazardous waste from our facilities.

Recently, the EPA has proposed updating the New Source Performance Standards Subpart OOOO regulations to further reduce
new and
methane emissions, which includes increased monitoring frequency and more stringent repair requirements forff
modified oil and gas facff
ilities. In addition, the EPA is proposing new nationwide emission guidelines for states to limit
methane emissions from existing facilities. We cannot predict the potential impact to our business resulting from these
additional regulations and guidelines.

Various federal and state governmental authorities, including the EPA, have the power to enforce compliance with these laws
and regulations and the permits issued under them. Violators are subject to administrative, civil and criminal penalties,
including civil finff es, injunc
CERCLA, RCRA and analogous state laws for the remediation of contaminated areas.

tions or both. Joint and several, strict liability may be incurred without regard to fault under the

n

There is an inherent risk of incurring environmental costs and liabila
gather, transport, process and store, air emissions related to our operations, past industry orr

ities in our business due to our handling of the products we

perations and waste disposal

29

practices, some of which may be material. Private parties, including the owners of properties through which our pipeline
systems pass, may have the right to pursue legal actions to enforce compliance as well as to seek damages for noncompliance
with environmental laws and regulations or for personal injury or property damage arising from our operations. Some sites we
operate are located near current or former third-party hydrocarbon storage and processing operations, and there is a risk that
contamination has migrated from those sites to ours. In addition, increasingly strict laws, regulations and enforcement policies
could increase significantly our compliance costs and the cost of any remediation that may become necessary, some of which
may be material. Additional information is included under Item 1, Business, under “Regulatory, Environmental and Safetyt
Matters” and in Note N of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

Increased litigation challenging oil and gas development, changes to laws, regulations and policies, as well as changes in
regulators’ interpretation or application of such laws, regulations and policies could impact our business. These actions could,
among other things, impact our customers’ activities, our existing permits and our ability to obtain permits for new
development projects, which could affecff

t adversely our business, financial position, or results of operations.

Our insurance may not cover all environmental risks and has limits on coverage in the event an environmental claim is made
against us. Our business may be affected adversely by increased costs due to stricter pollution-control requirements or
liabilities resulting from noncompliance with required operating or other regulatory permits. New or revised environmental
regulations might also affect adversely our products and activities, and federal and state agencies could impose additional safety
requirements, all of which could affecff

t adversely our profitability.

RISK FACTORS RELATED TO FINANCING OUR BUSINESS

Changes in interest rates could affect adversely our business.

We use both fixed and variable rate debt, and we are exposed to market risk dued
borrowings. Our results of operations, cash flows
in interest rates fromff

current levels.

and finaff

ff

to the floff ating interest rates on our short-term
ncial position could be affected adversely by significant fluctuations

nnounced the desire to phase out the use of LIBOR

In July 2017, the head of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority at
by the end of 2021. However, in March 2021, the administrator of LIBOR, the ICE Benchmark Administration, announced all
U.S. dollar LIBOR tenors will continue to be published through June 2023, with the exception of one-week and two-month
tenors, which ceased at the end of 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve concurrently issued a statement advising banks to stop new
LIBOR issuances by the end of 2021. It is impossible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide
LIBOR submissions to the administrator of LIBOR or whether any additional reforms
Kingdom or elsewhere. Actions by the British Bankers Association, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority ot
regulators or law enforcement agencies as a result of these or futuret
events, may result in changes to the manner in which
LIBOR is determined. In addition, any further changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR may result in
a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in reported LIBOR.

to LIBOR may be enacted in the United
r other

ff

At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates will become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, although on July 29,
ons
t
2021, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a U.S.-based steering committee composed of large US financial instituti
convened by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, formally recommended SOFR Term
rates. Given the inherent differences between LIBOR and SOFR, or any other alternative benchmark rate that is established,
there are many uncertainties regarding a transition from LIBOR, including how this will impact the cost of our variablea
rate
debt and certain derivative financial instruments, or whether the COVID-19 pandemic will have further effect on LIBOR
transition plans. In addition, although financial institutions are increasingly utilizing SOFR in credit facilities, it is unknown
whether SOFR or any other alternative reference rate will attain market acceptance as a replacement for LIBOR.

Our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement includes provisions that grant the administrative agent discretion to establia
rate for LIBOR, if necessary, which could increase our short-term borrowing costs for amounts issued under this facff

sh a replacement
ility.

Any reduction in our credit ratings could affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash
flows.

Our long-term debt has been assigned an investment-grade credit rating of “Baa3” by Moody’s and “BBB” by both S&P and
Fitch. Our commercial paper program has been assigned an investment-grade credit rating of Prime-3, A-2 and F-2 by
Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, respectively. We cannot provide assurance that any of our current ratings will remain in effect forff
any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by these credit rating agencies. If these
agencies were to downgrade our long-term debt or our commercial paper rating, particularly below investment grade, our

30

borrowing costs could increase, which would affecff
funding sources could decrease. Ratings from these agencies are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold our securities. Each
rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.

t adversely our financial results, and our potential pool of investors and

Our indebtedness and guarantee obligations could impair our financial condition and our ability to fulfill our
obligations.

As of December 31, 2021, we had total indebtedness of $13.6 billion. Our indebtedness and guarantee obligations could have
significant consequences. For example, they could:

• make it more difficff ult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to senior notes and other indebtedness due to the

increased debt-service obligations, which could, in turn, result in an event of default on such other indebtedness or the
senior notes;
impair our ability to obtain additional finff ancing in the future for working capita
general business purposes;
diminish our ability to withstand a downturn in our business or the economy;
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows fromff
availability of cash for working capita
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and
place us at a competitive disadvantage compared with our competitors that have proportionately less debt and fewer
guarantee obligations.

operations to debt-service payments, reducing the
acquisitions, dividends or general corporate purposes;

al, capital expenditures,

al, capital expenditures,

acquisitions or

ff

t

t

•

•
•

•
•

We are not prohibited under the indentures governing the senior notes fromff
agreements do subject us to certain operational limitations summarized in the next paragraph. If we incur significant additional
indebtedness, it could worsen the negative consequences mentioned above and could affect adversely our ability to repay our
other indebtedness.

incurring additional indebtedness, but our debt

Our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement contains provisions that restrict our ability to finff ance futff uret
al needs or to
expand or pursue our business activities. For example, our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement contains provisions that, among other
things, limit our ability to make loans or investments, make material changes to the naturet
or engage in asset sales, grant liens or make negative pledges. It also requires us to maintain certain financial ratios, which limit
the amount of additional indebtedness we can incur, as described in the “Liquidity and Capia tal Resources” section of Part II,
Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in this Annual Report. These
restrictions could result in higher costs of borrowing and impair our ability to generate additional cash. Future financing
agreements we may enter into may contain similar or more restrictive covenants.

of our business, merge, consolidate

operations or capita

If we are unable to meet our debt-service obligations or comply with financial covenants, we could be forcff
refinance our indebtedness, seek additional equity capital or sell assets. We may be unablea
satisfactory terms, or at all.

to obtain finaff

ed to restructure or
ncing or sell assets on

An event of default may require us to offer to repurchase certain of our and ONEOK Partners’ senior notes or may
impair our ability to access capital.

The indentures governing certain of our and ONEOK Partners’ senior notes include an event of default upon the acceleration of
other indebtedness of $15 million or more for certain of our senior notes or $100 million or more for certain of our and ONEOK
Partners’ senior notes. Such events of default would entitle the trustee or the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of
our and ONEOK Partners’ outstanding senior notes to declare those senior notes immediately dued
not have sufficient cash on hand to repurchase and repay any accelerated senior notes, which may cause us to borrow money
under our credit facff
ility or seek alternative financing sources to finance the repurchases and repayment. We could also face
difficulties accessing capita
al expenditures,
capita

al or our borrowing costs could increase, impacm ting our ability to obtain financing for acquisitions or

to refinance indebtedness and to fulff

fill our debt obligations.

in full. We may

and payablea

t

The right to receive payments on our outstanding debt securities and subsidiary guarantees is unsecured and will be
effectively subordinated to any future secured indebtedness as well as to any existing and future indebtedness of our
subsidiaries that do not guarantee the senior notes.

Although ONEOK Partners and the Intermediate Partnership have guaranteed our debt securities, the guarantees are subjeu
release under certain circumstances, and we have subsidiaries that are not guarantors. In those cases, the debt securities
effectively are subordinated to the claims of all creditors, including trade creditors and tort claimants, of our subsidiaries that

ct to

31

are not guarantors. In the event of the insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or winding up of the
business of a subsidiary that is not a guarantor, creditors of that subsidiary would generally have the right to be paid in full
before any distribution is made to us or the holders of the debt securities.

A court may use fraudulent conveyance considerations to avoid or subordinate the cross guarantees of our and ONEOK
Partners’ indebtedness.

ONEOK, ONEOK Partners and the Intermediate Partnership have cross guarantees in place for our and ONEOK Partners’
indebtedness. A court may use fraudulent conveyance laws to subordinat
ONEOK Partners’ indebtedness. It is also possible that under certain circumstances, a court could avoid or subordinate the
guarantor’s guarantee of our and ONEOK Partners’ indebtedness in favor of the guarantor’s other debts or liabilities to the
extent that the court determined either of the folff

lowing were true at the time the guarantor issued the guarantee:

e or avoid the cross guarantees of certain of our and

u

•

•

the guarantor incurred the guarantee with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud any of its present or futuret
creditors or
the guarantor contemplated insolvency with a design to favor one or more creditors to the total or partial exclusion of
others; or
the guarantor did not receive fair consideration or reasonable equivalent value for issuing the guarantee and, at the time
it issued the guarantee, the guarantor:

– was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the issuance of the guarantee;
– was engaged or about

to engage in a business or transaction for which its remaining assets constituted

a

unreasonably small capital; or
intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its abia lity to pay such debts as they maturet

d.

–

The measure of insolvency forff
Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent for purposes of the foregoing if:

purposes of the foreff

going will vary drr

epending upon the law of the relevant jurisdiction.

•

•

•

the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, were greater than the faiff
valuation;
the present fair saleablea
on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature; or
it could not pay its debts as they become dued .

r saleablea

value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liabila

ity

value of all of its assets at a faiff

r

Among other things, a legal challenge of the cross guarantees of our and ONEOK Partners’ indebtedness on fraudulent
conveyance grounds may focus
issuance of such debt. To the extent the guarantor’s guarantee of our and ONEOK Partners’ indebtedness is avoided as a result
of fraudulent conveyance or held unenforceable forff
any other reason, the holders of such debt would cease to have any claim in
respect of the guarantee.

on the benefits, if any, realized by the guarantor as a result of our and ONEOK Partners’

ff

GENERAL RISK FACTORS

Holders of our common stock may receive dividends that vary fromff

anticipated amounts, or no dividends at all.

We may not have sufficient cash each quarter to pay dividends or maintain current or expected levels of dividends. The actual
amount of cash we pay in the form of dividends may fluctuat
of which are beyond our control, including our working capia tal needs, our ability to borrow, the restrictions contained in our
indentures and credit facility, our debt service requirements and the cost of acquisitions, if any. A fail
dividends or to pay dividends at expected levels could result in a loss of investor confidence, reputational damage and a
decrease in the value of our stock price.

quarter to quarter and will depend on various factors, some

ff ure either to pay

e fromff

t

We are exposed to the credit risk of our customers or counterparties, and our credit-risk management may not be
adequate to protect against such risk.

We are subject to the risk of loss resulting from nonpayment and/or nonperformance by our customers and counterparties. Our
customers or counterparties may experience rapid deterioration of their finaff
ncial condition as a result of changing market
conditions, commodity prices or financial difficulties that could impact their creditworthiness or ability to pay us for our
services. We assess the creditworthiness of our customers and counterparties and obtain collateral or contractual terms as we
deem appropria
a
financial conditions, including possible declines in our customers’ and counterparties’ creditworthiness. Our customers and
counterparties may not perform or adhere to our existing or future contractual
counterparties are in finff ancial distress or commence bankruptcy proceedings, contracts with them may be subject to

te. We cannot, however, predict to what extent our business may be impacted by deteriorating market or

arrangements. To the extent our customers and

t

32

ff

a

renegotiation or rejee ction under appl
customers and counterparties, any material
and procedures fail
to assess adequately the creditworthiness of existing or futuret
nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers and counterparties due to inabila
ity or unwillingness to perform or adhere to
contractual arrangements could affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position, cash flows and ability to
pay cash dividends to our shareholders.

icable provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code. If our risk-management policies

We are connected to market areas located in the Mid-Continent, Rocky Mountain, Permian Basin, Midwest markets, including
Chicago, Illinois, and Gulf Coast regions of the U.S. Our counterparties are primarily major integrated and independent
exploration and production, pipeline, marketing and petrochemical companies and natural
our counterparties may be similarly affected by changes in economic, regulatory or other factors that may affect our overall
credit risk.

gas and electric utilities. Therefore,

t

A shortage of skilled labor may make it difficult for us to maintain labor productivity and competitive costs.

Our operations require skilled and experienced workers with proficiency in multiple tasks. In recent years, a shortage of
workers trained in various skills associated with the midstream energy business has, at times, caused us to conduct certain
operations without full staff, thus hiring outside resources, which may decrease productivity and increase costs. This shortage
of trained workers is the result of experienced workers reaching retirement age and increased competm ition for workers in certain
areas, combined with the challenges of attracting new, qualified workers to the midstream energy industry. This shortage of
skilled labor
a
adversely our labor
for our services and products, which could affecff
flows.

t
continues or worsens, it could affecff
productivity and costs and our ability to expand operations in the event there is an increase in the demand

could continue over an extended period. If the shortage of experienced labor

t adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash

a

a

Our employees or directors may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including noncompliance with
regulatory standards and requirements.

a

m

m

e fraff ud or other misconduct. Our Board of Directors has adopted

es to our directors, officers (including our principal executive and finaff

es to adhere to our code of business conduct and ethics in addressing the legal and

As with all companies, we are exposed to the risk of employe
a code of business conduct and ethics that appli
officers, principal accounting officer, controllers and other persons performing similar funct
require all directors, officers and employe
ethical issues encountered in conducting their work for our company. Our code of business conduct and ethics requires, among
laws and other
other things, that our directors, officers and employe
legal requirements, conduct business in an honest and ethical manner and otherwise act with integrity and in our company’s
best interest. All directors, officers and employe
apparent violation of our code of business conduct and ethics. However, it is not always possible to identify and deter
misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or
unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a
failure to comply with such laws or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against us, and we are not successful in
defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could affecff
financial position and cash flows.

es are required to report any conduct that they believe to be an actual or

t adversely our reputation, business, results of operations,

es avoid conflicts of interest, complym with all applicablea

ions) and all other employees. We

ncial

m

m

ff

ff

An impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets, including intangible assets, and equity-method investments could reduce
our earnings.

Goodwill is recorded when the purchase price of a business exceeds the fair market value of the tangible and separately
measurablea
intangible net assets. GAAP requires us to test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or when events or
circumstances occur indicating that goodwill might be impaired. Long-lived assets, including intangible assets with finite
useful lives, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may
not be recoverablea
value of the equity investment as a whole, not the underlying net assets, has declined and whether that decline is other than
temporary. For examplem , if a low commodity price environment persisted for a prolonged period, it could result in lower
volumes delivered to our systems and impairmm
ents of our assets or equity-method investments. If we determine that an
impairment is indicated, we would be required to take an immediate noncash charge to earnings with a correlative effecff
equity and balance sheet leverage as measured by consolidated debt to total capita

. For the investments we account for under the equity method, the impairment test considers whether the fair

alization.

t on

For further discussion of impairmm
respectively, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

ents of goodwill, long-lived assets and equity-method investments, see Notes A, E, D and M,

33

Acquisitions that appear to be accretive may nevertheless reduce our cash from operations on a per-share basis.

Any acquisition involves potential risks that may include, among other things:

•
•
•

•

•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

ff

the businesses we acquire;

ity to integrate successfully

inaccurate assumptions about volumes, revenues and costs, including potential synergies;
an inabila
decrease in our liquidity as a result of our using a significant portion of our available cash or borrowing capac
finance the acquisition;
a significant increase in our interest expense and/or financial leverage if we incur additional debt to finance the
acquisition;
the assumption of unknown liabila
policies may exclude from coverage;
an inabila
limitations on rights to indemnity from the seller;
inaccurate assumptim ons about the overall costs of equity or debt;
the diversion of management’s and employees’ attention from other business concerns;
unforeseen difficulties operating in new product areas or new geographic areas;
increased regulatory burdens;
customer or key employee losses at an acquired business; and
increased regulatory requirements.

ity to hire, train or retain qualified personnel to manage and operate the acquired business and assets;

a

ities forff which we are not indemnified, our indemnity is inadequate or our insurance

ity to

If we consummate any future acquisitions, our capita
will not have the opportunit
determining the application of our resources to futuret

y to evaluate the economic, finaff

t

acquisitions.

alization and results of operations may change significantly, and investors
ncial and other relevant information that we will consider in

The cost of providing pension and postretirement health care benefits to eligible employees and qualified retirees is
subject to changes in pension fund values and changing demographics and may increase.

d benefit pension plan for certain employees and former employees, which closed to new participants in 2005,

We have a defineff
and postretirement welfare plans that provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain employees hired
prior to 2017 who retire with at least five years of full-time service. The cost of providing these benefits to eligible current and
former employees is subject to changes in the market value of our pension and postretirement benefit plan assets, changing
demographics, including longer life eff
further discussion of our defined benefit pension plan and postretirement welfare plans, see Note K of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

xpectancy of plan participants and their beneficiaries and changes in health care costs. For

Any sustained declines in equity markets and reductions in bond yields may affecff
postretirement benefit plan assets. In these circumstances, additional cash contributions to our pension plans may be required,
which could affecff

t adversely our business, financial condition and liquidity.

t adversely the value of our pension and

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to report accurately our financial
results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential holders of our equity and debt securities could lose
confidence in our financial reporting.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliablea
financial reports, prevent fraud and operate successfully as a
public company. We cannot be certain that our efforts to maintain our internal controls will be successful, that we will be abla e
to maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future or that we will be abla e to continue to
comply with our obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any failure to maintain effective internal
controls, or difficulties encountered in implementing or improving our internal controls, could harm our operating results or
cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Ineffective internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in
our reported financial information, which would likely have a negative effecff
t on the trading price of our equity, our access to
capita

al markets and the cost of capia tal.

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

34

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

A description of our properties is included in Item 1, Business.

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information about our legal proceedings is included in Note N of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual
Report.

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol “OKE.” The corporate name ONEOK is used in newspaper
stock listings.

At February 22, 2022, there were 13,198 holders of record of our 446,213,285 outstanding shares of common stock.

For information regarding our Employee Stock Award Program and other equity compensation plans, see Note J of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” included in Part III, Item 12, Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters, in this Annual Report.

35

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

lowing performance grapha

The folff
Midstream Energy Select Index and a ONEOK Peer Group during the period beginning on December 31, 2016, and ending on
December 31, 2021.

compares the performance of our common stock with the S&P 500 Index, the Alerian

Value of a $100 Investment, Assuming Reinvestment of Distributions/Dividends,
at December 31, 2016, and at the End of Every Year Through December 31, 2021.

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

ONEOK, Inc.
ONEOK Peer Group

S&P 500 Index
Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index

2017

2018

Cumulative Total Return
Years Ended December 31,
2019

2020

2021

ONEOK, Inc.
S&P 500 Index
ONEOK Peer Group (a)
Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index (b)

$
$
$
$

97.92
121.83
93.45
100.76

$
$
$
$

104.07
116.49
77.86
82.95

$
$
$
$

153.80
153.17
87.11
101.49

$
$
$
$

87.11
181.35
64.37
77.72

$
$
$
$

143.59
233.41
91.97
109.39

(a) - The ONEOK Peer Group is composed of the following companies: DCP Midstream, LP; Energy Transfer LP; EnLink Midstream, LLC;
Enterprise Products Partners L.P.; Kinder Morgan, Inc.; Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.; MPLX LP; NuStar Energy L.P.; Plains All
American Pipeline, L.P.; Targa Resources Corp.; and The Williams Companies, Inc.
(b) - The Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index measures the composite performance of approximately 33 North American energy
infrastructure companies who are engaged in midstream activities involving energy commodities.

ITEM 6.

[RESERVED]

36

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATRR IONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with Part I, Item 1, Business, our audited Consolidated
Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Please refer to the “Financial Results and Operating Information” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections of
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Annual Report for additional
information.

Market Conditions - We experienced earnings growth from increased volumes in 2021, comparem
increased producer activity and rising gas-to-oil ratios in the Rocky Mountain region, production curtailments in 2020,
increased ethane production in the Rocky Mountain region and higher commodity prices in both our Natural Gas Gathering and
Processing and Natural Gas Liquids segments, highlighting both the resiliency of our integrated assets and the economic
recovery from the pandemic.

d with 2020, due primarily to

l gas stream, known as ethane rejection. As a result of these ethane economics, ethane volumes on our

tuate period to period. Ethane volumes under long-term contracts delivered to our NGL system increased

Ethane Production - Price differentials between ethane and natural
leave it in the naturat
system can flucff
approximately 55 MBbl/d to an average of 430 MBbl/d in 2021, compared with 375 MBbl/d in 2020, due primarily to changes
in ethane extraction economics. We estimate that there are more than 225 MBbl/d of discretionary ethane, consisting of more
than 125 MBbl/d in the Rocky Mountain region and approxi
recovered and transported on our system. Ethane recovery opportunit
ethane economics.

mately 100 MBbl/d in the Mid-Continent region, that can be

gas processors to extract ethane or

tuate based on regional naturat

gas can cause natural

ies will flucff

l gas pricing and

a

t

t

t

Growth Projects - We operate an integrated, reliable and diversified network of NGL and natural gas gathering, processing,
fractionation, storage and transportation assets connecting supply in the Rocky Mountain, Mid-Continent and Permian regions
with key market centers. Our publicly announced capital-growth projects are outlined in the tablea

below:

Demicks Lake III plant

Natural Gas Liquids
Arbuckle II pipeline
expansion

MB-5 fractionator

Project

Scope

Natural Gas Gathering and Processing
Bear Creek plant expansion
and related infrastructure

200 MMcf/d processing plant expansion and related gathering
infrastructure in the Williston Basin
Supported by acreage dedications with long-term primarily fee-
based contracts
200 MMcf/d processing plant in the core of the Williston Basin
Supported by acreage dedications with primarily fee-based
contracts

Approximate
Costs (a)
(In(( millions)
$405

Completion

Completed

$188 (b)

First Quarter 2023

Increased mainline capacity with additional pump facilities
Increased capacity to 500 MBbl/d
125 MBbl/d NGL fractionator in Mont Belvieu, Texas

$60

Completed

$750 (c)

Third Quarter 2023

tt

(a) - Excludes capitalized interest/AFUDC.
(b) - In November 2021, we announced that we restarted construction of the Demicks Lake III natural gas processing plant. Upon
announcement, the expected cost to complete was approximately $140 million.
(c) - In November 2021, we announced that we restarted construction of the MB-5 NGL fractionator. Upon announcement, the expected cost
to complete was approximately $250 million.

Debt Repayments - In November 2021, we redeemed the remaining $536.1 million of our $700 million, 4.25% senior notes
due February 2022 at 100% of the principal amount, plus accruedr
borrowings.

and unpaid interest, with cash on hand and short-term

In June 2021, we repaid the remaining $11.7 million of Guardian Pipeline’s senior notes due December 2022 with cash on
hand.

37

In 2021, we repurchased in the open market outstanding principal of certain of our senior notes in the amount of $55.2 million
for an aggregate repurchase price of $54.6 million with cash on hand.

Dividends - During 2021, we paid common stock dividends totaling $3.74 per share, which is consistent with the prior year. In
February 2022, we paid a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.935 per share ($3.74 per share on an annualized basis), which
is consistent with the same quarter in the prior year.

FINANCIAL RESULTS AND OPERATING INFORMATION

How We Evaluate Our Operations

p

ncial and operating metrics to analyze our performance. Our consolidated financial metrics

Management uses a variety of finaff
include: (1) operating income; (2) net income; (3) diluted EPS; and (4) adjust
results using adjusted EBITDA and our operating metrics, which include various volume and rate statistics that are relevant for
the respective segment. These operating metrics allow investors to analyze the various components of segment financial results
in terms of volumes and rate/pric
key inputs for forecasting and budgeting segment financial results. For additional information on our operating metrics, see the
respective segment subsections of this “Financial Results and Operating Information” section.

e. Management uses these metrics to analyze historical segment financial results and as the

ed EBITDA. We evaluate segment operating

d

/

ff
equity funds

Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure of our financial performance. Adjusted
EBITDA is defined as net income adjusted for interest expense, depreciation and amortization, noncash impaim rment charges,
income taxes, allowance forff
ion expense and certain other noncash
items. We believe this non-GAAP financial measure is useful to investors because it and similar measures are used by many
companies in our industry as a measurement of financial performance and is commonly employed by financial analysts and
others to evaluate our financial performance and to compare financial performance among companies in our industry. Adjusted
EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income, EPS or any other measure of financial performance presented
in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, this calculation may not be comparablea
companies.

used during construction, noncash compensat

with similarly titled measures of other

m

Consolidated Operations

p

Selected Financial Results - The following tablea
indicated:

sets forth certain selected consolidated financial results forff

the periods

Financial Results

Revenues

Commodity sales
Services
Total revenues

Cost of sales and fuel (exclusive of items shown
separately below)
Operating costs
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment charges
(Gain) loss on sale of assets

gg
Operating income

Equity in net earnings from investments
Impairment of equity investments
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
Net income
Diluted EPS
Adjusted EBITDA
Capital expenditures

Years Ended December 31,
2020

2021

2019
(Millions of dollars, except per share amounts)

$ Increase (Decrease)

2021 vs. 2020

2020 vs. 2019

$

$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$

$

15,180.3
1,360.0
16,540.3

12,256.7
1,067.0
621.7
—
(1.4)
2,596.3
122.5

$
$
— $
(732.9) $
$
1,499.7
$
3.35
$
3,379.7
$
696.9

$

7,255.2
1,287.0
8,542.2

5,110.1
886.1
578.7
607.2
(1.3)
$
1,361.4
143.2
$
(37.7) $
(712.9) $
$
612.8
$
1.42
$
2,723.7
$
2,195.4

8,916.1
1,248.3
10,164.4

6,788.0
982.9
476.5
—
2.6
1,914.4
154.5
—
(491.8)
1,278.6
3.07
2,580.2
3,848.3

7,925.1
73.0
7,998.1

7,146.6
180.9
43.0
(607.2)
0.1
1,234.9
(20.7)
(37.7)
20.0
886.9
1.93
656.0
(1,498.5)

(1,660.9)
38.7
(1,622.2)

(1,677.9)
(96.8)
102.2
607.2
3.9
(553.0)
(11.3)
37.7
221.1
(665.8)
(1.65)
143.5
(1,652.9)

See reconciliation of net income to adjusted

d

EBITDA in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section.

38

Changes in commodity prices and sales volumes affect both revenues and cost of sales and fuel
of Income, and, therefore, the impact is largely offset between these line items.

ff

in our Consolidated Statements

2021 vs. 2020 - Operating income increased $1.2 billion primarily as a result of the following:

•

•

•

•
•

•

Gas Gathering and Processing - increases of $143.5 million dued

to noncash impairment charges in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing and

an increase of $607.2 million dued
Natural Gas Liquids segments in 2020;
Natural Gas Liquids - increases of $421.4 million in exchange services related primarily to higher volumes in the
Rocky Mountain region, the Mid-Continent region and Permian Basin and wider commodity price differe
$98.3 million in optimization and marketing. These increases were offset partially by a decrease of $46.2 million fromff
the impact of Winter Storm Uri in exchange services;
Natural
NN
impacting our fee with POP contracts and $115.8 million from higher volumes due primarily to increased production
and rising gas-to-oil ratios in the Rocky Mountain region in 2021 and production curtailments in 2020; and
Natural Gas Pipei
gas sales; offset
an increase of $180.9 million in consolidated operating costs due primarily to higher employee costs related to short-
term incentives, property t
deferred compensation plan in 2021 compared with a benefit in 2020; and
an increase of $43.0 million in depreciation expense due to capia tal projects placed in service.

axes, outside services and the impact of a loss on the mark-to-market of our share-based

primarily to lower realized prices in 2020

lines - an increase of $109.1 million dued

to primarily to increased natural

ntials, and

by

ff

t

t

ff

and noncash impaim rment charges related to
Net income and diluted EPS increased due primarily to the items discussed above
equity investments in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing and Natural Gas Liquids segments in the prior year. These
increases were offset partially by higher income taxes, higher interest expense related to lower capia talized interest and lower
equity AFUDC due to completed projects, lower equity in net earnings from investments and a gain in 2020 on extinguishment
of debt related to open market repurchases.

a

Capia tal expenditures decreased due primarily to our completed and paused capita

al-growth projects.

