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
FY2022 Annual Report · ONEOK
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
2022

ONEOK
ANNUAL
REPORT

CREATING VALUE.  DELIVERING RESULTS. 

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

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
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.

ETHICS
We act with honesty, integrity and adherence to the 
highest standards of personal and professional conduct.

DIVERSITY AND 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 improvement and 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.

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.

2022

LETTER
TO
INVESTORS

For ONEOK, 2022 was a year of strong results thanks to the dedication of our employees and 
resiliency of our assets, which delivered another year of consecutive earnings growth for our 
shareholders. Our strong return on invested capital (ROIC) is a source of pride for ONEOK and 
is a key metric for evaluating our management team’s performance annually. Our nearly 15% 
ROIC in 2022 highlights the scrutiny we place on investments, the efficiency of our capital and 
the high quality of our project’s earnings.

Net income increased 15% in 2022, compared with 2021, and adjusted earnings before interest, 
taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased for the 9th consecutive year. These higher 
2022 results were driven primarily by increased producer activity, higher realized commodity prices, 
higher average fee rates and higher natural gas storage and transportation services. Volumes 
through many of our vast networks of pipelines and facilities grew to record levels.

This past year also marked yet another year of successfully navigating challenges from 
weather-related events in the Williston Basin and an incident at our Medford fractionation 
facility. We are grateful that the Medford incident did not result in any employee injuries and 
our team showed tremendous professionalism and resiliency in successfully managing this 
situation with minimal business interruption. 

Just as important to our business performance, ONEOK also marked our best recorded 
safety year in company history, related to minor and serious injuries. Safety is one of our 
Core Values and is demonstrated by achieving this record-setting year. While we are proud 
of the Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) culture we have built at ONEOK, we know safety 
performance requires constant vigilance and work to help ensure we continue to deliver in this 
essential area.   

We continue to invest in our core businesses. Construction of our Demicks Lake III natural 
gas processing facility in the Williston Basin was completed in the first quarter 2023. With 
this newest facility, ONEOK has nearly 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas processing capacity 
to support producer activity in the region while continuing our commitment to help customers 
reduce natural gas flaring. 

1

The MB-5 Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) fractionator in Month Belvieu, Texas, remains on schedule to be completed early in the 
second quarter 2023. MB-5 will accommodate the incremental growth in NGL volumes from across our operations, including 
the Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions and Permian Basin. 

With the Medford facility insurance claim resolved in January 2023, ONEOK announced plans to construct a new 
125,000-barrel per day (bpd) NGL fractionator at our Mont Belvieu, Texas, facility called MB-6, which will better align with 
NGL market demand in the Gulf Coast. Construction on MB-6 is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025. 

In December 2022, we announced that the Saguaro Connector Pipeline subsidiary has filed a Presidential Permit application with 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct and operate facilities for the exportation of natural gas at a new 
international border-crossing at the U.S. and Mexico border in Hudspeth County, Texas. The proposed crossing facilities would 
connect to the potential 155-mile, 48-inch-diameter natural gas Saguaro Connector Pipeline originating at the Waha Hub in Pecos 
County, Texas. The ultimate design capacity of the potential pipeline would be approximately 2.8 billion cubic feet per day. Final 
investment decision on the crossing facilities and the potential pipeline is expected by mid-2023.

Returning value to our investors, ONEOK maintained the quarterly dividend in 2022 and increased it by 2% in January 2023. 
This increase underlines our commitment and confidence to create exceptional value for our stakeholders. 

Energy and energy transformation continue to be front and center on the global stage. At ONEOK, we are well-positioned to 
continue to be a part of the current energy mix as well as becoming a significant part of the global energy transformation to 
deliver results that are vital to an advancing world.

Thank you to our employees for their steadfast dedication to excellence. And to our investors, your trust in our company and 
employees is the thread that connects your investment to ONEOK's future.

Julie H. Edwards
Board Chair

Pierce H. Norton II
President and Chief Executive Officer

March 8, 2023

2

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

3

3

FORM 10-K

4

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K 
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________.
Commission file number  001-13643 

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

Oklahoma
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

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

100 West Fifth Street, Tulsa, OK

(Address of principal executive offices)

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes ☒  No ☐.

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

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 ☐ 

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.  ☒

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant 
included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based 
compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b).  ☐

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, 2022, was $24.5 billion.

On February 21, 2023, the Company had 447,220,972 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 
24, 2023, are incorporated by reference in Part III.

 
ONEOK, Inc.
2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Business

Risk Factors

Unresolved Staff Comments

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safety 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 Supplementary Data

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

Other Information

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

22

35

35

35

35

35

36

37

53

56

102

102

102

102

102

103

103

104

104

105

113

114

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 abbreviations, acronyms and industry terminology used in this Annual Report are defined as follows:

$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/d
Bcf
Bcf/d
Btu
CFTC
Clean Air Act
Clean Water Act
COVID-19
DJ
DOT
EBITDA
EPA
EPS
ESG
Exchange Act
FERC
Fitch
GAAP
Guardian
Guardian Term Loan Agreement

GHG
Homeland Security
ICE
Inflation Reduction Act
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)
Northern Border
NYMEX
NYSE
OCC
ONEOK

dated November 19, 2018

ONEOK’s $2.5 billion revolving credit agreement, as amended and restated
Allowance for funds used during construction
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022
Accounting Standards Update
Barrels, 1 barrel is equivalent to 42 United States gallons
Billion British thermal units per day
Billion cubic feet
Billion cubic feet per day
British thermal unit
United States 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.
Guardian’s senior unsecured three-year $120 million term loan agreement dated 

June 24, 2022
Greenhouse gas
United States Department of Homeland Security
Intercontinental Exchange
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
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 cubic feet per day
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
Natural Gas Act of 1938, as amended
Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, as amended
Natural gas liquid(s)
Northern Border Pipeline Company, a 50% owned joint venture
New York Mercantile Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
Oklahoma Corporation Commission
ONEOK, Inc.

3

ONEOK Partners
OPIS
Overland Pass
PHMSA

POP
Purity NGLs

Quarterly Report(s)
Roadrunner
RRC
S&P
SCOOP

SEC
Securities Act
Series E Preferred Stock
SOFR
STACK

Term SOFR
Viking
WTI
XBRL

ONEOK Partners, L.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc.
Oil Price Information Service
Overland Pass Pipeline Company, LLC, a 50% owned joint venture
United States Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 

Safety Administration

Percent of Proceeds
Marketable natural gas liquid purity products, such as ethane, ethane/propane 

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

Quarterly Report(s) on Form 10-Q
Roadrunner Gas Transmission, LLC, a 50% owned joint venture
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

The forward-looking term rate based on SOFR
Viking Gas Transmission Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc.
West Texas Intermediate
eXtensible Business Reporting Language

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,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “scheduled,” 
“should,” “target,” “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 this Annual Report.

4

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

GENERAL

PART I

We are incorporated 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 gathering, processing, fractionation, transportation and storage assets.  We apply our core capabilities of gathering, 
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.

Midstream Value Chain

Legend

Natural Gas Gathering & Processing

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. 

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

NGLs extracted at natural gas 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. 

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 
SCOOP and STACK 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 
dedicated acres in the SCOOP and STACK 
areas.  In our Natural Gas Liquids segment, we 
are the largest NGL takeaway provider in the 
Williston and Powder River Basins; Oklahoma, 
including the SCOOP and STACK 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.

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 can ultimately reach international markets 
through liquefied natural gas exports and cross-
border pipelines.

5

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Business Update and Market Conditions - We experienced earnings growth in 2022, compared with 2021, due primarily to 
increased producer activity across our operations, higher realized commodity prices, net of hedging, and higher average fee 
rates.  In 2023, we expect to benefit from higher volumes, our completed Demicks Lake III natural gas processing plant and the 
expected completion of our MB-5 NGL fractionator, highlighting our extensive and integrated assets that are located in some of 
the most productive shale basins in the United States.  Although the energy industry has experienced many commodity cycles, 
we have positioned ourselves to reduce exposure to direct commodity price volatility.  Each of our three segments are primarily 
fee-based, and our consolidated earnings were approximately 90% fee-based in 2022.  While our Natural Gas Gathering and 
Processing segment’s earnings are primarily fee-based, we have direct commodity price exposure related primarily to our fee 
with POP contracts, and we have hedged approximately 70% of our forecasted equity volumes for 2023.  In addition, our 
Natural Gas Gathering and Processing and Natural Gas Liquids segments are exposed to volumetric risk as a result of drilling 
and well completion activity, severe weather disruptions, operational outages, global crude oil, NGL and natural gas demand, 
changes in gas-to-oil ratios and normal volumetric well declines.  Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment is not exposed to 
significant volumetric risk due to nearly all of our capacity being subscribed under long-term, firm fee-based contracts.

Medford Incident - On July 9, 2022, a fire occurred at our 210 MBbl/d Medford, Oklahoma, NGL fractionation facility.  All 
personnel were safe and accounted for with temporary evacuations of local residents taken as a precautionary measure.  On 
January 9, 2023, we reached an agreement with our insurers to settle all claims for physical damage and business interruption 
related to the Medford incident.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, we agreed to resolve the claims for total 
insurance payments of $930 million, $100 million of which was received in 2022.  The remaining $830 million was received in 
the first quarter 2023.  The proceeds serve as settlement for property damage, business interruption claims to the date of the 
settlement and as payment in lieu of future business interruption insurance claims.  Subsequent to settling the insurance claims, 
we announced plans to construct MB-6, a new 125 MBbl/d NGL fractionator in Mont Belvieu, Texas. 

See Part II, Item 7, Recent Developments, in this Annual Report for more information on the Medford incident.

Geopolitical events and supply chain - Geopolitical events have disrupted global supply chains and caused volatile commodity 
prices for natural gas, NGLs and crude oil.  The United States has banned the import of oil and other energy commodities from 
Russia, and European countries have taken steps to reduce imports of Russian oil and natural gas.  In addition, a continued Gulf 
Coast liquified natural gas facility outage has further disrupted the overseas and domestic natural gas markets.  These events 
have highlighted the importance of a strong national energy supply and infrastructure supporting the United States economy 
and national security.  We operate an integrated, reliable, resilient and diversified network of NGL and natural gas gathering, 
processing, fractionation, transportation and storage assets connecting supply in the Rocky Mountain, Mid-Continent, Permian 
and Gulf Coast regions with key market centers.  We believe our assets are well positioned to provide midstream services to 
producers and end-use markets as they respond to domestic and international demand.

Inflation - Inflation in the United States increased significantly in late 2021 and 2022.  This rise in inflation generally resulted in 
higher costs in 2022.  However, many of our NGL and natural gas processing contracts include fee escalators or fuel recovery 
mechanisms that fully offset the increase in costs in 2022.  While we expect inflation to remain elevated, we do not expect a 
material impact on our results of operations as a result of these contract escalators. 

Winter weather - In the second and fourth quarters of 2022, we experienced winter weather events in the Rocky Mountain 
region that brought disruptions to our operations.  Our employees in the region were prepared and made the necessary 
operational adjustments to maintain the safety of our employees, their families and our assets.  Region-wide power outages in 
the second quarter and blizzard conditions in both quarters negatively impacted the gathered and processed volumes in our 
Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment, and NGL volumes, including volumes from third parties, delivered to and 
transported by our Natural Gas Liquids segment. 

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.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility - In 2023, we qualified for inclusion in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook for 
the third year in a row.  In 2022, we received an MSCI ESG Rating of AAA and received a perfect score of 100 in the Human 
Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index.  Additionally, in 2022, our ESG Risk Rating was in the lowest-risk quintile of the 
Sustainalytics’ refiners and pipelines industry, indicating that our ESG risk management is in the top 20% of our industry. 

In September 2021, we announced a companywide absolute GHG emissions reduction target of 2.2 million metric tons of 
carbon dioxide equivalents from our combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 2030.  The target represents a 30% 

6

reduction in combined operational Scope 1 and location-based Scope 2 GHG emissions attributable to ONEOK assets as of 
December 31, 2019.  We have achieved reductions totaling approximately 0.5 million metric tons of the targeted 2.2 million 
metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, primarily as a result of methane emissions mitigation, system optimizations, 
electrification of certain natural gas compression equipment and lower carbon-based electricity in states in which we operate.  
We continue to look for ways to reduce our GHG emissions and utilize more efficient technologies.  We are evaluating the 
development of renewable energy and low-carbon projects, including opportunities that may complement our extensive 
midstream assets and expertise.  

For more information on our GHG emissions, see “GHG emissions” in the “Regulatory, Environmental and Safety Matters” 
section.

Capital Ventures Opportunity - In 2022, we formed a capital ventures team focused on pursuing investments in early-stage 
energy technology companies.  During the third quarter 2022, we reached an agreement between us, several other Oklahoma 
energy companies and organizations and an established energy-focused venture capital firm to commit funds of up to $50 
million, collectively, toward a new venture capital fund.  We also intend to make direct equity investments in early-stage energy 
technology companies that help to improve our operations and are aligned with energy transformation.  We completed our first 
direct equity energy investment during the fourth quarter 2022 in a hyperspectral satellite company that is expected to increase 
our and the industry’s asset monitoring capabilities.

Natural Gas - In our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment, we benefited from increased volumes, higher realized 
commodity prices, net of hedging, and higher average fee rates in 2022, compared with 2021, due primarily to increased 
producer activity in the Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions, offset partially by the impact of winter weather in the 
Rocky Mountain region in 2022.  We expect additional earnings benefit in 2023 due to the completion of our 200 MMcf/d 
Demicks Lake III natural gas processing plant in the first quarter, which increased our total processing capacity to 
approximately 1.9 Bcf/d in the Williston Basin. 

In our Natural Gas Pipelines segment, 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.  
In April 2022, we completed a 1.1 Bcf expansion of our Texas natural gas storage facilities’ capacities, and the expansion is 
fully subscribed through 2032.  We are currently expanding the injection capabilities of our Oklahoma natural gas storage 
facilities which will allow us to utilize and subscribe an additional 4 Bcf of our existing storage capacity, with expected 
completion in the second quarter 2023.  We have subscribed 100% of the incremental 4 Bcf of storage capacity through 2027 
and 90% through 2029.  In addition, we have begun the electrification of certain compression assets for Viking to improve the 
reliability of our operations while lowering our Scope 1 emissions from this equipment.  This project is expected to cost 
approximately $95 million and be completed in the third quarter 2023.  Viking will seek to recover its investment in the project 
through a proposed change in rates expected to be filed in third quarter 2023. 

NGLs - In our Natural Gas Liquids segment, we benefited from increased volumes and higher average fee rates in 2022, 
compared with 2021, from increased production in the Rocky Mountain region and the Permian Basin, offset partially by higher 
costs.  In addition, we expect to benefit from the completion of our 125 MBbl/d MB-5 fractionator in Mont Belvieu, Texas, in 
the second quarter 2023.

See 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, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources.

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 developing processes to drive a zero-incident culture for the well-being of our 
employees, contractors and communities.  Safety and environmental responsibility continue to be primary areas of 
focus for us, and our emphasis on safety has produced improving trends in the key indicators we track.
Highly engaged workforce - we strive to be an employer of choice and continue to focus on attracting, selecting and 
retaining talent, advancing an inclusive, diverse and engaged culture and developing individuals and leaders.
Sustainable business model - we aim to maintain prudent financial strength and flexibility while operating a safe, 
reliable and resilient asset base.  We seek to maintain investment-grade credit ratings and a strong balance sheet.  We 
believe our internally generated cash flows will allow us to fund capital-growth projects in our existing operating 
regions and to provide value-added products and services that contribute to long-term growth, profitability and 

7

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.
• Maximizing total shareholder return - we plan to grow earnings and sustain our dividend by efficiently allocating 
capital to investments that produce returns above our cost of capital.  Producing consistent and strong returns on 
invested capital will allow us to not only reward our shareholders but also provide the means and opportunity to serve 
our additional stakeholders, including employees, communities and the environment.

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

We report operations in the following business segments:

•
•
•

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

8

Natural Gas Gathering and Processing

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. 

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

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

Property - Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment includes the following assets:

•
•

•

17,200 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines;
14 natural gas processing plants with 1.9 Bcf/d of processing capacity in the Rocky Mountain region, and nine natural 
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 and 26 MBbl/d of de-ethanizer capacity at various natural gas processing 
plants.

We recently completed the construction of our 200 MMcf/d Demicks Lake III natural gas processing plant in the Williston 
Basin, which is 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 

9

•

•

proceeds to the producer less our contractual fees.  This type of contract represented 73% of supply volumes in this 
segment for 2022 and 2021. 
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, return 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.  This type of contract represented 20% of supply volumes in this segment for 2022 and 2021.
Fee-only - Under this type of contract, we charge a fee for the midstream services we provide, based on volumes 
gathered, processed, treated and/or compressed.  Our fee-only contracts represented 7% of supply volumes in this 
segment for 2022 and 2021. 

For commodity sales, we contract to deliver residue natural gas, condensate and/or unfractionated NGLs to downstream 
customers at a specified delivery point.  Our sales of NGLs are primarily to our affiliate in the Natural Gas Liquids segment.

Utilization - The utilization rates for our natural gas processing plants were 70% and 69% for 2022 and 2021, respectively, due 
primarily to increased producer activity in the Rocky Mountain region and the SCOOP and STACK areas of Oklahoma.  Our 
2022 utilization rates were also impacted by winter weather in the Rocky Mountain region in the second and fourth quarters of 
2022 and the full year impact of the capacity made available by the Bear Creek plant expansion, which was placed in-service in 
the fourth quarter 2021.  We calculate utilization rates using a weighted-average approach, adjusting for the dates that assets 
were placed in or removed from service.

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

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

Government Regulation - The FERC traditionally has maintained that a natural gas processing plant is not a facility for the 
transportation or sale of natural gas in interstate commerce and, therefore, is not subject to jurisdiction under the Natural Gas 
Act.  Although the FERC has made no specific declaration as to the jurisdictional status of our natural gas processing 
operations or facilities, our natural gas processing plants are primarily involved in extracting NGLs and, therefore, are exempt 
from FERC jurisdiction.  The Natural Gas Act also exempts natural gas gathering facilities from the jurisdiction of the FERC.  
We believe our natural gas gathering facilities, upstream of our natural gas processing plants, meet the criteria used by the 
FERC for non-jurisdictional natural gas gathering facility status.  Interstate transmission facilities remain subject to FERC 
jurisdiction.  The FERC has historically distinguished between these two types of facilities, either interstate or intrastate, on a 
fact-specific basis.  We transport residue natural gas from certain of our natural gas processing plants to interstate pipelines in 
accordance with Section 311(a) of the Natural Gas Policy Act.  Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota also 
have statutes regulating, to varying degrees, the gathering of natural gas in those states.  In each state, regulation is applied on a 
case-by-case basis if a complaint is filed against the gatherer with the appropriate state regulatory agency.

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

Natural Gas Liquids

Overview - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment owns and operates facilities that gather, fractionate, treat and distribute NGLs 
and store purity NGLs, 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, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois.  We have a 50% ownership interest in Overland Pass, which operates an interstate NGL 
pipeline originating in Wyoming and Colorado and terminating in Kansas.  The majority of the pipeline-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, 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.

10

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

•

•

•

•
•
•
•

9,140 miles of gathering pipelines with operating capacity of 1,790 MBbl/d, including 6,350 miles of FERC-regulated 
pipelines with operating capacity of 1,490 MBbl/d;
4,350 miles of distribution pipelines with operating capacity of 1,150 MBbl/d, including 4,180 miles of FERC-
regulated pipelines with operating capacity of 1,080 MBbl/d;
seven NGL fractionators with combined operating capacity of 710 MBbl/d (includes interests in our proportional share 
of operating capacity), including 310 MBbl/d in the Mid-Continent region and 400 MBbl/d in the Gulf Coast region;
one isomerization unit with operating capacity of 10 MBbl/d;
one ethane/propane splitter with operating capacity of 40 MBbl/d;
six NGL storage facilities with operating storage capacity of 30 MMBbl; and
eight purity NGLs terminals.

In addition, we lease 10 MMBbl of annual pipeline capacity near our ONEOK North System and have access to 5 MMBbl of 
combined NGL storage capacity at facilities in Kansas and Texas and 60 MBbl/d of NGL fractionation capacity in the Gulf 
Coast through service agreements.

We are in the process of constructing our 125 MBbl/d MB-5 and MB-6 NGL fractionators in Mont Belvieu, Texas.  The 
additional capacity from these projects is excluded from the assets listed above.  As a result of the Medford incident, our 210 
MBbl/d NGL fractionator in Medford, Oklahoma, is no longer operational and is excluded from the assets listed above.

11

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 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 from our Natural Gas Gathering and 
Processing segment.  Our business activities are categorized as follows:

•

•

•

Exchange services - We utilize our assets to gather, transport, treat and fractionate unfractionated NGLs, thereby 
converting them into marketable purity NGLs delivered to a market center or customer-designated location.  Some of 
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 fee-based and include 
some rate-regulated tariffs; however, we also capture certain product price differentials through the fractionation 
process.
Transportation and storage services - We transport purity NGLs 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 location, 
product and seasonal price differentials through the purchase and sale of unfractionated NGLs and purity NGLs.  We 
primarily transport purity NGLs between Conway, Kansas, and Mont Belvieu, Texas, to capture the location price 
differentials between the two market centers.  Our marketing activities also include utilizing our NGL storage facilities 
to capture seasonal price differentials and serving truck and rail markets.  Our isomerization activities capture the price 
differential when normal butane is converted into the more valuable iso-butane at our isomerization unit in Conway, 
Kansas.

In the majority of our exchange services contracts, we purchase the unfractionated NGLs at the tailgate of the processing plant 
and deduct contractual fees related to the transportation and fractionation services we must perform before we can sell them as 
purity NGLs.  To the extent we hold unfractionated NGLs in inventory, the related contractual fees are not recognized until the 
unfractionated inventory is fractionated and sold.

Utilization - Increased volumes and decreased capacity, related to capacity constraints after the Medford incident, drove higher 
utilization rates at our NGL fractionators.  The utilization rates for 2022 and 2021, respectively, were as follows:

•
•
•

our NGL gathering pipelines were 62% and 61%;
our NGL distribution pipelines were 49% and 51%; and
our NGL fractionators were 97% and 91%.

We calculate utilization rates using a weighted-average approach, adjusting for the dates that assets were placed in or removed 
from service.  Our fractionation utilization rate reflects approximate proportional capacity associated with our ownership 
interests.

Unconsolidated Affiliates - We have a 50% ownership interest in Overland Pass, 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 N 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

Overview - 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 

12

natural gas pipelines and Northern Border, which enables us to provide essential natural 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. 

Intrastate Pipelines and Storage - Our intrastate natural gas pipeline and storage assets are located in Oklahoma, Texas and 
Kansas.  Our intrastate pipeline and storage companies include:

•

•

ONEOK Gas Transportation, which transports natural gas throughout the state of Oklahoma and has access to the 
major natural gas production areas in the Mid-Continent region, which include the SCOOP and STACK areas and the 
Cana-Woodford Shale, Woodford Shale, Springer Shale, Meramec, Granite Wash and Mississippian Lime formations.  
ONEOK Gas Transportation is connected to our ONEOK Gas Storage storage fields in Oklahoma, which provide 46 
Bcf of working gas storage capacity; and
ONEOK WesTex Transmission, which transports natural gas throughout the western portion of the state of Texas, 
including the Waha area where other pipelines may be accessed for transportation to western markets, exports to 
Mexico, several markets to the southeast along the Gulf Coast, including the Houston Ship Channel, and the Mid-
Continent market to the north. It has access to major natural gas producing formations in the Texas Panhandle, 
including the Granite Wash formation and Delaware and Midland Basins in the Permian Basin.  ONEOK WesTex 
Transmission is connected to our ONEOK Texas Gas Storage storage fields, which provide 5 Bcf of working gas 
storage capacity.

Interstate Pipelines - 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 interstate pipeline companies 
include:
•

Guardian, which interconnects with several pipelines at the Chicago Hub near Joliet, Illinois, and with local natural gas 
distribution and electric generation companies in Wisconsin; 

• Midwestern Gas Transmission, which is a bidirectional system that interconnects with Tennessee Gas Transmission 

Company’s pipeline near Portland, Tennessee, and with multiple interstate pipelines that have access to both the Utica 
Shale and the Marcellus Shale, and multiple interstate pipelines at the Chicago Hub near Joliet, Illinois;
Viking, 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; and
OkTex Pipeline, which has interconnections with several pipelines in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico.

•

•

13

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

•
•
•

5,100 miles of state-regulated intrastate transmission pipelines with transportation capacity of 4.4 Bcf/d;
1,500 miles of FERC-regulated interstate natural gas pipelines with 3.5 Bcf/d of transportation capacity; and
six underground natural gas storage facilities with 53.3 Bcf of total active working natural gas storage capacity.

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.  We are in the process of expanding the injection 
capabilities of our Oklahoma natural gas storage facilities which will allow us to utilize and subscribe an additional 4 Bcf of our 
existing storage capacity. 

We are also exploring reactivating previously idled storage facilities in Oklahoma and Texas, which are not included in the 
capacity above.

Sources of Earnings - Earnings in this segment are derived primarily from transportation and storage services. 

Our transportation earnings are primarily fee-based from the following types of services:

•

•

Firm service - Customers reserve a fixed quantity of pipeline capacity for a specified period of time, which obligates 
the customer to pay regardless of usage.  Under this type of contract, the customer pays a monthly fixed fee and 
incremental fees, known as commodity charges, which are based on the actual volumes of natural gas they transport or 
store.  Under the firm service contract, the customer generally is guaranteed access to the capacity they reserve.
Interruptible service - Under interruptible service transportation agreements, the customer may utilize available 
capacity after firm service requests are satisfied.  The customer is not guaranteed use of our pipelines unless excess 
capacity is available. 

Our regulated natural gas transportation services contracts are based upon rates stated in the respective tariffs, which have 
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 fees, such as a commodity 
charge, and we may retain a percentage of natural gas in-kind for our compression services.

Our storage earnings are primarily fee-based from the following types of services:

•

•

Firm service - Customers reserve a specific quantity of storage capacity, including injection and withdrawal rights, and 
generally pay fixed fees based on the quantity of capacity reserved plus an injection and withdrawal fee.  Firm storage 
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 for monthly or seasonal terms.  Customers reserve the 
right to park or loan natural gas based on a specified quantity, including injection and withdrawal rights when capacity 
is available.

Utilization - Our natural gas pipelines were 94% and 95% subscribed in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and our natural gas 
storage facilities were 77% and 70% subscribed in 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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

•

•

50% ownership interest in Northern Border, 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 Dakota 
to a terminus near North Hayden, Indiana.
50% ownership interest in Roadrunner, a bidirectional pipeline, which has the capacity to transport 570 MMcf/d of 
natural gas from the Permian Basin in West Texas to the Mexican border near El Paso, Texas, and has capacity to 
transport approximately 1.0 Bcf/d of natural gas from the Delaware Basin to the Waha area.  We are the operator of 
Roadrunner.

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

Government Regulation - Interstate - Our interstate natural gas pipelines are regulated under the Natural Gas Act, which gives 
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.

14

Intrastate - Our intrastate natural gas pipelines in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas are regulated by the OCC, KCC and RRC, 
respectively, and by the FERC under the Natural Gas Policy Act for certain services where we deliver natural gas into FERC 
regulated natural gas pipelines.  While we have flexibility 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 storage may be regulated by the state and by the FERC for certain types of services.  In 
Oklahoma, natural gas storage operations are not subject to rate regulation by the state, and we have market-based rate authority 
from the FERC for certain types of services.

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

Market Conditions and Seasonality 

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 and impacts of geopolitical events; natural gas, crude oil and NGL prices; the 
demand for 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.

Demand for gathering and processing services is dependent on natural gas production by producers in the regions in which we 
operate.  Demand for NGLs and the ability of natural gas processors to successfully and economically sustain their operations 
affect the volume of unfractionated NGLs produced by natural gas processing plants, thereby affecting the demand for NGL 
gathering, transportation and fractionation services.  Natural gas and purity NGLs are affected by the demand associated with 
the various industries that utilize the commodities, such as butanes and natural gasoline used by the refining industry as 
blending stocks for motor fuel, denaturant for ethanol and diluents for 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.  Demand for natural gas and NGLs is also impacted by global macroeconomic 
factors. 

Commodity Prices - Our earnings are primarily fee-based in all three of our segments, however 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.  We have hedged approximately 70% of our forecasted equity volumes for 
2023.  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 our Natural Gas Liquids 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 differential between natural gas, NGLs and 
individual purity NGLs, which affect our NGL purchases and sales, our exchange services, transportation and 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 current 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 gas, which impact our fuel costs 
and retained fuel in-kind received for our compression services; and (ii) the differential between forward pricing of natural gas 
physical contracts and the price of natural gas on the spot market, which may affect our customer demand for our natural gas 
storage services.

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 for natural gas and certain purity NGLs, such as propane, a heating 
fuel for homes and businesses.  Warm temperatures usually increase demand for natural gas used in gas-fired electric generation 
for residential and commercial cooling, as well as agriculture-related equipment like irrigation pumps and crop dryers.  Demand 
for butanes and natural gasoline, which are primarily used by the refining industry as blending stocks for motor fuel, denaturant 
for ethanol and diluents for crude oil, are also subject to some variability during seasonal periods when certain government 
restrictions on motor fuel blending products change.  During periods of peak demand for a certain commodity, prices for that 
product typically increase.

Extreme weather conditions, seasonal temperature changes and the impact of temperature and humidity on the mechanical 
abilities of our equipment impact the volumes of natural gas gathered and processed, and NGL volumes gathered, transported 
and fractionated.  Power interruptions and inaccessible well sites as a result of severe storms or freeze-offs, a phenomenon 

15

where water vapor from the well bore freezes at the wellhead or within the natural gas gathering system, may cause a temporary 
interruption in the flow of natural gas and NGLs.  

In our Natural Gas Pipelines segment, natural gas storage is necessary to balance the relatively steady natural gas supply with 
the seasonal demand of our local natural gas distribution and electric-generation customers as a result of the demand from their 
residential and commercial customers.

Competition - We compete for natural gas and NGL supply with other midstream companies, major 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 for natural gas and NGL supply 
are:

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•

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 competitors;
efficiency and reliability of our operations;
receipt and delivery capabilities for natural gas and NGLs that exist in each pipeline system, plant, fractionator and 
storage location;
the petrochemical industry’s level of capacity utilization and feedstock requirements;
current and forward natural gas and NGL prices; and
cost of and access to capital.