Additional information regarding our financial results and operating information is provided in the discussions for each of our
segments.

Selected Financial Results and Operating Information for the Year Ended December 31, 2020 vs. 2019 - The consolidated
and segment financial results and operating information for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared with the year ended
December 31, 2019, are included in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations of our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is availablea
website at www.oneok.com.

via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our

g
Natural Gas Gathering and Processing

g

Growth Projects - Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment has invested in growth projects in NGL-rich areas in
the Williston Basin. See “Growth Projects” in the “Recent Developments” section for discussion of our capita
projects.

al-growth

For a discussion of our capita
section.

al expendituret

financing, see “Capita

al Expenditures

t

” in the “Liquidity and Capia tal Resources”

39

Selected Financial Results and Operating Information
operating information for our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment forff

- The following tabla es set fort

ff

ff

the periods indicated:

h certain selected financial results and

Financial Results

2021

Years Ended December 31,
2020

2019
(Millions of dollars)

2021 vs. 2020

2020 vs. 2019

$ Increase (Decrease)

NGL and condensate sales
Residue natural gas sales
Gathering, compression, dehydration and
processing fees and other revenue
Cost of sales and fuel (exclusive of depreciation and
operating costs)
Operating costs, excluding noncash compensation
adjustments
Equity in net earnings (loss) from investments
Other
jj
Adjusted EBITDA
Impairment charges
Capital expenditures

$

$
$
$

$

2,821.2
1,483.9

156.4

$

889.4
771.5

159.2

1,224.4
966.1

178.1

1,931.8
712.4

(2.8)

(3,226.1)

(844.0)

(1,302.3)

2,382.1

(351.4)
3.8
1.3
889.1

$
— $
$

275.2

(320.0)
(1.1)
(5.0)
650.0
566.1
446.1

$
$
$

(352.8)
(6.3)
(4.5)
702.7
—
926.5

31.4
4.9
6.3
239.1
(566.1)
(170.9)

(335.0)
(194.6)

(18.9)

(458.3)

(32.8)
5.2
(0.5)
(52.7)
566.1
(480.4)

See reconciliation of net income to adjusted

d

EBITDA in the “Non-GAAP Measures” section.

Changes in commodity prices and sales volumes affect both revenue and cost of sales and fuel, and, therefore, the impact is
largely offset between these line items.

2021 vs. 2020 - Adjusted EBITDA increased $239.1 million, primarily as a result of the following:

•

•

•
•

an increase of $143.5 million due primarily to lower realized prices, net of hedging, in 2020 impacting our fee with
POP contracts; and
an increase of $115.8 million from higher volumes due primarily to increased production and rising gas-to-oil ratios in
the Rocky Mountain region in 2021 and production curtailments in 2020, offset partially by natural production
declines in the Mid-Continent region; and
an increase of $7.3 million from a gain on the partial sale of an equity investment; offset
an increase of $31.4 million in operating costs due primarily to higher employee costs related to short-term incentives.

by

ff

Capital expenditures decreased due primarily to completed capital-growth projects in 2020.

Operating Information (a)
)dd
Natural gas gathered (BBtu/d
Natural gas processed (BBtu/d
) (dd b)
Average fee rate ($/MMBtu)

((

((

Years Ended December 31,
2020

2019

2021

2,736
2,515
1.04

$

2,553
2,364
0.89

$

2,753
2,555
0.92

$

(a) - Includes volumes for consolidated entities only.
(b) - Includes volumes at company-owned and third-party facilities.

2021 vs. 2020 - Our natural gas gathered and natural
activity and rising gas-to-oil ratios in the Rocky Mountain region and the impact of curtailed production in 2020, offset partially
t
by natural

production declines in the Mid-Continent region.

gas processed volumes increased dued

primarily to increased producer

t

Our average fee rate increased due primarily to production curtailments in the second quarter 2020 on producer contracts with
higher feeff
and producer activity has continued to increase, the Rocky Mountain region’s contribution to our average fee rate increased in
2021.

s and lower POP components in the Rocky Mountain region. As these curtailed volumes have returned to our system

Commodity Price Risk - See discussion regarding our commodity price risk under “Commodity Price Risk” in Item 7A,
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Impairments - The year ended December 31, 2020, includes $382.2 million of noncash impaim rment charges related primarily
to certain long-lived asset groups in the Powder River Basin, western Oklahoma and Kansas that were not recoverablea

, a

40

$153.4 million noncash impairment charge related to goodwill and a $30.5 million noncash impairment charge related to our
10.2% investment in Venice Energy Services Company.

Natural Gas Liquids

q

Growth Projects - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment invests in projects to transport, fractionate, store and deliver to market
centers NGL supply from shale and other resource development areas. Our growth strategy is focused around connecting
diversified supply basins from the Rocky Mountain region through the Mid-Continent region and the Permian Basin with NGL
product demand from the petrochemical and refining industries and NGL export demand in the Gulf Coast. See “Growth
Projects” in the “Recent Developments” section for discussion of our capita

al-growth projects.

In 2021, we connected one third-party natural
processing plant in the Rocky Mountain region to our NGL system. In addition, one affilff
Rocky Mountain region connected to our system was expanded.

t

gas processing plant in the Permian Basin and one third-party natural gas

iate natural

t

gas processing plant in the

For a discussion of our capita
section.

al expendituret

financing, see “Capita

al Expenditures”

t

in the “Liquidity and Capia tal Resources”

Selected Financial Results and Operating Information - The following tablea
operating information for our Naturat

l Gas Liquids segment for the periods indicated:

s set forth certain selected finaff

ncial results and

Financial Results

2021

Years Ended December 31,
2020

2019
(Millions of dollars)

2021 vs. 2020

2020 vs. 2019

$ Increase (Decrease)

NGL and condensate sales
Exchange service revenues and other
Transportation and storage revenues
Cost of sales and fuel (exclusive of depreciation and
operating costs)
Operating costs, excluding noncash compensation
adjustments
Equity in net earnings from investments
Other
jj
Adjusted EBITDA
Impairment charges
Capital expenditures

$

$
$
$

$

13,653.1
559.2
179.6

$

6,409.3
497.8
182.9

7,910.8
424.2
197.5

7,243.8
61.4
(3.3)

(1,501.5)
73.6
(14.6)

(11,939.7)

(5,108.6)

(6,690.9)

6,831.1

(1,582.3)

(499.4)
21.0
(10.2)
1,963.6

$
— $
$

306.9

(396.4)
39.9
(7.7)
1,617.2
78.8
1,655.8

$
$
$

(434.4)
65.1
(6.5)
1,465.8
—
2,796.6

103.0
(18.9)
(2.5)
346.4
(78.8)
(1,348.9)

(38.0)
(25.2)
(1.2)
151.4
78.8
(1,140.8)

See reconciliation of net income to adjusted

d

EBITDA in the “Non-GAAP Measures” section.

Changes in commodity prices and sales volumes affect both revenues and cost of sales and fuel
largely offset between these line items.

ff

, and, therefore, the impact is

2021 vs. 2020 - Adjusted EBITDA increased $346.4 million primarily as a result of the following:

•

•

•

•

•

an increase of $421.4 million in exchange services (excluding the impact of Winter Storm Uri discussed below) due
primarily to:

ff

◦

◦
◦
◦

ntials,

$261.6 million in higher volumes primarily in the Rocky Mountain region, Mid-Continent region and
Permian Basin, offset partially by lower volumes in the Barnett Shale,
$98.9 million related to wider commodity price differe
$63.8 million in lower transportation costs in the Rocky Mountain region, and
$12.9 million related to recognition of proceeds previously considered a gain contingency; and
an increase of $98.3 million in optimization and marketing due primarily to wider location and commodity price
differentials, increased activities during
the negative impact of Winter Storm Uri of $46.2 million in exchange services due primarily to decreased volumes
across our operations and higher electricity costs;
an increase of $103.0 million in operating costs due primarily to increased property taxes associated with our
completed capital-growth projects, higher employee costs related to short-term incentives and higher outside services;
and
a decrease of $18.9 million from lower equity in net earnings from investments due primarily to lower volumes on
Overland Pass Pipeline.

Winter Storm Uri and higher optimization volumes; offset

by

d

ff

41

Capital expenditures decreased due primarily to completed and paused capital-growth projects in 2020.

Operating Information
Raw feed throughput (MBbl/d) (dd a)
Average Conway-to-Mont Belvieu OPIS price differential -
ethane in ethane/propane mix ($/gallon)

Years Ended December 31,
2020

2019

2021

1,198

1,084

1,079

$

(0.01) $

0.01

$

0.07

(a) - Represents physical raw feed volumes on which we charge a feeff

for transportation and/or fractionation services.

2021 vs. 2020 - Volumes increased dued
Continent region and Permian Basin, increased ethane production in the Rocky Mountain region, and the impact of curtailed
production across our system in 2020, offset partially by the impact of Winter Storm Uri in 2021 and lower volumes in the
Barnett Shale.

primarily to increased production primarily in the Rocky Mountain region, Mid-

Impairments - The year ended December 31, 2020, includes $71.6 million of noncash impairment charges related primarily to
certain inactive assets and a $7.2 million noncash impairment charge related to our 50% investment in Chisholm Pipeline
Company.

Natural Gas Pipelines

p

Selected Financial Results and Operating Information
operating information for our Natural Gas Pipelines segment forff

- The following tabla es set fort

ff
the periods indicated:

ff

h certain selected financial results and

Financial Results

2021

2020

2019
(Millions of dollars)

$ Increase (Decrease)

Years Ended December 31,

2021 vs. 2020

2020 vs. 2019

Transportation revenues
Storage revenues
Residue natural gas sales and other revenues
Cost of sales and fuel (exclusive of depreciation and
operating costs)
Operating costs, excluding noncash compensation
adjustments
Equity in net earnings from investments
Other
jj
Adjusted EBITDA
Capital expenditures

$

$
$

412.9
77.6
116.4

(11.2)

(162.1)
97.8
(3.6)
527.8
92.6

$

$
$

401.7
68.4
9.9

(6.8)

(137.2)
104.4
(3.0)
437.4
71.9

$

$
$

393.7
72.6
5.7

(4.6)

(150.8)
95.7
(3.5)
408.8
99.2

See reconciliation of net income to adjusted

d

EBITDA in the “Non-GAAP Measures” section.

2021 vs. 2020 - Adjusted EBITDA increased $90.4 million primarily as a result of the following:

11.2
9.2
106.5

4.4

24.9
(6.6)
(0.6)
90.4
20.7

8.0
(4.2)
4.2

2.2

(13.6)
8.7
0.5
28.6
(27.3)

•

•
•

•

•

t

storage services dued

gas prices on 5.2 Bcf of natural

an increase of $109.1 million due primarily to higher average natural
first quarter 2021 of volumes previously held in inventory, compared with 1.2 Bcf in the first quarter 2020; and
an increase of $8.9 million fromff
an increase of $4.7 million in transportation services dued
interruptible transportation revenue in the first quarter 2021, offset partially by a favora
settlement in April 2020; offset
an increase of $24.9 million in operating costs due primarily to higher employee costs related primarily to short-term
incentives, higher outside services and supplies expenses; and
a decrease of $6.6 million from lower equity in net earnings from investments due primarily to decreased firm
transportation revenues on Northern Border Pipeline.

primarily to higher park-and-loan revenue and higher

primarily to higher storage rates; and

$13.5 million contract

gas sales in the

blea

by

ff

ff

t

Capital expenditures increased in 2021 due primarily to capital-growth projects.

42

Operating Information (a)
Natural gas transportation capacity contracted (MDth/d)dd
Transportation capacity contracted

(a) - Includes volumes for consolidated entities only.

Years Ended December 31,
2020

2021

7,395

95 %

7,461

96 %

2019

7,618

98 %

Roadrunner, in which we have a 50% ownership interest, has contracted all of its westbound capac

a

ity through 2041.

Northern Border Pipeline, in which we have a 50% ownership interest, has contracted substantially all of its long-haul
transportation capaa

city through the fourth quarter 2022.

In February 2021, our subsidiary, Midwestern Gas Transmission Company (Midwestern), filed a proposed change in rates
pursuant to Section 4 of the Natural Gas Act with the FERC. In February 2022, Midwestern filed a Stipulation and Offerff
Settlement with the FERC forff
materially our results of operations.

of
approval. Pending approval by the FERC, the proposed settlement is not expected to impact

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following tablea
adjusted EBITDA forff

the periods indicated:

sets forth a reconciliation of net income, the nearest comparable GAAP financial performance measure, to

(Unaudited)dd
Reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA
Net income
Add:

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
Depreciation and amortization
Income tax expense
Impairment charges
Noncash compensation expense (a)
Equity AFUDC and other noncash items

Adjusted EBITDA (b)
Reconciliation of segment adjusted EBITDA to adjusted EBITDA
Segment adjusted EBITDA:

Natural Gas Gathering and Processing
Natural Gas Liquids
Natural Gas Pipelines
Other (b)

Adjusted EBITDA

jj

2021

Years Ended December 31,
2020
(Thousands of dollars)

2019

$ 1,499,706

$

612,809

$ 1,278,577

732,924
621,701
484,498
—
42,592
(1,681)
$ 3,379,740

712,886
578,662
189,507
644,930
8,540
(23,661)
$ 2,723,673

491,773
476,535
372,414
—
26,699
(65,811)
$ 2,580,187

$

889,127
1,963,639
527,810
(836)
$ 3,379,740

$

650,036
1,617,241
437,426
18,970
$ 2,723,673

$

702,650
1,465,765
408,816
2,956
$ 2,580,187

(a) - Year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, includes a loss of $7.4 million and a benefit of $11.2 million, respectively, related to the mark-
to-market of our share-based deferred compensation
(b) - Year ended December 31, 2020, includes corporate net gains of $22.3 million on extinguishment of debt related to open market
repurchases.

plan.

mm

CONTINGENCIES

See Note N of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for a discussion of regulatory and
environmental matters.

Other Legal Proceedings - We are a party to various legal proceedings that have arisen in the normal course of our operations.
While the results of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the reasonably possible losses fromff
such
proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, are not material. Additionally, we believe the probable finff al outcome of such
t on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
proceedings will not have a material adverse effecff

43

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

General - Our primary srr
$2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, debt issuances and the issuance of common stock forff
requirements.

ources of cash inflows are operating cash flows, proceeds from our commercial paper program and our

our liquidity and capital resources

al expenditures

We expect our sources of cash inflows to provide sufficient resources to finaff
capita
Agreement, which expires in June 2024 and access to $1.0 billion available through our “at-the-market” equity program. As of
the date of this report, no shares have been sold through our “at-the-market” equity program.

and maturities of long-term debt. We believe we have sufficient liquidity due to our $2.5 Billion Credit

nce our operations, quarterly cash dividends,

t

We may manage interest-rate risk through the use of fixed-rate debt, floating-rate debt and interest-rate swaps.a
information on our interest-rate swaps,a

see Note C of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

For additional

3-10 of Regulation S-X and created Rule 13-01 to

Guarantees and Cash Management - In 2020, the SEC amended RuleRR
simplify disclosure requirements related to certain registered securities. We and ONEOK Partners are issuers of certain public
debt securities. We guarantee certain indebtedness of ONEOK Partners, and ONEOK Partners and the Intermediate Partnership
guarantee certain of our indebtedness. The guarantees in place for our and ONEOK Partners’ indebtedness are full, irrevocable,
unconditional and absolute joint and several guarantees to the holders of each series of outstanding securities. Liabilities under
the guarantees rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future
Partners and the Intermediate Partnership are consolidated subsidiaries of ONEOK, separate financial statements forff
13-01 is provided, which includes narrative
guarantors are not required, as long as the alternative disclosure required by RuleRR
disclosure and summarized finaff
ncial information. The Intermediate Partnership holds all of ONEOK Partners’ interests and
equity in its subsidiaries, which are non-guarantors, and substantially all the assets and operations reside with non-guarantor
operating subsidiaries. Therefore, as allowed under Rule 13-01, we have excluded the summarized financial information for
each issuer and guarantor as the combined finaff
ncial information of the subsidiary issuer and parent guarantor, excluding our
ownership of all the interests in ONEOK Partners, reflect no material assets, liabilities or results of operations, apart from the
guaranteed indebtedness. For additional information on our and ONEOK Partners’ indebtedness, see Note F of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

senior unsecured indebtedness. As ONEOK
the

ff

We use a centralized cash management program that concentrates the cash assets of our non-guarantor operating subsidiaries in
joint accounts for the purposes of providing financial fleff xibility and lowering the cost of borrowing, transaction costs and bank
in excess of the daily needs of our operating subsidiaries
ff
fees. Our centralized cash management program provides that funds
are concentrated, consolidated or otherwise made availablea
for use by other entities within our consolidated group. Our
operating subsidiaries participate in this program to the extent they are permitted pursuant to FERC regulations or their
operating agreements. Under the cash management program, depending on whether a participating subsidiary has short-term
cash surpluses or cash requirements, we provide cash to the subsidiary or the subsidiary provides cash to us.

Short-term Liquidity - Our principal sources of short-term liquidity consist of cash generated from operating activities,
distributions received fromff
Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2021, we are in compliance with all covenants of our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement.

our equity-method investments, proceeds from our commercial paper program and our $2.5 Billion

At December 31, 2021, we had no borrowings under our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement and $146.4 million of cash and cash
equivalents.

al (defined as current assets less current liabilities) deficff

We had a working capita
surplus of $525.2 million as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively. Although working capita
influenced by several factors, including, among other things: (i) the timing of (a) debt and equity i
payments, (c) the funding of capia tal expenditures, and (d) accounts receivablea
inventory and commodity imbalances; our working capita
maturities of long-term debt and our working capita
may have working capita
capita

ff
al deficit to have an adverse impacm t to our cash flows or operations.

and payable; and (ii) the volume and cost of
al deficit at December 31, 2021, was driven primarily by current
al surplus at December 31, 2020, was driven primarily by cash on hand. We

periods as we continue to repay long-term debt. We do not expect this working

it of $810.2 million and a working capia tal

ssuances, (b) scheduled debt

al deficits in future

al is

t

For additional information on our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, see Note F of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
in this Annual Report.

Long-term Financing - In addition to our principal sources of short-term liquidity discussed above, we expect to fund our
longer-term financing requirements by issuing long-term notes. Other options to obtain financing include, but are not limited

44

to, issuing common stock, loans from financial instituti
asset securitization and the sale and lease-back of facilities.

t

ons, issuance of convertible debt securities or preferred equity securities,

Debt Repayments - In November 2021, we redeemed the remaining $536.1 million of our $700 million, 4.25% senior notes
due February 2022 at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, with cash on hand and short-term
borrowings.

In June 2021, we repaid the remaining $11.7 million of Guardian Pipeline’s senior notes due December 2022 with cash on
hand.

In 2021, we repurchased in the open market outstanding principal of certain of our senior notes in the amount of $55.2 million
for an aggregate repurchase price of $54.6 million with cash on hand.

al expenditures,
Material Commitments - We have material cash commitments related to our capita
corresponding interest payments, which we expect to fund
through our sources of cash inflows discussed above. Our senior
notes and interest payments are discussed in Note F of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.
We also have cash commitments related to transportation, storage and other commercial contracts, as well as our financial and
physical derivative obligations, which we expect to fund

with cash from operations.

senior notes and

ff

ff

t

al expenditures

Capital Expenditures - We classify expenditures
significant operating or environmental efficiencies as growth capital expenditures.
capita
Maintenance capita
capac
a
flows and short- and long-term debt.

t

t

t

t

are made to replace partially or fully depreciated assets, to maintain the existing operating
ity of our assets and to extend their useful lives. Our capital expenditures are financed typically through operating cash

al expenditures

al expenditures
required to maintain our existing assets and operations and do not generate additional revenues.

Maintenance capita

t

are those

that are expected to generate additional revenue, return on investment or

The following tablea

sets forth our growth and maintenance capita

al expenditures,

t

excluding AFUDC, forff

the periods indicated:

Capital Expenditures

Natural Gas Gathering and Processing
Natural Gas Liquids
Natural Gas Pipelines
Other
Total capital expenditures

2021

275.2
306.9
92.6
22.2
696.9

$

$

2020
(Millions of dollars)
$

$

446.1
1,655.8
71.9
21.6
2,195.4

$

$

2019

926.5
2,796.6
99.2
26.0
3,848.3

al expenditures

Total capita
the prior year. We expect our 2022 capia tal expenditures to increase relative to 2021 due to our publicly announced capia tal-
growth projects. See discussion of our announced capia tal-growth projects in the “Recent Developments” section.

decreased in 2021, compared with 2020, due primarily to our completed capia tal-growth projects in

t

We expect total capita

al expenditures,

t

excluding AFUDC and capia talized interest, of $900-$1,050 million in 2022.

Credit Ratings - Our long-term debt credit ratings as of February 22, 2022, are shown in the tablea

below:

Rating Agency
Moody’s
S&P
Fitch

Long-Term Rating
Baa3
BBB
BBB

Short-Term Rating
Prime-3
A-2
F2

Outlook
Stable
Stable
Stable

Our credit ratings, which are investment grade, may be affecff
affecting our business and industry. The most common criteria for assessment of our credit ratings are the debt-to-EBITDA
ratio, interest coverage, business risk profile and liquidity. If our credit ratings were downgraded, our cost to borrow funds
under our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement could increase and a potential loss of access to the commercial paper market could
occur. In the event that we are unable to borrow funds under our commercial paper program and there has not been a material
adverse change in our business, we would continue to have access to our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, which expires in 2024.
An adverse credit rating change alone is not a default under our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement.

ted by a material change in our financial ratios or a material event

45

In the normal course of business, our counterparties provide us with secured and unsecured credit. In the event of a downgrade
in our credit ratings or a significant change in our counterparties’ evaluation of our creditworthiness, we could be required to
provide additional collateral in the formff
of cash, letters of credit or other negotiablea
conduct business with such counterparties. We may be required to fund
letters of credit or other negotiablea

instruments as a condition of continuing to
margin requirements with our counterparties with cash,

instruments.

ff

t to the rights of the holders of outstanding preferred stock. In 2021, we paid common stock dividends of $3.74 per share,

Dividends - Holders of our common stock share equally in any common stock dividends declared by our Board of Directors,
u
subjec
which is consistent with prior year. In February 2022, we paid a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.935 per share ($3.74
per share on an annualized basis), which is consistent with the same quarter in the prior year.

Our Series E Preferred Stock pays quarterly dividends on each share of Series E Preferred Stock, when, as and if declared by
our Board of Directors, at a rate of 5.5% per year. In 2021, we paid dividends of $1.1 million for the Series E Preferred Stock.
In February 2022, we paid quarterly dividends totaling $0.3 million for the Series E Preferred Stock.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, our cash flows fromff
our cash flows from operations to continue to sufficiently fund
sufficient to fund our dividends, we may utilize cash on hand from other sources of short- and long-term liquidity to fund
portion of our dividends.

operations exceeded dividends paid by $878.8 million. We expect
our cash dividends. To the extent operating cash flows are not

a

ff

ff

CASH FLOW ANALYSIS

We use the indirect method to prepare our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Under this method, we reconcile net
income to cash flows provided by operating activities by adjusting net income forff
result in actual cash receipts or payments during the period and forff
reconciling items can include depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, allowance forff
construction, gain or loss on sale of assets, deferred income taxes, net undistributed earnings from equity-method investments,
share-based compensat
financing activities.

those items that affect net income but do not
operating cash items that do not impact net income. These

ion expense, other amounts and changes in our assets and liabilities not classified as investing or

ff
equity funds

used during

m

The following tablea
indicated:

sets forth the changes in cash flows

ff

by operating, investing and financing activities for the periods

Total cash provided by (used in):

Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

2021

Years Ended December 31,
2020
(Millions of dollars)

2019

$

$

2,546.3
(665.3)
(2,259.1)
(378.1)
524.5
146.4

$

$

1,899.0
(2,270.5)
875.0
503.5
21.0
524.5

$

$

1,946.8
(3,768.8)
1,831.0
9.0
12.0
21.0

Operating Cash Flows - Operating cash flows are affecff
operating assets and liabia lities. Changes in commodity prices and demand for our services or products, whether because of
general economic conditions, changes in supply, changes in demand forff
the end products that are made with our products or
increased competition from other service providers, could affect our earnings and operating cash flows. Our operating cash
flows can also be impacted by changes in our NGLs and natural
commodity prices, supply, demand and the operation of our assets.

ted by earnings from our business activities and changes in our

gas inventory balances, which are driven primarily by

t

ff

2021 vs. 2020 - Cash flows
from operating activities, before changes in operating assets and liabia lities, increased $628.5 million
due primarily to higher net income resulting from higher exchange services in our Natural Gas Liquids segment, higher realized
prices and increased volumes in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment and natural
Pipelines segment, as discussed in “Financial Results and Operating Information.”

gas sales in our Natural Gas

t

The changes in operating assets and liabilities decreased operating cash flows $141.8 million for the year ended December 31,
2021, compared with a decrease of $160.5 million for the same period in 2020. The change is due primarily to changes in
accounts payable resulting from the timing of payments to vendors, suppliers and other third parties and changes in commodity

46

prices, which vary from period to period; changes in risk-management assets and liabia lities, which include a loss in 2020 on the
settlement of $750 million of our forward interest-rate swapsa
related to our March 2020 issuances of senior unsecured notes and
changes in the faiff
commodity prices and interest rates; and changes in other assets and liabilities; offset partially by changes in accounts
receivable resulting from the timing of receipt of cash from customers and NGLs and natural
from period to period and with changes in commodity prices.

r value of risk-management assets and liabia lities, which vary from period to period and with changes in

gas in storage, both of which vary

t

Investing Cash Flows

2021 vs. 2020 - Cash used in investing activities decreased $1.6 billion due primarily to reduced capia tal expenditures related to
our completed capital-growth projects.

Financing Cash Flows

2021 vs. 2020 - Cash fromff
term debt and issuance of common stock in 2020, offset partially by repayments of long-term debt of $0.6 billion in 2021
compared with repayments of $1.5 billion in 2020.

financing activities decreased $3.1 billion due primarily to the issuances of $3.25 billion in long-

Cash Flow Analysis for the Year Ended December 31, 2020 vs. 2019 - The cash flow analysis for the year ended
December 31, 2020, compared with the year ended December 31, 2019, is included in Part II, Item 7, Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is
available via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our website at www.oneok.com.

IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Information about the impact of new accounting standards is included in Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements in this Annual Report.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures in accordance with GAAP requires us to
make estimates and assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated
Financial Statements. These estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the
reporting period. Although we believe these estimates and assumptions are reasonable, actual results could differ from our
estimates.

The following is a summary of our most critical accounting policies and estimates, which are defineff
policies most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and requiring management’s most
difficult, subjective or complex judgment, particularly because of the need to make estimates concerning the impact of
inherently uncertain matters. We have discussed the development and selection of our estimates and critical accounting policies
with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. See Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this
Annual Report for the description of our accounting policies and additional information about our critical accounting policies
and estimates.

d as those estimates and

Derivatives and Risk-management Activities - We utilize derivatives to reduce our market-risk exposure to commodity price
and interest-rate fluctuations and to achieve more predictable cash flows. Our commodity price risk includes basis risk, which
is the difference in price between various locations where commodities are purchased and sold. We record all derivative
instruments at faiff
r value, except for normal purchases and normal sales transactions that are expected to result in physical
delivery. Many of the contracts in our derivative portfolio are executed in liquid markets where price transparency exists.