We have remained competitive by making capital investments to access and connect new supplies with end-user demand; 
increasing gathering, processing, fractionation and pipeline capacity; increasing storage, withdrawal and injection capabilities; 
and improving operating efficiency so that we compete effectively.  Our and our competitors’ infrastructure projects may affect 
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.

Customers - Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing and Natural Gas Liquids segments derive services revenue from major 
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, 
refining and marketing companies, utilities, large industrial companies, natural gasoline distributors, propane distributors and 
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.

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, if any, to others and operates our headquarters office building.  ONEOK Parking 
Company, L.L.C. owns and operates a parking garage adjacent to our headquarters.  We have a wholly-owned captive 
insurance company, which was formed in 2022.

REGULATORY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY MATTERS

We are subject to a variety of historical preservation and environmental laws and/or regulations that affect many aspects of our 
present and future operations.  Regulated activities include, but are not limited to, those involving air emissions, storm water 
and wastewater discharges, handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, wetland and waterway preservation, wildlife 
conservation, cultural resource 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 

16

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 capital 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 applicable to 
us.  We also cannot assure that existing permits will not be revised or cancelled, potentially impacting facility construction 
activities or ongoing operations.

Air and Water Emissions - The Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and 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 federal operating permit is required for sources of significant air emissions.  We may be required to incur certain capital 
expenditures for air pollution-control equipment in connection with obtaining or maintaining permits and approvals for sources 
of air emissions.  The Clean Water Act imposes substantial potential liability for pollutants discharged into waters of the United 
States and requires remediation of waters affected by such discharge.

GHG Emissions - 2021 estimated GHG emissions were 3.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents of Scope 1 
emissions and 2.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents 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 from purchased power sources.    

In September 2021, we announced a companywide absolute GHG emissions reduction target of 2.2 million metric tons of 
carbon dioxide equivalents from our combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 2030.  The target represents a 30% 
reduction in combined operational Scope 1 and location-based Scope 2 GHG emissions attributable to ONEOK assets as of 
December 31, 2019.  We have achieved reductions totaling approximately 0.5 million metric tons of the targeted 2.2 million 
metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, primarily as a result of methane emissions mitigation, system optimizations, 
electrification of certain natural gas compression equipment and lower carbon-based electricity in states in which we operate.  
GHG emission reductions as reported may be modified, updated, changed or supplemented based on available information.  For 
the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we did not have any dedicated capital expenditures specifically for 
climate-related projects, nor did we purchase or sell carbon credits or offsets.  Progress to date on our goal has been 
accomplished through routine capital-growth projects and asset optimizations that were primarily performed for operational 
improvements that inherently improved our emissions profile.  We continue to anticipate several potential pathways toward 
achieving our emissions reduction target.  In 2023, we anticipate reduction in our emissions to be primarily a result of improved 
methane management practices and system optimization that will not require material capital expenditures.  We do not 
anticipate purchasing or selling carbon credits or offsets in 2023.  Although we have begun the electrification of certain 
compression assets for Viking to improve the reliability of our operations, which will reduce our Scope 1 emissions, we do 
expect an increase in our Scope 2 emissions as a result of this project, but anticipate an overall net reduction of GHG emissions 
on this project to be included in our pathway to achieve our target. 

We participated in the EPA’s Natural Gas STAR Program for more than 20 years and are now a legacy natural gas partner as 
the program ended in late 2022.  We currently participate in 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 improved practices to limit the release of natural gas during pipeline and 
facility maintenance and operations.

Regulation 
PHMSA - The 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 
(PIPES) 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 natural gas releases from pipeline facilities.  The updated plans must also 
address the replacement or remediation at facilities that historically have been known to experience leaks.  We have completed 
and continue to update our pipeline maintenance procedures to identify and reduce methane leaks.

EPA - The EPA’s Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule requires annual GHG emissions reporting from our affected 
facilities and the carbon dioxide emission equivalents for all NGLs produced by us as if all of these products were combusted, 
even if they are used otherwise.  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.

Recently, the EPA has updated the New Source Performance Standards Subpart OOOOb regulations to further reduce methane 
emissions, which includes increased monitoring frequency and more stringent repair requirements for new and modified oil and 
gas facilities.  In addition, the EPA is proposing new nationwide emission guidelines for states to limit methane emissions from 
existing oil and gas facilities.  Generally, EPA rule-makings require expenditures for updated emissions controls, monitoring 

17

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

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in West Virginia v. EPA, which did not preclude but instead limited the 
EPA’s ability to regulate GHG emissions absent clear congressional authorization.  The Court determined that the EPA’s 
emission reduction measures requiring an industry wide shift in electricity production from coal and natural gas-fired power 
plants to renewable power sources required specific congressional authorization which had not been given under the Clean Air 
Act.  

Federal Regulation - In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law.  The Inflation Reduction Act includes 
tax credits and other incentives intended to combat climate change by advancing decarbonization and promoting increased 
investment in renewable and low carbon intensity energy.  In addition, the Inflation Reduction Act also imposes a waste 
emissions charge for methane emissions from specific types of facilities that are required to report their GHG emissions to the 
EPA and a sector specific methane intensity rate.  We will continue to monitor clarification of the regulation, and based on 
current estimates, we do not believe waste emission charges will have a material impact on our results of operations, financial 
position or cash flows.

We believe it is likely that continued future governmental legislation and/or regulation may require us to limit GHG emissions 
associated with our operations, pay additional fees associated with our GHG emissions or purchase allowances for such 
emissions.  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 capital 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.  We monitor all relevant legislation and regulatory initiatives to assess the potential impact on our operations 
and otherwise take steps to limit GHG emissions from our facilities, including methane.  

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

Pipeline and Facility Safety - We are subject to PHMSA safety regulations, including pipeline asset integrity-management 
regulations.  The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 requires pipeline companies operating high-pressure pipelines to 
perform integrity 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 regulations, directs the DOT and Secretary of 
Transportation to conduct further review or studies on issues that may or may not be material to us and may result in the 
imposition of more stringent regulations.

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 gas gathering 
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 finalized and published in 2019 in 
the Federal Register and became effective in July 2020.  These final rules mostly address congressional mandates due to former 
pipeline safety reauthorizations and established criteria for verifying current operating pressures.  The second section of the 
PHMSA Gas Mega Rule, which was published in August 2022 and will be effective in May 2023, focuses on natural gas 
transmission pipelines and includes enhancements to management requirements for risk and integrity assessments, guidance for 
corrosion and mitigation timelines, pipeline inspections following extreme weather events and repair requirements for HCAs 
and non-HCAs.  The third section of the Mega Rule established new regulations for certain gas gathering lines, which were 
formerly unregulated, and was published in November 2021 and became effective in May 2022.

Coupled together, these new sections of the Mega Rule provide increased requirements for operating and maintenance, integrity 
management, public awareness and civil/criminal penalties; however, we do not anticipate a material impact to our planned 
capital or operations and maintenance costs resulting from compliance with the newly published regulations.

In 2020, legislation was passed to reauthorize PHMSA through 2024.  Certain requirements for operations and maintenance, 
integrity management, leak detection and public awareness will be subject to future rule-making as a result.  The potential 
capital and operating expenditures related to the new regulations are not fully known, but we do not anticipate a material impact 
to our planned capital or operations and maintenance costs resulting from compliance with the new regulations.

18

On July 9, 2022, a fire occurred at our 210 MBbl/d Medford, Oklahoma, natural gas liquids fractionation facility.  All personnel 
were safe and accounted for with temporary evacuations of local residents taken as a precautionary measure.  As a result of the 
incident, the United States Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) requested information including the incident 
investigation report and causal factors of the incident, which we submitted to the CSB.

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 guidelines and met the timelines associated with TSA reporting.  The cost of compliance 
did not have a material impact on our operations, financial position or cash flows.

The TSA issued two security directives in 2021 in response to ongoing cybersecurity threats to the pipeline industry.  The first 
security directive, version “A,” 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 
gaps and related remediation measures to address cyber-related risks and report the results to TSA and CISA within 30 days.  
The second security directive, version “B,” 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.  Version “B” was replaced with version “C” in July 2022.  This 
version requires critical pipeline owners and operators to create a Cybersecurity Implementation Plan for approval and audit by 
the TSA.  Our Cybersecurity Implementation Plan was approved in December 2022.  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 culture and developing individuals and leaders.

In 2021, we conducted our first annual employee engagement survey using Gallup Inc.’s Q12 methodology.  All leaders were 
asked to review their results with their teams and create an action plan specific to enhancing their employees’ engagement in 
2022.  In 2022, the annual employee engagement participation rate increased to 90% compared with 80% in 2021.  The overall 
engagement mean went from under the 40th percentile to above the 50th percentile.  We showed improvement on all survey 
questions.  The ratio of engaged employees to actively disengaged more than doubled.  All leaders have been asked to discuss 
the 2022 survey results with their teams and create an engagement action plan for 2023.  Training and support resources are 
also available through our learning management system, the Gallup Engagement Portal and dedicated individuals within our 
human resources department.

As of December 31, 2022, we had 2,966 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 reliable services to a wide range of customers in the 
states where we operate.  Our core values, listed below, guide the way in which our employees conduct our business and 
operations. 

•

•
•

•

•
•

Safety & Environmental: 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.
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 improvement and 
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.

19

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 focused on enhancing the workplace to attract and retain talent.  The 
strategy is guided by a D&I Council composed of a diverse group of employees who represent different demographics, work 
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.

In 2022, we provided funding and support for five legacy employee-led business resource groups (BRGs): a Black/African 
American Resource Group (BAARG); an Indigenous/Native American Resource Group (INRG); a Latinx/Hispanic American 
Resource Group (LXHA); a Veterans Resource Group; and a Women’s Resource Group.  In addition, a new LGBTQ+ 
(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and others) BRG was added in 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.

In early 2023, we introduced a Racial Inclusion Collective Resource Group that combines our legacy race- and ethnicity-
focused BRGs, along with new resources and support for our Asian-American and Pacific Islander employees and allies, into a 
single organization to facilitate collaboration on topics relevant to all groups while reserving opportunities for more identity-
focused programming where appropriate. 

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.

Employee Safety - The safety of our employees is critical to our operations and success.  By promoting the safety of our 
employees and monitoring the integrity of our assets, we are investing in 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 safety incident rates alone cannot 
prevent a large-scale incident, which is why we continue to focus on enhancing our Environmental, Safety and Health 
management systems and process safety programs, such as key risk/key control identification and knowledge sharing.  We 
endeavor to operate our assets safely, reliably 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 programs 
and our internal capabilities.  We successfully implemented our return to office plan in early 2022, and we have continued to 
take safety precautions for our employees who work in the field or report to a ONEOK facility.  

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.  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 billing resolution.  We offer full pay for maternity, paternity or adoption leave of up to 
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 for the welfare of our employees include, among others, life insurance and 
long-term disability plans, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, fertility benefits, disease prevention and 
management programs and full pay while on bereavement, military or personal and family care leave.  

We also provide the opportunity for our employees to help fellow employees through the ONE Trust Fund by contributing 
donated vacation hours or monetary donations.  The ONE Trust Fund is a nonprofit, charitable organization run entirely by 
employee volunteers, that serves our employees in times of personal crises due to natural disasters, medical emergencies or 
other hardships.

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 for the professional who is 
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 
teams provide live in-person and virtual classroom training, computer-based self-study and one-on-one coaching that is 
available to all employees.

20

We value education and assist eligible employees with the expense of furthering their education in job-related fields, including 
up to $5,000 per year in qualifying tuition expenses.  We also may reimburse employees for certain job-related professional 
certification examination fees.

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.  D&I continues to be a priority in recruiting, and we deploy sourcing strategies designed to access talent from groups 
that are historically underrepresented in our industry and workplace.  

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 applicable tax limits.  We also have a defined benefit pension plan covering 
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, 2022, 95% of eligible employees were contributing to our 401(k) Plan.  For additional information about our 
retirement benefits, see Note L of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

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

Julie H. Edwards

Board Chair

Pierce H. Norton II

Age

Business Experience in Past Five Years

  64 

2022 to present

Board Chair, ONEOK

2007 to 2022

Board Director, ONEOK

  63 

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.

Walter S. Hulse III

59

2022 to present

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Executive Vice President, Investor Relations and 
Corporate Development, ONEOK

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Executive 
Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate 
Development

2019 to 2021

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

2017 to 2019

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

Kevin L. Burdick

58

2022 to present

Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, ONEOK

Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial 
Officer

2017 to 2022

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, ONEOK

Charles M. Kelley

64

2022 to present

Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Pipelines, ONEOK

Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Pipelines

2018 to 2022

Senior Vice President, Natural Gas, ONEOK

2017 to 2018

Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Gathering & Processing, ONEOK

Sheridan C. Swords

53

2022 to present

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

Senior Vice President Natural Gas Liquids and 
Natural Gas Gathering and Processing

2017 to 2022

Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Liquids, ONEOK

Stephen B. Allen

49

2017 to present

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, ONEOK

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and 
Assistant Secretary, ONEOK

Mary M. Spears

43

2022 to present

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, Finance and Tax, ONEOK

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting 
Officer, Finance and Tax

2019 to 2021

Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, ONEOK

2015 to 2019

Director, SEC Reporting, ONEOK

Scott D. Schingen

49

2021 to present

Senior Vice President, Operations, ONEOK

Senior Vice President, Operations

2017 to 2021

Vice President, Natural Gas Liquids Operations, ONEOK

Janet L. Hogan

58

2022 to present

Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, ONEOK

Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources 
Officer 

2017 to 2022

Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Hormel Foods

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.

21

INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE

We make available, free of charge, on our website (www.oneok.com) copies of our Annual Reports, Quarterly Reports, Current 
Reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports filed or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 
Exchange Act and reports of holdings of our securities filed by our officers and directors under Section 16 of the Exchange Act 
as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material electronically or otherwise furnishing it to the SEC.  Copies of our 
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Director Independence Guidelines, Corporate 
Sustainability Report and the written charters of our Board Committees also are available on our website, and we will provide 
copies of these documents upon request.  

In addition to our filings with the SEC and materials posted on our website, we also use social media platforms as additional 
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.

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

RISK FACTORS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

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

Our gathering and transportation pipeline systems are dependent upon production from natural gas and crude oil wells, which 
naturally declines over time.  As a result, our cash flows associated with these wells may also decline over time.  In order to 
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 gas and NGL supply volumes may be impacted if producers curtail or redirect drilling and production activities.  
Drilling and production are impacted by factors beyond our control, including:

•
•
•
•
•

•
•

demand and prices for natural gas, NGLs and crude oil;
producers’ access to capital;
producers’ finding and development costs of reserves;
producers’ ability to secure drilling and completion crews and equipment;
producers’ desire and ability to obtain necessary permits, drilling rights and surface access in a timely manner and on 
reasonable terms;
crude oil and associated natural gas field characteristics and production performance; and
capacity constraints and/or shut downs on the pipelines that transport crude oil, natural gas and NGLs from producing 
areas and our facilities.

Commodity prices are subject to significant volatility.  Drilling and production activity levels may vary across our 
geographic areas; however, a prolonged period of low commodity prices may reduce drilling and production activities across 
all areas.  If we are not able to obtain new supplies to replace the natural decline in volumes from existing production or 
reductions in volumes because of competition, including increased competition due to industry consolidation, 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.