Our commodity derivatives are generally valued using quoted prices published by an exchange. Our fair value measurements
classified as Level 3 are composed predominantly of exchange-cleared and over-the-counter derivatives to hedge NGL price
risk at certain market locations. These measurements are based on inputs that may include one or more unobservable inputs,
including internally developed commodity price curves, that incorporate market data fromff
services. We believe any measurement uncertainty at December 31, 2021, is immaterial as our Level 3 faiff
are based on unadjusted pricing information from broker quotes and third-party pricing services.

broker quotes and third-party pricing
r value measurements

47

r value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it qualifies and has been designated

The accounting for changes in the faiff
as part of a hedging relationship. When possible, we implement effecff
instruments that qualify as hedges for accounting purposes. We have not used derivative instruments for trading purposes. For
hedge, the gain or loss from a change in fair value of the derivative instrument is deferred
a derivative designated as a cash flowff
in accumulated other comprehensive loss until the forecasted transaction affecff
derivative instrument is reclassified into earnings.

tive hedging strategies using derivative financial

ts earnings, at which time the faiff

r value of the

We assess hedging relationships at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis to determine whether the hedging
relationship is, and is expected to remain, highly effective. We do not believe that changes in our fair value estimates of our
derivative instruments have a material impact on our results of operations, as the majori
ty of our derivatives are accounted for
as effective cash flow hedges. However, if a derivative instrument is ineligible for cash flow hedge accounting or if we fail to
appropriately designate it as a cash flow hedge, changes in fair value of the derivative instrument would be recorded in
earnings. Additionally, if a cash flow hedge ceases to qualify for hedge accounting treatment because it is no longer probablea
that the forecasted transaction will occur, the change in fair value of the derivative instrument would be recognized in earnings.
For more information on commodity price sensitivity and a discussion of the market risk of pricing changes, see Item 7A,
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

a

See Notes A, B and C of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for additional discussion of fair
value measurements and derivatives and risk-management activities.

Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets, Including Intangible Assets - We assess our goodwill for impairment at
least annually as of July 1, unless events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred before that
time. As part of our goodwill impairment test, we may first
assess qualitative factors (including macroeconomic conditions,
industry and market considerations, cost facff
not that the fair value of each of our reporting units is less than its carrying amount. If furthe
quantitative test is elected, we perform a Step 1 analysis for goodwill impairment.

tors and overall financial performance) to determine whether it is more likely than

r testing is necessary or a

ff

ff

In a Step 1 analysis, an assessment is made by comparing the faiff
goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to
that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

r value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including

Our impairment tests require the use of assumptions and estimates, such as industry economic factors and the profitabila
future business strategies. To estimate the fair value of these assets and investments, we use two generally accepted valuation
approaches, an income approach and a market approac
includes the following inputs that are not readily available: a discount rate reflective of industry cost of capital, our estimated
contract rates, volumes, operating margins, operating and maintenance costs and capia tal expenditures. Under the market
approach, our inputs include EBITDA multiples, which are estimated from recent peer acquisition transactions, and forecasted
EBITDA, which incorporates inputs similar to those used under the income approac
h. If actual results are not consistent with
our assumptim ons and estimates or our assumptim ons and estimates change due to new information, we may be exposed to future
impairment charges.

h. Under the income approach, our discounted cash flowff

analysis

ity of

a

a

See Notes A, D, E and M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for additional discussion of
goodwill, long-lived assets and investments in unconsolidated affilff

iates.

Depreciation Methods and Estimated Useful Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment - Our property, plant and equipment
are depreciated using the straight-line method that incorporates management assumptim ons regarding useful economic lives and
residual values. As we place additional assets in service, our estimates related to depreciation expense have become more
significant and changes in estimated useful lives of our assets could have a material effect on our results of operations. At the
time we place our assets in service, we believe such assumptions are reasonable; however, circumstances may develop that
would cause us to change these assumptions, which would change our depreciation expense prospectively. Examples of such
circumstances include changes in (i) competm ition, (ii) laws and regulations that limit the estimated economic life of an asset,
(iii) technology that render an asset obsolete, (iv) expected salvage values and (v) forecasts of the remaining economic life for
the resource basins where our assets are located, if any. For the fiscal years presented in this Form 10-K, no changes were
made to the determinations of useful lives that would have a material effect on the timing of depreciation expense in future
periods.

See Note D of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for additional discussion of property, plant
and equipment.

48

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

operations (including plans to construct additional
gas and NGL pipelines, processing and fractionation facilities and related cost estimates), our business prospects, the

Some of the statements contained and incorporated in this Annual Report are forwff
federal securities laws. The forward-looking statements relate to our anticipated financial performance (including projected
operating income, net income, capital expenditures
and projected levels of dividends), liquidity, management’s
plans and objectives forff
natural
t
outcome of regulatory and legal proceedings, market conditions and other matters. We make these forward-looking statements
laws. The following
in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under fede
discussion is intended to identify important factors that could cause futuret
in
the forward-looking statements.

our future capia tal-growth projects and other future

outcomes to differ materially from those set forth

ral securities legislation and other applicablea

ard-looking statements as defined under

ff
, cash flows

ff

ff

ff

t

the information concerning possible or
results of our operations and other statements contained or incorporated in this Annual Report identified by

Forward-looking statements include the items identified in the preceding paragraph,
assumed futuret
words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forec
“intend,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “scheduled,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and other words
and terms of similar meaning.

ast,” “goal,” “target,” “guidance,”

a

ff

One should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future
achievements expressed or implim ed by forward-looking statements. Those facff
services and prices. In addition to any assumptions and other facff
looking statements, factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-
looking statement include, among others, the following:

tors referred to specifically in connection with the forward-

t our operations, markets, products,

results, performance or

tors may affecff

ff

•

•

•

•

•
•
•

•
•

•

•

•

•

t

t

ff

rr

r

rr

u

chain disruption;

ents, performance

oil, natural gas and NGLs fromff

to mitigate the spread of the virus, including

city constraints and/or shut downs on the pipelines that transport crude

the length, severity and reemergence of a pandemic or other health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the
measures that international, federal, state and local governments, agencies, law enforcement and/or health authorities
implement to address it, which may (as with COVID-19) precipitate or exacerbate one or more of the factors herein,
gas, NGLs and crude oil and significantly disrupt or prevent us and our customers and
reduce the demand for natural
counterparties from operating in the ordinary course for an extended period and increase the cost of operating our
business;
operational challenges relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts
logistical challenges, protecting the health and well-being of our employees, remote work arrangem
of contracts and supply
the impact on drilling and production by factors beyond our control, including the demand for natural gas and crude
oil; producers’ desire and ability to drill and obtain necessary permits; regulatory compliance; reserve performance;
and capaa
producing areas and our facilities;
risks associated with adequate supply to our gathering, processing, fractionation and pipeline facilities, including
production declines that outpac
e new drilling, the shutting-in of production by producers, actions taken by federal,
state or local governments to require producers to prorate or to cut their production levels as a way to address any
excess market supply
demand forff
economic climate and growth in the geographic areas in which we operate;
the risk of a slowdown in growth or decline in the United States or international economies, including liquidity risks in
United States or foreign credit markets;
performa
ff
the effect
ff
other taxes, pipeline safety, environmental compliance, cybersecurity, climate change initiatives, emissions credits,
carbon offsets, carbon
transportation costs;
changes in demand for the use of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil because of the development of new technologies or
other market conditions caused by concerns about climate change;
the transition to a lower-carbon economy, including the timing and extent of the transition, as well as the expected role
of different energy sources in such a transition;
the pace of technological advancements and industry innovation, including those focused on reducing GHG emissions
and advancing other climate-related initiatives, and our ability to take advantage of those innovations and
developments;
the effectiveness of our risk-management strategies, including mitigating cyber- and climate-related risks;

ons or extended periods of ethane rejection;
our services and products in the proximity of our facilities;

pricing, production limits and authorized rates of recovery of natural gas and natural gas

ntal policies and regulatory actions, including changes with respect to income and

obligations by our customers, service providers, contractors and shippers;

nce of contractual
s of changes in governme

t
situati

u

r

r

t

49

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•
•

•

•

•
•

•

•
•

•

•

•

•
•
•

•
•

•
•

•

r

t
natural

a
capture

gas, carbon

ts of weather and other natural

f our operations (both Scope 1 and 2 emissions), including

, use and storage, other renewable energy sources such as solar and

our ability to identify and execute opportunities, and the economic viabia lity of those opportunities, including those
relating to renewablea
wind and alternative low carbon fuel sources such as hydrogen;
the ability of our existing assets and our ability to apply and continue to develop our expertise to support the growth of,
and transition to, various renewable and alternative energy opportunities, including through the positioning and
optimization of our assets;
our ability to efficiently reduce the carbon intensity ot
through the use of lower carbon power alternatives, management practices and system optimizations;
the necessity to direct our focus on maintaining and enhancing our existing assets instead of efforts
emissions;
the effecff
services and energy prices;
acts of nature,
or shippers’ facff
the possibility of future
changes in the political conditions throughout the world;
the risk of increased costs for insurance premiums, security or other items as a consequence of terrorist attacks;
the timing and extent of changes in energy commodity prices, including changes due to production decisions by other
countries, such as the failure of countries to abia de by agreements to reduce production volumes;
competition from other United States and foreign energy suppliers and transporters, as well as alternative forms of
energy, including, but not limited to, solar power, wind power, geothermal energy and biofuels such as ethanol and
biodiesel;
the ability to market pipeline capac

sabotage, terrorism or other similar acts that cause damage to our facilities or our suppliers’, customers’
ilities;
ff

terrorist attacks or the possibility or occurrence of an outbreak of, or changes in, hostilities or

phenomena, including climate change, on our operations, demand for our

terms, including the effects of:

to reduce our GHG

ff

t

t

ff

ff
ity on favora
a
demand for and prices of natural

– future
– competitive conditions in the overall energy market;
– availability of supplies of United States natural
– availability of additional storage capaa

city;

blea

t

t

gas, NGLs and crude oil;

gas and crude

rr

oil; and

t

t

tionating NGLs;

gas and extracting and fracff

iency of our plants in processing natural

gas and NGLs we gather and process in our plants and transport on our

the efficff
the composition and quality of the natural
pipelines;
risks of marketing, trading and hedging activities, including the risks of changes in energy prices or the financial
condition of our counterparties;
our ability to control operating costs and make cost-saving changes;
the risk inherent in the use of information systems in our respective businesses and those of our counterparties and
service providers, including cyber-attacks, which, according to experts, have increased in volume and sophistication
since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic; implementation of new software and hardware; and the impact on the
timeliness of information for financial reporting;
the timely receipt of approval by applicable governmental entities for construction and operation of our pipeline and
other projects and required regulatory clearances;
the ability to recover operating costs and amounts equivalent to income taxes, costs of property,t plant and equipment
and regulatory assets in our state and FERC-regulated rates;
the results of governmental actions, administrative proceedings and litigation, regulatory actions, executive orders, rule
changes and receipt of expected clearances involving any local, state or federal regulatory body, including the FERC,
the National Transportation Safety Board, Homeland Security, the PHMSA, the EPA and the CFTC;
the mechanical integrity of facff
the capia tal-intensive nature of our businesses;
the impact of unforeseen changes in interest rates, debt and equity markets, inflation rates, economic recession and
other external facff
funding resulting from changes in equity and bond market returns;
actions by rating agencies concerning our credit;
our indebtedness and guarantee obligations could make us vulnerablea
conditions, limit our ability to borrow additional funds
competitors that have less debt or have other adverse consequences;
our ability to access capital at competitive rates or on terms acceptable to us;
our ability to acquire all necessary permits, consents or other approva
necessary materials and suppli
fractionation and transportation facilities without labor
a
our ability to control construction costs and completion schedules of our pipelines and other projects;

tors over which we have no control, including the effect on pension and postretirement expense and

es required for construction, and to construct gathering, processing, storage,

and/or place us at competitive disadvantages compared with our

ls in a timely manner, to promptly obtain all

to general adverse economic and industry

ilities and pipelines operated;

or contractor problems;

u

a

ff

t

50

•

•
•
•
•
•

•

•
•
•

ity of assets or businesses acquired or constructed by us;

diffiff culties or delays experienced by trucks, railroads or pipelines in delivering products to or from our terminals or
pipelines;
the uncertainty of estimates, including accruals and costs of environmental remediation;
the impact of uncontracted capacity in our assets being greater or less than expected;
the impact of potential impairment charges;
the profitabila
risks associated with pending or possible acquisitions and dispositions, including our ability to finff ance or integrate any
m
such acquisitions and any regulatory delay or conditions imposed
acquisitions and dispositions;
the risk that material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting could
emerge or that minor problems could become significant;
litigation;
the impact and outcome of pending and future
the impact of recently issued and futuret
the risk factors listed in the reports we have filed and may file with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference.

ff
accounting updates and other changes in accounting policies; and

by regulatory bodies in connection with any such

These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially fromff
expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other factors could also affect adversely our futuret
other risks are described in greater detail in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report and in our other filff ings that we
make with the SEC, which are availablea
forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these
factors. Any such forward-looki
required under securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looki
of new information, subsequent events or change in circumstances, expectations or otherwise.

ng statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and other than as

via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our website at www.oneok.com. All

ng statement whether as a result

results. These and

those

ff

ff

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our exposure to market risk discussed below includes forward-looking statements and represents an estimate of possible
changes in futuret
earnings that could occur assuming hypothetical future movements in interest rates or commodity prices. Our
views on market risk are not necessarily indicative of actual results that may occur and do not represent the maximum possible
gains and losses that may occur since actual gains and losses will differ fromff
interest rates or commodity prices and the timing of transactions.

those estimated based on actual fluctuations in

We are exposed to market risk due to commodity price and interest-rate volatility. Market risk is the risk of loss arising from
adverse changes in market rates and prices. We may use financial instruments, including forward sales, swaps,a
futures, to manage the risks of certain identifiablea
risk-management function follows policies and procedures establia
monitor our natural gas, condensate and NGL marketing activities and interest rates to ensure our hedging activities mitigate
market risks and comply with approved

options and
or anticipated transactions and achieve more predictable cash flows. Our

thresholds or limits. We do not use financial instruments for trading purposes.

shed by our Risk Oversight and Strategy Committee to

a

rr

We utilize a sensitivity analysis model to assess the risk associated with our derivative portfolio. The sensitivity analysis
measures the potential change in fair value of our derivative instruments based upon a hypothetical 10% movement in the
underlying commodity prices or interest rates. In addition to these variablea
influenced by fluctuations in the notional amounts of the instruments and the discount rates used to determine the present
values. Because we enter into these derivative instruments for the purpose of mitigating the risks that accompany certain of our
business activities, as described below, the change in the market value of our derivative portfoli
largely by a corresponding gain or loss on the hedged item.

s, the fair value of our derivative portfolio is

o would typically be offset

ff

See Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for discussion on our accounting policies
for our derivative instruments and the impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

COMMODITY PRICE RISK

As part of our hedging strategy, we use commodity derivative financial instruments and physical-forward contracts described in
Note C of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report to reduce the impact of near-term price
fluctuations of natural gas, NGLs and condensate.

Although our businesses are primarily fee-
commodity price risk as a result of retaining a portion of the commodity sales proceeds associated with our fee with POP
contracts. Under certain fee with POP contracts, our contractual feeff

based, in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment, we are exposed to

s and POP percentage may increase or decrease if

ff

51

production volumes, delivery pressures or commodity prices change relative to specified thresholds. In certain commodity
price environments, our contractual
fees on these fee with POP contracts may decrease, which would impact the average fee
rate in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment. We are exposed to basis risk between the various production and
market locations where we buy and sell commodities.

t

The following tablea
estimated faiff

presents the effect a hypothetical 10% change in the underlying commodity prices would have on the

r value of our commodity derivative instruments as of the dates indicated:

Commodity Contracts

Crude oil and NGLs
Natural gas

Total change in estimated fair value of commodity contracts

y
y

g
g

December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
(Millions of dollars)

$

$

40.6
11.5
52.1

$

$

20.0
10.6
30.6

Our sensitivity analysis represents an estimate of the reasonablya
commodity derivative contracts assuming hypothetical movements in future market prices and is not necessarily indicative of
actual results that may occur. Actual gains and losses may differ fromff
to actual fluctuations in market prices, as
well as changes in our commodity derivative portfolio during the year.

possible gains and losses that would be recognized on our

estimates dued

The following tablea
volumes for the periods indicated:

s set forth hedging information for our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment’s forecasted equity

Year Ending December 31, 2022

NGLs - excluding ethane (MBbl/d) - Cdd
TI-NYMEX
Condensate (MBbl/d) - Wdd
YMEX and basis
((
Natural gas (BBtu/d

) - Ndd

onway/Mont Belvieu

Volumes
Hedged

11.7
1.6
109.5

Average Price
0.96 / gallon

$
$ 63.10 / Bbl
$

3.27 / MMBtu

Percentage
Hedged
69%
72%
75%

Year Ending December 31, 2023

NGLs - excluding ethane (MBbl/d) - Cdd
TI-NYMEX
Condensate (MBbl/d) - Wdd
YMEX and basis
((
Natural gas (BBtu/d

) - Ndd

onway/Mont Belvieu

Volumes
Hedged

0.9
0.2
17.3

Average Price
1.11 / gallon

$
$ 74.95 / Bbl
$

5.06 / MMBtu

Percentage
Hedged
5%
7%
11%

Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment’s commodity price sensitivity is estimated as a hypothetical change in the
price of NGLs, crude
gas at December 31, 2021. Condensate sales are typically based on the price of crude oil.
Assuming normal operating conditions, we estimate the following for our forecasted equity volumes:

oil and natural

rr

t

•

•

•

a $0.01 per gallon change in the composite price of NGLs, excluding ethane, would change adjusted EBITDA forff
years ending December 31, 2022 and 2023, by $2.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively;
a $1.00 per barrel change in the price of crude oil would change adjusted EBITDA forff
2022 and 2023, by $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively; and
a $0.10 per MMBtu change in the price of residue natural
December 31, 2022 and 2023, by $5.3 million and $5.5 million, respectively.

gas would change adjuste

d EBITDA for the years ending

the years ending December 31,

the

d

t

These estimates do not include any effecff
operations that might be caused by, or arise in conjunction with, commodity price fluff ctuat
gross processing spread may cause a change in the amount of ethane extracted from the natural
and processing financial results forff

ts of hedging or effects on demand for our services or natural

certain contracts.

t

t

gas processing plant

ions. For example, a change in the
t

gas stream, impacting gathering

INTEREST-RATE RISK

We are exposed to interest-rate risk through borrowings under our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, commercial paper program
and long-term debt issuances. Future increases in commercial paper rates or bond rates could expose us to increased interest
costs on future borrowings. We may manage interest-rate risk through the use of fixed-rate debt, floaff

ting-rate debt and interest-

52

rate swaps.a
amounts.

Interest-rate swapsa

are agreements to exchange interest payments at some futff uret

point based on specified notional

At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had forwa
hedge the variability of interest payments on a portion of our forecasted debt issuances. All of our interest-rate swapsa
designated as cash flowff
million, respectively, related to these interest-rate swaps.a

hedges. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had derivative liabilities of $145.5 million and $203.4

rd-starting interest-rate swapsa with notional amounts totaling $1.1 billion to

are

ff

The following tablea
rate derivative instruments as of the dates indicated:

presents the effect of a 10% hypothetical change in interest rates on the estimated faiff

r value of our interest-

Forward-starting interest-rate swaps

December 31,
December 31,
2020
2021
(Millions of dollars)

$

19.6

$

12.9

Our sensitivity analysis represents an estimate of the reasonablya
interest-rate derivative contracts assuming hypothetical movements in future interest rates and is not necessarily indicative of
actual results that may occur. Actual gains and losses may differ fromff
to actual fluctuations in interest rates, as
well as changes in our interest-rate derivative portfolio during the year.

possible gains and losses that would be recognized on our

estimates dued

See Note C of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for more information on our hedging
activities.

COUNTERPARTY CREDIT RISK

We assess the creditworthiness of our counterparties on an ongoing basis and require security, including prepayments and other
forms of collateral, when appropriate. Certain of our counterparties may be impacted by a relatively low commodity price
environment and could experience financial problems, which could result in nonpayment and/or nonperformance, which could
impact adversely our results of operations.

tt

and Processing - Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment derives services revenue primarily

Natural Gas Gathering
from majoa r and independent crude oil and natural gas producers, which include both large integrated and independent
exploration and production companies. In this segment, our downstream commodity sales customers are primarily utilities,
large industrial companies, marketing companies and our NGL affiliate. We are not typically exposed to material credit risk
with producers under fee with POP contracts as we sell the commodities and remit a portion of the sales proceeds back to the
fees. In 2021 and 2020, approximately 90% of the downstream commodity sales in our Natural
producer less our contractual
Gas Gathering and Processing segment were made to customers rated investment-grade by S&P, approved through comparablea
internal counterparty analysis, or were secured by letters of credit or other collateral.

t

Natural Gas Liquids - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s counterparties are primarily NGL and natural gas gathering and
processing companies; majoa r and independent crude oil and natural gas production companies; utilities; large industrial
companies; natural gasoline distributors; propane distributors; municipalities; and petrochemical, refining and marketing
companies. We charge fees to NGL and natural gas gathering and processing counterparties and NGL pipeline transportation
customers. We are not typically exposed to material credit risk on the majori
, as we purchase
NGLs fromff
revenue on the downstream sales of NGL products. In 2021 and 2020, approximately 70% and 75%, respectively, of this
segment’s commodity sales were made to customers rated investment-grade by S&P, approved
counterparty analysis, or were secured by letters of credit or other collateral. In addition, the majority ot
Liquids segment’s pipeline tariffs provide us the ability to require security fromff

our gathering and processing counterparties and deduct our fee from the amounts we remit. We also earn sr

through comparable internal
f our Natural

ty of our exchange services fees

shippers.

Gas

ales

a

a

ff

t

lines - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s customers are primarily local natural gas distribution companies,

Natural Gas Pipei
electric-generation facilities, large industrial companies, municipalities, producers, processors and marketing companies. In
2021 and 2020, approximately 85% of our revenues in this segment were fromff
approved through comparablea
the majority of our Natural

internal counterparty analysis, or were secured by letters of credit or other collateral. In addition,

Gas Pipelines segment’s pipeline tariffs provide us the abila

customers rated investment-grade by S&P,

ity to require security fromff

shippers.

t

53

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of ONEOK, Inc.

Opinions on thett Financ

ii

ial Statemtt

rr
ents and Inter
nal

II

Control over Financ

ii

ial Reportingii

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ONEOK, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of
December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of income, of comprehensive income, of changes in
equity and of cash flows
(collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over
work (2013)
financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - IntII egrated Frame
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, including the related notes

FF

ff

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - IntII egrated Frame
issued by the COSO.

work (2013)

FF

Basis for Opinions

ncial reporting, and forff

The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effecff
control over finaff
in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to
express opinions on the Company’s consolidated finaff
ncial
reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S.
federal securities laws and the applicable rulr es and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

ncial statements and on the Company’s internal control over finaff

its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over finaff

tive internal
ncial reporting, included

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement,
whether dued
to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects.

ncial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement

Our audits of the consolidated finaff
of the consolidated financial statements, whether dued
Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated
financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated finaff
ncial reporting, assessing the
control over finaff
risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based
on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the
circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

ncial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over finaff

to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.

ncial statements. Our audit of internal

Definitiontt

and Limi

taii

ii

tions of Internal Control

tt

over FinFF ancial Reportingii

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements forff
in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fair
dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and
expenditures
company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the

ly reflect the transactions and

external purposes

ff

rr

t

54

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effecff
t to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

tiveness to future periods are subjecb

Criticatt

l Auditdd Mattertt

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated finaff
ncial
statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or
disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or
complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated
financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate
opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Valuation of Level 3 Commodi

CC

ty Derivative Assets and Liabilities

As described in Notes A and B to the consolidated finaff
ncial statements, the Company’s level 3 commodity contracts derivative
assets and liabilities total $9.3 million and $123.6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2021. As disclosed by management,
commodity price risk includes basis risk, which is the difference in price between various locations where commodities are
purchased and sold. Management records all derivative instruments at faiff
r value, with the exception of normal purchases and
normal sales transactions that are expected to result in physical delivery. Many of the contracts in its derivative portfolio are
executed in liquid markets where price transparency exists. Fair value measurements classified as Level 3 are composed
predominantly of exchange-cleared and over-the-counter derivatives to hedge NGL price risk. These measurements are based
on inputs that may include one or more unobservablea
incorporate market data fromff
using forward quotes provided by third-party pricing services that are validated with other market data.

broker quotes and third-party pricing services. The commodity derivatives are generally valued

inputs, including internally developed commodity price curves, that

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the valuation of level 3 commodity
derivative assets and liabilities is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management to determine the faiff
r
value of these derivatives; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in evaluating audit evidence related to
the valuation due to the use of internally developed commodity price curves that incorporate market data from broker quotes
and third-party pricing services; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

ncial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall
opinion on the consolidated finaff
valuation of level 3 commodity derivative assets and liabilities, including controls over the Company’s model, significant
assumptions, and data. These procedures also included, among others, the involvement of professionals with specialized skill
and knowledge to assist in developing an independent estimate of the level 3 commodity derivative assets and liabia lities and
comparison of the independent estimate to management’s estimate to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimate.
Developing the independent estimate involved testing the completeness and accuracy of data provided by management and
evaluating management’s assumptions related to the internally developed commodity price curves which incorporate market
data fromff

broker quotes and third-party pricing services.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
March 1, 2022

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.

55

Years Ended December 31,
2020

2019

2021

(Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

$ 15,180,264
1,360,045
16,540,309
12,256,655
900,420
621,701
—
166,668
(1,394)
2,596,259
122,520
—
1,682
(3,333)

(732,924)
1,984,204
(484,498)
1,499,706
1,100
1,498,606

3.36

3.35

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

7,255,259
1,286,983
8,542,242
5,110,146
761,176
578,662
607,200
125,028
(1,327)
1,361,357
143,241
(37,730)
23,662
24,672

(712,886)
802,316
(189,507)
612,809
1,100
611,709

1.42

1.42

$

$

$

$

8,916,047
1,248,320
10,164,367
6,788,040
863,708
476,535
—
119,156
2,575
1,914,353
154,541
—
64,815
9,055

(491,773)
1,650,991
(372,414)
1,278,577
1,100
1,277,477

3.09

3.07

446,403
447,403

431,105
431,782

413,560
415,444

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Revenues

Commodity sales
Services

Total revenues (Note P)
Cost of sales and fuel (exclusive of items shown separately below)
Operations and maintenance
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment charges (Notes D and E)
General taxes
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
Operating income
Equity in net earnings from investments (Note M)
Impairment of equity investments (Note M)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
Other income (expense)
Interest expense (net of capitalized
respectively)
Income before income taxes
Income taxes (Note L)
Net income
Less: Preferred stock dividends
Net income available to common shareholders

a

interest of $25,150, $75,436 and $107,275,

Basic EPS (Note I)

Diluted EPS (Note I)

Average shares (thousands)

Basic
Diluted

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

56

Years Ended December 31,
2020
(Thousands of dollars)
$

612,809

$

2019

1,278,577

1,499,706

(203,868)

(165,023)

(147,803)

228,999

21,097

(21,057)

49,976

(26,154)

(9,696)

4,991
80,098
1,579,804

$

(7,369)
(177,449)
435,360

$

(7,205)
(185,761)
1,092,816

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

2021

Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax of $60,896, $49,292 and $44,149,
respectively
Derivative amounts reclassified to net income, net of tax of $(69,134), $(6,313) and
$6,058, respectively
Change in retirement and other postretirement benefit plan obligations, net of tax of
$(14,929), $7,812 and $2,910, respectively
Other comprehensive income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax of
$(1,490), $2,201 and $2,152, respectively
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

Comprehensive income

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

$

$

57

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Assets
Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Materials and supplies
NGLs and natural gas in storage
Commodity imbalances
Other current assets

Total current assets

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment
Accumulated depreciation and amortization

Net property, plant and equipment (Note D)

Investments and other assets

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (Note M)
Goodwill and net intangible assets (Note E)
Other assets

Total investments and other assets
Total assets

December 31, December 31,

2021
2020
(Thousands of dollars)

$

$

146,391
1,441,786
153,019
427,880
39,609
165,689
2,374,374

524,496
829,796
143,178
227,810
11,959
132,536
1,869,775

23,820,539
4,500,665
19,319,874

23,072,935
3,918,007
19,154,928

797,613
763,295
366,457
1,927,365
$ 23,621,613

805,032
773,723
475,296
2,054,051
$ 23,078,754

58

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Continued)

Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities

Current maturities of long-term debt (Note F)
Accounts payable
Commodity imbalances
Accrued taxes
Accrued interest
Operating lease liability (Note O)
Other current liabilities

Total current liabilities

December 31, December 31,

2021
2020
(Thousands of dollars)

$

$

895,814
1,332,391
309,054
97,537
235,602
13,783
300,438
3,184,619

7,650
719,302
186,372
89,428
245,153
13,610
83,032
1,344,547

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities (Note F)

12,747,636

14,228,421

Deferred credits and other liabilities

Deferred income taxes (Note L)
Operating lease liability (Note O)
Other deferred credits
Total deferred credits and other liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (Note N)

Equity (Note G)

ONEOK shareholders’ equity:

1,166,690
75,636
431,869
1,674,195

669,697
87,610
706,081
1,463,388

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value:
authorized and issued 20,000 shares at December 31, 2021, and at December 31, 2020

—

—

Common stock, $0.01 par value:
authorized 1,200,000,000 shares; issued 474,916,234 shares and outstanding
446,138,177 shares at December 31, 2021; issued 474,916,234 shares and outstanding 444,872,383
shares at December 31, 2020

Paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note H)
Retained earnings

Treasury stock, at cost: 28,778,057 shares at December 31, 2021, and 30,043,851 shares at
December 31, 2020
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4,749
7,213,861
(471,351)
—

4,749
7,353,396
(551,449)
—

(732,096)
6,015,163
$ 23,621,613

(764,298)
6,042,398
$ 23,078,754

59

This page intentionally left bff

lank.

60

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Operating activities

Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment charges
Equity in net earnings from investments
Distributions received froff m unconsolidated affiliates
Deferred income tax expense
Other, net
Changes in assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable
NGLs and natural gas in storage, net of commodity imbalances
Accounts payable
Risk-management assets and liabilities
Other assets and liabilities, net
Cash provided by operating activities

Investing activities

Capital expenditures (less allowance for equity funds used during construction)
Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates in excess of cumulative earnings
Other, net

Cash used in investing activities

Financing activities
Dividends paid
Borrowing (repayment) of short-term borrowings, net
Issuance of long-term debt, net of discounts
Repayment of long-term debt
Issuance of common stock
Other
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2021

Years Ended December 31,
2020
(Thousands of dollars)

2019

$

1,499,706

$

612,809

$

1,278,577

621,701
—
(122,520)
123,010
472,057
94,091

(610,531)
(105,038)
622,425
(93,713)
45,084
2,546,272

(696,854)
19,363
12,199
(665,292)

(1,667,431)
—
—
(604,894)
32,791
(19,551)
(2,259,085)
(378,105)
524,496
146,391

691,897
8,864

$

$
$

$

$
$

578,662
644,930
(143,241)
144,352
186,730
35,327

(1,297)
172,316
(80,257)
(187,458)
(63,805)
1,899,068

(2,195,381)
31,808
(106,956)
(2,270,529)

(1,605,366)
(220,000)
3,244,777
(1,457,222)
969,759
(56,949)
874,999
503,538
20,958
524,496

760,984
342

$

$
$

476,535
—
(154,541)
163,476
372,729
(26,101)

(19,688)
(10,193)
(62,946)
(86,268)
15,199
1,946,779

(3,848,349)
94,168
(14,577)
(3,768,758)

(1,457,628)
220,000
4,185,435
(1,057,348)
29,040
(88,537)
1,830,962
8,983
11,975
20,958

435,165
2,690

61

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Preferred
Stock Issued

Common
Stock Issued

Preferred
Stock

for adoption of

January 1, 2019
Cumulative effeff ct adjustment
d
ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Preferred stock dividends - $55.00 per share
(Note G)
Common stock issued
Common stock dividends - $3.53 per share
(Note G)
Other, net
December 31, 2019
Net income
Other comprehensive loss (Note H)
Preferred stock dividends - $55.00 per share
(Note G)
Common stock issued
Common stock dividends - $3.74 per share
(Note G)
Other, net
December 31, 2020
Net income
Other comprehensive income (Note H)
Preferred stock dividends - $55.00 per share
(Note G)
Common stock issued
Common stock dividends - $3.74 per share
(Note G)
Other, net
December 31, 2021

(Shares)

20,000

445,016,234

$

—
—
—

—
—

—
—
—

—
—

—
—
20,000
—
—

—
—
445,016,234
—
—

—
—

—
29,900,000

—
—
20,000
—
—

—
—

—
—
474,916,234
—
—

—
—

Common
Stock
(Thousands of dollars)
$

4,450

— $

—
—
—

—
—

—
—
—
—
—

—
—

—
—
—
—
—

—
—

—
—
—

—
—

—
—
4,450
—
—

—
299

—
—
4,749
—
—

—
—

Paid-in
Capital

7,615,138

—
—
—

—
(7,667)

(180,421)
(23,155)
7,403,895
—
—

(550)
934,473

(992,741)
8,319
7,353,396
—
—

—
6,680

—
—
20,000

—
—
474,916,234

$

—
—
— $

—
—
4,749

$

(168,145)
21,930
7,213,861

62

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Continued)

for adoption of

January 1, 2019
Cumulative effeff ct adjustment
d
ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Preferred stock dividends - $55.00 per share
(Note G)
Common stock issued
Common stock dividends - $3.53 per share
(Note G)
Other, net
December 31, 2019
Net income
Other comprehensive loss (Note H)
Preferred stock dividends - $55.00 per share
(Note G)
Common stock issued
Common stock dividends - $3.74 per share
(Note G)
Other, net
December 31, 2020
Net income
Other comprehensive income (Note H)
Preferred stock dividends - $55.00 per share
(Note G)
Common stock issued
Common stock dividends - $3.74 per share
(Note G)
Other, net
December 31, 2021

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

$

(188,239) $

Retained
Earnings

Treasury
Stock

Total
Equity

(Thousands of dollars)
— $

(851,806) $

6,579,543

—
—
(185,761)

—
—

—
—
(374,000)
—
(177,449)

—
—

—
—
(551,449)
—
80,098

—
—

(67)
1,278,577
—

(1,100)
—

(1,277,410)
—
—
612,809
—

(550)
—

(612,259)
—
—
1,499,706
—

(1,100)
—

—
—
—

—
43,412

—
—
(808,394)
—
—

—
44,096

—
—
(764,298)
—
—

—
32,202

—
—
(471,351) $

(1,498,606)
—
— $

—
—
(732,096) $

$

(67)
1,278,577
(185,761)

(1,100)
35,745

(1,457,831)
(23,155)
6,225,951
612,809
(177,449)

(1,100)
978,868

(1,605,000)
8,319
6,042,398
1,499,706
80,098

(1,100)
38,882

(1,666,751)
21,930
6,015,163

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

63

ONEOK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization and Nature of Operations - We are a corporation incorporated under the laws of the state of Oklahoma.

Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment provides midstream services to producers in North Dakota, Montana,
Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma. Raw natural gas is typically gathered at the wellhead, compressed and transported through
pipelines to our processing facilities. Processed natural
delivered to natural
delivered through NGL pipelines to fractionation facilities forff

t
gas pipelines, storage facilities and end users. The NGLs separated fromff

gas, usually referred to as residue natural

the raw natural gas are sold and

gas, is then recompressed and

further processing.

t

t

ff

lities that gather, fractionate, treat and distribute NGLs and store NGL

Our Natural Gas Liquids segment owns and operates faci
products, primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico and the Rocky Mountain region, which includes the Williston,
Powder River and DJ Basins. We provide midstream services to producers of NGLs and deliver those products to the two
primary market centers, one in the Mid-Continent in Conway, Kansas, and the other in the Gulf Coast in Mont Belvieu, Texas.
We own or have an ownership interest in FERC-regulated NGL gathering and distribution pipelines in Oklahoma, Kansas,
Texas, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado, and terminal and storage facilities in Kansas, Missouri,
Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois. We have a 50% ownership interest in Overland Pass Pipeline Company, which operates an
ty of the pipeline-
interstate NGL pipeline originating in Wyoming and Colorado and terminating in Kansas. The majori
connected natural gas processing plants in the Williston Basin, Oklahoma, Kansas and the Texas Panhandle are connected to
our NGL gathering systems. We lease rail cars and own and operate truck- and rail-loading and -unloading facilities connected
to our NGL fractionation, storage and pipeline assets. We also own FERC-regulated NGL distribution pipelines in Kansas,
Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana that connect our Mid-Continent assets with Midwest markets, including
Chicago, Illinois. A portion of our ONEOK North System transports refined products, including unleaded gasoline and diesel,
from Kansas to Iowa.

a

Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment, through its wholly owned assets, provides intrastate and interstate natural
and storage services to end users. We have 50% ownership interests in Northern Border Pipeline and Roadrunner, which
provide transportation services to various end users. Our interstate pipelines are regulated by the FERC and are located in
North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. Our
gas pipeline and storage assets are located in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. Our assets connect majora
intrastate natural
gas producing basins and market hubs with end-use customers.

t

t

gas transportation

natural

Consolidation - Our Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries over which
we have control or are the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.

iates are accounted forff

Investments in unconsolidated affilff
influence over operating and financial policies of our investee. Under this method, an investment is carrier
cost and adjusted each period for contributions made, distributions received and our share of the investee’s comprehensive
income. For the investments we account for under the equity method, the premium or excess cost over underlying fair value of
net assets is referred to as equity-method goodwill. Impairment of equity investments is recorded when the impairments are
other than temporary. These amounts are recorded as investments in unconsolidated affili
disclosures of our unconsolidated affiliates.
Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note M forff

ity to exercise significff ant
d at its acquisition

using the equity method if we have the abila

ates on our accompanying

ff

Distributions paid to us from our unconsolidated affiliates are classified as operating activities on our Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows until the cumulative distributions exceed our proportionate share of income fromff
since the date of our initial investment. The amount of cumulative distributions paid to us that exceeds our cumulative
proportionate share of income in each period represents a returnt
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

of investment and is classified as an investing activity on our

the unconsolidated affiliate

Use of Estimates - The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures in accordance with GAAP
requires us to make estimates and assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty that
affect the reported amounts on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Items that may be estimated include, but are not limited
to, the economic useful life of assets, fair value of assets, liabilities and equity-method investments, obligations under employee
, expenses for services received but for which no invoice has been
benefit plans, provisions for uncollectible accounts receivablea
received, provision for income taxes, including any deferred tax valuation allowances, the results of litigation and various other

64

recorded or disclosed amounts. In addition, a portion of our revenues and cost of sales and fuel
month prices and estimated volumes. The estimates are reversed in the following month when we record actual volumes.

are recorded based on current

ff

We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis using historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods we
consider reasonablea
estimates. Any effects on our financial position or results of operations from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the
period when the facts that give rise to the revision become known.

based on the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly fromff

the

Fair Value Measurements - For our fair value measurements, we utilize market prices, third-party pricing services, present
value methods and standard option valuation models to determine the price we would receive from the sale of an asset or the
transfer of a liabila
and liabilities consistent with how a market participant would price the net risk exposure at the measurement date.

ity in an orderly transaction at the measurement date. We measure the faiff

r value of a group of financial assets

Many of the contracts in our derivative portfolio are executed in liquid markets where price transparency exists. Our financial
commodity derivatives are generally settled through a NYMEX or ICE clearing broker account with daily margin requirements.
.
We validate our valuation inputs with third-party information and settlement prices from other sources, where availablea

We compute the fair value of our derivative portfolio by discounting the projected future
and liabilities to present value using interest-rate yields to calculate present-value discount factors derived from the implied
forward SOFR, LIBOR or other yield curve, as appropriate. The fair value of our forward-starting interest-rate swapsa
determined using financial models that incorporate the implied forward LIBOR yield curve for the same period as the futuret
interest-rate swap sa
nonperformance risk, net of collateral, by using counterparty-specific bond yields. Although we use our best estimates to
determine the fair value of the derivative contracts we have executed, the ultimate market prices realized could differ materially
from our estimates.

ettlements. We consider current market data in evaluating counterparties’, as well as our own,

cash flows from our derivative assets

is

ff

Fair Value Hierarchyy - At each balance sheet date, we utilize a fair value hierarchy to classify fair value amounts recognized or
disclosed in our financial statements based on the observability of inputs used to estimate such faiff
hierarchy are described below:

r value. The levels of the

•

•

•

r value measurements are based on significant observable pricing inputs, including quoted prices forff

r value measurements are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical securities in active markets.
natural gas and crude oil.

Level 1 - faiff
These balances are composed predominantly of exchange-traded derivative contracts forff
Level 2 - faiff
similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs from third-party pricing services supported with corroborative
evidence. These balances are composed of exchange cleared derivatives to hedge natural
gas basis and NGL price risk
at certain market locations and over-the-counter interest-rate derivatives.
Level 3 - faiff
broker quotes and third-party pricing
internally developed commodity price curves that incorporate market data fromff
services. These balances are composed predominantly of exchange-cleared and over-the-counter derivatives to hedge
NGL price risk at certain market locations. These commodity derivatives are generally valued using forward quotes
provided by third-party pricing services that are validated with other market data. We believe any measurement
r value measurements are based on unadjusted
uncertainty at December 31, 2021, is immaterial as our Level 3 faiff
pricing information from broker quotes and third-party pricing services.

r value measurements are based on inputs that may include one or more unobservable inputs, including

t

a

Determining the appropria
management’s judgment regarding the degree to which market data is observable or corroborated by observablea market data.
We categorize derivatives based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

te classification of our fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy requires

See Note B forff

our fair value measurements disclosures.

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments, which are readily convertible into cash
and have original maturit

ies of three months or less.

t

Revenue Recognition - Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our
customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or
services. Our payment terms vary by customer and contract type, including requiring payment before products or services are
delivered to certain customers. However, the term between customer prepayments, complem tion of our performance obligations,
invoicing and receipt of payment due is not significant.

65

Performance Obligations and Revenue Sources
commodity sales and services revenues, as described below:

g

- Revenue sources are disaggregated in Note Q and are derived fromff

Commodity Sales (all segments) - We contract to deliver residue natural
products to customers at a specified delivery point. Our sales agreements may be daily or longer-term contracts forff
volume. We consider the sale and delivery of each unit of a commodity an individual performance obligation as the customer is
expected to control, accept and benefit fromff
each unit individually. We record revenue when the commodity is delivered to the
customer as this represents the point in time when control of the product is transferred to the customer. Revenue is recorded
based on the contracted selling price, which is generally index-based and settled monthly.

gas, condensate, unfractionated NGLs and/or NGL

a specifieff d

t

((

ontractstt (Nat

Services
) - Under this type of contract, we charge fees forff
and Processing segment
Gathering only cll
providing midstream services, which include gathering and treating our customer’s natural gas. Our performance obligation
begins with delivery of raw natural gas to our system. This service is treated as one performance obligation that is satisfied
over time. We use the output
performed simultaneously.

t method based on delivery of product to our system as the measure of progress, as our services are

ural Gas Gathering

e

tt

ith producer take-ikk

ural Gas Gathering

Fee with Ptt OP contracts wtt
n-kind rights (Nat
of contract, we do not control the stream of unprocessed natural
in-kind rights. We purchase a portion of the raw natural
include gathering, treating, compressing and processing our customer’s natural
primarily the residue natural gas to the producer, sell the remaining commodities and remit a portion of the commodity sales
proceeds to the producer less our contractual
fees. Our performance obligation begins with delivery of raw natural gas to our
system. This service is treated as one performance obligation that is satisfied over time. We use the output method based on
delivery of product to our system as the measure of progress, as our services are performed simultaneously.

providing midstream services, which
gas. After performing these services, we returnt

) - Under this type
to the producer’s take-

gas that we receive at the wellhead dued

gas stream, charge fees forff

and Processing segment

((
t

e

t

t

tt

t

t

((
(Nat

ural Gas Liquids segment

Transportation and exchange contracts
e
providing midstream services, which may include a bundled combination of gathering, transporting and/or fractionation of our
customer’s NGLs. Our performance obligation begins with delivery of unfractionated NGLs or NGL products to our system.
These services represent a series of distinct services that are treated as one performance obligation that is satisfied over time.
We use the output method based on delivery of product to our system as the measure of progress, as our services are performed
simultaneously. For transportation services under a tariff on our NGL transportation pipelines, fees are recorded upon
redelivery to our customer at the completion of the transportation services.

) - Under this type of contract, we charge fees forff

((

e

a

our customer. The capac

ural Gas Liquids and Natural Gas Pipelines segments

Storage contractstt (Nat
withdraw/store commodities forff
considered a bundled service, as we integrate them into one stand-ready obligation provided on a daily basis over the life of the
agreement and satisfied over time. Fixed capacity reservation fees are allocated and evenly recognized in revenue. Capaa
reservation fees that vary based on a stated or implied economic index and correspond with the costs to provide our services are
recognized in revenue as invoiced to our customers. For contracts that do not include a capacity reservation, transportation,
injection and withdrawal fees are recognized in revenue as those services are provided and are dependent on the volume
transported, injen cted or withdrawn by our customer, which is at our customer’s discretion. We use the output method based on
the passage of time to measure satisfaction of the performance obligation associated with our daily stand-ready services.

ity reservation and injen ction/withdrawal/storage services are

) - We reserve a stated storage capac

ity and injen ct/tt

city

a

t

tt

a

((
(Nat

e
lines segment

ural Gas Pipei

ation contracts

) - We reserve a stated transportation capac

Firm service transport
ity reservation and transportation services are considered a bundled service,
transport commodities for our customer. The capac
as we integrate them into one stand-ready obligation provided on a daily basis over the life of the agreement and satisfied over
time. Fixed capacity reservation fees are allocated and evenly recognized in revenue. Capaa
ased
on a stated or implied economic index and correspond with the costs to provide our services are recognized in revenue based on
a daily effective fee rate. If the capaci
recorded for the differeff
are recognized in revenue as those services are provided and are dependent on the volume transported by our customer, which
is at our customer’s discretion. We use the output method based on the passage of time to measure satisfaction of the
performance obligation associated with our daily stand-ready services.

nce between the amount recorded in revenue and the amount billed to the customer. Transportation fees

ty reservation fees vary solely as a contract feature, contract assets or liabilities are

city reservation fees that vary brr

ity and

a

a

Interruptible transportation contracts (Nat
e
lines segment
between the customer’s nominated receipt and delivery points if capacity is available after satisfying firm transportation service
obligations. The transaction price is based on the transportation fees times the volumes transported. We use the output method

) - We agree to transport natural gas on our pipelines

ural Gas Pipei

((

66

based on delivery of product to the customer to measure satisfactio
delivered volumes is recorded in revenue at the time of delivery, when the customer obtains control.

n of the performance obligation. The total consideration for

ff

Many of the contract types described above contain additional feeff
minimum volume commitments or product specifications), which are considered to be variablea
charges are not recorded until it is probable that a significant reversal of the associated revenue will not occur.

by customers for nonperformance (e.g.,
consideration. These fees and

s or charges payablea

See Note P forff

our revenue disclosures.

Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities - Contract assets and contract liabilities are recorded when the amount of revenue
recognized from a contract with a customer differs from the amount billed to the customer and recorded in accounts receivable.
Our contract asset balances at the beginning and end of the period primarily relate to our firm service transportation contracts
with tiered rates. Our contract liabilities primarily represent deferred revenue on NGL storage contracts for which revenue is
recognized over a one-year term, and deferred revenue on contributions in aid of construction received fromff
which revenue is recognized over the contract periods, which range from 5 to 10 years.

customers for

Cost of Sales and Fuel - Cost of sales and fuel primarily includes (i) the cost of purchased commodities, including NGLs,
natural
gas and condensate, (ii) fees incurred for third-party transportation, fractionation and storage of commodities, (iii) fuel
t
and power costs incurred to operate our own facilities that gather, process, transport and store commodities, and (iv) an offset
from the contractual

fees deducted from the cost of purchased commodities under the contract types below:

t

t

ith no producer take-ikk

Fee with Ptt OP contracts wtt
raw natural
and processing the producer’s natural gas. After performing these services, we sell the commodities and return a portion of the
commodity sales proceeds to the producer less our contractual

n-kind rights (Natural Gas Gathering
providing midstream services, which include gathering, treating, compressing

gas and charge contractual feeff

and Processing segment

) - We purchase

fees.

s forff

e

tt

t

tt

eeff

Purchase with f
index price and charge fees for providing midstream services, which may include a bundled combination of gathering,
transporting and/or fractionation of our customer’s NGLs.

) - Under this type of contract, we purchase raw, unfractionated NGLs at an

tural Gas Liquids segment

(Na((

e

Operations and Maintenance - Operations and maintenance primarily includes (i) payroll and benefit costs, (ii) third-party
costs for operations, maintenance and integrity management, regulatory compliance and environmental and safety,t
(iii) other business-related service costs.

and

represent valid claims against nonaffiliated customers for products sold or services

Accounts Receivable - Accounts receivablea
rendered. We present accounts receivable net of an allowance forff
collected. We assess the creditworthiness of our counterparties on an ongoing basis and require security, including
prepayments and other forms of collateral, when appropriate. Outstanding customer receivables are reviewed regularly for
possible nonpayment indicators, and allowances forff
collectability, current conditions and supporta
for credit losses was not material.

credit losses are recorded based upon management’s estimate of

forecasts at each balance sheet date. At December 31, 2021, our allowance

credit losses to reflect the net amount expected to be

blea

u

gas in storage are determined using the lower of weighted-average cost or
Inventory - The values of current
net realizable value. Noncurrent NGLs and natural
gas are classified as property and valued at cost. Materials and supplies are
valued at average cost. Certain large equipment inventory, which will ultimately be included in property, plant and equipment
when utilized, is included in other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and is valued at weighted-average cost.

NGLs and natural

r

t

t

gas pipeline imbalances and are valued at market prices. Under the majori

Commodity Imbalances - Commodity imbalances represent amounts payablea
natural
a
t
physically receive volumes of unfractionated NGLs, including the risk of loss and legal title to such volumes, from the
exchange counterparty. In turn, we deliver NGL products back to the customer and charge them gathering, transportation and
fractionation fees. To the extent that the volumes we receive under such agreements differ
from those we deliver, we record a
net exchange receivablea
settled with movements of NGL products rather than with cash. Natural gas pipeline imbalances are settled in cash or in-kind,
subject to the terms of the pipelines’ tariffs or by agreement.

or receivable forff NGL exchange contracts and
ty of our NGL exchange agreements, we

position with the counterparties. These net exchange receivablea

s and payables are generally

or payablea

ff

67

t

ions and to achieve more predictable cash flows. We record all derivative instruments at faiff

Derivatives and Risk Management - We utilize derivatives to reduce our market-risk exposure to commodity price and
interest-rate fluff ctuat
r value, with
the exception of normal purchases and normal sales transactions that are expected to result in physical delivery. Commodity
price and interest-rate volatility may have a significant impact on the fair value of derivative instruments as of a given date.
The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies
as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, the reason for holding it. The tablea
below summarizes the various ways in which we
account for our derivative instruments and the impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements:

Accounting Treatment
Normal purchases and
normal sales
Mark-to-market
Cash flow hedge

Recognition and Measurement

Balance Sheet

Income Statement

- Fair value not recorded

- Change in fair value not recognized in earnings

- Recorded at fair value
- Recorded at fair value. The gain or loss on the
derivative instrument is reported initially as a
component of accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)

- Change in fair value recognized in earnings
- The gain or loss on the derivative instrument is

reclassified out of accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) into earnings when
the forecasted transaction affects earnings

- The gain or loss on the derivative instrument is

recognized in earnings

Fair value hedge

- Recorded at fair value

- Change in fair value of the hedged item is
recorded as an adjustment to book value

- Change in fair value of the hedged item is

recognized in earnings

are used from time to time to manage interest-rate risk. Under certain conditions, we designate

ransactions in order to hedge anticipated purchases and sales of naturat

To reduce our exposure to fluctuations in natural gas, NGLs and condensate prices, we periodically enter into future
purchases and sales, options or swap ta
condensate. Interest-rate swapsa
our derivative instruments as a hedge of exposure to changes in fair values or cash flows.
relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as risk-management objectives and strategies forff
undertaking various hedge transactions, and methods for assessing and testing correlation and hedge effecff
tiveness. We
specifically identify the foreff
We assess hedging relationships at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis to determine whether the hedging
relationship is, and is expected to remain, highly effective. We also document our normal purchases and normal sales
transactions that we expect to result in physical delivery and that we elect to exempt from derivative accounting treatment.

casted transaction that has been designated as the hedged item in a cash flow hedge relationship.

We formally document all

l gas, NGLs and

s, forward

ff

ff

The realized revenues and purchase costs of our derivative instruments not considered held forff
that qualify as normal purchases or normal sales that are expected to result in physical delivery are reported on a gross basis.

trading purposes and derivatives

ff
Cash flows
cash flows from the related hedged items in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

from futures, forwards, options and swapsa

that are accounted for as hedges are included in the same category as the

See Notes B and C forff

disclosures of our fair value measurements and risk-management and hedging activities, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment - Our properties are stated at cost, including AFUDC and capia talized interest. In some cases,
the cost of regulated property retired or sold, plus removal costs, less salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation. Gains
and losses from sales or transfers of nonregulated properties or an entire operating unit or system of our regulated properties are
recognized in income. Maintenance and repairs are charged directly to expense.

The interest portion of AFUDC and capia talized interest represent the cost of borrowed funds
activities forff
regulated and nonregulated projects, respectively. We capia talize interest costs during the construction or upgrade
of qualifying assets. These costs are recorded as a reduction to interest expense. The equity portion of AFUDC represents the
projects and is recorded in the cost
capita
of our regulated properties and as a credit to the allowance forff

alization of the estimated average cost of equity used during the construction of majora

used to finance construction

used during construction.

ff
equity funds

ff

Our properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Generally, we apply
depreciation rates to functional groups of property having similar economic lives. We periodically conduct depreciation studies
to assess the economic lives of our assets. For our regulated assets, these depreciation studies are completed as a part of our
rate proceedings or tariff filings, and the changes in economic lives, if applicable, are implemented prospectively when the new
rates are approved. For our nonregulated assets, if it is determined that the estimated economic life cff
made prospectively. Changes in the estimated economic lives of our property, plant and equipment could have a material effect
on our financial position or results of operations.

hanges, the changes are

68

Property, plant and equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheets includes construct
that have not yet been placed in service and therefore are not being depreciated. Assets are transferred out of construction work
in process when they are substantially complete and ready for their intended use.

ion work in process forff

capital projects

rr

See Note D forff

our property, plant and equipment disclosures.

Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets, Including Intangible Assets - We assess our goodwill for impairment at
least annually as of July 1, unless events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred before that
time. Our qualitative goodwill impairment analysis performed as of July 1, 2021, did not result in an impairment charge nor did
our analysis reflect any reporting units at risk, and subsequent to that date, no event has occurred indicating that the implied fair
value of each of our reporting units is less than the carrying value of its net assets.