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

In addition to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty or adverse changes in economic conditions worldwide, in the 
United States, or in the economic regions in which we operate, could negatively affect the crude oil and natural gas markets, 
resulting in reduced demand and increased price competition for our services and products, or otherwise affect adversely our 
business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.  Volatility in commodity prices may have an impact on many 

22

of our suppliers and customers, which, in turn, could have a negative impact on their ability 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.  Also, economic conditions in the wake of the pandemic have included increasing inflation.  Inflationary 
pressures have resulted in, and may continue to result in, additional increases to the cost of our materials, services and 
personnel, which could increase our capital expenditures and operating costs.  Sustained levels of high inflation have caused the 
Federal Reserve System and other central banks to increase interest rates, which may cause the cost of capital to increase and 
depress economic growth, either of which, or the combination of both, could affect adversely our business, results of 
operations, financial position and cash flows.  

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

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 from the sale of commodities that are received in 
conjunction with natural gas gathering and processing services, the transportation and storage of natural gas, and from the 
purchase and sale of NGLs and purity NGLs.  As commodity prices decline, we could be paid less for our commodities 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 oil production cuts resulted in a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.  As a result, the global supply of 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 future.

The prices we receive for our commodities are subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors beyond our 
control, including, but not limited to, the following:

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

•
•
• market uncertainty;
•

the occurrence of wars and other geopolitical conditions impacting supply and demand for natural gas, NGLs and 
crude oil;
production decisions by other countries, and the failure of countries to abide by recent agreements relating to 
production decisions;
the availability and cost of third-party transportation, natural gas processing and fractionation capacity;
the level of consumer product demand and storage inventory levels;
ethane rejection;
weather conditions;
domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes;
the price and availability of alternative fuels;
speculation in the commodity futures markets;
the effects of imports and exports on the price of natural gas, crude oil, NGL and liquefied natural gas;
the effect of worldwide energy-conservation measures;
the impact of new supplies, new pipelines, processing and fractionation facilities on location price differentials; and
technology and improved efficiency impacting supply and demand for natural gas, NGLs and crude oil.

•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

These external factors and the volatile nature of the energy markets make it difficult to reliably estimate future prices of 
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.

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

There are increasing expectations that companies across all industries address ESG issues, 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 reduction in the demand for hydrocarbon products, restrictions on their use or 
increased use of alternative energy sources.  These changes could reduce the demand for our services, impacting our business, 
results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

In addition, increasing attention to climate change has resulted in an increased likelihood of governmental investigations, 
regulation, shareholder activism and private litigation, which could increase our costs or otherwise affect adversely our 
business.  For example, the SEC has announced its plans to propose new climate change disclosure requirements.  While the 

23

form those requirements may take are not final, we may face increased costs associated with complying with any new climate 
disclosure rules.

Certain investors are increasingly focused on ESG issues, including climate change.  Further, organizations that provide 
information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have also increased their focus on ESG issues and have 
developed ratings processes for evaluating companies on various ESG initiatives.  Unfavorable ESG ratings may lead to 
increased negative investor sentiment toward us or midstream companies in general.  Due to climate change concerns, some 
investors may choose to either not invest, or to reduce their investment, in companies that explore for, produce, process, 
transport or sell 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 announced their own policies to meet publicly announced climate commitments, which often involve 
commitments to shift lending activities in 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 capital on reasonable 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 financial risk, this could also negatively affect our ability to access capital or 
cause us to receive less favorable terms and conditions in future financings.

In September 2021, we announced a companywide absolute GHG emissions reduction target of 2.2 million metric tons of 
carbon dioxide equivalents from our combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030. The target represents a 30% reduction 
in combined operational Scope 1 and location-based Scope 2 GHG emissions attributable to ONEOK assets as of December 31.  
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 establish, we may face 
additional costs to meet these targets, or we may fail to meet them, which could negatively impact our business and reputation.

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

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.  For residential customers, heating and cooling represent their 
largest energy use.  To the extent weather conditions may be affected by climate change, customers’ energy use could increase 
or decrease depending on the duration 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 affect 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 damage to our assets or 
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, floods, 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 availability of certain insurance coverages.  We 
may not be able to pass on the higher costs to our customers or recover all costs related to mitigating these physical risks.

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.

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 
limited to, leaks, pipeline ruptures, damage by third parties, the breakdown or failure of equipment or processes and the 
performance of facilities below expected levels of capacity and efficiency.  For example, on July 9, 2022, a fire occurred at our 
210 MBbl/d Medford, Oklahoma, natural gas liquids fractionation facility.  Other operational hazards and unforeseen 
interruptions include adverse weather conditions (including extreme cold weather), 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.  Similar 
operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions may also impact our producers or suppliers; for example, extreme cold 
weather can result in supply reductions from producer wellhead freeze-offs, as well as power curtailments or outages.  Further, 
the United States government warned that energy assets, specifically the nation’s pipeline infrastructure, may be targets of 
terrorist attacks.  An act of terrorism could target our facilities, those of our suppliers or customers or those of other pipelines.  
A casualty occurrence may result in injury or loss of life, extensive property damage or environmental damage.  The occurrence 
of operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions could affect adversely our business results of operations, financial position 
and cash flows.  

24

Premiums and deductibles for certain insurance policies can increase substantially, and, in some instances, certain insurance 
may become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of coverage.  Consequently, we may not be able to renew 
existing insurance policies or purchase other desirable insurance on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.  Insurance 
proceeds may not be adequate to cover all liabilities or incurred costs and losses or lost earnings.  Further, we are not fully 
insured against all risks inherent to our business.  If we were to incur a significant 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.

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 gas and NGL supply originating in production 
areas connected to our systems, which may cause natural gas and NGLs in supply areas connected to our systems to be diverted 
to markets other than our traditional market areas and may affect capacity utilization adversely on our pipeline systems and our 
ability to renew or replace existing contracts.  In our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment, the development of 
reserves could move drilling rigs from our current service areas to other areas, which may reduce demand for our services.  In 
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.

We do not hedge fully against commodity price risk or interest rate risk, including commodity price changes, seasonal 
price differentials, product price differentials or location price differentials.  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 fluctuations in natural gas, NGLs and crude oil 
prices.  Market risk refers to the risk of loss of future cash flows and earnings arising from adverse changes in commodity 
prices.  Our primary commodity price exposures arise from:

•
•

•
•
•
•

the value of the commodities sold under fee with POP contracts of which we retain a portion of the sales proceeds;
the price differentials between the individual purity NGLs with respect to our NGL transportation and fractionation 
agreements;
the location price differentials in the price of natural gas and NGLs;
the seasonal price differentials in natural gas and NGLs related to our storage operations;
the price risk related to electric costs to operate our facilities; and
the fuel costs and the value of the retained fuel in-kind in our natural gas pipelines and storage operations.

To manage the risk from market price fluctuations in natural gas, NGLs, crude oil and electricity prices, we may use derivative 
instruments such as swaps, futures, forwards and options.  However, we do not hedge fully against commodity price changes, 
and we therefore retain some exposure to market risk.  Further, hedging instruments that are used to reduce our exposure to 
interest-rate fluctuations 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 for forecasted sales 
and purchases are used to reduce our exposure to commodity price fluctuations and may limit the benefit we would otherwise 
receive if market prices for natural gas, crude oil and NGLs differ from the stated price in the hedge instrument for these 
commodities.

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, financial or tax requirements;
providing data security; and
other processes necessary to manage our business.

25

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 functions, which could affect adversely our business and results of operations.  Our financial results could also be 
affected adversely if our operational systems fail as a result of an inadvertent error or by deliberate tampering with or 
manipulation of our operational systems.  In addition, dependence upon automated systems may further increase the risk that 
operational system flaws or employee or third-party tampering or manipulation of those systems will result in losses that are 
difficult to detect.

Due to increased technology advances and an increase in remote work arrangements, 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 subject us to increased risks.  According to experts, 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 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 subject to liability under relevant contractual 
obligations and laws and regulations protecting personal data and privacy.  Efforts by us and our vendors to develop, implement 
and maintain security measures may not be successful in anticipating, detecting or preventing these events from occurring, due 
in part to attackers’ ever-changing methods and efforts to conceal their activities, 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 
our enterprise, information systems and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access and to identify and appropriately 
report cyberattacks, remain a priority for 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 vulnerabilities.

Cyberattacks against us or others in our industry could result in additional regulations or cumbersome contractual obligations.  
Current efforts by the federal government, such as the Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity executive order, and the 
TSA security directives issued in May and July 2021, and July 2022, have utilized significant internal and external resources, 
and any potential future statutes, regulations or orders could lead to further increased regulatory compliance costs, insurance 
coverage costs or capital expenditures.  We cannot predict the potential impact to our business resulting from additional 
regulations.

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 following risks:

•

•

•
•
•

•

•

projects may require significant capital expenditures, which may exceed our estimates, and involve numerous 
regulatory, environmental, political, legal and weather-related uncertainties;
projects may increase demand for labor, materials (which may be even more difficult to obtain due to supply chain 
constraints) and rights of way, which may, in turn, affect our costs and schedule;
we may be unable to obtain new rights of way or permits to connect our systems to supply or downstream markets;
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 upon the expenditure 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 growth in production or downstream demand in which 
anticipated 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; 

26

•

•

we may be required to rely on third parties downstream of our facilities to have available capacity for our delivered 
natural gas or NGLs, which may not be operational; and
inflationary pressure could increase our costs for construction materials or labor.

As a result, new facilities may not be able to attract enough natural gas or NGLs to achieve our expected investment return, 
which could affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

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 unavailability 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 unable to 
secure additional sources, then the volumes that we gather, process, fractionate and transport in the future could be less than 
anticipated.  A decline in such volumes could affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash 
flows.

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

We do not own all of the land on which certain of our pipelines and facilities are located, and we are, therefore, subject to the 
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 specific period of time.  Our loss of these 
rights, through our inability to renew right-of-way contracts on acceptable terms or increased costs to renew such rights, could 
affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

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

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 factors including: (i) the significant 
quantities (i.e., thousands) of measurement equipment that we use across our natural gas and NGL systems, primarily around 
our gathering and processing assets; (ii) varying qualities of natural gas in the streams gathered and processed through our 
systems and the mixed nature of NGLs gathered and fractionated; and (iii) variances in measurement that are inherent in 
metering technologies and standards.  Each of these factors may contribute to measurement adjustments that may occur on our 
systems, which could affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

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 compete with other pipelines, processing, 
fractionation and storage assets for natural gas and NGL supply delivered to the markets we serve.  As a result of competition, 
we may have significant levels of uncontracted or discounted capacity on our assets, which could affect adversely our business, 
results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

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

Many of our 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, costs or liabilities could affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash 
flows.

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

Our operating cash flows are derived partially from cash distributions we receive from our unconsolidated affiliates, as 
discussed in Note N of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.  The amount of cash that our 
unconsolidated affiliates can distribute principally depends upon the amount of cash flows these affiliates generate from their 
respective operations, which may fluctuate from quarter to quarter.  We may be unable to unilaterally determine the cash 

27

distribution policies of our unconsolidated affiliates.  This may contribute to us not having sufficient available cash each quarter 
to continue paying dividends at the current levels.

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.

We participate in several joint ventures.  Due to the nature of some of these arrangements, each participant in these joint 
ventures has made substantial investments in the joint venture and, accordingly, has required that the relevant charter 
documents contain certain features designed to provide each participant with the opportunity to participate in the management 
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 
voting interest (sometimes up to 100%) to authorize more significant activities.  Examples of these more significant activities 
are large expenditures or contractual commitments, the construction or acquisition of assets, borrowing money or otherwise 
raising capital, transactions with affiliates of a joint-venture participant, litigation and transactions not in the ordinary course of 
business, among others.  Thus, without the concurrence of joint-venture participants with enough voting interests, we may be 
unable to cause any of our joint ventures to take or not to take certain actions, even though those actions may be in the best 
interest of us or the particular joint venture.

Moreover, subject to contractual restrictions, any joint-venture owner generally may sell, transfer or otherwise modify its 
ownership interest in a joint venture, whether in a transaction involving third parties or the other joint-venture owners.  Any 
such transaction could result in us being required to partner with different or additional parties who may have business interests 
different from ours.

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.

We rely on others to provide administrative, operating and management services for certain of our joint-venture assets.  We 
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 factors 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 
a timely manner, which may impact our ability to perform under our contracts and affect adversely our business and results of 
operations.

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 outbreak and government measures taken in response, including extended quarantines, 
closures and reduced operations of businesses, had a significant adverse impact, both direct and indirect, on our business and 
the economy.

Uncertainty remains regarding the duration of global impacts due to COVID-19.  This uncertainty, and the occurrence of these 
events and measures taken in response, could further affect adversely our results of operations by, among other things, reducing 
demand for the services we provide, impacting our supply chains and the availability and efficiency of our workforce, including 
our executive officers, creating operational challenges and impacting our ability to access capital markets.  Additionally, in the 
wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflationary pressures have increased in the U.S. and globally.  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 and the effectiveness of such vaccines against future mutations of the COVID-19 
virus, how quickly and to 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.

28

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 from nonconventional sources, such as shale and tight 
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 gas production.  Legislation 
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 gas and, in turn, affect 
adversely our revenues and results of operations by decreasing the volumes of natural gas and NGLs gathered, treated, 
processed, fractionated and transported on our or our joint ventures’ assets.

Our business is subject to regulatory oversight and potential penalties.

The energy industry historically has been subject to heavy state and federal regulation that extends to many aspects of our 
businesses and operations, including:

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 and security of facilities and operations;
acquisition, extension or abandonment of services or facilities;
reporting and information posting requirements;

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

relationships with affiliate companies involved in all aspects of the natural gas and energy businesses.

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 federal regulators will not challenge our safety practices or will authorize any projects or 
acquisitions that we may propose in the future.  Moreover, there can be no guarantee that, if granted, any such authorizations 
will be made in a timely manner or will be free from potentially burdensome conditions.

Under the Natural Gas Act, which is applicable to our interstate natural gas pipelines, and the Interstate Commerce Act, which 
is applicable to our interstate 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, our being ordered to reduce rates or make 
refunds to shippers.

Failure to comply with all applicable state or federal statutes, rules and regulations and orders could bring substantial penalties 
and fines.

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

GHG emissions in the midstream industry 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 dioxide and methane, and 
the United States Supreme Court has ruled that carbon dioxide is a pollutant subject to regulation by the EPA.  In addition, there 
have been international efforts seeking legally binding reductions in emissions of GHGs.

We believe it is likely that future governmental legislation and/or regulation on the federal, state and regional levels, may 
further require us to limit GHG emissions associated with our operations, pay additional fees associated with our GHG 
emissions or purchase allowances for such emissions.  For example, the Inflation Reduction Act will require the payment of 
“Methane Fees” for specific facilities that exceed GHG emission and/or methane intensity thresholds beginning in 2024.  This 
and other 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 legislative and/or regulatory initiatives will take, the stringency of 

29

such initiatives, when they will become effective or the impact on our capital expenditures, competitive position and results of 
operations.  Further, we may not be able to pass on the higher costs to our customers or recover all costs related to complying 
with GHG legislative and/or 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.

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 and activism challenging oil and gas development 
as well as changes to and/or increased penalties from the enforcement of 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 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 impose requirements related to activities in and around certain state 
and federal waters, including requirements related to discharge of wastewater from our facilities into state and federal 
waters;
the 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;
the Endangered Species Act and analogous state laws that impose obligations related to protection of threatened and 
endangered species; and
the 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.