Goodwill - As part of our goodwill impairment test, we assess qualitative factors (including macroeconomic conditions,
industry and market considerations, cost factors and overall financial performance) to determine whether it was more likely
than not that the fair value of each of our reporting units was less than their carrying amount. If furthe
quantitative test is elected, we perform a Step 1 analysis. In a Step 1 analysis, an assessment is made by comparing the fair
value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair
ff
value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to
that reporting unit.

r testing is necessary or a

ff

To estimate the fair value of our reporting units, we use two generally accepted valuation approaches, an income approach and
a market approac
h, we use
h, using assumptions consistent with a market participant’s perspective. Under the income approac
a
anticipated cash flows
ff
appropriate discount rates. Under the market approach, we apply EBITDA multiples to forecasted EBITDA. The multiples
used are consistent with recent market transactions. The forecasted cash flows
possible future cash flows for a reporting unit over a period of years.

over a period of years plus a terminal value and discount these amounts to their present value using

are based on probability weighted-average

a

ff

Long-lived assets - We assess our long-lived assets for impaim rment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that
an asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverablea
exceeds the sum of the undiscounted future
ff
an impairment is indicated, we record an impairment loss equal to the differe
of the long-lived asset.

cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual
ff

disposition of the asset. If
nce between the carrying value and the fair value

. An impairment is indicated if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset

t

Investments in unconsolidated affiff liates - The impairment test for equity-method investments considers whether the fair value
of the equity investment as a whole, not the underlying net assets, has declined and whether that decline is other than
temporary. Therefore, we periodically evaluate the amount at which we carry our equity-method investments to determine
whether current events or circumstances warrant adjustments to our carrying values.

See Notes D, E and M forff
assets and investments in unconsolidated affilff

iates, respectively.

our disclosures and related impairment charges related to long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible

ff

gas storage facilities are subjeu

980, Regulated Operations. During the rate-making process for certain of our assets, regulatory

Regulation - Depending on the specific service provided, our natural gas transmission pipelines, NGL pipelines and certain
natural
ct to rate regulation and/or accounting requirements by one or more of the FERC, OCC,
t
KCC and RRC. Accordingly, portions of our Natural Gas Liquids and Natural Gas Pipelines segments follow the accounting
and reporting guidance for regulated operations. In our Consolidated Financial Statements and our Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements, regulated operations are defined pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Accounting
Standards Codification
authorities set the fraff mework for what we can charge customers for our services and establish the manner that our costs are
accounted for, including allowing us to defer recognition of certain costs and permitting recovery of the amounts through rates
over time as opposed to expensing such costs as incurred. Certain examples of types of regulatory guidance include costs forff
fuel and losses, acquisition costs, contributions in aid of construction, charges forff
depreciation, and gains or losses on
disposition of assets. This allows us to stabilize rates over time rather than passing such costs on to the customer forff
recovery. Actions by regulatory authorities could have an effect
in the amount recoverablea
write-off of regulatory assets and costs not recovered may be required if all or a portion of the regulated operations have rates
that are no longer (i) establia
considering the demand and competition for our services.

immediate
on the amounts we may charge our customers. Any difference

and the amount deferred is recorded as income or expense at the time of the regulatory action. A

shed by independent, third-party regulators and (ii) set at levels that will recover our costs when

ff

69

Retirement and Other Postretirement Employee Benefits - We have defined benefit retirement plans covering certain
employees and former employees. We sponsor welfare plans that provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to
certain employees hired prior to 2017 who retire with at least fiveff
plans is calculated using statistical and other factors that attempt to anticipate futff uret
about the discount rate, expected returnt
In determining the projected benefit obligations and costs, assumptions can change from period to period and may result in
changes in the costs and liabia lities we recognize.

tors include assumptions
compensation increases, mortality and employment length.

years of service. The expense and liabia lity related to these

on plan assets, rate of futff uret

events. These facff

See Note K forff

our retirement and other postretirement employee benefits disclosures.

ff

d income taxes are provided forff

Income Taxes - Deferre
assets and liabilities and carryforward items based on income tax laws and rates existing at the time the temporary differences
are expected to reverse. Generally, the effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in
income in the period that includes the enactment date of the rate change.

the difference between the financial statement and income tax basis of

We utilize a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and
measurement of a tax position that is taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We reflect penalties and interest as part of
income tax expense as they become applicable forff
threshold and measurement attribute. For all periods presented, we had no uncertain tax positions that required the
establia

tax provisions that do not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition

shment of a material reserve.

We utilize the “with-and-without” approach for intra-period tax allocation for purposes of allocating total tax expense (or
benefit) forff

the year among the various financial statement components.

We file numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns
tax authorities of several states. We are not under any United States federal audits or statutet

t

with federal tax authorities of the United States along with the

waivers at this time.

See Note L forff

our income taxes disclosures.

Asset Retirement Obligations - Asset retirement obligations represent legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-
lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset. Certain of our natural
gas gathering and processing, NGL and natural gas pipeline facilities are subjeu
ct to agreements or regulations that give rise to
our asset retirement obligations for removal or other disposition costs associated with retiring the assets in place upon
discontinued use of the assets. We recognize the fair value of a liabila
is incurred if a reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made. We are not able to estimate reasonably the faiff
asset retirement obligations for portions of our assets, primarily certain pipeline assets, because the settlement dates are
indeterminable given our expected continued use of the assets with proper maintenance. We expect our pipeline assets, for
which we are unable to estimate reasonably the fair value of the asset retirement obligation, will continue in operation as long
as supply and demand for natural gas and NGLs exist. Based on the widespread use of natural
activities for residential users and electric-power generation for commercial users, as well as use of NGLs by the petrochemical
industry, we expect supply and demand to exist for the foreseeablea

an asset retirement obligation in the period when it

heating and cooking

r value of the

gas forff

future.

ity forff

the

u

t

t

For our assets that we are able to make an estimate, the fair value of the liabila
associated asset, and this additional carrying amount is depreciated over the life of the asset. The liabila
of each period through charges to operating expense. If the obligation is settled forff
of the liability, we will recognize a gain or loss on settlement. The depreciation and accretion expense are immaterial to our
Consolidated Financial Statements.

ity is added to the carrying amount of the

an amount other than the carrying amount

ity is accreted at the end

these contingencies when our assessments indicate that it is probable that a liability has
We expense legal fees as incurred

Contingencies - Our accounting for contingencies covers a variety of business activities, including contingencies forff
environmental exposures. We accruerr
been incurred or an asset will not be recovered and an amount can be estimated reasonably.
and base our legal liability estimates on currently available facts and our estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution.
Accruals for estimated losses fromff
a remediation feasibility study. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs fromff
their receipt is deemed probable. Our expenditures
date have not been significant in relation to our financial position or results of operations, and our expenditures
environmental matters had no significff ant effecff
differ fromff

environmental remediation obligations generally are recognized no later than completion of
other parties are recorded as assets when

for environmental evaluation, mitigation, remediation and compliance to

our estimates resulting in an impact, positive or negative, on earnings.

during 2021, 2020 and 2019. Actual results may

t on earnings or cash flows

related to

legal and

a

ff

t

t

70

See Note N forff

additional discussion of contingencies.

Share-Based Payments - We expense the fair value of share-based payments net of estimated forfei
forfeiture rates based on historical forfeitures under our share-based payment plans.

ff

tures. We estimate

See Note J forff

our share-based payments disclosures.

ff

Earnings per Common Share - Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the daily
weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, vested restricted and performance units
that have been deferre
d and share awards deferred under the compensation plan for non-employee directors. Diluted EPS is
calculated by dividing net income availablea
common stock outstanding during the period plus potentially dilutive components. The dilutive components are calculated
based on the dilutive effect for each quarter. For fiscal-year periods, the dilutive components forff
arrive at the fisff cal year-to-date dilutive component.

to common shareholders by the daily weighted-average number of shares of

each quarter are averaged to

See Note I forff

our EPS disclosures.

Segment Reporting - Our chief operating decision-maker reviews the finff ancial performance of each of our three segments, as
well as our financial performance as a whole, on a regular basis. Adjusted EBITDA by segment is utilized in this evaluation.
We believe this financial measure is useful to investors because it and similar measures are used by many companies in our
industry as a measurement of financial performance and are commonly employed by finaff
our financial performance and to compare financial performance among companies in our industry. Adjusted EBITDA forff
segment is defined as net income adjusted for interest expense, depreciation and amortization, noncash impaim rment charges,
income taxes, allowance forff
This calculation may not be comparable with similarly titled measures of other companies.

used during construction, noncash compensat

ion expense, and other noncash items.

ncial analysts and others to evaluate

ff
equity funds

m

each

See Note Q forff

our segments disclosures.

of ASUs to the
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Update - Changes to GAAP are established by the FASB in the formff
FASB Accounting Standards Codification. We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not listed below were
assessed and determined to be either not applicable or clarifications of ASUs previously issued or listed below. Except as
discussed below, there have been no new accounting pronouncements that have become effective or have been issued that are
of significance or potential significance to us.

In January 2021, we adopted ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplim fying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” which
simplifies certain concepts in Topic 740, Income Taxes. The impact of adopting this standard was not material.

B.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Recurring Fair Value Measurements - The following tabla es set fort
indicated:

ff

h our recurring

r

fair value measurements forff

the periods

Derivative assets

Commodity contracts
Financial contracts
Total derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Commodity contracts
Financial contracts
Interest-rate contracts
Total derivative liabilities

$
$

$

$

December 31, 2021

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total - Gross Netting (a)

Total - Net

(Thousands of dollars)

22,019
22,019

$
$

172,833
172,833

$
$

9,309
9,309

$
$

204,161
204,161

$ (204,161) $
$ (204,161) $

—
—

(67,226) $ (112,922) $ (123,592) $

—

(145,524)

—

(67,226) $ (258,446) $ (123,592) $

(303,740) $
(145,524)
(449,264) $

303,740
—
303,740

$

$

—
(145,524)
(145,524)

(a) - Derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheet on a net basis. We net derivative assets and liabilities
when a legally enforceable master-netting arrangement exists between the counterparty to a derivative contract and us. At December 31,
2021, we held no cash and posted $157.0 million of cash with various counterparties, including $99.6 million of cash collateral that is

71

offsetting derivative net liability positions under master-netting arrangements in the table above. The remaining $57.4 million of cash
collateral in excess of derivative net liability positions is included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Derivative assets

Commodity contracts
Financial contracts
Total derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Commodity contracts
Financial contracts
Interest-rate contracts
Total derivative liabilities

$
$

$

$

December 31, 2020

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total - Gross Netting (a)

Total - Net

(Thousands of dollars)

6,697
6,697

$
$

— $
— $

103,801
103,801

$
$

110,498
110,498

$ (110,498) $
$ (110,498) $

—
—

(10,489) $
—

— $ (135,122) $

(203,407)

—

(10,489) $ (203,407) $ (135,122) $

(145,611) $
(203,407)
(349,018) $

145,611
—
145,611

$

$

—
(203,407)
(203,407)

(a) - Derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheet on a net basis. We net derivative assets and liabilities
when a legally enforceable master-netting arrangement exists between the counterparty to a derivative contract and us. At December 31,
2020, we held no cash and posted $63.1 million of cash with various counterparties, including $35.1 million of cash collateral that is
offsetting derivative net liability positions under master-netting arrangements in the table above. The remaining $28.0 million of cash
collateral in excess of derivative net liability positions is included in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The following tablea

sets forth a reconciliation of our Level 3 faiff

r value measurements forff

the periods indicated:

Derivative Assets (Liabilities)

Net assets (liabilities) at beginning of period

Total changes in fair value:
Settlements included in net income (a)
Transfers out of Level 3 derivatives
New Level 3 derivatives included in other comprehensive income (loss) (b)
Unrealized change included in other comprehensive income (loss) (b)

Net liabilities at end of period

Years Ended
December 31,

2021
2020
(Thousands of dollars)

$

(31,321) $

30,772

31,003
(59,911)
(57,325)
3,271
(114,283) $

$

(31,660)
—
(36,568)
6,135
(31,321)

(a) - Included in commodity sales revenues/cost of sales and fuel in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
(b) - Included in change in fair value of derivatives in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, transfers out of Level 3 related to commodity derivatives associated with certain
locations for both NGL and natural gas basis swaps were principally due to improved transparency of market prices as a result
of the volume and frequency of transactions in these markets. We consider the valuation of these commodity derivatives
transacted through a clearing broker and valued with an unadjusted published price fromff
Our Level 3 faiff
provided by third-party pricing services that are validated with other unobservablea market data. During the year ended
December 31, 2020, there were no transfers in or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

r value measurements continue to include NGL derivatives in other markets valued using forward quotes

an exchange as a Level 2 valuation.

r value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivablea

Other Financial Instruments - The approximate faiff
, accounts payable
and short-term borrowings is equal to book value due to the short-term nature of these items. Our cash and cash equivalents are
composed of bank and money market accounts and are classified as Level 1. Our short-term borrowings are classified as
Level 2 since the estimated faiff
in the
commercial paper market. We have investments at December 31, 2021, associated with our supple
plan and nonqualified deferred compensation plan that are carried at fair value and primarily composed of exchange-traded
t
mutual

r value of the short-term borrowings can be determined using information availablea

mental executive retirement

funds classified as Level 1.

u

r value of our consolidated long-term debt, including current maturities, was $15.6 billion and $16.3 billion at

The estimated faiff
December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The book value of our consolidated long-term debt, including current maturities,
was $13.6 billion and $14.2 billion at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The estimated fair value of the aggregate

72

senior notes outstanding was determined using quoted market prices forff
estimated faiff

r value of our consolidated long-term debt is classified as Level 2.

similar issues with similar terms and maturities. The

C.

RISK-MANAGEMENT AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES USING DERIVATIVES

t

Risk-management Activities - We are sensitive to changes in naturat
contractual terms under which these commodities are processed, purchased and sold. We are also subject to the risk of interest-
rate fluff ctuat
secure a certain price forff
t
price and interest-rate fluctuations; and to achieve more predictable cash flows. We foll
ow establa ished policies and procedures
to assess risk and approve, monitor and report our risk-management activities. We have not used these instruments for trading
purposes.

ion in the normal course of business. We use physical-forward purchases and sales and financial derivatives to
gas, condensate and NGL products; to reduce our exposure to commodity
ff

l gas, crude oil and NGL prices, principally as a result of

a portion of our natural

y p

Commodity price risk
changes in the price of natural
reduce the near-term commodity price risk associated with a portion of the forecasted sales of these commodities:

- Commodity price risk refers to the risk of loss in cash flows and future earnings arising from adverse

gas, NGLs and condensate. We may use the folff

lowing commodity derivative instruments to

t

•

•

•

•

•

t

rr

futuret

oil forff

gas and crude

delivery or settlement

future physical delivery. These contracts are typically nontransferablea

Futures contracts - Standardized contracts to purchase or sell natural
under the provisions of exchange regulations;
Forward contracts - Nonstandardized commitments between two parties to purchase or sell natural gas, crude oil or
and can only be canceled with the
NGLs forff
consent of both parties;
Swapsp - Exchange of one or more payments based on the value of one or more commodities. These instruments
transfer the financial risk associated with a future
change in value between the counterparties of the transaction,
without also conveying ownership interest in the asset or liabila
Options
a commodity at a fixed price within a specifiedff
traded or customized and nonexchange-traded; and
Collar - Combination of a purchased put option and a sold call option, which places a floff or and ceiling price forff
commodity sales being hedged.

ity;
- Contractual agreements that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a fixff ed quantity of

period of time. Options may either be standardized and exchange-

p

ff

We may also use other instruments to mitigate commodity price risk.

In our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment, we are exposed to commodity price risk as a result of retaining a portion
of the commodity sales proceeds associated with our fee with POP contracts. Under certain fee with POP contracts, our fees
and POP percentage may increase or decrease if production volumes, delivery pressures or commodity prices change relative to
specified thresholds. In certain commodity price environments, our contractual
decrease, which would impact the average fee rate in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment. We also are exposed
to basis risk between the various production and market locations where we buy and sell commodities. As part of our hedging
strategy, we use the previously described commodity derivative financial instruments and physical-forward contracts to reduce
l gas, NGLs and condensate.
the impact of price fluctuations related to naturat

fees on these feeff with POP contracts may

t

In our Natural Gas Liquids segment, we are primarily exposed to commodity price risk resulting from the relative values of the
various NGL products to each other, the value of NGLs in storage and the relative value of NGLs to natural
exposed to location price differential risk as a result of the relative value of NGL purchases at one location and sales at another
location, primarily related to our optimization and marketing business. As part of our hedging strategy, we utilize physical-
forward contracts and commodity derivative financial instruments to reduce the impact of price fluff ctuat

ions related to NGLs.

gas. We are also

t

t

t

gas in operations and retain natural gas from our customers for operations or as part of our fee forff

In our Natural Gas Pipelines segment, we are primarily exposed to commodity price risk on our intrastate pipelines because
they consume natural
provided. When the amount consumed in operations differs from the amount provided by our customers, our pipelines must
buy or sell natural
on the regulatory treatment for this activity. To the extent that commodity price risk in our Natural Gas Pipelines segment is
not mitigated by fuel
natural
t
t
our natural

cost-recovery mechanisms, we may use physical-forward sales or purchases to reduce the impact of
t

ions. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no financial derivative instruments with respect to

gas, or store or use natural gas inventory, which can expose this segment to commodity price risk depending

gas pipeline operations.

gas price fluff ctuat

ff

t

services

Interest-rate risk - We may manage interest-rate risk through the use of fixed-rate debt, floaff
swaps.a

Interest-rate swaps are agreements to exchange interest payments at some futff uret

ting-rate debt and interest-rate
point based on specified notional

73

amounts. In 2020, we settled $750 million of our forward-starting interest-rate swapsa
offerings of $1.75 billion senior unsecured notes resulting in a loss of $152.5 million, which is included in accumulated other
comprehensive loss and amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt. We also settled the remaining
used to hedge our LIBOR-based interest payments in 2020 resulting in a loss of
$1.3 billion of our interest-rate swapsa
$48.3 million.

related to our underwritten public

At December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, we had forwa
$1.1 billion to hedge the variabila
swapsa

are designated as cash flowff

hedges.

ff

ity of interest payments on a portion of our forecasted debt issuances. All of our interest-rate

rd-starting interest-rate swapsa with notional amounts totaling

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments - See Note A forff
measurements. The following tabla e sets forth
periods indicated:

ff

a discussion of the inputs associated with our fair value
the fair values of our derivative instruments presented on a gross basis for the

Location in our
Consolidated Balance
Sheets

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2020

Assets

(Liabilities)

Assets
(Thousands of dollars)

(Liabilities)

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Commodity contracts (a)
Financial contracts (b)

Interest-rate contracts

Other current liabilities
Other deferred credits

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Commodity contracts (a)
Financial contracts (b)

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Total derivatives

$

$

204,161
—
—
204,161

$ (303,740) $
(145,524)
—
(449,264)

107,461
—
—
107,461

$ (142,573)
—
(203,407)
(345,980)

—
—
204,161

—
—

$ (449,264) $

3,037
3,037
110,498

(3,038)
(3,038)
$ (349,018)

(a) - Derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis when a legally enforceable master-
netting arrangement exists between the counterparty to a derivative contract and us.
(b) - At December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, our derivative net liability positions under master-netting arrangements for financial
contracts were fully offset by cash collateral of $99.6 million and $35.1 million, respectively.

Notional Quantities forff Derivative Instruments - The following tablea
instruments held for the periods indicated:

sets forth the notional quantities for derivative

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: (a)
Cash flow hedges

((

Fixed price
ff
-Natural gas (Bcf
)
-Crude oil and NGLs (MMBbl)
Basis
ff
-Natural gas (Bcf
)
((
Interest-rate contracts (Billions

((

of dollars)

December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Net Purchased/Payor
(Sold/Receiver)

Contract
Type

utures
F
Futures

F
utures
Swaps

(32.3)
(10.0)

(30.5)
1.1

$

$

(43.3)
(4.6)

(43.3)
1.1

(a) - Notional amounts for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are excluded from the table above
quantities of 0.8 MMBbl for NGLs fixed priced derivative instruments at December 31, 2020.

a

due to fully offsetting notional

74

Cash Flow Hedges - The following tabla e sets forth
comprehensive income (loss) forff

the periods indicated:

ff

the unrealized change in fair value of cash flow hedges in other

Commodity contracts
Interest-rate contracts

Total unrealized change in fair value of cash flow hedges in other comprehensive
income (loss)

$

$

2021

Years Ended December 31,
2020
(Thousands of dollars)
(5,699) $

(322,648) $
57,884

(208,616)

2019

38,819
(230,771)

(264,764) $

(214,315) $

(191,952)

The following tablea

sets forth the effect of cash flowff

hedges on net income forff

the periods indicated:

Derivatives in Cash Flow
Hedging Relationships

Commodity contracts

Interest-rate contracts (a)

Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into
Net Income

2021

Commodity sales revenues
Cost of sales and fuel
Interest expense

$

(731,793) $
473,612
(39,952)

85,436
(19,170)
(93,676)

Years Ended December 31,
2020
(Thousands of dollars)
$

2019

94,547
(44,202)
(23,230)

Total change in fair value of cash flow hedges reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive loss into net income on derivatives

$

(298,133) $

(27,410) $

27,115

(a) - The year ended December 31, 2020, includes a loss of $48.3 million on the settlement of $1.3 billion of interest-rate swaps used to hedge
our LIBOR-based interest payments.

Credit Risk - We monitor the creditworthiness of our counterparties and compliance with policies and limits established by our
Risk Oversight and Strategy Committee. We maintain credit policies with regard to our counterparties that we believe
minimize overall credit risk. These policies include an evaluation of potential counterparties’ financial condition (including
ates), collateral requirements under certain circumstances and the use of
credit ratings, bond yields and credit defaul
standardized master-netting agreements that allow us to net the positive and negative exposures associated with a single
counterparty. We use internally developed credit ratings for counterparties that do not have a credit rating.

t swap ra

ff

Our financial commodity derivatives are generally settled through a NYMEX or ICE clearing broker account with daily margin
requirements. However, we may enter into finaff
an investment-grade credit rating from S&P, Fitch and/or Moody’s. If our credit ratings on our senior unsecured long-term debt
were to decline below investment grade, the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request collateralization on
derivative instruments in net liability positions. There were no financial derivative instruments with contingent features related
to credit risk at December 31, 2021.

ncial derivative instruments that contain provisions that require us to maintain

The counterparties to our derivative contracts typically consist of majora
commercial and industrial end users. This concentration of counterparties may affecff
positively or negatively, in that the counterparties may be affected similarly by changes in economic, regulatory or other
conditions. Based on our policies, exposures, credit and other reserves, we do not anticipate a material adverse effecff
financial position or results of operations as a result of counterparty nonperformance.

t
t our overall exposure to credit risk, either

energy companies, financial instituti

t on our

ons and

At December 31, 2021, the credit exposure from our derivative assets is with investment-grade companies in the finff ancial
services sector.

75

D.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The following tablea

sets forth our property, plant and equipment by property type, forff

the periods indicated:

Nonregulated

Gathering pipelines and related equipment
Processing and fractionation and related equipment
Storage and related equipment
Transmission pipelines and related equipment
General plant and other
Construction work in process

Regulated

Storage and related equipment
Natural gas transmission pipelines and related equipment
NGL transmission pipelines and related equipment
General plant and other
Construction work in process
Property, plant and equipment
Accumulated depreciation and amortization - nonregulated
Accumulated depreciation and amortization - regulated

Net property, plant and equipment

yy

Estimated Useful
Lives (Years)

December 31,
2021

December 31,
2020

(Thousands of dollars)

5 to 40
3 to 40
3 to 54
5 to 54
2 to 60
—

5 to 25
5 to 77
5 to 88
2 to 50
—

$

$

4,371,936
5,356,508
874,522
886,343
695,117
1,132,961

9,197
1,660,034
8,595,968
73,449
164,504
23,820,539
(2,885,020)
(1,615,645)
19,319,874

$

$

4,143,752
5,084,802
798,785
810,434
647,675
1,265,736

9,180
1,569,268
8,423,544
72,535
247,224
23,072,935
(2,514,328)
(1,403,679)
19,154,928

The average depreciation rates forff
indicated:

Natural Gas Liquids
Natural Gas Pipelines

our regulated property are set fort

ff

h, by segment, in the following tablea

for the periods

Years Ended December 31,
2020
2.2%
2.1%

2021
2.2%
2.1%

2019
2.0%
2.1%

We incurred costs for construction work in process that had not been paid at December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, of $130.5
million, $151.7 million and $544.8 million, respectively. Such amounts are not included in capital expenditures (less AFUDC)
on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Impairment Charges - In 2020, we evaluated our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment asset groups and determined
that the carrying value of certain long-lived asset groups in the Powder River Basin, western Oklahoma and Kansas were not
and exceeded their estimated fair value. As a result, we recorded noncash impaim rment charges of $362.3 million,
recoverablea
in the Powder River Basin and its related supply contracts and
which includes a naturat
natural
t
recorded noncash impaim rment charges of $71.6 million related primarily to certain inactive assets, as our expectation for futuret
use of the assets changed. These charges are included within impairment charges in our Consolidated Statement of Income forff
the year ended December 31, 2020.

gas processing plants and infrastructure in western Oklahoma and Kansas. In our Natural Gas Liquids segment, we

l gas processing plant and infrastructuret

E.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill - The following tablea

sets forth our goodwill, by segment, forff

the periods indicated:

Natural Gas Liquids
Natural Gas Pipelines

gg
Total goodwill

76

December 31,
2021

December 31,
2020

(Thousands of dollars)

$

$

371,217
156,375
527,592

$

$

371,217
156,375
527,592

Impairment Charges - In 2020, we experienced a significant decline in our share price and market capitalization as the energy
industry experienced historic events that led to a simultaneous demand and supply disruption. Due to the impact of these
events, we tested our goodwill forff
Processing reporting unit exceeded its estimated fair value, resulting in a noncash impaim rment charge of $153.4 million, which
is included within impairment charges in our Consolidated Statement of Income forff
December 31, 2021 and 2020, we have no remaining goodwill in our Natural

impairment and concluded that the carrying value of the Natural Gas Gathering and

Gas Gathering and Processing segment.

the year ended December 31, 2020. At

t

t

Intangible Assets - Our intangible assets relate primarily to contracts acquired through acquisitions in our Natural Gas Liquids
and Natural
Gas Gathering and Processing segments, which are being amortized over periods of 15 to 40 years. Amortization
expense for intangible assets was $10.4 million in 2021, $10.8 million in 2020, and $11.9 million in 2019, and the aggregate
amortization expense for each of the next fivff e years is estimated to be $10.4 million. The folff
carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets for the periods presented:

lowing tabla e refleff cts the gross

Gross intangible assets
Accumulated amortization
gg
Net intangible assets

December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
(Thousands of dollars)

$

$

381,435
(145,732)
235,703

$

$

381,435
(135,304)
246,131

Impairment Charges - In 2020 in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment, we recorded noncash impairment
charges to intangible assets of $19.9 million related to supply contracts associated with our natural gas processing plant in the
Powder River Basin, which was also impaim red. These charges are included within impairment charges in our Consolidated
Statement of Income forff

the year ended December 31, 2020.

77

F.

DEBT

The folff

lowing tablea

sets forth our consolidated debt for the periods indicated:

Commercial paper outstanding
Senior unsecured obligations:

$700,000 at 4.25% due February 2022
$900,000 at 3.375% due October 2022
$425,000 at 5.0% due September 2023
$500,000 at 7.5% due September 2023
$500,000 at 2.75% due September 2024
$500,000 at 4.9% due March 2025
$400,000 at 2.2% due September 2025
$600,000 at 5.85% due January 2026
$500,000 at 4.0% due July 2027
$800,000 at 4.55% due July 2028
$100,000 at 6.875% due September 2028
$700,000 at 4.35% due March 2029
$750,000 at 3.4% due September 2029
$850,000 at 3.1% due March 2030
$600,000 at 6.35% due January 2031
$400,000 at 6.0% due June 2035
$600,000 at 6.65% due October 2036
$600,000 at 6.85% due October 2037
$650,000 at 6.125% due February 2041
$400,000 at 6.2% due September 2043
$700,000 at 4.95% due July 2047
$1,000,000 at 5.2% due July 2048
$750,000 at 4.45% due September 2049

$500,000 at 4.5% due March 2050
$300,000 at 7.15% due January 2051

Guardian Pipeline

Weighted average 7.85% due December 2022

Total debt
Unamortized portion of terminated swaps
Unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts
Current maturities of long-term debt
Short-term borrowings (a)
Long-term debt

gg

December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
(Thousands of dollars)
— $

—

$

—
895,814
425,000
500,000
500,000
500,000
387,000
600,000
500,000
800,000
100,000
700,000
714,251
780,093
600,000
400,000
600,000
600,000
650,000
400,000
689,006
1,000,000
672,530

443,015
300,000

541,877
895,814
425,000
500,000
500,000
500,000
387,000
600,000
500,000
800,000
100,000
700,000
714,251
780,093
600,000
400,000
600,000
600,000
650,000
400,000
689,006
1,000,000
713,676

451,270
300,000

—
13,756,709
11,596
(124,855)
(895,814)
—
12,747,636

$

13,657
14,361,644
13,314
(138,887)
(7,650)
—
14,228,421

$

(a) - Individual issuances of commercial paper under our commercial paper program generally mature in 90 days or less.

$2.5 Billion Credit Agreement - Our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, which expires in June 2024, is a revolving credit facff
and contains certain finaff
ncial, operational and legal covenants. Among other things, these covenants include maintaining a
ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA, as defined in our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, adjuste
all noncash
charges and increased for projected EBITDA from certain lender-approved capital expansion projects) of no more than 5.0 to 1
at December 31, 2021.

d forff

ility

d

swingline loans. Under the terms of our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, we may request an increase in the

Our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement includes a $100 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and a $200
million sublimit forff
size of the facility to an aggregate of $3.5 billion by either commitments from new lenders or increased commitments from
existing lenders. Our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement contains provisions for an applicablea margin rate and an annual facff
fee, both of which adjust with changes in our credit ratings. Based on our current credit ratings, borrowings, if any, will accruer
at LIBOR, or alternate benchmark rate, plus 110 basis points, and the annual facff

is 15 basis points. At December 31,

ility feeff

ility

78

2021, our ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA was 4.0 to 1, and we were in compliance with all covenants under our
$2.5 Billion Credit Agreement.

At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had letters of credit issued totaling $7.7 million, and no borrowings outstanding under our
$2.5 Billion Credit Agreement.

Senior Unsecured Obligations - All notes are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with all of our
t
existing and future
other liabia lities of any non-guarantor subsidiaries.

unsecured senior indebtedness, and are structural

ly subordinate to any of the existing and future

debt and

ff

ff

Issuances - In May 2020, we completed an underwritten public offering of $1.5 billion senior unsecured notes consisting of
$600 million, 5.85% senior notes dued
due 2051. The net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses, were $1.48 billion. A
portion of the proceeds was used to repay the outstanding borrowings under our $1.5 Billion Term Loan Agreement. The
remainder was used for general corporate purposes.

2026; $600 million, 6.35% senior notes due 2031; and $300 million, 7.15% senior notes

In March 2020, we completed an underwritten public offering of $1.75 billion senior unsecured notes consisting of
$400 million, 2.2% senior notes dued
2050. The net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses, were $1.73 billion. A
portion of the proceeds was used to pay all outstanding amounts under our commercial paper program. The remainder was
used for general corporate purposes, which included repayment of other existing indebtedness and funding capia tal expenditures.

2025; $850 million, 3.1% senior notes due 2030; and $500 million, 4.5% senior notes due

In August 2019, we complem ted an underwritten public offering of $2.0 billion se inior unsec
imilllliion, 2.75% senior notes due 2024; $750 million, 3.4% senior notes due 2029;
dand $$750
2049.
proceeds were used for ggene lral corporate purposes, iincl di
.
expe dinditures

rwri iti gng didiscounts, commiissiions andd off

hThe net proce deds, after ddedductinging

ludi gng repayyment of exiistinging iind bdebt dedness

dunde

t

i

dured notes consiistinging of $$500
imilllliion, 4.45% senior notes due

i

fferi gng expenses, were $1.97 billion. The
dand funding

funding ca ipia tall

In March 2019, we completed an underwritten public offering of $1.25 billion senior unsecured notes consisting of $700
million, 4.35% senior notes due 2029 and an additional issuance of $550 million of our existing 5.2% senior notes due 2048.
The net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses, and exclusive of accrued
interest, were $1.23 billion. The proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of existing
indebtedness and funding capia tal expenditures.

p y

Repayments
February 2022 at 100% of the principal amount, plus accruedrr

- In November 2021, we redeemed the remaining $536.1 million of our $700 million, 4.25% senior notes due

and unpaid interest, with cash on hand and short-term borrowings.

In June 2021, we repaid the remaining $11.7 million of Guardian Pipeline’s senior notes due December 2022 with cash on
hand.

In 2021, we repurchased in the open market outstanding principal of certain of our senior notes in the amount of $55.2 million
for an aggregate repurchase price of $54.6 million with cash on hand.

In May 2020, we repaid the remaining $1.25 billion of our $1.5 Billion Term Loan Agreement with cash on hand from our
May 2020 public offering of $1.5 billion senior unsecured notes.

In 2020, we repurchased in the open market outstanding principal of certain of our senior notes in the amount of $224.4 million
for an aggregate repurchase price of $199.6 million with cash on hand. In connection with these open market repurchases, we
recognized $22.3 million of net gains on extinguishment of debt, which is included in other income in our Consolidated
Statement of Income forff

the year ended December 31, 2020.

In September 2019, we redeemed our $300 million, 3.8% senior notes due March 2020 at a redemption price of $308.0 million,
including the outstanding principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest, with cash on hand from our public offering of $2.0 billion
senior unsecured notes in August 2019. In connection with this early redemption, we incurred a $2.7 million loss on
extinguishment of debt, which is included in other expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended
December 31, 2019.

In August 2019, we repaid $250 million of our $1.5 Billion Term Loan agreement with cash on hand.

79

In March 2019, we repaid our $500 million, 8.625% senior notes at maturity with a combination of cash on hand and short-term
borrowings.

t
The aggregate maturit
2022 through 2026 are shown below:

ies of long-term debt outstanding and interest obligations on debt as of December 31, 2021, for the years

2022
2023
2024
2025
2026

$
$
$
$
$

Senior
Unsecured
Obligations

Interest
Obligations
on Debt
(Millions of dollars)
$
$
$
$
$

670.5
629.3
584.6
553.6
508.8

$
$
$
$
$

895.8
925.0
500.0
887.0
600.0

Total

1,566.3
1,554.3
1,084.6
1,440.6
1,108.8

Covenants - Our senior notes are governed by indentures containing covenants, including among other provisions, limitations
on our ability to place liens on our property or assets and to sell and leaseback our property. The indentures governing our
6.875% senior notes due 2028 include an event of default upon
u
the indentures governing the remainder of our senior notes include an event of default upon the acceleration of other
ff
indebtedness of $100 million or more. Such events of defaul
principal amount of the outstanding senior notes to declare those senior notes immediately due and payable in full
indenture for the 7.5% notes dued
to repurchase all or any part of their notes if a change of control and a credit rating downgrade occur at a purchase price of
101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

2023 also contains a provision that allows the holders of the notes to require ONEOK to offer

acceleration of other indebtedness of $15 million or more, and

t would entitle the trustee or the holders of 25% in aggregate

. The

ff

We may redeem our senior notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to their maturity at a redemption price equal to the
principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium. We may redeem the balance of our senior
notes dued
at a redemption price equal to the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, starting one to six months before the
maturity date as stipulated in the respective contract terms. Our senior notes are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally
in right of payment with all of our existing and futuret

2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 (4.55%), 2029, 2030, 2031, 2041, 2043, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050 and 2051

unsecured senior indebtedness.

Other - We amortize premiums, discounts and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt consistent
with the terms of the respective debt instrument.

Debt Guarantees - ONEOK, ONEOK Partners and the Intermediate Partnership have cross guarantees in place for our and
ONEOK Partners’ indebtedness.

G.

EQUITY

Series A and B Convertible Preferff red Stock - There are no shares of Series A or Series B Preferred Stock currently issued or
outstanding.

a

shed an “at-the-market” equity program for the offer and sale from time to time of
o an aggregate offering price of $1.0 billion. The program allows us to offer and sell common stock at

Equity Issuances - In July 2020, we establia
our common stock up tu
prices we deem appropria
more of the program’s managers acting as principals. Sales of our common stock may be made by means of ordinary brokers’
transactions on the NYSE, in block transactions or as otherwise agreed to between us and the sales agent. We are under no
obligation to offer and sell common stock under the program. No shares have been sold through our “at-the-market” program
as of the date of this report.

sales transactions through a forward

te through a sales agent, in forward

seller or directly to one or

ff

ff

In June 2020, we completed an underwritten public offering of 29.9 million shares of our common stock at a public offering
price of $32.00 per share, generating net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses,
of $937.0 million. The proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of existing indebtedness and
funding capia tal expenditures.

80

Dividends - Holders of our common stock share equally in any dividend declared by our Board of Directors, subju ect to the
rights of the holders of outstanding Series E Preferred Stock. Dividends paid totaled $1.7 billion, $1.6 billion and $1.5 billion
for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Although dividends per share did not increase in 2021 as compared with 2020,
dividends paid increased due to the increase in number of shares outstanding as a result of our equity issuances. The following
tablea

sets forth the quarterly dividends per share paid on our common stock in the periods indicated:

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Total

Years Ended December 31,
2020

2019

2021

$

$

0.935
0.935
0.935
0.935
3.74

$

$

0.935
0.935
0.935
0.935
3.74

$

$

0.860
0.865
0.890
0.915
3.53

Additionally, in February 2022, we maintained and paid a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.935 per share ($3.74 per
share on an annualized basis), which was paid to shareholders of record as of January 31, 2022.

The Series E Preferred Stock pays quarterly dividends on each share of Series E Preferred Stock, when, as and if declared by
our Board of Directors, at a rate of 5.5% per year. We paid dividends for the Series E Preferred Stock of $1.1 million in 2021,
2020 and 2019. We paid quarterly dividends totaling $0.3 million forff

the Series E Preferred Stock in February 2022.

H.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The following tablea

sets forth the balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the periods indicated:

Risk-
Management
Assets/Liabilities (a)

Retirement and
Other
Postretirement
Benefit Plan
Obligations (a) (b)

Risk-
Management
Assets/Liabilities of
Unconsolidated
Affiliates (a)

(Thousands of dollars)

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss (a)

$

(233,520) $

(131,481) $

(8,999) $

(374,000)

(165,023)
21,097
(143,926)
(377,446)

(203,868)
228,999
25,131
(352,315) $

(40,341)
14,187
(26,154)
(157,635)

31,897
18,079
49,976
(107,659) $

(8,635)
1,266
(7,369)
(16,368)

3,088
1,903
4,991
(11,377) $

(213,999)
36,550
(177,449)
(551,449)

(168,883)
248,981
80,098
(471,351)

$

January 1, 2020
Other comprehensive loss before
reclassifications

Amounts reclassified to net income (c)

Other comprehensive loss

December 31, 2020
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications
Amounts reclassified to net income (c)

Other comprehensive income

December 31, 2021

(a) - All amounts are presented net of tax.
(b) - Includes amounts related to supplemental executive retirement plan.
(c) - See Note C forff
postretirement benefit plan obligations.

details of amounts reclassified to net income forff

risk-management assets/liabilities and Note K forff

retirement and other

81

lowing tablea

The folff
representing unrealized losses related to risk-management assets and liabia lities:

sets forth information about the balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2021,

Commodity derivative instruments expected to be realized within the next 36 months (b)
Settled interest-rate swaps to be recognized over the life off
Interest-rate swaps with future settlement dates expected to be amortized over the life off
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2021

f the long-term, fixed-rate debt (c)

f long-term debt

Risk-
Management
Assets/Liabilities (a)
(Thousands of dollars)
$

(76,942)
(163,320)
(112,053)
(352,315)

$

(a) - All amounts are presented net of tax.
(b) - Based on commodity prices on December 31, 2021, we expect net losses of $76.8 million, net of tax, will be reclassified into earnings
during the next 12 months.
(c) - We expect net losses of $27.1 million, net of tax, will be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months.

The remaining amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss relate primarily to our retirement and other postretirement
benefit plan obligations, which are expected to be amortized over the average remaining service period of employees
participating in these plans.

I.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following tablea

s set forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS forff

the periods indicated:

Year Ended December 31, 2021

Income

Shares
(Thousands, except per share amounts)

Per Share
Amount

Basic EPS

Net income available for common stock

Diluted EPS

$

1,498,606

446,403

$

3.36

Effect of dilutive securities
Net income available for common stock and common stock equivalents

—
1,498,606

$

1,000
447,403

$

3.35

Year Ended December 31, 2020

Income

Shares
(Thousands, except per share amounts)

Per Share
Amount

Basic EPS

Net income available for common stock

Diluted EPS

Effect of dilutive securities
Net income available for common stock and common stock equivalents

Basic EPS

Net income available for common stock

Diluted EPS

$

$

611,709

431,105

$

1.42

—
611,709

677
431,782

$

1.42

Year Ended December 31, 2019

Income

Shares

Per Share
Amount

(Thousands, except per share amounts)

$

1,277,477

413,560

$

3.09

Effect of dilutive securities
Net income available for common stock and common stock equivalents

—
1,277,477

$

1,884
415,444

$

3.07

J.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

Our Equity Incentive Plan (EIP) provides forff
and performance unit awards, to eligible employees and the granting of stock awards to non-employee directors. We have

the granting of stock-based compensation, including restricted stock unit awards

82

reserved 8.5 million shares of common stock for issuance under the EIP and at December 31, 2021, we had 5.5 million shares
shares issued and estimated shares expected
available forff
to be issued upon vesting of outstanding awards granted under the EIP, excluding estimated forfei
tures expected to be returned
to the plan.

issuance under the plan. This calculation of availablea

shares reflects

ff

ff

t

Restricted Stock Units - We have granted restricted stock units to key employees that vest at the end of a three-year period and
entitle the grantee to receive shares of our common stock. Restricted stock unit awards are measured at fair value as if they
were vested and issued on the grant date and adjusted forff
equivalents in the form of additional restricted stock units prior to vesting. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-
line basis over the vesting period of the award.

tures. Restricted stock unit awards accrue dividend

estimated forfei

ff

Performance Unit Awards - We have granted performance unit awards to key employees that vest at the end of a three-year
period. Upon vesting, a holder of outstanding performance units is entitled to receive a number of shares of our common stock
equal to a percentage (0% to 200%) of the performance units granted, based on our total shareholder return over the vesting
period, compared with the total shareholder returnt
Performance unit awards are measured at fair value on the grant date based on a Monte Carlo model and adjusted for estimated
forfeitures. Performance unit awards accrue dividend equivalents in the formff
of additional performance units prior to vesting.
Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award.

of a peer group of other energy companies over the same period.

Stock Compensation for Non-Employee Directors

t

the granting of nonstatutory

The EIP provides forff
performance unit awards and restricted stock unit awards. Under the EIP, awards may be granted by the Executive
Compensation Committee at any time, until grants have been made forff
number of shares of common stock and cash-based awards that can be issued to a participant under the EIP during any year is
limited to $0.8 million in value as of the grant date. No performance unit awards or restricted stock unit awards have been
made to non-employee directors, and there are no options outstanding.

stock options and stock bonus awards to non-employee directors, including

all shares authorized under the EIP. The maximum

General

For all awards outstanding, we used a 3% forfei
We currently use treasury stock to satisfy our share-based payment obligations.

ture rate based on historical forfe

ff

ff

t
itures

under our share-based payment plans.

Compensation expense for our share-based payment plans was $54.1 million, $29.4 million and $46.5 million during 2021,
2020 and 2019, respectively, before related tax benefits of $14.4 million, $14.1 million and $31.7 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock Unit Activity

As of December 31, 2021, we had $19.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to our nonvested restricted
stock unit awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. The following tabla es set
forth activity and various statistics for our restricted stock unit awards:

Nonvested December 31, 2020

Granted
Released to participants
Forfeited

Nonvested December 31, 2021

Number of
Units

Weighted
Average Price

646,287
$
$
417,212
(242,765) $
(40,797) $
$
779,937

63.85
46.84
51.57
55.27
59.02

Weighted-average grant date faiff
Fair value of units granted (thousands of dollars)
Grant date fair value of units vested (thousands of dollars)

r value (per share)

2021

2020

2019

$
$
$

46.84
19,542
12,519

$
$
$

76.49
16,552
11,204

$
$
$

58.07
15,238
10,691

83

Performan

ff

ce Unit Activity

As of December 31, 2021, we had $31.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the nonvested performance
unit awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. The following tabla es set forth
activity and various statistics related to the performance unit awards and the assumptim ons used in the valuations at the respective
grant dates:

Nonvested December 31, 2020

Granted
Released to participants
Forfeited

Nonvested December 31, 2021

Volatility (a)
Dividend yield
Risk-free interest rate

Number of
Units

Weighted
Average Price

$
834,246
542,183
$
(311,907) $
(87,937) $
$
976,585

2020
21.70%
4.87%
1.39%

75.96
62.03
64.00
68.37
72.73

2019
27.10%
5.05%
2.47%

2021
60.30%
8.13%
0.21%

(a) - Volatility was based on historical volatility over three years using daily stock price observations.

Weighted-average grant date faiff
Fair value of units granted (thousands of dollars)
Grant date fair value of units vested (thousands of dollars)

r value (per share)

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

2021

2020

2019

$
$
$

62.03
33,632
19,962

$
$
$

88.43
25,028
17,722

$
$
$

68.02
23,020
15,018

We have reserved a total of 11.6 million shares of common stock for issuance under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the
ESPP). Subject to certain exclusions, all employees are eligible to participate in the ESPP. Employees can choose to have up
to 10% of their base pay withheld from each paycheck during the offering period to purchase our common stock, subjeu
terms and limitations of the plan. The purchase price of the stock is 85% of the lower of its grant date or exercise date market
price. Approximately 69%, 68% and 62% of employees participated in the plan in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Under
the plan, we sold 277,012 shares at a weighted average of $38.98 per share in 2021, 359,977 shares at a weighted average of
$27.78 per share in 2020 and 171,590 shares at a weighted average of $51.24 per share in 2019.

ct to

Employee Stock Award Program

m

e Stock Award Program, we issue, for no monetary consideration, to all eligible employees one share of our

Under our Employe
common stock when the per-share closing price of our common stock on the NYSE is at or above each one-dollar increment
above its previous high closing price. The total number of shares of our common stock available forff
program is 900,000. Shares issued to employees under this program during 2020 and 2019 totaled 2,871 and 14,022,
respectively. Compensation expense related to the Employee Stock Award Program was $0.2 million and $1.0 million for 2020
and 2019, respectively. No shares were issued to employees under this program in 2021. As of the date of this report, the next
award will be issued when our common stock closes at or above $78.

issuance under this

Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors

Our Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors provides our non-employee directors the option to defer all or a
portion of their compensation for their service on our Board of Directors. Under the plan, directors may elect either a cash
deferral option or a phantom stock option. Under the cash deferral option, directors may elect to deferff
the receipt of all or a
portion of their annual retainer fees, which will be credited with interest during the deferra
d basis in the formff
option, directors may defer all or a portion of their annual retainer feeff
shares of common stock under our EIP, which earn the equivalent of dividends declared on our common stock. Shares are
distributed to non-employee directors at the faiff

l period. Under the phantom stock
of

ff
s and receive such fees on a deferre

r market value of our common stock at the date of distribution.

ff

84

K.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Retirement and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

Retirement Plans - We have a defined benefit pension plan covering certain employees and former employees, which closed to
new participants in 2005. In addition, we have a supplemental executive retirement plan forff
the benefit of certain officers who
participate in our defined benefit pension plan. Our supplemental executive retirement plan is closed to new participants. We
fund our defined benefit pension plan at a level needed to maintain or exceed the minimum funding levels required by the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

All employees are eligible to make salary deferrals and receive company matching contributions under our 401(k) Plan, and
employees that do not participate in our defined benefit pension plan are also eligible to receive quarterly and annual profit-
sharing contributions under our 401(k) Plan.

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans - We sponsor health and welfare plans that provide postretirement medical and life
insurance benefits to employees hired prior to 2017 who retire with at least fiveff
postretirement medical plan forff
contains other cost-sharing features
t
eligible participants is an account-based plan under which participants may elect to purchase private insurance policies under a
private exchange and/or seek reimbursement of other eligible medical expenses.

pre-Medicare participants is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted periodically, and
such as deductibles and coinsurance. The postretirement medical plan forff Medicare-

years of full-time consecutive service. The

Obligations and Funded Status - The following tabla e sets forth
obligations and fair value of plan assets for the periods indicated:

ff

our retirement and other postretirement benefit plans benefit

Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation, beginning of period
Service cost
Interest cost
Plan participants’ contributions
Actuarial loss (gain)
Benefits paid

Benefit obligation, end of period (b)

Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of period
Actual return on plan assets (a)
Employer contributions
Plan participants’ contributions
Benefits paid

Fair value of plan assets, end of period (c)
Balance at December 31

Current liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities

Balance at December 31

Retirement Benefits
December 31,

Other Postretirement Benefits
December 31,

2021

2020
2021
(Thousands of dollars)

2020

$

$

$

$

$

583,072
8,314
16,900
—
(22,792)
(18,483)
567,011

$

534,849
8,154
18,318
—
37,951
(16,200)
583,072

379,092
41,374
11,200
—
(18,483)
413,183
(153,828) $

346,792
36,400
12,100
—
(16,200)
379,092
(203,980) $

(5,219) $

(4,679) $

(148,609)
(153,828) $

(199,301)
(203,980) $

$

54,515
421
1,454
1,092
(2,496)
(3,959)
51,027

20,874
5,919
—
1,092
(3,488)
24,397
(26,630) $

— $

(26,630)
(26,630) $

52,309
460
1,771
1,032
2,860
(3,917)
54,515

39,060
(15,699)
—
1,032
(3,519)
20,874
(33,641)

—
(33,641)
(33,641)

(a) - Other Postretirement Benefits for the year ended December 31, 2020, includes a $13.2 million tax loss incurred from the exit of an
investment in an insurance contract.
(b) - The benefit obligation for Retirement Benefits at December 31, 2021 and 2020, include the supplemental executive retirement plan
obligation.
(c) - Fair value of plan assets for Retirement Benefits exclude the assets of our supplemental executive retirement plan, which totaled $111.2
million and $116.2 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and are included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
These assets are maintained in a rabbi trust and are not treated as assets of the supplemental executive retirement plan.

The accumulated benefit obligation for our retirement plans was $541.8 million and $548.2 million at December 31, 2021 and
2020, respectively.

85

The actuarial gains and losses impacting our benefit obligations for our retirement and other postretirement benefit plans are
due primarily to changes in the discount rate assumptions discussed in the “Actuat

rial Assumptim ons” section below.

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost - The following tabla e sets forth
retirement and other postretirement benefit plans for the periods indicated:

ff

the components of net periodic benefit cost for our

Retirement Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
2020

2019

2021

Other Postretirement Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
2020

2019

2021

Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
Amortization of net loss

Net periodic benefit cost (income)

(Thousands of dollars)

$

$

8,314
16,900
(25,109)
114
19,673
19,892

$

$

8,154
18,318
(24,964)
114
18,306
19,928

$

$

7,825
20,528
(23,600)
—
12,649
17,402

$

$

421
1,454
(1,364)
—
3,692
4,203

$

$

$

460
1,771
(2,894)
—
5
(658) $

468
2,038
(2,285)
(227)
297
291

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - The following tablea
(loss) related to our retirement and other postretirement benefits forff

the periods indicated:

sets forth the amounts recognized in other comprehensive income

Retirement Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
2020

2019

2021

Other Postretirement Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
2020

2021

2019

Net gain (loss) (a)
Prior service cost
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) (b)
Amortization of net loss (b)
Deferred income taxes

$

Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

gg

$

34,529
—
114
19,673
(12,493)
41,823

$ (31,016) $ (25,389) $

(Thousands of dollars)
7,052
—
—
3,692
(2,471)
8,273

—
114
18,306
2,897
(9,699) $ (10,273) $

(601)
—
12,649
3,068

$

$ (21,453) $

—
—
5
4,933
$ (16,515) $

700
—
(227)
297
(177)
593

(a) - Other Postretirement Benefits for the year ended December 31, 2020, includes a $13.2 million tax loss incurred from the exit of an
investment in an insurance contract.
(b) - These components are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss and are reclassified to other expense in our Consolidated
Statements of Income, with related income tax benefits of $5.4 million, $4.2 million and $2.9 million reclassified to income tax expense for
the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The tablea
components of net periodic benefit expense for the periods indicated:

below sets forth the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that had not yet been recognized as

Prior service cost
Accumulated loss (a)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Deferred income taxes
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Retirement Benefits
December 31,

Other Postretirement Benefits
December 31,

2021

2020
2021
(Thousands of dollars)

2020

$

$

(374) $

(487) $

(131,460)
(131,834)
36,759
(95,075) $

(185,662)
(186,149)
49,251
(136,898) $

— $

(14,815)
(14,815)
3,852
(10,963) $

—
(25,558)
(25,558)
6,322
(19,236)

(a) - Other Postretirement Benefits for the year ended December 31, 2020, includes a $13.2 million tax loss incurred from the exit of an
investment in an insurance contract.

86

Actuarial Assumptions - The following tabla e sets forth
obligations for retirement and other postretirement benefits for the periods indicated:

ff

the weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit

Discount rate
Compensation increase rate

Retirement Benefits
December 31,

Other Postretirement Benefits
December 31,

2021
3.25%
3.60%

2020
3.00%
3.60%

2021
3.00%
NA

2020
2.75%
NA

The following tablea
indicated:

sets forth the weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs for the periods

Discount rate - retirement plans
Discount rate - other postretirement plans
Expected long-term return on plan assets
Compensation increase rate

Years Ended December 31,
2020
3.50%
3.50%
7.50%
3.70%

2021
3.00%
2.75%
7.00%
3.60%

2019
4.50%
4.50%
7.50%
3.65%

We determine our overall expected long-term rate of returnt
economic growth models.

on plan assets based on our review of historical returns

t

and

We determine our discount rates annually utilizing portfolios of high-quality bonds matched to the estimated benefit cash flows
of our retirement and other postretirement benefit plans. Bonds selected to be included in the portfolios are only those rated by
S&P or Moody’s as an AA or Aa2 rating or better and exclude callable bonds, bonds with less than a minimum issue size, yield
outliers and other filff tering criteria to remove unsuitable bonds.

Health Care Cost Trend Rates - The following tabla e sets forth
indicated:

ff

the assumed health care cost-trend rates forff

the periods

Health care cost-trend rate assumed for next year
Rate to which the cost-trend rate is assumed to decline
(the ultimate trend rate)
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

2021
6.50%

5.00%
2025

2020
6.50%

5.00%
2024

a

Plan Assets - Our investment strategy is to invest plan assets in accordance with sound investment practices that emphasize
long-term fundamentals. The goal of this strategy is to maximize investment returns
plan’s current and projected finaff
target a diversified mix of approxim
defined benefit pension plan foll
to fixed income as the plan’s funded statust
increases. The purpose of liability-driven investing is to structuret
to more closely resemble the pension liability and thereby more effectively hedge against changes in the liabila
current investments include a diverse blend of various domestic and international equities, investments in various classes of
debt securities, real estate and hedge funds. The target allocation for the assets of our retirement plan as of December 31, 2021,
is as follows:

ncial obligations. The investment allocation for our other postretirement benefit plans is to
ately 30% fixed income and 70% equity securities. The investment allocation for our
ows a glide path approach of liabia lity-driven investing that shifts a higher portfolio weighting

while managing risk in order to meet the

the asset portfolio
ity. The plan’s

ff

t

Domestic and international equities
Long duration fixed income
Return-seeking credit

Hedge funds
Real estate funds

Total

42 %
30 %
11 %

10 %
7 %
100 %

As part of our risk management for the plans, minimums and maximums have been set for each of the asset classes listed above.