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 fines, injunctions or both.  Joint and several, strict liability may be incurred without regard to fault under the 
CERCLA, RCRA and analogous state laws for the remediation of contaminated areas.

There is an inherent risk of incurring environmental costs and liabilities in our business due to our handling of the products we 
gather, transport, process and store, air emissions related to our operations, past industry operations and waste disposal 
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, penalties and other cost associated with any alleged noncompliance, and the 
cost of any remediation that may become necessary; some of these costs could be material and could adversely affect our 
business, results of operation, financial position and cash flows.  Our insurance may not cover all of these environmental risks, 
and there are also limits on coverage.  Additional information is included under Item 1, Business, under “Regulatory, 
Environmental and Safety Matters” and in Note O of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

Increased litigation and activism challenging oil and gas development as well as changes to and/or more aggressive 
enforcement of laws, regulations and policies could impact our business.  These actions could, among other things, impact our 
customers’ activities, our existing permits, our ability to obtain permits for new development projects and public perception of 
our company, which could affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

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 due to the floating interest rates on our short-term 
borrowings.  Our results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be affected adversely by significant fluctuations 
in interest rates.

30

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 F2 by Moody’s, 
S&P and Fitch, respectively.  We cannot provide assurance that any of our current ratings will remain in effect for 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 borrowing costs 
could increase, which would affect adversely our financial results, and our potential pool of investors and 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.

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

As of December 31, 2022, we had total indebtedness of $13.6 billion.  Our indebtedness and guarantee obligations could have 
significant consequences.  For example, they could:

• make it more difficult 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 financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or 
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 from operations to debt-service payments, reducing the 
availability of cash for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends or general corporate purposes;
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.

•

•
•

•
•

We are not prohibited under the indentures governing the senior notes from incurring additional indebtedness, but our debt 
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.

Our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement contains provisions that restrict our ability to finance future operations or capital 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 material changes to the nature of our business, merge, consolidate or dispose of all or 
substantially all of our assets, grant liens and security interests on our assets, engage in transactions with affiliates or make 
restricted payments, including dividends.  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 Capital 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.

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

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 due and payable in full.  We may 
not have sufficient cash on hand to repurchase and repay any accelerated senior notes, which may cause us to borrow money 
under our credit facility or seek alternative financing sources to finance the repurchases and repayment.  We could also face 

31

difficulties accessing capital or our borrowing costs could increase, impacting our ability to obtain financing for acquisitions or 
capital expenditures, to refinance indebtedness and to fulfill our debt obligations.

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 subject to 
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 
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 subordinate or avoid the cross guarantees of certain of our and 
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 following were true at the time the guarantor issued the guarantee:

•

•

the guarantor incurred the guarantee with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud any of its present or future 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 

unreasonably small capital; or
intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they matured.

–  

The measure of insolvency for purposes of the foregoing will vary depending upon the law of the relevant jurisdiction.  
Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent for purposes of the foregoing if:

•

•

•

the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, were greater than the fair saleable value of all of its assets at a fair 
valuation;
the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability 
on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature; or
it could not pay its debts as they become due.

Among other things, a legal challenge of the cross guarantees of our and ONEOK Partners’ indebtedness on fraudulent 
conveyance grounds may focus on the benefits, if any, realized by the guarantor as a result of our and ONEOK Partners’ 
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 for any other reason, the holders of such debt would cease to have any claim in 
respect of the guarantee.

GENERAL RISK FACTORS

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

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

•
•
•

inaccurate assumptions about volumes, revenues and costs, including potential synergies;
an inability to integrate successfully the businesses we acquire;
decrease in our liquidity as a result of our using a significant portion of our available cash or borrowing capacity to 
finance the acquisition;

32

•

•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

a significant increase in our interest expense and/or financial leverage if we incur additional debt to finance the 
acquisition;
the assumption of unknown liabilities for which we are not indemnified, our indemnity is inadequate or our insurance 
policies may exclude from coverage;
an inability to hire, train or retain qualified personnel to manage and operate the acquired business and assets;
limitations on rights to indemnity from the seller;
inaccurate assumptions 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.

If we consummate any future mergers or acquisitions, our capitalization and results of operations may change significantly, and 
investors will not have the opportunity to evaluate the economic, financial and other relevant information that we will consider 
in determining the application of our resources to future acquisitions.

Holders of our common stock may receive dividends that vary from 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 fluctuate from quarter to quarter and will depend on various factors, some 
of which are beyond our control, including our working capital 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 failure either to pay 
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.

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 financial 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 appropriate.  We cannot, however, predict to what extent our business may be impacted by deteriorating market or 
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 arrangements.  To the extent our customers and 
counterparties are in financial distress or commence bankruptcy proceedings, contracts with them may be subject to 
renegotiation or rejection under applicable provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code.  If our risk-management policies 
and procedures fail to assess adequately the creditworthiness of existing or future customers and counterparties, any material 
nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers and counterparties due to inability or unwillingness to perform or adhere to 
contractual arrangements could affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

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 gas and electric utilities.  Therefore, 
our counterparties may be similarly affected by changes in economic, regulatory or other factors that may affect our overall 
credit risk.

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 competition for workers in certain 
areas, combined with the challenges of attracting new, qualified workers to the midstream energy industry.  This shortage of 
skilled labor could continue over an extended period.  If the shortage of experienced labor continues or worsens, it could affect 
adversely our labor productivity and costs and our ability to expand operations in the event there is an increase in the demand 
for our services and products, which could affect adversely our business, results of operations, financial position and cash 
flows.

33

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

As with all companies, we are exposed to the risk of employee fraud or other misconduct.  Our Board of Directors has adopted 
a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers (including our principal executive and financial 
officers, principal accounting officer, controllers and other persons performing similar functions) and all other employees.  We 
require all directors, officers and employees to adhere to our code of business conduct and ethics in addressing the legal and 
ethical issues encountered in conducting their work for our company.  Our code of business conduct and ethics requires, among 
other things, that our directors, officers and employees avoid conflicts of interest, comply with all applicable laws and other 
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 employees are required to report any conduct that they believe to be an actual or 
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 affect adversely our reputation, business, results of operations, 
financial position and cash flows.

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 
measurable 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 recoverable.  For the investments we account for under the equity method, the impairment test 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.  For example, if a low commodity price environment persisted for a prolonged period, it could result in lower 
volumes delivered to our systems and impairments 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 effect on 
equity and balance sheet leverage as measured by consolidated debt to total capitalization.

For further discussion of impairments of goodwill, long-lived assets and equity-method investments, see Notes A, E, F, and N, 
respectively, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

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.

We have a defined benefit pension plan for certain employees and former employees, which closed to new participants in 2005, 
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 expectancy of plan participants and their beneficiaries and changes in health care costs.  For 
further discussion of our defined benefit pension plan and postretirement welfare plans, see Note L of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

Any sustained declines in equity markets and reductions in bond yields may affect adversely the value of our pension and 
postretirement benefit plan assets.  In these circumstances, additional cash contributions to our pension plans may be required, 
which could affect adversely our business, financial condition and cash flows.

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 reliable 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 able 
to maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future or that we will be able to continue to 
comply with our obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Any failure to maintain effective internal 

34

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 effect on the trading price of our equity, our access to 
capital markets and the cost of capital.

ITEM 1B. 

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

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 O 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 stock 
listings.

At February 21, 2023, there were 13,064 holders of record of our 447,220,972 outstanding shares of common stock.

For information regarding our Employee Stock Award Program and other equity compensation plans, see Note K 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

The following performance graph compares the performance of our common stock with the S&P 500 Index, the Alerian 
Midstream Energy Select Index and a ONEOK Peer Group during the period beginning on December 31, 2017, and ending on 
December 31, 2022.  

Value of a $100 Investment, Assuming Reinvestment of Distributions/Dividends,
at December 31, 2017, and at the End of Every Year Through December 31, 2022.

2018

2019

Cumulative Total Return
Years Ended December 31,
2020

2021

2022

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

$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

106.28  $ 
95.62  $ 
88.62  $ 
82.33  $ 

157.06  $ 
125.72  $ 
104.19  $ 
100.72  $ 

88.96  $ 
148.85  $ 
76.75  $ 
77.13  $ 

146.64  $ 
191.58  $ 
102.24  $ 
108.56  $ 

174.36 
156.88 
129.86 
129.35 

(a) - The current 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.; Western Midstream Partners, LP; and The Williams Companies, Inc.
(b) - The Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index measures the composite performance of approximately 29 North American energy 
infrastructure companies who are engaged in midstream activities involving energy commodities.

ITEM 6. 

[RESERVED]

36

ONEOK, Inc.S&P 500 IndexONEOK Peer GroupAlerian Midstream Energy Select Index201720182019202020212022$0$50$100$150$200$250 
 
 
ITEM 7. 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS 
OF OPERATIONS

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 in 2022, compared with 2021, due primarily to increased producer 
activity across our operations, higher realized commodity prices, net of hedging and higher average fee rates.  In 2023, we expect 
to benefit from higher volumes, our completed Demicks Lake III natural gas processing plant and the expected completion of our 
MB-5 NGL fractionator, highlighting our extensive and integrated assets that are located in some of the most productive shale 
basins in the United States.

Medford Incident - On July 9, 2022, a fire occurred at our 210 MBbl/d Medford, Oklahoma, natural gas liquids fractionation 
facility.  All personnel were safe and accounted for with temporary evacuations of local residents taken as a precautionary 
measure.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2022, includes the unfavorable impact of our $5 million property deductible and 
approximately $30 million of losses incurred associated with the 45-day waiting period for business interruption coverage.  
Beginning in August 2022, we developed claims related to the Medford incident and recorded accruals for expected insurance 
recoveries.  The table below sets forth our 2022 insurance accruals associated with the Medford incident:

2022 Insurance Accruals

Business interruption
Noncash property losses
Medford response expenses
Total insurance recoveries accrued (a)

(Millions of dollars)

$ 

$ 

96.1 
45.6 
9.0 
150.7 

(a) - We received a $100 million payment in the fourth quarter 2022, leaving a receivable balance at December 31, 2022, of $50.7 million.

Our business interruption insurance includes coverage for (i) incurred costs and losses that are either unavoidable or incurred to 
mitigate or reduce losses and (ii) lost earnings.  Our business interruption insurance accruals in the table above primarily 
represent third-party fractionation costs and fully offset the actual losses incurred in 2022, subsequent to the 45-day waiting 
period. 

We assessed the property damage to our facility and wrote off assets totaling $45.6 million, which represents the carrying value 
associated with certain damaged Medford facility property.  These noncash property losses are fully offset by insurance 
recoveries noted in the table above.  We expect to continue to operate NGL pipeline assets in Medford along with existing 
offices for regional operations.  In addition, we are preserving certain Medford assets for future potential NGL facilities that 
could be constructed in Medford to enhance our NGL business as the market evolves.  For additional information on the 
Medford incident, see Note B of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report. 

Subsequent Event - On January 9, 2023, we reached an agreement with our insurers to settle all claims for physical damage and 
business interruption related to the Medford incident.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, we agreed to resolve the 
claims for total insurance payments of $930 million, $100 million of which was received in 2022.  The remaining $830 million 
was received in the first quarter 2023.  The proceeds serve as settlement for property damage, business interruption claims to the 
date of settlement and as payment in lieu of future business interruption insurance claims. 

In the first quarter 2023, we applied the $830 million received to our outstanding insurance receivable at December 31, 2022, of 
$50.7 million, and recorded a gain in operating income for the remaining $779.3 million.  We expect our cash from operations in 
the remainder of 2023 and in 2024 to be impacted by incurred costs and losses resulting from the Medford incident for which we 
will no longer receive business interruption proceeds.  

37

 
 
Due to market demand and a more favorable completion schedule, we announced plans to construct a new 125 MBbl/d MB-6 
NGL fractionator in Mont Belvieu, Texas, instead of rebuilding our Medford NGL fractionator at this time.  The MB-6 
fractionator will have the capability to produce purity ethane instead of the ethane/propane mix previously produced at the 
Medford facility.  The 125 MBbl/d capacity of the MB-6 fractionator is expected to be economically equivalent to the capacity 
lost at Medford.  In addition, our 125 MBbl/d MB-5 NGL fractionator remains on schedule to be completed early in the second 
quarter of 2023, which is expected to reduce the need for third-party fractionation while the new MB-6 fractionator is being 
constructed.  Until these projects are completed, we expect to continue to provide midstream services through existing 
arrangements with industry peers, along with our integrated NGL pipeline system between the Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast 
regions and our fractionation and storage assets.  

Ethane Production - Price differentials between ethane and natural gas can cause natural gas processors to extract ethane or 
leave it in the natural gas stream, known as ethane rejection.  As a result of these ethane economics, ethane volumes on our 
system can fluctuate.  In the second half of 2022, ethane prices decreased relative to natural gas prices, as overall demand 
decreased, and were further impacted by lower petrochemical plant utilization, both planned and unplanned.  This resulted in 
higher ethane rejection across most basins where we operate, with the largest impact in the Mid-Continent region, compared with 
the first half of 2022.  As utilization increases and demand for feedstock returns, we expect improvement in ethane economics; 
however, price fluctuations are expected to continue.  

Ethane volumes under long-term contracts delivered to our NGL system increased approximately 20 MBbl/d to an average of 
450 MBbl/d in 2022, compared with 430 MBbl/d in 2021, 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 approximately 100 MBbl/d in the Mid-Continent region, that can be recovered and transported on our 
system.

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

Demicks Lake III plant

Natural Gas Liquids
MB-5 fractionator
MB-6 fractionator
Natural Gas Pipelines

Project

Scope

Natural Gas Gathering and Processing

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)
$188

Completion

Completed

125 MBbl/d NGL fractionator in Mont Belvieu, Texas
125 MBbl/d NGL fractionator in Mont Belvieu, Texas

$750
$550

Second Quarter 2023
First Quarter 2025

Viking compressor stations

Electrification and replacement of certain compressor assets

$95

Third Quarter 2023

(a) - Excludes capitalized interest/AFUDC.

Debt Issuances and Repayments - In November 2022, we completed an underwritten public offering of $750 million, 6.1% 
senior unsecured notes due 2032.  The net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses, 
were $742 million.  The proceeds were used primarily to repay all outstanding amounts under our commercial paper program.  
The remainder was used for general corporate purposes.

In July 2022, we redeemed the remaining $895.8 million of our 3.375% senior notes due October 2022 at 100% of the principal 
amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, with cash on hand and short-term borrowings. 

Subsequent event - We elected to redeem our $425 million, 5.0% senior notes due September 2023, with a redemption effective 
date in late February 2023.  We expect the redemption price to equal 100% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and 
unpaid interest, which we will pay with cash on hand.

Dividends - During 2022, we paid common stock dividends totaling $3.74 per share, which is consistent with the prior year.  In 
February 2023, we paid a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.955 per share ($3.82 per share on an annualized basis), an 
increase of 2% compared with the same quarter in the prior year.  Our dividend growth is primarily due to the increase in cash 
flows resulting from the growth of our operations.

38

FINANCIAL RESULTS AND OPERATING INFORMATION

How We Evaluate Our Operations

Management uses a variety of financial and operating metrics to analyze our performance.  Our consolidated financial metrics 
include: (1) operating income; (2) net income; (3) diluted EPS; and (4) adjusted EBITDA.  We evaluate segment operating 
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/price.  Management uses these metrics to analyze historical segment financial results and as the 
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.

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 impairment charges, 
income taxes, allowance for equity funds used during construction, noncash compensation 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 comparable with similarly titled measures of other 
companies.

Consolidated Operations

Selected Financial Results - The following table sets forth certain selected financial results for the periods indicated:

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
Other operating (income) expense, net

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,
2021

2022

2020
(Millions of dollars, except per share amounts)

$ Increase (Decrease)

2022 vs. 2021

2021 vs. 2020

$ 

$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

20,975.5  $ 
1,411.4 
22,386.9 

15,180.3  $ 
1,360.0 
16,540.3 

17,909.9 
1,149.7 
626.1 
— 
(106.2) 
2,807.4  $ 
147.7  $ 
—  $ 
(675.9)  $ 
1,722.2  $ 
3.84  $ 
3,619.7  $ 
1,202.1  $ 

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 

5,795.2 
51.4 
5,846.6 

5,653.2 
82.7 
4.4 
— 
104.8 
211.1 
25.2 
— 
(57.0) 
222.5 
0.49 
240.0 
505.2 

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) 

See reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section.

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

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2022, includes $96.1 million of business interruption insurance recoveries, 
which are included in the other operating (income) expense, net line item above, and an approximately $30 million unfavorable 
impact from the 45-day business interruption coverage waiting period related to the Medford incident in our Natural Gas 
Liquids segment. 

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022 vs. 2021 - Operating income increased $211.1 million primarily as a result of the following:

•

•

•

•

Natural Gas Gathering and Processing - an increase of $127.7 million due primarily to higher realized commodity 
prices, net of hedging, and higher average fee rates and $53.8 million from higher volumes in the Rocky Mountain and 
Mid-Continent regions; and 
Natural Gas Liquids - an increase of $102.8 million in exchange services related primarily to higher average fee rates 
and higher volumes in the Rocky Mountain region and Permian Basin, offset partially by higher fuel and power costs 
and third-party fractionation costs; an increase of $46.2 million due to the unfavorable impact of Winter Storm Uri in 
the first quarter 2021 and $18.2 million in higher optimization and marketing earnings; offset by
Natural Gas Pipelines - a decrease of $134.7 million due to the favorable impact of Winter Storm Uri in the first 
quarter 2021, offset partially by increases of $92.1 million due primarily to higher storage and transportation services, 
higher average earnings on natural gas sales and higher pricing on compression services; and
Consolidated Operating Costs - an increase of $82.7 million due primarily to higher outside services, materials and 
supplies expense and property taxes, related primarily to the growth of our operations. 

Net income and diluted EPS increased due primarily to the items discussed above, lower interest expense related to increased 
capitalized interest and lower debt balances and higher equity in net earnings from investments.  These increases were offset 
partially by higher income taxes and losses related to the mark-to-market of investments associated with certain benefit plan 
investments. 

Capital expenditures increased due primarily to our capital-growth projects, including the construction of our Demicks Lake III 
natural gas processing plant, our MB-5 fractionator and the Viking compression project. 

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

Selected Financial Results and Operating Information for the Year Ended December 31, 2021 vs. 2020 - The consolidated 
and segment financial results and operating information for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared with the year ended 
December 31, 2020, are included in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results 
of Operations of our 2021 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.

Natural Gas Gathering and Processing

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 capital-growth 
projects.

For a discussion of our capital expenditure financing, see “Capital Expenditures” in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” 
section.

40

Selected Financial Results and Operating Information - The following tables set forth certain selected financial results and 
operating information for our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment for the periods indicated:

Financial Results

2022

Years Ended December 31,
2021

2020
(Millions of dollars)

2022 vs. 2021

2021 vs. 2020

$ 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
Adjusted EBITDA
Impairment charges
Capital expenditures

$ 

3,690.2  $ 
2,674.4 

2,821.2  $ 
1,483.9 

168.9 

156.4 

889.4 
771.5 

159.2 

869.0 
1,190.5 

1,931.8 
712.4 

12.5 

(2.8) 

(5,116.6) 

(3,226.1) 

(844.0) 

1,890.5 

2,382.1 

(386.6) 
4.9 
1.4 
1,036.6  $ 
—  $ 
444.9  $ 

$ 
$ 
$ 

(351.4) 
3.8 
1.3 
889.1  $ 
—  $ 
275.2  $ 

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

35.2 
1.1 
0.1 
147.5 
— 
169.7 

31.4 
4.9 
6.3 
239.1 
(566.1) 
(170.9) 

See reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA in the “Non-GAAP Financial 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. 

2022 vs. 2021 - Adjusted EBITDA increased $147.5 million, primarily as a result of the following:

•

•

•

an increase of $127.7 million due primarily to higher realized commodity prices, net of hedging, and average fee rates; 
and
an increase of $53.8 million from higher volumes due primarily to increased producer activity in the Rocky Mountain 
and Mid-Continent regions, offset partially by the impact of winter weather in the Rocky Mountain region in the 
second and fourth quarters of 2022; offset by
an increase of $35.2 million in operating costs due primarily to higher materials and supplies expense due primarily to 
the growth of our operations and higher outside services.

Capital expenditures increased due primarily to growth projects, including our Demicks Lake III project.

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

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

Years Ended December 31,
2021

2020

2022

2,852 
2,612 
1.10  $ 

2,736 
2,515 
1.04  $ 

2,553 
2,364 
0.89 

$ 

2022 vs. 2021 - Our natural gas gathered and natural gas processed volumes increased due primarily to increased producer 
activity in the Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions, offset partially by the unfavorable impact of winter weather in the 
Rocky Mountain region in the second and fourth quarters of 2022. 

Our average fee rate increased due primarily to increased contribution of volumes on higher fee contracts in the Williston Basin 
and inflation-based escalators in our contracts.  Also, for certain fee with POP contracts, our contractual fees increased due to 
production volumes, delivery pressures, or commodity prices relative to specified contractual thresholds.

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

Natural Gas Liquids

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 

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
diversified supply basins from the Rocky Mountain region through the Mid-Continent region and the Permian Basin with purity 
NGLs 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 capital-growth projects.

In 2022, we connected one third-party natural gas processing plant in the Permian Basin and one raw feed truck terminal in the 
Mid-Continent region to our NGL system.  In addition, one third-party natural gas processing plant in the Permian Basin 
connected to our system was expanded. 

For a discussion of our capital expenditure financing, see “Capital Expenditures” in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” 
section.

Selected Financial Results and Operating Information - The following tables set forth certain selected financial results and 
operating information for our Natural Gas Liquids segment for the periods indicated:

Financial Results

2022

Years Ended December 31,
2021

2020
(Millions of dollars)

2022 vs. 2021

2021 vs. 2020

$ Increase (Decrease)

NGL and condensate sales
Exchange service and other revenues
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
Adjusted EBITDA
Impairment charges
Capital expenditures

$ 

$ 
$ 
$ 

18,329.3  $ 
557.5 
180.0 

13,653.1  $ 
559.2 
179.6 

6,409.3 
497.8 
182.9 

4,676.2 
(1.7) 
0.4 

7,243.8 
61.4 
(3.3) 

(16,546.1) 

(11,939.7) 

(5,108.6) 

4,606.4 

6,831.1 

(548.2) 
34.6 
88.1 
2,095.2  $ 
—  $ 
580.8  $ 

(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 

48.8 
13.6 
98.3 
131.6 
— 
273.9 

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

See reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA in the “Non-GAAP Measures” section.

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

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2022, includes $96.1 million of business interruption insurance recoveries, 
which are included in the other line item above, and an approximately $30 million unfavorable impact from the 45-day business 
interruption coverage waiting period related to the Medford incident. 

2022 vs. 2021 - Adjusted EBITDA increased $131.6 million primarily as a result of the following:

•

an increase of $102.8 million in exchange services (excluding the impact of Winter Storm Uri discussed below) due 
primarily to:

◦

◦

◦

◦

$186.3 million in higher average fee rates, primarily as a result of inflation-based and fuel cost escalators in 
our contracts,
$50.1 million in higher volumes primarily in the Rocky Mountain region and Permian Basin, offset partially 
by lower volumes in the Mid-Continent region, offset by
$129.9 million in higher costs, primarily fuel and power costs and third-party fractionation costs.  A portion 
of the third-party fractionation costs relate to the 45-day Medford incident business interruption coverage 
waiting period, and
$12.9 million related to recognition of proceeds previously considered a gain contingency in 2021; and
an increase of $46.2 million in exchange services due to the unfavorable impact of Winter Storm Uri in the first quarter 
2021;
an increase of $18.2 million in optimization and marketing due primarily to wider location and commodity price 
differentials, offset partially by nonrecurring activities in the first quarter 2021 during Winter Storm Uri; and
an increase of $13.6 million in equity in net earnings from investments due primarily to higher volumes delivered to 
the Overland Pass pipeline; offset by
an increase of $48.8 million in operating costs due primarily to higher property taxes associated with our completed 
capital-growth projects and higher outside services. 

•

•

•

•

42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures increased due primarily to capital-growth projects, including our MB-5 fractionator. 

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

Years Ended December 31,
2021

2020

2022

1,237 

1,198 

1,084 

$ 

0.04  $ 

(0.01)  $ 

0.01 

(a) - Represents physical raw feed volumes for which we provide transportation and/or fractionation services.

We generally expect ethane volumes to increase or decrease with corresponding increases or decreases in overall NGL 
production.  However, ethane volumes may experience growth or decline greater than corresponding growth or decline in 
overall NGL production due to ethane economics causing producers to extract or reject ethane. 

2022 vs. 2021 - Volumes increased due primarily to increased NGL production in the Rocky Mountain region and Permian 
Basin, and higher ethane volumes from incentivized ethane recovery in the Rocky Mountain region, offset partially by 
decreased ethane recovery in the Mid-Continent region due to ethane economics.  Volumes also benefited from the unfavorable 
impact of Winter Storm Uri in the first quarter 2021, offset partially by the impact of winter weather in the Rocky Mountain 
region in the second and fourth quarters of 2022. 

Natural Gas Pipelines

Growth Projects - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment invests in projects that provide transportation and storage services to 
end users.  In December 2022, our Saguaro Connector Pipeline L.L.C. subsidiary filed a Presidential Permit application with 
the FERC to construct and operate new international border-crossing facilities at the U.S. and Mexico border.  The proposed 
border facilities would connect upstream with a potential intrastate pipeline, the Saguaro Connector Pipeline, which would be 
owned and operated by ONEOK.  Additionally, the proposed border facilities would connect at the international boundary with 
a new pipeline under development in Mexico for delivery to a liquefied natural gas export facility on the west coast of Mexico.  
The final investment decision on the pipeline is expected by mid-2023.  

See “Growth Projects” in the “Recent Developments” section for discussion of our capital-growth projects.

For a discussion of our capital expenditure financing, see “Capital Expenditures” in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” 
section.

Selected Financial Results and Operating Information - The following tables set forth certain selected financial results and 
operating information for our Natural Gas Pipelines segment for the periods indicated:

Years Ended December 31,

2022 vs. 2021

2021 vs. 2020

Financial Results

2022

2021

2020
(Millions of dollars)

$ Increase (Decrease)

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
Adjusted EBITDA
Capital expenditures

$ 

$ 
$ 

408.8  $ 
130.5 
39.2 

412.9  $ 
77.6 
116.4 

401.7 
68.4 
9.9 

(25.4) 

(11.2) 

(6.8) 

(174.1) 
108.2 
1.2 
488.4  $ 
123.4  $ 

(162.1) 
97.8 
(3.6) 
527.8  $ 
92.6  $ 

(137.2) 
104.4 
(3.0) 
437.4 
71.9 

See reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA in the “Non-GAAP Measures” section.

2022 vs. 2021 - Adjusted EBITDA decreased $39.4 million primarily as a result of the following:

(4.1) 
52.9 
(77.2) 

14.2 

12.0 
10.4 
4.8 
(39.4) 
30.8 

11.2 
9.2 
106.5 

4.4 

24.9 
(6.6) 
(0.6) 
90.4 
20.7 

•

•
•

a decrease of $134.7 million due to the favorable impact of Winter Storm Uri in the first quarter 2021 on natural gas 
sales of volumes previously held in inventory, interruptible transportation revenue and park and loan revenue; and
an increase of $12.0 million in operating expenses due primarily to higher outside services, offset by
an increase of $51.5 million in storage services due primarily to higher storage rates on renegotiated contracts;

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•

•

•

an increase of $23.1 million in transportation services due primarily to higher interruptible revenue, excluding the 
impact of Winter Storm Uri in the first quarter 2021 noted above, and higher firm transportation revenue;
an increase of $17.5 million due primarily to higher average earnings on natural gas sales of volumes previously held 
in inventory, excluding the impact of Winter Storm Uri in the first quarter 2021 noted above, and higher pricing on 
compression services; and
an increase of $10.4 million from higher equity in net earnings from investments due primarily to increased volumes 
on Northern Border and higher firm transportation rates on Roadrunner. 

Capital expenditures increased in 2022 due primarily to capital-growth projects, including the Viking compression project. 

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

(a) - Includes volumes for consolidated entities only.

Years Ended December 31,
2021

2020

2022

7,428 

 94 %

7,395 

 95 %

7,461 

 96 %

In April 2022, the FERC initiated a review of Guardian’s rates pursuant to Section 5 of the Natural Gas Act.  In August 2022, 
Guardian reached a settlement in principle with the participants in the Section 5 rate case.  The FERC approved the settlement 
in February 2023, which will result in a future reduction of rates.  We do not expect the reduced rates to have a material impact 
on our results of operations.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income, the nearest comparable GAAP financial performance measure, to 
adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated:

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

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

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

2022

Years Ended December 31,
2021
(Thousands of dollars)
$  1,722,221  $  1,499,706  $ 

2020

612,809 

675,946 
626,132 
527,424 
— 
70,502 
(2,551) 

712,886 
578,662 
189,507 
644,930 
8,540 
(23,661) 
$  3,619,674  $  3,379,740  $  2,723,673 

732,924 
621,701 
484,498 
— 
42,592 
(1,681) 

889,127  $ 

$  1,036,633  $ 
2,095,212 
488,432 
(603) 

650,036 
1,617,241 
437,426 
18,970 
$  3,619,674  $  3,379,740  $  2,723,673 

1,963,639 
527,810 
(836) 

(a) - Years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, includes a loss of $18.8 million, and benefits of $10.4 million and $19.8 million, 
respectively, related to the mark-to-market of investments associated with certain benefit plan investments.
(b) - Year ended December 31, 2020, includes corporate net gains of $22.3 million on extinguishment of debt related to open market 
repurchases.

CONTINGENCIES

See Note O 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 from such 

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, are not material.  Additionally, we believe the probable final outcome of such 
proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

General - Our primary sources of cash inflows are operating cash flows, proceeds from our commercial paper program and our 
$2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, debt issuances and the issuance of common stock for our liquidity and capital resources 
requirements.  

On January 9, 2023, we reached an agreement with our insurers to settle all claims for physical damage and business 
interruption related to the Medford incident.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, we agreed to resolve the claims for 
total insurance payments of $930 million, $100 million of which was received in 2022.  The remaining $830 million was 
received in the first quarter 2023.  The proceeds serve as settlement for property damage, business interruption claims to the 
date of settlement and as payment in lieu of future business interruption insurance claims.  We expect our cash from operations 
in the remainder of 2023 and in 2024 to be impacted by incurred costs and losses resulting from the Medford incident for which 
we will no longer receive business interruption proceeds.