87

lowing tablea

The folff
and other postretirement benefit plans:

s set forth the plan assets by faiff

r value category as of the measurement date forff

our defined benefit pension

Asset Category

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Subtotal

Measured at
NAV (d)

Total

(Thousands of dollars)

Pension Benefits
December 31, 2021

$

42

$

— $

— $

42

$

— $

42

Investments:
Equity securities
Common/collective trusts
Equity securities (a)
Real estate funds
Government obligations
Corporate obligations (b)
Short-term investments

Other investments (c)

Fair value of plan assets

$

—
—
—
—
—
—
42

$

—
—
—
—
—
—
— $

—
—
—
—
—
—
— $

—
—
—
—
—
—
42

$

166,132
30,491
49,444
120,877
4,243
41,954
413,141

$

166,132
30,491
49,444
120,877
4,243
41,954
413,183

(a) - This category represents securities of the respective market sector from diverse industries.
(b) - This category represents bonds from diverse industries.
(c) - This category repre
restrictions. There are no unfunded capital commitments. These limited partnerships invest through multi-strategy programs in broadly
diversified portfolios of private investment funds, hedge funds and/or separate accounts to seek equity-like returns with low market
correlation, reduced volatility and limited risk.
(d) - Plan asset investments measured at fair value using the net asset value per share.

sen alternative investments in limited partnerships, which can be redeemed with a 30-day notice with no further

ts

Asset Category

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Subtotal

Measured at
NAV (d)

Total

(Thousands of dollars)

Pension Benefits
December 31, 2020

Investments:
Equity securities
Common/collective trusts
Equity securities (a)
Real estate funds
Government obligations
Corporate obligations (b)
Short-term investments (e)

Other investments (c)

Fair value of plan assets

$

$

43

$

— $

— $

43

$

— $

43

—
—
—
—
—
—
43

$

—
—
—
—
—
—
— $

—
—
—
—
—
—
— $

—
—
—
—
—
—
43

$

164,099
24,134
45,237
101,626
4,890
39,063
379,049

$

164,099
24,134
45,237
101,626
4,890
39,063
379,092

(a) - This category represents securities of the respective market sector from diverse industries.
(b) - This category represents bonds from diverse industries.
(c) - This category represents alternative investments in limited partnerships, which can be redeemed with a 30-day notice with no further
restrictions. There are no unfunded capital commitments. These limited partnerships invest through multi-strategy programs in broadly
diversified portfolios of private investment funds, hedge funds and/or separate accounts to seek equity-like returns with low market
correlation, reduced volatility and limited risk.
(d) - Plan asset investments measured at fair value using the net asset value per share.
(e) - The fair value of short term investments in the Bank of New York Mellon EB Temporary Investment Fund was previously reported in
Level 2. We elected to consistently apply the practical expedient to all investments within common/collective trusts, and therefore, the fair
value of this fund is now measured at net asset value per share and no longer classified in the fair value hierarchy.

88

Asset Category

Investments:
Equity securities (a)
Money market funds
Municipal obligations

Fair value of plan assets

Other Postretirement Benefits

December 31, 2021

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

(Thousands of dollars)

$

$

17,953
—
5,964
23,917

$

$

— $

480
—
480

$

— $
—
—
— $

17,953
480
5,964
24,397

(a) - This category represents securities of the respective market sector from diverse industries.

Asset Category

Investments:
Equity securities (a)(b)
Money market funds
Municipal obligations (b)
Fair value of plan assets

Other Postretirement Benefits

December 31, 2020

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

(Thousands of dollars)

$

$

15,116
—
4,950
20,066

$

$

— $

808
—
808

$

— $
—
—
— $

15,116
808
4,950
20,874

(a) - This category represents securities of the respective market sector from diverse industries.
(b) - Net proceeds of $16.2 million from the exit of an investment in an insurance contract were reinvested in various equity securities and
municipal obligations.

Contributions - During 2021, we made $11.2 million in contributions to our defined benefit pension plan and no contributions
to our other postretirement plans. Our defined benefit pension plan elected to adopt funding relief provided by the American
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 legislation. As a result of the election, our defined benefit pension plan has no minimum required
contribution in 2022.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Payments - Benefit payments forff
postretirement benefit plans for the period ending December 31, 2021, were $18.5 million and $4.0 million, respectively. The
following tablea
through 2031:

d benefit pension and other postretirement benefits payments expected to be paid in 2022

our defined benefit pension and other

sets forth the defineff

Benefits to be paid in:
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027 through 2031

Pension
Benefits

Other
Postretirement
Benefits

(Thousands of dollars)

$
$
$
$
$
$

25,962
26,756
27,769
28,759
29,651
156,041

$
$
$
$
$
$

3,387
3,363
3,302
3,293
3,220
15,339

The expected benefits to be paid are based on the same assumptions used to measure our benefit obligation at December 31,
2021, and include estimated futuret

employee service.

Other Employee Benefit Plans

401(k) Plan - We have a 401(k) Plan covering all employees, and employee contributions are discretionary. We match 100%
of employee 401(k) Plan contributions up to 6% of each participant’s eligible compensation each payroll period, subject to
certain limits. We also make profit-sharing contributions under our 401(k) Plan for employees who do not participate in our
defined benefit pension plan. We generally make a quarterly profit sharing contribution equal to 1% of each profit-sharing
participant’s eligible compensation during the quarter and an annual discretionary profit-sharing contribution equal to a
percentage of each profit-sharing participant’s eligible compensation. Our contributions made to the plan, including profit-
sharing contributions, were $32.7 million, $27.1 million and $30.4 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

89

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan - The 2020 Nonqualified Deferre
nonqualified deferred compensation plans (collectively, the NQDC Plan) provide a select group of management and highly
compensated employees, as approved by our Chief Executive Officer, with the option to defer portions of their compensation
and receive notional employer contributions that generally are not available dued
contributions to qualified defined contribution plans under federal tax laws. We have investments included in other assets on
the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to the NQDC Plan, which totaled $36.1 million and $32.4 million at December 31,
2021 and 2020, respectively. These investments are maintained in a rabbi trust. Our contributions to the plan were not material
in 2021, 2020 and 2019.

d Compensation Plan and its predecessor

to limitations on employe

r and employee

m

ff

L.

INCOME TAXES

The following tablea

sets forth our provision for income taxes for the periods indicated:

Current tax expense (benefit)

Federal
State
Total current tax expense (benefit)

Deferred tax expense

Federal
State
Total deferred tax expense
Total provision for income taxes

2021

Years Ended December 31,
2020
(Thousands of dollars)

2019

$

$

2,897
9,544
12,441

433,469
38,588
472,057
484,498

$

$

980
1,797
2,777

154,068
32,662
186,730
189,507

$

$

(1,278)
963
(315)

327,806
44,923
372,729
372,414

The following tablea

is a reconciliation of our income tax provision for the periods indicated:

Income before income taxes
Federal statutory income tax rate
Provision for federal income taxes
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
Deferred tax rate change, inclusive of valuation allowance
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
Other, net (a)

Income tax provision

2021

Years Ended December 31,
2020
(Thousands of dollars)
802,316

$

2019

$ 1,984,204

$ 1,650,991

21.0 %

21.0 %

21.0 %

416,683
40,092
6,350
(1,968)
23,341
484,498

$

168,486
13,580
20,879
(7,380)
(6,058)
189,507

346,708
34,545
11,340
(20,983)
804
372,414

$

$

(a) The year ended December 31, 2021, includes $19.4 million impact from previously recognized gains on certain benefit plan investments.

90

lowing tablea

The folff
assets and liabia lities for the periods indicated:

sets forth the tax effecff

ts of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax

Deferred tax assets

Employee benefits and other accrued liabilities
Federal net operating loss
State net operating loss and benefits
Derivative instruments
Other
Total deferred tax assets

Valuation allowance for state net operating loss and tax credits

Carryforward expected to expire prior to utilization
Net deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Excess of tax over book depreciation
Investment in partnerships (a)
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

(a) Due primarily to excess of tax over book depreciation.

December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
(Thousands of dollars)

$

$

95,952
1,337,050
216,181
118,063
4,863
1,772,109

96,741
1,473,093
258,929
134,499
12,894
1,976,156

(84,755)
1,687,354

(121,212)
1,854,944

84,692
2,769,352
2,854,044
(1,166,690) $

87,021
2,437,620
2,524,641
(669,697)

$

As of December 31, 2021, we have federal net operating loss carryforwards of $6.4 billion, the majority of which have an
indefinite carry forward period. We expect to generate taxable income and utilize these net operating loss carryforwards in
future periods. We also have loss and credit carryovers in multiple states, $2.8 billion of which have an indefinite carry forward
period and $1.9 billion of which will expire between 2022 and 2038. We have deferred tax assets related to federal and state
net operating loss and credit carryforwards of $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion in 2021 and 2020, respectively. We believe that it is
more likely than not that the tax benefits of certain state carryforwards will not be utilized; therefore, we recorded a valuation
allowance of $6.4 million, $$20.9
finefits iin 2021, 2020 and
lvelyy.
2019, respec iti

through ne it income r lelat ded to hthese tax bbe

imilllliion through

dand $$11.3

imilllliion

M.

UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - The following tablea
periods indicated:

sets forth our investments in unconsolidated affilff

iates forff

the

Northern Border Pipeline
Overland Pass Pipeline
Roadrunner
Other (a)

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (b)

Net
Ownership
Interest

50%
50%
50%
Various

December 31,
December 31,
2020
2021
(Thousands of dollars)

$

$

283,170
403,011
70,777
40,655
797,613

$

$

291,987
409,573
66,794
36,678
805,032

(a) - Year ended December 31, 2020, includes the impact of noncash impairment charges of $37.7 million related to the equity investments
discussed below, offset partially by an acquisition of an additional equity interest for $20.0 million.
(b) - Equity-method goodwill (Note A) was $16.5 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020.

91

Equity in Net Earnings from Investments and Impairments - The following tablea
from investments forff

the periods indicated:

sets forth our equity in net earnings (loss)

Northern Border Pipeline
Overland Pass Pipeline
Roadrunner
Other

g
Equity in net earnings from investments
g

y
y

Impairment of equity investments

$

$
$

64,470
19,434
33,293
5,323
122,520

$
— $

75,409
38,618
29,017
197
143,241
$
(37,730) $

2021

Years Ended December 31,
2020
(Thousands of dollars)
$

$

2019

68,871
63,698
26,839
(4,867)
154,541
—

Impairment Charges - In 2020, we incurred a noncash impairment charge of $30.5 million related to our 10.2% investment in
Venice Energy Services Company in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment, which includes $22.3 million related
to equity-method goodwill, and a $7.2 million noncash impairment charge related to our 50% investment in Chisholm Pipeline
Company in our Natural
investments in our Consolidated Statement of Income forff

Gas Liquids segment. These impairment charges are included within impairment of equity

the year ended December 31, 2020.

t

We incurred expenses in transactions with unconsolidated affiliates of $62.8 million, $135.4 million and $164.7 million forff
2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, primarily related to Overland Pass Pipeline and Northern Border Pipeline. Revenue earned
and accounts receivable fromff

to, our equity-method investees were not material.

, and accounts payablea

Northern Border Pipeline - The Northern Border Pipeline partnership agreement provides that distributions to Northern
Border Pipeline’s partners are to be made on a pro rata basis according to each partner’s ownership percentage interest. The
Northern Border Pipeline Management Committee determines the amount and timing of such distributions. Any changes to, or
suspension of, the cash distribution policy of Northern Border Pipeline requires the unanimous approval of the Northern Border
Northern
Pipeline Management Committee. Cash distributions are equal to 100% of distributable cash flow as determined fromff
Border Pipeline’s financial statements based upon
al expenditures.
determined by the Northern Border Pipeline Management Committee, we received an additional distribution of $50.0 million
from Northern Border Pipeline during the year ended December 31, 2019. Loans or other advances from Northern Border
Pipeline to its partners or affiliates are prohibited under its credit agreement. In all periods presented, we made no contributions
to Northern Border Pipeline.

EBITDA less interest expense and maintenance capita

As

u

t

Overland Pass Pipeline - The Overland Pass Pipeline agreement provides that distributions to Overland Pass Pipeline’s
members are to be made on a pro rata basis according to each member’s ownership percentage interest. The Overland Pass
Pipeline Company Management Committee determines the amount and timing of such distributions. Any changes to, or
suspension of, the cash distributions from Overland Pass Pipeline requires the unanimous approval of the Overland Pass
Pipeline Company Management Committee. Cash distributions are equal to 100% of availablea
liability company agreement. In all periods presented, our contributions to Overland Pass Pipeline were not material.

cash as defined in the limited

Roadrunner - The Roadrunner agreement provides that distributions to members are made on a pro rata basis according to
each member’s ownership interest. As the operator, we have been delegated the authority to determine such distributions in
accordance with, and on the frequency set forth in, the Roadrunner agreement. Cash distributions are equal to 100% of
available cash, as defined in the limited liabia lity company agreement. In all periods presented, our contributions to Roadrunner
were not material.

We have an operating agreement with Roadrunner that provides for reimbursement or payment to us for management services
and certain operating costs. Reimbursements and payments fromff
Statements of Income for all periods presented were not material.

Roadrunner included in operating income in our Consolidated

92

N.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments - Firm transportation and storage contracts are fixed-price contracts that provide us with firm transportation and
sets forth our firm transportation and storage contract payments for the periods indicated:
storage capaa

city. The folff

lowing tablea

2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Thereafter
Total

Firm
Transportation
and Storage
Contracts
(Millions of
dollars)

$

$

72.3
63.1
59.3
53.9
40.8
211.6
501.0

t

- The operation of pipelines, plants and other facff

Environmental Matters and Pipeline Safetyff
processing, fractionation, transportation and storage of natural gas, NGLs, condensate and other products is subject to numerous
and complex laws and regulations pertaining to health, safety at
facilities, we must comply with laws and regulations that relate to air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste management
and disposal, cultural
constructing and operating pipelines, plants and other facff
safety st
tandards. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil and potentially
criminal enforcement measures, including citizen suits, which can include the assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition
of remedial requirements and the issuance of injunctions or restrictions on operation or construction. Management does not
believe that, based on currently known information, a material risk of noncompliance with these laws and regulations exists that
will affect adversely our consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

ilities must incorporate compliance with these laws, regulations and

nd the environment. As an owner and/or operator of these

resource protection and other environmental and safety mt

atters. The cost of planning, designing,

the gathering,

ilities forff

Legal Proceedings - We are a party to various legal proceedings that have arisen in the normal course of our operations. While
the results of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the reasonably possible losses fromff
proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, are not material. Additionally, we believe the probable finff al outcome of such
t on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
proceedings will not have a material adverse effecff

such

O.

LEASES

We lease certain buildings, warehouses, office space, pipeline capac
cars and information technology equipment. Our lease payments are generally straight-line and the exercise of lease renewal
options, which vary in term, is at our sole discretion. We include renewal periods in a lease term if we are reasonably certain to
exercise available renewal options. We apply the short-term policy election, which allows us to exclude from recognition
leases with an initial term of 12 months or less. Our lease agreements do not include any residual value guarantees or material
restrictive covenants.

ity, land and equipment, including pipeline equipment, rail

a

Through ONEOK Leasing Company, L.L.C. and ONEOK Parking Company, L.L.C., we own an office building and a parking
garage and lease excess space in these facilities to affilff

iates and others. Our consolidated lease income is not material.

93

lowing tablea

The folff
the periods indicated:

sets forth information about our lease assets and liabia lities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet forff

Leases

Assets
Operating leases
Finance lease
Finance lease

Total leased assets

Liabilities
Current

Operating leases
Finance lease

Noncurrent

Operating leases
Finance lease
Total lease liabilities

Location in our Consolidated
Balance Sheet

Other assets
Property, plant and equipment
Accumulated depreciation

Operating lease liability
Other current liabilities

Operating lease liability
Other deferred credits

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2020

(Thousands of dollars)

$

$

$

$

89,558
29,962
(3,590)
115,930

13,783
2,584

75,636
21,082
113,085

$

$

$

$

100,154
28,286
(2,451)
125,989

13,610
2,153

87,610
22,143
125,516

The following tablea

sets forth supplemental cash flow information related to our leases:

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities

Operating cash flows for operating leases
Financing cash flows for finance lease

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities (noncash) (a)

$
$
$

15,690
2,307
1,150

$
$
$

13,245
1,949
99,547

Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021

(Thousands of dollars)

(a) - In December 2019, we entered into an operating lease for pipeline capacity
2020. In connection with this lease, we recognized an operating lease right-of-use asset and a lease liability with remaining balances of
$69.0 million and $69.9 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.

with a lease term of 10 years that commenced January 1,

a

The following tablea

sets forth information about our lease costs for the periods indicated:

Operating leases
Finance lease

Amortization of lease assets
Interest on lease liabilities

Total lease cost

Location in our Consolidated
Statement of Income

Operations and maintenance

Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense

Years Ended December 31,

2021

2020

(Thousands of dollars)

17,747

$

17,162

1,139
2,338
21,224

$

1,131
2,537
20,830

$

$

94

The folff

lowing tablea

sets forth information about our leases for the periods indicated:

Weighted average remaining lease term (years)

Operating leases
Finance lease

Weighted average discount rate (a)

Operating leases
Finance lease

December 31,
2021

December 31,
2020

7.8
6.6

3.40%
9.60%

8.3
7.8

3.20%
10.00%

(a) - Our weighted-average discount rates represent the rate implicit in the lease or our incremental borrowing rate for a term equal to the
remaining term of the lease.

sets forth the maturit

t

y of our lease liabila

ities as of December 31, 2021:

The following tablea

2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027 and beyond
Total lease payments

Less: Interest

Present value of lease liabilities

P.

REVENUES

Finance
Lease

Operating
Leases

(Millions of dollars)

4.7
4.7
4.7
5.4
4.5
8.3
32.3
8.6
23.7

$

$

16.4
13.9
12.6
11.2
11.4
36.9
102.4
13.0
89.4

$

$

Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities - Our contract asset balances at the beginning and end of the years ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020, primarily relate to our firm service transportation contracts with tiered rates, which are not
material. The folff

the balances in contract liabilities for the periods indicated:

lowing tabla e sets forth

ff

, 2020

Contract Liabilities
Balance at January 1r
Revenue recognized included in beginning balance (c)
Net additions
Balance at December 31, 2020 (a)
Revenue recognized included in beginning balance
Net additions
Balance at December 31, 2021 (b)

(Millions of dollars)
57.1
$
(36.1)
20.4
41.4
(23.7)
33.8
51.5

$

(a) - Contract liabilities of $23.7 million and $17.7 million are included in other current liabilities and other deferred credits, respectively, in
our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
(b) - Contract liabilities of $35.3 million and $16.2 million are included in other current liabilities and other deferred credits, respectively, in
our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
(c) - Includes a contract settlement of revenue previously deferred.

s fromff

Receivablea
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2021 and 2020, relate to customer receivablea
disaggregated in Note Q.

- Substantially all of the balances in accounts receivablea
s. Revenues sources are

Customers and Revenue Disaggregation

gg g

on our

Transaction Price Allocated to Unsatisfied Performance Obligations - We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied
performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) variable consideration on
contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice forff

services performed.

95

lowing tablea

The folff
presents aggregate value allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations as of December 31, 2021, and the
amounts we expect to recognize in revenue in future periods, related primarily to firm transportation and storage contracts with
remaining contract terms ranging from one month to 22 years:

Expected Period of Recognition in Revenue

2022
2023
2024
2025
2026 and beyond

Total estimated transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations

gg

(Millions of dollars)
339.1
$
288.2
238.1
162.7
781.3
1,809.4

$

distinct goods or services that are part of a single performance obligation and consideration we

above excludes variable consideration allocated entirely to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations, wholly

The tablea
unsatisfied promises to transferff
determine to be fully constrained. Information on the naturet
performance obligations to which the variable consideration relates can be found in the description of the major contract types
discussed in Note A. The amounts we determined to be full
sales obligations under long-term sales
contracts where the transaction price is not known and minimum volume agreements, which we consider to be fully constrained
until invoiced.

consideration excluded and the naturet

y constrained relate to future

of the variablea

of the

ff

ff

Q.

SEGMENTS

Segment Descriptions - Our operations are divided into three reportable business segments, as follows:

•
•

•

our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment gathers, treats and processes natural gas;
our Natural Gas Liquids segment gathers, treats, fractionates and transports NGLs and stores, markets and distributes
NGL products; and
our Natural Gas Pipelines segment transports and stores natural gas via regulated intrastate and interstate naturat
transmission pipelines and natural gas storage facilities.

l gas

Other and eliminations consist of corporate costs, the operating and leasing activities of our headquarters building and related
parking facility and eliminations necessary to reconcile our reportablea

segments to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, revenues fromff
approximately 11.6% of our consolidated revenues. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no single
customer from which we received 10% or more of our consolidated revenues.

Gas Liquids segment represents

one customer in our Natural

t

96

Operating Segment Information - The following tablea
segments for the periods indicated:

s set forth certain selected financial information for our operating

Year Ended December 31, 2021

Natural Gas
Gathering and
Processing

Natural Gas
Liquids (a)

Natural Gas
Pipelines (b)

Total
Segments

(Thousands of dollars)

NGL and condensate sales
Residue natural gas sales
Gathering, processing and exchange services revenue
Transportation and storage revenue
Other
Total revenues (c)
Cost of sales and fuel (exclusive of depreciation and operating costs)
Operating costs
Equity in net earnings from investments
Noncash compensation expense and other
Segment adjusted EBITDA

g
g

j
j

Depreciation and amortization
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Total assets
Capital expenditures

$

$

$
$
$
$

2,821,175
1,483,898
135,501
—
20,965
4,461,539
(3,226,078)
(367,390)
3,757
17,299
889,127

$ 13,653,120
—
517,758
179,619
41,376
14,391,873
(11,939,661)
(528,084)
21,000
18,511
1,963,639

$

$

$

— $ 16,474,295
1,599,393
653,259
670,117
63,251
19,460,315
(15,176,975)
(1,065,731)
122,520
40,447
3,380,576

115,495
—
490,498
910
606,903
(11,236)
(170,257)
97,763
4,637
527,810

$

(298,937) $
(260,011) $
$
$
27,018
416,648
$
$ 14,502,372
6,768,955
$
306,949
$
275,165

(617,650)
(58,702) $
$
353,947
797,613
$ 23,414,634
2,143,307
674,731
$
92,617

(a) - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment has regulated and nonregulated operations. Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s regulated operations
had revenues of $2.4 billion, of which $2.2 billion related to revenues within the segment, and cost of sales and fuel of $607.5 million.
(b) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and nonregulated operations. Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated
operations had revenues of $394.2 million and cost of sales and fuel of $24.3 million.
(c) - Intersegment revenues are primarily commodity sales which are based on the contracted selling price, which is generally index-based and
settled monthly, and for the Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment totaled $2.9 billion. Intersegment revenues for the Natural Gas
Liquids and Natural Gas Pipelines segments were not material.

Year Ended December 31, 2021

Reconciliations of total segments to consolidated
NGL and condensate sales
Residue natural gas sales
Gathering, processing and exchange services revenue
Transportation and storage revenue
Other
Total revenues (a)

Total
Segments

Other and
Eliminations
(Thousands of dollars)

Total

$ 16,474,295
1,599,393
653,259
670,117
63,251
$ 19,460,315

$ (2,904,598) $ 13,569,697
1,599,393
653,259
656,996
60,964
$ (2,920,006) $ 16,540,309

—
—
(13,121)
(2,287)

Cost of sales and fuel (exclusive of depreciation and operating costs)
Operating costs
Depreciation and amortization
Equity in net earnings from investments
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Total assets
Capital expenditures

$ (15,176,975) $
$ (1,065,731) $
(617,650) $
$
$
122,520
$
$
$
797,613
$
$ 23,414,634
$
674,731
$

2,920,320

$ (12,256,655)
(1,357) $ (1,067,088)
(621,701)
(4,051) $
122,520
— $
797,613
— $
$ 23,621,613
696,854
$

206,979
22,123

(a) - Noncustomer revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021, totaled $(565.0) million related primarily to losses from derivatives on
commodity contracts.

97

Year Ended December 31, 2020

Natural Gas
Gathering and
Processing

Natural Gas
Liquids (a)

Natural Gas
Pipelines (b)

Total
Segments

NGL and condensate sales
Residue natural gas sales
Gathering, processing and exchange services revenue
Transportation and storage revenue
Other
Total revenues (c)
Cost of sales and fuel (exclusive of depreciation and operating costs)
Operating costs
Equity in net earnings (loss) from investments
Noncash compensation expense and other
Segment adjusted EBITDA

g
g

j
j

Depreciation and amortization
Impairment charges
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Total assets
Capital expenditures

$

$

$
$
$
$
$

889,388
771,486
141,943
—
17,304
1,820,121
(843,976)
(326,938)
(1,123)
1,952
650,036

$

$

— $

$

(Thousands of dollars)
6,409,332
—
488,574
182,915
9,192
7,090,013
(5,108,558)
(412,900)
39,938
8,748
1,617,241

8,693
—
470,097
1,192
479,982
(6,809)
(141,713)
104,426
1,540
437,426

$

7,298,720
780,179
630,517
653,012
27,688
9,390,116
(5,959,343)
(881,551)
143,241
12,240
2,704,703

$

(271,900) $
(247,010) $
(78,785) $
(566,145) $
$
423,494
$
22,757
$
$ 13,636,109
6,499,908
$
1,655,759
$
446,142

(574,649)
(55,739) $
(644,930)
— $
805,032
$
$ 22,236,230
2,173,819
$

358,781
2,100,213
71,918

(a) - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment has regulated and nonregulated operations. Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s regulated operations
had revenues of $2.0 billion, of which $1.8 billion related to revenues within the segment, and cost of sales and fuel of $520.6 million.
(b) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and nonregulated operations. Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated
operations had revenues of $298.5 million and cost of sales and fuel of $30.4 million.
(c) - Intersegment revenues are primarily commodity sales which are based on the contracted selling price, which is generally index-based and
settled monthly, and for the Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment totaled $865.6 million. Intersegment revenues for the Natural Gas
Liquids and Natural Gas Pipelines segments were not material.

Year Ended December 31, 2020

Reconciliations of total segments to consolidated
NGL and condensate sales
Residue natural gas sales
Gathering, processing and exchange services revenue
Transportation and storage revenue
Other
Total revenues (a)

Total
Segments

Other and
Eliminations
(Thousands of dollars)

Total

$

$

7,298,720
780,179
630,517
653,012
27,688
9,390,116

$

$

(820,851) $
(10,860)
—
(14,599)
(1,564)
(847,874) $

6,477,869
769,319
630,517
638,413
26,124
8,542,242

Cost of sales and fuel (exclusive of depreciation and operating costs)
Operating costs
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment charges
Equity in net earnings from investments
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Total assets
Capital expenditures

$ (5,959,343) $
(881,551) $
$
(574,649) $
$
(644,930) $
$
$
143,241
$
$
$
805,032
$
$ 22,236,230
$
2,173,819
$

849,197

(4,653) $
(4,013) $
— $
— $
— $

842,524
21,562

$ (5,110,146)
(886,204)
(578,662)
(644,930)
143,241
805,032
$ 23,078,754
2,195,381
$

(a) - Noncustomer revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020, totaled $65.8 million related primarily to gains from derivatives on
commodity contracts.

98

Year Ended December 31, 2019

Natural Gas
Gathering and
Processing

Natural Gas
Liquids (a)

Natural Gas
Pipelines (b)

Total
Segments

NGL and condensate sales
Residue natural gas sales
Gathering, processing and exchange services revenue
Transportation and storage revenue
Other
Total revenues (c)
Cost of sales and fuel (exclusive of depreciation and operating costs)
Operating costs
Equity in net earnings (loss) from investments
Noncash compensation expense and other
Segment adjusted EBITDA

g
g

j
j

Depreciation and amortization
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Total assets
Capital expenditures

$

$

$
$
$
$

1,224,378
966,149
164,299
—
13,813
2,368,639
(1,302,310)
(368,352)
(6,292)
10,965
702,650

$

$

— $

$

(Thousands of dollars)
7,910,833
—
414,238
197,483
9,962
8,532,516
(6,690,918)
(456,892)
65,123
15,936
1,465,765

1,244
—
466,266
4,477
471,987
(4,628)
(157,230)
95,710
2,977
408,816

$

9,135,211
967,393
578,537
663,749
28,252
11,373,142
(7,997,856)
(982,474)
154,541
29,878
2,577,231

$

(196,132) $
(219,519) $
$
$
34,426
439,393
$
$ 12,551,476
6,795,744
$
2,796,604
$
926,489

(472,901)
(57,250) $
$
388,025
861,844
$ 21,441,292
2,094,072
3,822,314
$
99,221

(a) - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment has regulated and nonregulated operations. Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s regulated operations
had revenues of $1.4 billion, of which $1.2 billion related to revenues within the segment, and cost of sales and fuel of $496.8 million.
(b) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and nonregulated operations. Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated
operations had revenues of $285.3 million and cost of sales and fuel of $20.0 million.
(c) - Intersegment revenues are primarily commodity sales which are based on the contracted selling price, which is generally index-based and
settled monthly, and for the Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment totaled $1.2 billion. Intersegment revenues for the Natural Gas
Liquids and Natural Gas Pipelines segments were not material.