We expect our sources of cash inflows to provide sufficient resources to finance our operations, quarterly cash dividends, 
capital expenditures and maturities of long-term debt.  We believe we have sufficient liquidity due to our $2.5 Billion Credit 
Agreement, which expires in June 2027, 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.

We may manage interest-rate risk through the use of fixed-rate debt, floating-rate debt and interest-rate swaps.  For additional 
information on our interest-rate swaps, see Note D of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

Guarantees and Cash Management - 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 senior unsecured indebtedness.  As ONEOK Partners and the 
Intermediate Partnership are consolidated subsidiaries of ONEOK, separate financial statements for the guarantors are not 
required, as long as the alternative disclosure required by Rule 13-01 is provided, which includes narrative disclosure and 
summarized financial information.  The Intermediate Partnership holds all of ONEOK Partners’ interests and equity in its 
subsidiaries, which are nonguarantors, and substantially all the assets and operations reside with nonguarantor operating 
subsidiaries.  Therefore, as allowed under Rule 13-01, we have excluded the summarized financial information for each issuer 
and guarantor as the combined financial 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 G of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

We use a centralized cash management program that concentrates the cash assets of our nonguarantor operating subsidiaries in 
joint accounts for the purposes of providing financial flexibility and lowering the cost of borrowing, transaction costs and bank 
fees.  Our centralized cash management program provides that funds in excess of the daily needs of our operating subsidiaries 
are concentrated, consolidated or otherwise made available 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 from our equity-method investments, proceeds from our commercial paper program and our $2.5 Billion 
Credit Agreement.  

We had working capital (defined as current assets less current liabilities) deficits of $503.9 million and $810.2 million as of 
December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively.  Although working capital is influenced by several factors, 
including, among other things: (i) the timing of (a) debt and equity issuances, (b) the funding of capital expenditures, 
(c) scheduled debt repayments, and (d) accounts receivable and payable; and (ii) the volume and cost of inventory and 
commodity imbalances, our working capital deficits at December 31, 2022 and 2021, were driven primarily by current 
maturities of long-term debt.  We may have working capital deficits in future periods as we continue to repay long-term debt.  
We do not expect this working capital deficit to have an adverse impact to our cash flows or operations.

45

At December 31, 2022, we had no borrowings under our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement and $220.2 million of cash and cash 
equivalents.

In June 2022, we amended and restated our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, which matures in June 2027.  As of December 31, 
2022, we are in compliance with all covenants of our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement.

For additional information on our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, see Note G 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 
to, issuing common stock, loans from financial institutions, issuance of convertible debt securities or preferred equity securities, 
asset securitization and the sale and lease-back of facilities.

Debt Issuances - In November 2022, we completed an underwritten public offering of $750 million, 6.1% senior unsecured 
notes due 2032.  The net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses, were 
$742 million.  The proceeds were used primarily to repay all outstanding amounts under our commercial paper program.  The 
remainder was used for general corporate purposes.

In June 2022, Guardian entered into a $120 million unsecured term loan agreement.  During the second quarter 2022, Guardian 
drew the full $120 million available under the agreement and used the proceeds to repay intercompany debt with ONEOK.

Debt Repayments - In July 2022, we redeemed the remaining $895.8 million of our 3.375% senior notes due October 2022 at 
100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, with cash on hand and short-term borrowings. 

Subsequent event - We elected to redeem our $425 million, 5.0% senior notes due September 2023, with a redemption effective 
date in late February 2023.  We expect the redemption price to equal 100% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued 
and unpaid interest, which we will pay with cash on hand.

Material Commitments - We have material cash commitments related to our capital expenditures, senior notes and 
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 G 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.

Capital Expenditures - We classify expenditures that are expected to generate additional revenue, return on investment or 
significant operating or environmental efficiencies as growth capital expenditures.  Maintenance capital expenditures are those 
capital expenditures required to maintain our existing assets and operations and do not generate additional revenues.  
Maintenance capital expenditures are made to replace partially or fully depreciated assets, to maintain the existing operating 
capacity of our assets and to extend their useful lives.  Our capital expenditures are financed typically through operating cash 
flows and short- and long-term debt.

The following table sets forth our growth and maintenance capital expenditures, excluding AFUDC, for the periods indicated:

Capital Expenditures

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

2022

2021
(Millions of dollars)

2020

$ 

$ 

444.9  $ 
580.8 
123.4 
53.0 
1,202.1  $ 

275.2  $ 
306.9 
92.6 
22.2 
696.9  $ 

446.1 
1,655.8 
71.9 
21.6 
2,195.4 

Capital expenditures increased in 2022, compared with 2021, due primarily to our capital-growth projects, including the 
construction of our Demicks Lake III natural gas processing plant, our MB-5 fractionator and the Viking compression project.  
See discussion of our announced capital-growth projects in the “Recent Developments” section. 

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We expect total capital expenditures, excluding AFUDC and capitalized interest, of $1.3-$1.5 billion in 2023.

Credit Ratings - Our long-term debt credit ratings as of February 21, 2023, are shown in the table below:

Rating Agency
Moody’s
S&P
Fitch

Long-Term Rating
Baa3
BBB
BBB

Short-Term Rating
Prime-3
A-2
F2

Outlook
Positive
Stable
Stable

Our credit ratings, which are investment grade, may be affected by our leverage, liquidity, credit profile or potential 
transactions.  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 2027.  An adverse credit 
rating change alone is not a default under our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement.

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 form of cash, letters of credit or other negotiable instruments as a condition of continuing to 
conduct business with such counterparties.  We may be required to fund margin requirements with our counterparties with cash, 
letters of credit or other negotiable instruments.

Dividends - Holders of our common stock share equally in any common stock dividends declared by our Board of Directors, 
subject to the rights of the holders of outstanding preferred stock.  In 2022, we paid common stock dividends of $3.74 per share, 
which is consistent with prior year.  In February 2023, we paid a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.955 per share ($3.82 
per share on an annualized basis), an increase of 2% compared 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 2022, we paid dividends of $1.1 million for the Series E Preferred Stock.  
In February 2023, we paid quarterly dividends totaling $0.3 million for the Series E Preferred Stock.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, our cash flows from operations exceeded dividends paid by $1.2 billion.  We expect our 
cash flows from operations to continue to sufficiently fund our cash dividends.  To the extent operating cash flows are not 
sufficient to fund our dividends, we may utilize cash on hand from other sources of short- and long-term liquidity to fund a 
portion of our dividends.

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 for those items that affect net income but do not 
result in actual cash receipts or payments during the period and for operating cash items that do not impact net income.  These 
reconciling items can include depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, allowance for equity funds used during 
construction, gain or loss on sale of assets, deferred income taxes, net undistributed earnings from equity-method investments, 
share-based compensation expense, other amounts and changes in our assets and liabilities not classified as investing or 
financing activities.

47

The following table sets forth the changes in cash flows by operating, investing and financing activities for the periods 
indicated:

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

2022

Years Ended December 31,
2021
(Millions of dollars)

2020

$ 

$ 

2,906.0  $ 
(1,139.3) 
(1,692.9) 
73.8 
146.4 
220.2  $ 

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 

Operating Cash Flows - Operating cash flows are affected by earnings from our business activities and changes in our 
operating assets and liabilities.  Changes in commodity prices and demand for our services or products, whether because of 
general economic conditions, changes in supply, changes in demand for 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 gas inventory balances, which are driven primarily by 
commodity prices, supply, demand and the operation of our assets.

2022 vs. 2021 - Cash flows from operating activities, before changes in operating assets and liabilities, increased $214.5 million 
due primarily to higher net income resulting from higher realized commodity prices, net of hedging, and higher average fee 
rates in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment and higher exchange services in our Natural Gas Liquids segment.  
These increases were offset partially by the impact of Winter Storm Uri in our Natural Gas Pipelines segment in the first quarter 
2021, as discussed in “Financial Results and Operating Information.”

The changes in operating assets and liabilities increased operating cash flows $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 
2022, compared with a decrease of $141.8 million for the same period in 2021.  The change is due primarily to changes in risk 
management assets and liabilities, which include the gains associated with the settlements of forward-starting interest rate 
swaps in 2022 and changes in the fair value of risk-management assets and liabilities; accounts receivable resulting from the 
timing of receipt of cash from customers and NGLs and natural gas in inventory, both of which vary from period to period and 
with changes in commodity prices; offset partially by changes in accounts payable, which also vary from period to period with 
changes in commodity prices, and from the timing of payments to vendors, suppliers and other third parties and changes in 
other assets and liabilities.

Investing Cash Flows

2022 vs. 2021 - Cash used in investing activities increased $474.0 million due primarily to capital expenditures related to our 
capital-growth projects.

Financing Cash Flows

2022 vs. 2021 - Cash used in financing activities decreased $566.2 million due primarily to the issuance of long-term debt in 
2022.

Cash Flow Analysis for the Year Ended December 31, 2021 vs. 2020 - The cash flow analysis for the year ended 
December 31, 2021, compared with the year ended December 31, 2020, is included in Part II, Item 7, Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our 2021 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.

48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 defined as those estimates and 
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.

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.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of a 
derivative instrument depends on whether it qualifies and has been designated as part of a hedging relationship.  When possible, 
we implement effective hedging strategies using derivative financial instruments that qualify as hedges for accounting purposes.  
We have not used derivative instruments for trading purposes.  For a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss 
from a change in fair value of the derivative instrument is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive loss until the forecasted 
transaction affects earnings, at which time the fair value of the derivative instrument is reclassified into earnings. 

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 majority 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 currently 
in earnings.  Additionally, if a cash flow hedge ceases to qualify for hedge accounting treatment because it is no longer 
probable 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.

See Notes A, C and D 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 factors and overall financial performance) to determine whether it is more likely than 
not that the fair value of each of our reporting units is less than its carrying amount.  If further testing is necessary or a 
quantitative test is elected, we perform a Step 1 analysis for goodwill impairment.

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 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.  

We assess our long-lived assets, including intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that an asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable.  An impairment is indicated if the carrying amount of a long-
lived asset exceeds the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of 
the asset.  If an impairment is indicated, we record an impairment loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and 
the fair value of the long-lived asset. 

Our impairment tests require the use of assumptions and estimates, such as industry economic factors and the profitability of 
future business strategies.  To estimate undiscounted future cash flows of long-lived assets, we may apply a probability-
weighted approach that incorporates different assumptions and potential outcomes related to the underlying long-lived assets.  
The evaluation is performed at the lowest level for which separately identifiable cash flows exist.  To estimate the fair value of 

49

these assets, we use two generally accepted valuation approaches, an income approach and a market approach.  Under the 
income approach, our discounted cash flow analysis 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 capital 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 
approach.  If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and estimates or our assumptions and estimates change due 
to new information, we may be exposed to future impairment charges.

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

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 assumptions 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) competition, (ii) laws and regulations that limit the estimated economic life of an asset, 
(iii) technology that render an asset obsolete, (iv) expected salvage values, (v) results of rate cases or rate settlements on 
regulated assets and (vi) 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 E of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for additional discussion of property, plant 
and equipment.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements contained and incorporated in this Annual Report are forward-looking statements as defined under 
federal securities laws.  The forward-looking statements relate to our anticipated financial performance (including projected 
operating income, net income, capital expenditures, cash flows and projected levels of dividends), liquidity, management’s 
plans and objectives for our future capital-growth projects and other future operations (including plans to construct additional 
natural gas and NGL pipelines, processing and fractionation facilities and related cost estimates), our business prospects, the 
outcome of regulatory and legal proceedings, market conditions and other matters.  We make these forward-looking statements 
in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under federal securities legislation and other applicable laws.  The following 
discussion is intended to identify important factors that could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those set forth in 
the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements and other statements in this Annual Report regarding our environmental, social and other 
sustainability targets, plans and goals are not an indication that these statements are required to be disclosed in our filings with 
the SEC, or that we will continue to make similar statements in the same extent or manner in future filings.  In addition, 
historical, current and forward-looking environmental, social and sustainability-related statements may be based on standards 
and processes for measuring progress that are still developing and that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to 
change in the future.

Forward-looking statements include the items identified in the preceding paragraph, the information concerning possible or 
assumed future results of our operations and other statements contained or incorporated in this Annual Report identified by 
words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intend,” 
“may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “scheduled,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and other words 
and terms of similar meaning.

50

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 results, performance or 
achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements.  Those factors may affect our operations, markets, products, 
services and prices.  In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with the forward-
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:

•

•

•

•
•
•

•

•
•

•

•

•

•
•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•
•
•
•

the impact of inflationary pressures, including increased interest rates, which may increase our capital expenditures 
and operating costs, raise the cost of capital or depress economic growth;
the impact on drilling and production by factors beyond our control, including the demand for natural gas, NGLs and 
crude oil; producers’ desire and ability to drill and obtain necessary permits; regulatory compliance; reserve 
performance; and capacity constraints and/or shut downs on the pipelines that transport crude oil, natural gas and 
NGLs from producing areas and our facilities;
risks associated with adequate supply to our gathering, processing, fractionation and pipeline facilities, including 
production declines that outpace 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 situations or extended periods of ethane rejection;
demand for our services and products in the proximity of our facilities;
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;
the possibility of future terrorist attacks or the possibility or occurrence of an outbreak of, or changes in, hostilities or 
changes in the political conditions throughout the world, including the current conflict in Ukraine and the surrounding 
region;
performance of contractual obligations by our customers, service providers, contractors and shippers;
the effects of changes in governmental policies and regulatory actions, including changes with respect to income and 
other taxes, pipeline safety, environmental compliance, cybersecurity, climate change initiatives, emissions credits, 
carbon offsets, carbon pricing, production limits and authorized rates of recovery of natural gas and natural gas 
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 impact of the transformation to a lower-carbon economy, including the timing and extent of the transformation, as 
well as the expected role of different energy sources, including natural gas, NGLs and crude oil, in such a 
transformation;
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 function, including mitigating cyber- and climate-related risks;
our ability to identify and execute opportunities, and the economic viability of those opportunities, including those 
relating to renewable natural gas, carbon capture, use and storage, other renewable energy sources such as solar and 
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 transformation to, various renewable and alternative energy opportunities, including through the positioning and 
optimization of our assets;
our ability to efficiently reduce our GHG emissions (both Scope 1 and 2 emissions), including through the use of lower 
carbon power alternatives, management practices and system optimizations;
the necessity to focus on maintaining and enhancing our existing assets while reducing our Scope 1 and 2 GHG 
emissions;
the effects of weather and other natural phenomena and the effects of climate change (including physical and 
transformation-related effects) on our operations, demand for our services and commodity prices;
acts of nature, sabotage, terrorism or other similar acts that cause damage to our facilities or our suppliers’, customers’ 
or shippers’ facilities;
the inability of insurance proceeds to cover all liabilities or incurred costs and losses, or lost earnings, resulting from a 
loss;
delays in receiving insurance proceeds from covered losses;
the risk of increased costs for insurance premiums;
increased costs associated with insurance coverage, 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 abide by agreements to reduce production volumes;

51

•

•

•
•

•

•
•

•

•

•

•
•
•

•
•

•
•

•
•

•
•
•
•
•

•

•
•
•
•

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 capacity on favorable terms, including the effects of:
–  future demand for and prices of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil;
–  competitive conditions in the overall energy market;
–  availability of supplies of United States natural gas and crude oil; and
–  availability of additional storage capacity;

the efficiency of our plants in processing natural gas and extracting and fractionating NGLs;
the composition and quality of the natural gas and NGLs we gather and process in our plants and transport on our 
pipelines;
risks of marketing, trading and hedging activities, including the risks of changes in commodity prices or the financial 
condition of our counterparties;
our ability to control operating costs and make cost-saving changes;
the risks 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, 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 facilities and pipelines operated;
the capital-intensive nature of our businesses;
the impact of unforeseen changes in interest rates, debt and equity markets, inflation rates, economic recession and 
other external factors over which we have no control, including the effect on pension and postretirement expense and 
funding resulting from changes in equity and bond market returns;
actions by rating agencies concerning our credit;
our indebtedness and guarantee obligations could cause adverse consequences, including making us vulnerable to 
general adverse economic and industry conditions, limiting our ability to borrow additional funds and placing us at 
competitive disadvantages compared with our competitors that have less debt;
our ability to access capital at competitive rates or on terms acceptable to us;
our ability to acquire all necessary permits, consents or other approvals in a timely manner, to promptly obtain all 
necessary materials and supplies required for construction, and to construct gathering, processing, fractionation, 
transportation and storage facilities without labor or contractor problems;
our ability to control construction costs and completion schedules of our pipelines and other projects;
difficulties 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 profitability of assets or businesses acquired or constructed by us;
the risks associated with pending or possible acquisitions and dispositions, including our ability to finance or integrate 
any such acquisitions and any regulatory delay or conditions imposed by regulatory bodies in connection with any 
such 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;
the impact and outcome of pending and future litigation;
the impact of recently issued and future accounting updates and other changes in accounting policies;
the risk factors listed in the reports we have filed, which are incorporated by reference, and may file with the SEC; and
the length, severity and reemergence of a pandemic or other health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 
measures taken to address it, which may (as with COVID-19) precipitate or exacerbate one or more of the factors 
herein, reduce the demand for natural gas, NGLs and crude oil and significantly disrupt or prevent us and our 
customers and counterparties from operating in the ordinary course of business for an extended period and increase the 
cost of operating our business.