Year Ended December 31, 2019

Reconciliations of total segments to consolidated
NGL and condensate sales
Residue natural gas sales
Gathering, processing and exchange services revenue
Transportation and storage revenue
Other
Total revenues (a)

Total
Segments

Other and
Eliminations
(Thousands of dollars)

Total

$

9,135,211
967,393
578,537
663,749
28,252
$ 11,373,142

$ (1,190,424) $

7,944,787
965,975
578,537
648,103
26,965
$ (1,208,775) $ 10,164,367

(1,418)
—
(15,646)
(1,287)

Cost of sales and fuel (exclusive of depreciation and operating costs)
Operating costs
Depreciation and amortization
Equity in net earnings from investments
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Total assets
Capital expenditures

$ (7,997,856) $
(982,474) $
$
(472,901) $
$
$
154,541
$
$
$
861,844
$
$ 21,441,292
$
3,822,314
$

1,209,816

(390) $
(3,634) $
— $
— $

370,829
26,035

$ (6,788,040)
(982,864)
(476,535)
154,541
861,844
$ 21,812,121
3,848,349
$

(a) - Noncustomer revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019, totaled $139.6 million related primarily to gains from derivatives on
commodity contracts.

99

Reconciliation of net income to total segment adjusted EBITDA
Net income
Add:

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
Depreciation and amortization
Income tax expense
Impairment charges
Noncash compensation expense
Other corporate costs and equity AFUDC (a)

j
Total segment adjusted EBITDA
j

g
g

$

$

2021

Years Ended December 31,
2020
(Thousands of dollars)
$

612,809

$

1,499,706

2019

1,278,577

732,924
621,701
484,498
—
42,592
(845)
3,380,576

$

712,886
578,662
189,507
644,930
8,540
(42,631)
2,704,703

$

491,773
476,535
372,414
—
26,699
(68,767)
2,577,231

(a) - The year ended December 31, 2020, includes corporate net gains of $22.3 million on extinguishment of debt related to open market
repurchases. The year ended December 31, 2019, includes higher equity AFUDC related to our capital-growth projects compared with 2020.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

ITEM 9.

None.

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) have
concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effecff
the evaluation of the controls and procedures required by RulRR es 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) of the Exchange Act.

tive as of the end of the period covered by this report based on

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

establia

shing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term
13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our
ncial

Our management is responsible forff
is defined in Exchange Act RuleRR
Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we evaluated the effecff
reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Frame
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not
ct to the risk
prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subjeu
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or
procedures may deteriorate. Based on our evaluation under that fraff mework, our management concluded that our internal
control over finaff

ncial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.

work (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring

tiveness of our internal control over finaff

FF

The effectiveness of our internal control over finaff
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included
herein (Item 8).

ncial reporting as of December 31, 2021, has been audited by

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2021, that
have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affecff

t, our internal control over finaff

ncial reporting.

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

ITEM 9C.

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not applicable.

100

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATRR E GOVERNANCE

Directors of the Registrant

PART III

Information concerning our directors is set fort
reference.

ff

h in our 2022 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this

Executive Officff

ers of the Registrant

Information concerning our executive officers is included in Part I, Item 1, Business, of this Annual Report.

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

Information on compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is set forth in our 2022 definitive Proxy Statement and is
incorporated herein by this reference.

Code of Ethics

Information concerning the code of ethics, or code of business conduct, is set forth in our 2022 definitive Proxy Statement and
is incorporated herein by this reference.

Nominating Committee Procedures

Information concerning the Nominating Committee procedures is set forth in our 2022 definitive Proxy Statement and is
incorporated herein by this reference.

Audit Committee

Information concerning the Audit Committee is set forth in our 2022 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by
this reference.

Audit Committee Financial Experts

Information concerning the Audit Committee Financial Experts is set forth in our 2022 definitive Proxy Statement and is
incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information on executive compensation is set forth in our 2022 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this
reference.

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

Information concerning the ownership of certain beneficial owners is set forth in our 2022 definitive Proxy Statement and is
incorporated herein by this reference.

Security Ownership of Management

Information on security ownership of directors and officers is set fort
incorporated herein by this reference.

ff

h in our 2022 definitive Proxy Statement and is

101

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following tablea

sets forth certain information concerning our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2021:

Number of Securities
to be Issued
Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(a)

3,237,097

330,901
3,567,998

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(b) (3)

—

$
$

58.76
58.76

Number of Securities
Remaining Available For
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities in Column (a))
(c)

6,077,029

—
6,077,029

Plan Category

Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders (1)
Equity compensation plans
not approved by security holders (2)
Total

(1) - Includes shares granted under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Stock Award Program and restricted stock incentive unit

awards and performance unit awards granted under our former Long-Term Incentive Plan, our former Equity Compensation Plan and our
Equity Incentive Plan. For a brief description of the material features of these plans, see Note J of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements in this Annual Report. Column (c) includes 573,622, 130,204 and 5,373,203 shares available for future issuance under our
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Stock Award Program and Equity Incentive Plan, respectively.

(2) - Includes our NQDC Plan, Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors and our former Stock Compensation Plan for Non-
Employee Directors. For a brief description of the material features of these plans, see Notes K and J of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

(3) - There is no exercise price associated with restrictive stock incentive unit awards and performance unit awards. Compensation deferred
into our common stock under our Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors is distributed to participants at fair market
value on the date of distribution. The price used for these plans to calculate the weighted-average exercise price in the table is $58.76,
which represents the 2021 year-end closing price of our common stock on the NYSE.

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE

Information on certain relationships and related transactions and director independence is set forth in our 2022 definitive Proxy
Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Information concerning the principal accountant’s fees and services is set forth in our 2022 definitive Proxy Statement and is
incorporated herein by this refereff

nce.

102

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

PART IV

( )
(1) Financial Statements

Page No.

g

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 238)

54-55

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income forff
December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

the years ended

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity forff
December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

the years ended

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

56

57

58-59

61

62-63

64-100

( )
(2) Financial Statements Schedules

All schedules have been omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required.

( )
(3) Exhibits

3

3.1

4

4.1

4.2

4.3

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ONEOK, Inc., dated July 3, 2017, as amended
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2017, filed November 1, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

Amended and Restated Bylaws of ONEOK, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to ONEOK,
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 28, 2022 (File No. 1-13643)).

of Designation for Convertible Preferred Stock of WAI, Inc. (now ONEOK, Inc.) filed

ff
Certificate
November 21, 2008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, filed August 1, 2012 (File No. 1-13643)).

Certificate of Designation for Series C Participating Preferred Stock of ONEOK, Inc. filed November 21,
2008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 3.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 2012, filed August 1, 2012 (File No. 1-13643)).

u

mental Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2017, by and among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners,

Fifth Supple
L.P., ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust, as
trustee (incorporated by reference fromff
3, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

Exhibit 4.1 to ONEOK Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July

Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed November 21, 1997 (File No. 1-13643)).

103

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.8

4.9

4.10

4.11

4.12

4.13

4.14

4.15

dated September 24, 1998, between ONEOK, Inc. and Chase Bank of Texas, as trustee

Indenture,
t
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed
August 26, 1998 (File No. 333-62279)).

Indenturet
reference fromff
December 28, 2001 (File No. 333-65392)).

dated December 28, 2001, between ONEOK, Inc. and SunTrust Bank, as trustee (incorporated by

Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filff ed

u

mental Indenture dated September 25, 1998, between ONEOK, Inc. and Chase Bank of

Second Supple
Texas, as trustee, with respect to the 6.875% Debentures
5(b) to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A fileff d October 2, 1998 (File No. 1-13643)).

due 2028 (incorporated by reference fromff

t

Exhibit

t

Third Supplemental Indenture,
L.P., ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to ONEOK Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 3,
2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

dated as of June 30, 2017, by and among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners,

Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture,
Intermediate Limited Partnership and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee
Notes due 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on March 20, 2015 (File No. 1-12202)).

dated March 20, 2015, among ONEOK Partners, L.P., ONEOK Partners

, with respect to the 3.80% Senior

rr

t

Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated March 20, 2015, among ONEOK Partners, L.P., ONEOK Partners
Intermediate Limited Partnership and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee
Notes due 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on March 20, 2015 (File No. 1-12202)).

, with respect to the 4.90% Senior

rr

Fourth Supplemental Indenture,
L.P., ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee,
with respect to the 4.00% Senior Notes due 2027 (incorporated by reference fromff
Exhibit 4.1 to ONEOK
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 13, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

dated as of July 13, 2017, by and among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners,

t

u

Fifth Supple
mental Indenture, dated as of July 13, 2017, by and among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners,
L.P., ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee,
Exhibit 4.2 to ONEOK
with respect to the 4.95% Senior Notes due 2047 (incorporated by reference fromff
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 13, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture,
ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to ONEOK, Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
July 3, 2017 (File No. 1-12202)).

dated as of June 30, 2017, by and among ONEOK Partners, L.P.,

rr

t

Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series E Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock of
ONEOK, Inc. filed April 20, 2017 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 3.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 20, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

Third Supplemental Indenture,
with respect to the 6.00% Senior Notes due 2035 (incorporated by reference fromff
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 17, 2005 (File No. 1-13643)).

dated June 17, 2005, between ONEOK, Inc. and SunTrust Bank, as trustee,
Exhibit 4.3 to ONEOK,

t

Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated September 12, 2013, among ONEOK Partners, L.P., ONEOK
Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee
, with respect to the
5.000% Senior Notes dued
Report on Form 8-K filed September 12, 2013 (File No. 1-12202)).

2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current

r

104

4.16

4.17

4.18

4.19

4.20

4.21

4.22

4.23

4.24

4.25

4.26

4.27

Twelfth Supplemental Indenture,
dated September 12, 2013, among ONEOK Partners, L.P., ONEOK
Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, with respect to the
6.200% Senior Notes dued
Report on Form 8-K filed September 12, 2013 (File No. 1-12202)).

2043 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current

t

t
Indenture,
dated September 25, 2006, between ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as
e (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K
r
truste
filed September 26, 2006 (File No. 1-12202)).

Third Supplemental Indenture, dated September 25, 2006, among ONEOK Partners, L.P., ONEOK Partners
Intermediate Limited Partnership and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, with respect to the 6.65% Senior
Notes due 2036 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed September 26, 2006 (File No. 1-12202)).

Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated September 28, 2007, among ONEOK Partners, L.P., ONEOK Partners
Intermediate Limited Partnership and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, with respect to the 6.85% Senior
Notes due 2037 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed September 28, 2007 (File No. 1-12202)).

Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated March 3, 2009, among ONEOK Partners, L.P., ONEOK Partners
Intermediate Limited Partnership and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, with respect to the 8.625% Senior
Notes due 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed March 3, 2009 (File No. 1-12202)).

t

Ninth Supplemental Indenture,
dated September 13, 2012, among ONEOK Partners, L.P., ONEOK Partners
Intermediate Limited Partnership and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, with respect to the 3.375% Senior
2022 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on
Notes dued
Form 8-K filed September 13, 2012 (File No. 1-12202)).

Seventh Supplemental Indenture,
dated January 26, 2011, among ONEOK Partners, L.P., ONEOK Partners
Intermediate Limited Partnership and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, with respect to the 6.125% Senior
Notes dued
2041 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed January 26, 2011 (File No. 1-12202)).

t

dated January 26, 2012, among ONEOK, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee

t
Indenture,
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 26,
2012 (File No. 1-13643)).

First Supplemental Indenture,
Association, as trustee, with respect to the 4.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 26, 2012 (File No. 1-13643)).

dated January 26, 2012, among ONEOK, Inc. and U.S. Bank National

t

u

mental Indenture, dated August 21, 2015, between ONEOK, Inc. and U.S. Bank National

Second Supple
Association, as trustee, with respect to the 7.50% Notes due 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 21, 2015 (File No. 1-13643)).

Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2017, by and among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners,
L.P., ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee,
with respect to the 6.00% Senior Notes due 2035 (incorporated by reference fromff
Exhibit 4.3 to ONEOK
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 3, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

u

mental Indenture, dated as of July 2, 2018, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners, L.P.,

Sixth Supple
ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, with
2028 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.1 to ONEOK,
respect to the 4.55% Senior Notes dued
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 2, 2018 (File No. 1-13643)).

105

4.28

4.29

4.30

4.31

4.32

4.33

4.34

4.35

4.36

4.37

4.38

Seventh Supplemental Indenture,
dated as of July 2, 2018, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners, L.P.,
ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, with
2048 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.2 to ONEOK,
respect to the 5.20% Senior Notes dued
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 2, 2018 (File No. 1-13643)).

t

Eighth Supplemental Indenture,
ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, with
respect to the 4.35% Senior Notes dued
2029 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.2 to ONEOK,
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 13, 2019 (File No. 1-13643)).

dated as of March 13, 2019, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners, L.P.,

t

u

mental Indenture, dated as of March 13, 2019, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners, L.P.,

Ninth Supple
ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, with
respect to the 5.20% Senior Notes dued
2048 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.3 to ONEOK,
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 13, 2019 (File No. 1-13643)).

Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 15, 2019, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners, L.P.,
ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, with
respect to the 2.75% Senior Notes dued
2024 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.1 to ONEOK,
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019 (File No. 1-13643)).

Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 15, 2019, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners,
L.P., ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee,
with respect to the 3.40% Senior Notes due 2029 (incorporated by reference fromff
ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019 (File No. 1-13643)).

Exhibit No. 4.2 to

Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 15, 2019, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners, L.P.,
ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, with
respect to the 4.45% Senior Notes dued
2049 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.3 to ONEOK,
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019 (File No. 1-13643)).

dated as of March 10, 2020, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners,
Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture,
L.P., ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee,
with respect to the 2.200% Senior Notes due 2025 (incorporated by reference fromff
ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 10, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

Exhibit No. 4.1 to

t

Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 10, 2020, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners,
L.P., ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee,
with respect to the 3.100% Senior Notes dued
ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 10, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

2030 (incorporated by reference fromff

Exhibit No. 4.2 to

Fifteenth Indenture, dated as of March 10, 2020, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners, L.P., ONEOK
Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as truste
2050 (incorporated by reference fromff
4.500% Senior Notes dued
Report on Form 8-K filed March 20, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

Exhibit No. 4.3 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current

e, with respect to the

rr

Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 7, 2020, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners, L.P.,
ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as truste
respect to the 5.850% Senior Notes dued
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 7, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

r
Exhibit No. 4.1 to ONEOK,

2026 (incorporated by reference fromff

e, with

u

mental Indenture, dated as of May 7, 2020, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners,
Seventeenth Supple
L.P., ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as truste
e,
with respect to the 6.350% Senior Notes dued
ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 7, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

2031 (incorporated by reference fromff

Exhibit No. 4.2 to

r

106

4.39

4.40

10

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 7, 2020, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners, L.P.,
ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, with
respect to the 7.150% Senior Notes dued
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 7, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

2051 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.3 to ONEOK,

Description of securities (incorporated by reference fromff
Form 10-K for the fisff cal year ended December 31, 2020, filed February 23, 2021 (File No. 1-13643)).

Exhibit 4.43 to ONEOK, Inc.'s Annual Report on

ONEOK, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(a) to ONEOK, Inc.’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fisff cal year ended December 31, 2001, filed March 14, 2002 (File
No. 1-13643).

ONEOK, Inc. Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference fromff
Exhibit 99 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filff ed January 25, 2001 (File
No. 333-54274)).

ONEOK, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan terminated and froze
n December 31, 2004
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
December 20, 2004 (File No. 1-13643)).

ff

ONEOK, Inc. 2005 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated, dated December 18,
2008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, filed February 25, 2009 (File No. 1-13643)).

Credit Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2017, among ONEOK, Inc., Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent,
a swingline lender, a letter of credit issuer and a lender, and the other lenders, swingline lenders and letter of
credit issuers parties thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report
on Form 8-K filed April 19, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

Form of Indemnification Agreement between ONEOK, Inc. and ONEOK, Inc. officers and directors, as
amended (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, filed February 25, 2015 (File No. 1-13643)).

Amended and Restated ONEOK, Inc. Annual Officff
10.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 27, 2009 (File No. 1-13643)).

er Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference fromff

Exhibit

ONEOK, Inc. Employee Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated December 16,
2004 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
December 20, 2004 (File No. 1-13643)).

ONEOK, Inc. 2005 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, dated
December 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.8 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, filed February 25, 2009 (File No. 1-13643)).

ONEOK, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended and restated, dated
December 18, 2008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.9 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fisff cal year ended December 31, 2008, filed February 25, 2009 (File No. 1-13643)).

10.10

greement, dated as of June 30, 2017, by and between ONEOK Partners, L.P. and ONEOK

Guaranty At
Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership, in favor of Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, under the
Credit Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2017, by and among ONEOK, Inc., Citibank, N.A. and the other
lenders parties thereto (incorporated by reference fromff
Exhibit 10.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed July 3, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

107

10.11

10.12

10.13

10.14

10.15

10.16

Extension Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2018, among ONEOK, Inc., Citibank, N.A., as administrative
agent, a swingline lender, a letter of credit issuer and a lender, and the other lenders, swingline lenders and
letter of credit issuers parties thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 10.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 18, 2018 (File No. 1-13643)).

First Amendment and Extension Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2019, among ONEOK, Inc., Citibank,
N.A., as administrative agent, a swingline lender, a letter of credit issuer and a lender, and the other lenders,
swingline lenders and letter of credit issuers parties thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 10.1
to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 29, 2019 (File No. 1-13643)).

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Overland Pass Pipeline Company LLC
entered into between ONEOK Overland Pass Holdings, L.L.C. and Williams Field Services Company, LLC
dated May 31, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, filed August 4, 2006 (File No. 1-12202)).

Form of ONEOK, Inc. Officer Change in Control Severance Plan (incorporated by reference fromff
Exhibit 10.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 22, 2011 (File No. 1-13643)).

Form of 2018 Restricted Unit Stock Award Agreement dated February 21, 2018 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.17 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2018 (File No.
1-13643)).

Form of 2018 Performance Unit Award Agreement dated February 21, 2018 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.18 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2018 (File No.
1-13643)).

10.17

Form of 2022 Restricted Unit Stock Award Agreement dated February 23, 2022.

10.18

Form of 2022 Performance Unit Award Agreement dated February 23, 2022.

10.19

10.20

10.21

10.22

10.23

Term Loan Agreement, dated as of November 19, 2018, among ONEOK, Inc., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as
administrative agent and a lender, and the other lenders parties thereto (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit No. 10.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 21, 2018 (File No.
1-13643)).

greement, dated as of November 19, 2018, by ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited

Guaranty At
Partnership and ONEOK Partners, L.P. in favor of Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as administrative agent, under the
above-referenced Term Loan Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 10.2 to ONEOK,
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 21, 2018 (File No. 1-13643)).

ONEOK, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to ONEOK, Inc.’s definitive
proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 5, 2018 (File No. 1-13643)).

ONEOK, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan, dated January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference fromff
Exhibit 99 to
ONEOK, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filff ed December 30, 2004 (File No. 333-121769)).

ONEOK, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, dated December 18, 2008 (incorporated
by reference fromff
December 31, 2008, filed February 25, 2009 (File No. 1-13643)).

Exhibit 10.44 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fisff cal year ended

108

10.24

10.25

10.26

10.27

10.28

10.29

10.30

10.31

10.32

10.33

10.34

10.35

Equity Distribution Agreement, dated July 23, 2020, among ONEOK, Inc., and Credit Suisse Securities
(USA) LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Morgan
Stanley & Co. LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities
Inc. and TD Securities (USA) LLC as sales agents, principals
America, Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey,
and/or forward sellers, and Credit Suisse Capia tal LLC, Bank of America, N.A., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC,
Mizuho Markets Americas LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Royal Bank of Canada, The Bank of Nova
Scotia and The Toronto-Dominion Bank as forward purchasers (incorporated by reference fromff
to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K with a filff ing date of July 24, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

Exhibit 1.1

m

Form of Master Forward Confirmation (incorporated by reference fromff
Current Report on Form 8-K with a filff ing date of July 24, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

Exhibit 1.2 to ONEOK Inc.’s

Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2020, among ONEOK, Inc., Citibank, N.A.,
as administrative agent, a swingline lender, a letter of credit issuer and a lender, and the other lenders,
swingline lenders and letter of credit issuers parties thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
ONEOK Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 30, 2020 (File No. 1-13643).

Form of 2019 Restricted Unit Award Agreement, dated February 20, 2019 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.54 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fisff cal year ended December 31, 2018,
filed February 26, 2019 (File No. 1-13643)).

Form of 2019 Performance Unit Award Agreement, dated February 20, 2019 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.55 to ONEOK Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fisff cal year ended December 31, 2018,
filed February 26, 2019 (File No. 1-13643)).

Form of 2021 Restricted Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.33 to ONEOK,
Inc's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fisff cal year ended December 31, 2020, filed February 23, 2021
(File No. 1-13643))

Form of 2021 Performance Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.34 to
ONEOK, Inc's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fisff cal year ended December 31, 2020, filed February
23, 2021 (File No. 1-13643))

Form of 2020 Restricted Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to ONEOK,
Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fisff cal year ended December 31, 2019, filed February 25, 2020
(File No. 1-13643)).

Form of 2020 Performance Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to ONEOK,
Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fisff cal year ended December 31, 2019, filed February 25, 2020
(File No. 1-13643)).

ONEOK, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan as amended and restated effecff
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 2012, filed August 1, 2012 (File No. 1-13643)).

tive May 23, 2012 (incorporated

Form of First Amendment to 2019 Performance Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.38 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fisff cal year ended December 31, 2019,
filed February 25, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

Form of First Amendment to 2018 Performance Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.39 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fisff cal year ended December 31, 2019,
filed February 25, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

109

10.36

10.37

21

22

23

31.1

31.2

32.1

32.2

ONEOK, Inc. 2020 Nonqualified Deferre
January 1, 2020 (incorporated by reference fromff
10-K for the fisff cal year ended December 31, 2020, filed February 23, 2021 (File No. 1-13643))

d Compensation Plan dated July 24, 2019, and effective as of

Exhibit 10.40 to ONEOK, Inc’s Annual Report on Form

ff

Form of ONEOK, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Unit Award Agreement (Make-Whole Award)
between ONEOK, Inc. and Pierce H. Norton II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, filed August 4, 2021 (File No.
1-13643)).

Required information concerning the registrant’s subsidiaries.

List of subsidiary guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities.

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Certification of Pierce H. Norton II pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Certification of Walter S. Hulse III pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Certification of Pierce H. Norton II pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished only pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)).

Certification of Walter S. Hulse III pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished only pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)).

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File
because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Document.

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

Attached as Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report are the following Inline XBRL-related documents: (i) Document and Entity
Information; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019; (iii) Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income forff
Sheets at December 31, 2021 and 2020; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021,
2020 and 2019; (vi) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019; and
(vii) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019; (iv) Consolidated Balance

ITEM 16.

FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

110

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto dulyd

authorized.

Signatures

Date: March 1, 2022

ONEOK, Inc.
Registrant

By:

/s/ Walter S. Hulse III
Walter S. Hulse III
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and
Executive Vice President, Strategy
and Corporate Affairs
(Principal Financial Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capaa

cities indicated on this 1st day of March 2022.

/s/ Pierce H. Norton
Pierce H. Norton
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director

. Spears

/s/ Mary Mrr
Mary M. Spears
Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer

/s/ Julie H. Edwards
Julie H. Edwards
Director

/s/ Randall J. Larson
Randall J. Larson
Director

/s/ Jim W. Mogg
Jim W. Mogg
Director

A. Rodriguez

/s/ Eduardo
d
Eduardo A. Rodriguez
Director

/s/ John W. Gibson
John W. Gibson
Chairman of the Board

/s/ Walter S. Hulse III
Walter S. Hulse III
Chief Financial Offiff cer, Treasurer and
Executive Vice President, Strategy
and Corporate Affairs

/s/ Brian L. Derksen
Brian L. Derksen
Director

/s/ Mark W. Helderman
Mark W. Helderman
Director

/s/ Steven J. Malcolm
Steven J. Malcolm
Director

/s/ Pattye L. Moore
Pattyet L. Moore
Director

/s/ Gerald B. Smith
Gerald B. Smith
Director

111

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Positions and ages as of February 25, 2022

Brian L. Derksen, 70
Retired Global Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited
Dallas, Texas

Jim W. Mogg, 73
Retired Chairman, DCP Midstream GP, L.L.C.
Hydro, Oklahoma

Julie H. Edwards, 63
Former Chief Financial Officer, Southern Union Company;
Former Chief Financial Officer, Frontier Oil Corporation
Houston, Texas

John W. Gibson, 69
Chairman of the Board and Retired Chief Executive Officer, ONEOK, Inc.
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Mark W. Helderman, 63
Retired Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager, Sasco Capital Inc.
Westlake, Ohio

Randall J. Larson, 64
Retired Chief Executive Officer, TransMontaigne Partners L.P.
Tucson, Arizona

Steven J. Malcolm, 73
Retired Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,  
The Williams Companies, Inc.
Tulsa, Oklahoma

OFFICERS Positions and ages as of February 25, 2022

Pattye L. Moore, 64
Retired Chair of the Board and interim Chief Executive Officer,
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers;
Former President, Sonic Corp.
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Eduardo A. Rodriguez, 66
President, Strategic Communications Consulting Group
El Paso, Texas

Gerald B. Smith, 71
Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Smith Graham & Co.
Investment Advisors
Houston, Texas

Pierce H. Norton II, 62
President and Chief Executive Officer, ONEOK, Inc.
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Pierce H. Norton II, 62
President and Chief Executive Officer

Sheridan C. Swords, 52
Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Liquids

Robert F. Martinovich, 64
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

Charles M. Kelley, 63
Senior Vice President, Natural Gas

Walter S. Hulse III, 58
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Executive Vice President, Strategy  
and Corporate Affairs

Mary M. Spears, 42
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Kevin L. Burdick, 57
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Stephen B. Allen, 48
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Pat Cipolla, 56
Vice President, Associate General Counsel - Compliance and Ethics  
and Corporate Secretary

ANNUAL MEETING
The 2022 annual meeting of shareholders will be held Wednesday, May 25, 2022, 
at 9 a.m. Central Daylight Time as a virtual meeting only. The meeting will be held 
online, accessible through a live webcast.

INVESTOR RELATIONS
oneokinvestorrelations@oneok.com
877-208-7318

AUDITORS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Two Warren Place
6120 South Yale Avenue, Suite 1850
Tulsa, OK 74136

DIRECT STOCK PURCHASE AND DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
ONEOK's Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan provides investors 
the opportunity to purchase shares of common stock without payment of any 
brokerage fees or service charges and to reinvest dividends automatically.  

TRANSFER AGENT, REGISTRAR AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT 
EQ Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 64854
St. Paul, MN 55164-0854
866-235-0232 
www.shareowneronline.com

CREDIT RATINGS 
S&P Global Ratings 
Fitch Ratings, Inc. 
Moody’s Investors Service 

OKE
BBB (stable)
BBB (stable)
Baa3 (stable)

CORPORATE WEBSITE
www.oneok.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 
The statements in this annual report that are not historical information, including 
statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations, 
economic performance or related assumptions, are forward-looking statements. 
Forward-looking statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” 
“continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “target,” “guidance,” 
“intend,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “scheduled,” 
“should,” “will,” “would” and other words and terms of similar meaning.

Although we believe that our expectations regarding future events are based on 
reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that such expectations or 
assumptions will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ 
materially from those in the forward-looking statements are described under Part I, Item 
1A, Risk Factors and Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations and “Forward-Looking Statements” in the ONEOK, 
Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021, included in this 
annual report.

 
 
 
100 West Fifth Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103-4298

Post Office Box 871
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74102-0871

www.oneok.com