52

These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those 
expressed in any of our forward-looking statements.  Other factors could also affect adversely our future results.  These and 
other risks are described in greater detail in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report and in our other filings that we 
make with the SEC, which are available via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our website at www.oneok.com.  All 
forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these 
factors.  Any such forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and other than as 
required under securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement whether as a result 
of new information, subsequent events or change in circumstances, expectations or otherwise.

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 future 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 from those estimated based on actual fluctuations in 
interest rates or commodity prices and the timing of transactions.

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, options and 
futures, to manage the risks of certain identifiable or anticipated transactions and achieve more predictable cash flows.  Our 
risk-management function follows policies and procedures established by our Risk Oversight and Strategy Committee to 
monitor our natural gas, condensate and NGL marketing activities and interest rates to ensure our hedging activities mitigate 
market risks and comply with approved thresholds or limits.  We do not use financial instruments for trading purposes.

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 variables, the fair value of our derivative portfolio is 
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 portfolio would typically be offset 
largely by a corresponding gain or loss on the hedged item.  

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 D 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-based, 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 contractual fees and POP percentage may increase or decrease if 
production volumes, delivery pressures or commodity prices change relative to specified thresholds.  We are exposed to basis 
risk between the various production and market locations where we buy and sell commodities. 

The following table presents the effect a hypothetical 10% change in the underlying commodity prices would have on the 
estimated fair 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

December 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
(Millions of dollars)

$ 

$ 

34.6  $ 
18.0 
52.6  $ 

40.6 
11.5 
52.1 

Our sensitivity analysis represents an estimate of the reasonably possible gains and losses that would be recognized on our 
commodity derivative contracts assuming hypothetical movements in future market prices and is not necessarily indicative of 

53

 
 
 
actual results that may occur.  Actual gains and losses may differ from estimates due to actual fluctuations in market prices, as 
well as changes in our commodity derivative portfolio during the year.

The following tables set forth hedging information for our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment’s forecasted equity 
volumes for the period indicated:

Year Ending December 31, 2023

NGLs - excluding ethane (MBbl/d) - Conway/Mont Belvieu
Condensate (MBbl/d) - WTI-NYMEX
Natural gas (BBtu/d) - NYMEX and basis

Volumes
Hedged

Average Price
1.23  / gallon

10.7  $ 
1.7  $  85.48  / Bbl
99.2  $ 

3.50  / MMBtu

Percentage
Hedged
67%
67%
75%

Natural gas (BBtu/d) - NYMEX and basis

Year Ending December 31, 2024

Volumes
Hedged

Average Price

16.2  $ 

7.18  / MMBtu

Percentage
Hedged
11%

Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment’s commodity price sensitivity is estimated as a hypothetical change in the 
price of NGLs, crude oil and natural gas at December 31, 2022.  Condensate sales are typically based on the price of crude oil.  
Assuming normal operating conditions, we estimate the following for our forecasted equity volumes:

•

•

•

a $0.01 per gallon change in the composite price of NGLs, excluding ethane, would change adjusted EBITDA for the 
years ending December 31, 2023 and 2024, by $2.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively;
a $1.00 per barrel change in the price of crude oil would change adjusted EBITDA for the years ending December 31, 
2023 and 2024, by $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively; and
a $0.10 per MMBtu change in the price of residue natural gas would change adjusted EBITDA for the years ending 
December 31, 2023 and 2024, by $4.8 million and $5.2 million, respectively.

These estimates do not include any effects of hedging or effects on demand for our services or natural gas processing plant 
operations that might be caused by, or arise in conjunction with, commodity price fluctuations.  For example, a change in the 
gross processing spread may cause a change in the amount of ethane extracted from the natural gas stream, impacting gathering 
and processing financial results for certain contracts.

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, floating-rate debt and interest-
rate swaps.  Interest-rate swaps are agreements to exchange interest payments at some future point based on specified notional 
amounts. 

In 2022, we settled $750 million of our forward-starting interest-rate swaps related to our underwritten public offering of $750 
million senior unsecured notes, resulting in a gain of $28.1 million, which is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss 
and amortized into interest expense over the term of the related debt.  In December 2022, we terminated the remaining $375 
million of our forward-starting interest swaps that had mandatory termination dates of December 31, 2022.  We simultaneously 
entered into forward-starting interest-rate swaps with the same notional amounts at current market rates to hedge the variability 
of interest payments on a portion of our forecasted debt issuances that may result from changes in the benchmark interest rate 
before the debt is issued. 

At December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, we had forward-starting interest-rate swaps with notional amounts totaling 
$0.4 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, to hedge the variability of interest payments on a portion of our forecasted debt 
issuances.  All of our interest-rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges.  At December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had 
derivative assets of $10.9 million and derivative liabilities of $145.5 million, respectively, related to these interest-rate swaps.

54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents the effect of a 10% hypothetical change in interest rates on the estimated fair value of our interest-
rate derivative instruments as of the dates indicated:

Forward-starting interest-rate swaps

December 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
(Millions of dollars)

$ 

13.0  $ 

19.6 

Our sensitivity analysis represents an estimate of the reasonably possible gains and losses that would be recognized on our 
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 from estimates due to actual fluctuations in interest rates, as 
well as changes in our interest-rate derivative portfolio during the year.

See Note D 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. 

Natural Gas Gathering and Processing - Our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment derives services revenue primarily 
from major 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 
producer less our contractual fees.  In 2022 and 2021, approximately 95% and 90%, respectively, of the downstream 
commodity sales in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment were made to customers rated investment-grade by 
S&P, approved through comparable internal counterparty analysis, or were secured by letters of credit or other collateral. 

Natural Gas Liquids - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s counterparties are primarily NGL and natural gas gathering and 
processing companies; major 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 majority of our exchange services fees, as we purchase 
NGLs from our gathering and processing counterparties and deduct our fee from the amounts we remit.  We also earn sales 
revenue on the downstream sales of purity NGLs.  In 2022 and 2021, approximately 85% and 70%, respectively, of this 
segment’s commodity sales were made to customers rated investment-grade by S&P, approved through comparable internal 
counterparty analysis, or were secured by letters of credit or other collateral.  In addition, the majority of our Natural Gas 
Liquids segment’s pipeline tariffs provide us the ability to require security from shippers. 

Natural Gas Pipelines - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s customers are primarily local natural gas distribution companies, 
electric-generation facilities, large industrial companies, municipalities, producers, processors and marketing companies.  In 
2022 and 2021, approximately 90% and 85%, respectively, of our revenues in this segment were from customers rated 
investment-grade by S&P, approved through comparable internal counterparty analysis, or were secured by letters of credit or 
other collateral.  In addition, the majority of our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s pipeline tariffs provide us the ability to 
require security from shippers. 

55

 
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 the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ONEOK, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of 
December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related consolidated statements of income, of comprehensive income, of changes in 
equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, including the related notes 
(collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”).  We also have audited the Company's internal control over 
financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  

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, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the 
three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, 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, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) 
issued by the COSO.

Basis for Opinions

The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal 
control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included 
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 financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial 
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 rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

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 due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material 
respects.  

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement 
of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.  
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 financial statements.  Our audit of internal 
control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the 
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.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

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 for external purposes 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 fairly reflect the transactions and 
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 of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the 
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.

56

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject 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.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matter communicated below is a  matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial 
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. 

Accounting for the Medford Incident

As described in Note B to the consolidated financial statements, on July 9, 2022, a fire occurred at the Company’s 210 MBbl/d 
Medford,  Oklahoma,  natural  gas  liquids  fractionation  facility.  The  Company  has  property  damage  and  business  interruption 
coverage against which they developed claims related to the Medford incident and recorded accruals for the expected insurance 
recoveries. Management records recoveries for incurred costs and lost earnings related to its business interruption coverage for 
the amount probable of recovery, not to exceed the actual losses incurred, and for lost earnings that have been realized and are 
no  longer  considered  a  gain  contingency.  Management  assessed  property  damage  to  the  facility  and  incurred  costs  and  lost 
earnings  related  to  business  interruption,  as  well  as  timing  of  recognition  under  applicable  insurance  recovery  guidance,  and 
recorded accruals of $150.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was comprised of property damage of $45.6 
million, with a corresponding write off of assets due to property damage of the facility; $9 million related to incurred costs in 
excess of the deductible that were probable of recovery, with an offset to the operating and maintenance line item; and $96.1 
million  primarily  related  to  third-party  fractionation  costs  incurred  subsequent  to  the  45-day  business  interruption  waiting 
period, with an offset to other operating (income) expense. The Company received a $100 million unallocated payment from 
the  insurers  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2022,  and  had  recorded  an  outstanding  insurance  receivable  of  $50.7  million  as  of 
December 31, 2022.   

The  principal  considerations  for  our  determination  that  performing  procedures  relating  to  the  accounting  for  the  Medford 
incident is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when assessing the application of accounting 
guidance for business interruption and the resulting recognition of incurred costs and lost earnings; (ii) a high degree of auditor 
judgment,  subjectivity,  and  effort  in  performing  procedures  and  evaluating  management’s  assessment  of  the  application  of 
accounting guidance for business interruption and the resulting recognition of incurred costs and lost earnings.  

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall 
opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the 
application  of  accounting  guidance  for  business  interruption  and  recognition  of  the  incurred  costs  and  lost  earnings.  These 
procedures  also  included,  among  others,  (i)  reading  the  related  customer  contracts  to  assess  lost  earnings;  (ii)  evaluating 
management’s  assessment  of  the  incurred  costs  and  lost  earnings,  including  their  assessment  of  the  application  of  the 
appropriate  accounting  guidance  for  business  interruption;  (iii)  testing  the  incurred  costs,  lost  earnings,  and  related  recovery, 
which  included  testing  the  appropriate  presentation  within  the  financial  statements;  and  (iv)  tracing  the  insurance  payments 
received to the Company’s general ledger. 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
February 28, 2023

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

57

Years Ended December 31,
2021
(Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

2022

2020

$  20,975,462  $  15,180,264  $ 

1,411,430 
22,386,892 
17,909,866 
958,246 
626,132 
— 
191,458 
(106,229) 
2,807,419 
147,720 
— 
2,551 
(32,099) 

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) 

(675,946) 
2,249,645 
(527,424) 
1,722,221 
1,100 
1,721,121  $ 

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

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 

3.85  $ 

3.36  $ 

1.42 

3.84  $ 

3.35  $ 

1.42 

447,507 
448,447 

446,403 
447,403 

431,105 
431,782 

$ 

$ 

$ 

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Revenues

Commodity sales
Services

Total revenues (Note Q)
Cost of sales and fuel (exclusive of items shown separately below)
Operations and maintenance
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment charges (Notes E and F)
General taxes
Other operating (income) expense, net (Note B)
Operating income
Equity in net earnings from investments (Note N)
Impairment of equity investments (Note N)
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
Other income (expense), net
Interest expense (net of capitalized interest of $57,426, $25,150 and $75,436,  
respectively)
Income before income taxes
Income taxes (Note M)
Net income
Less:  Preferred stock dividends
Net income available to common shareholders

Basic EPS (Note J)

Diluted EPS (Note J)

Average shares (thousands)

Basic 
Diluted

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

2022

Years Ended December 31,
2021
(Thousands of dollars)
1,499,706  $ 

1,722,221  $ 

2020

612,809 

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

$ 

Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax of $(27,914), $60,896 and $49,292, 
respectively
Derivative amounts reclassified to net income, net of tax of $(60,019), $(69,134) and 
$(6,313), respectively
Change in retirement and other postretirement benefit plan obligations, net of tax of 
$(15,761), $(14,929) and $7,812, respectively
Other comprehensive income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax of 
$(4,764), $(1,490) and $2,201, respectively
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

Comprehensive income

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

93,451 

(203,868) 

(165,023) 

200,933 

228,999 

21,097 

52,764 

49,976 

(26,154) 

15,947 
363,095 
2,085,316  $ 

4,991 
80,098 
1,579,804  $ 

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

$ 

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 E)

Investments and other assets

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (Note N)
Goodwill and net intangible assets (Note F)
Other assets

Total investments and other assets
Total assets

December 31, December 31,

2022
2021
(Thousands of dollars)

$ 

220,227  $ 

1,532,292 
148,985 
431,740 
42,983 
171,548 
2,547,775 

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

25,015,135 
5,062,609 
19,952,526 

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

801,794 
752,867 
324,132 
1,878,793 

797,613 
763,295 
366,457 
1,927,365 
$  24,379,094  $  23,621,613 

60

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

Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities

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

Total current liabilities

December 31, December 31,

2022
2021
(Thousands of dollars)

$ 

925,000  $ 

1,359,475 
254,139 
233,053 
12,289 
267,671 
3,051,627 

895,814 
1,332,391 
309,054 
235,602 
13,783 
397,975 
3,184,619 

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

12,695,834 

12,747,636 

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

Commitments and contingencies (Note O)

Equity (Note H)

ONEOK shareholders’ equity:

1,738,525 
68,110 
331,113 
2,137,748 

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

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value:
authorized and issued 20,000 shares at December 31, 2022, and at December 31, 2021

— 

— 

Common stock, $0.01 par value:
authorized 1,200,000,000 shares; issued 474,916,234 shares and outstanding 
447,157,771 shares at December 31, 2022; issued 474,916,234 shares and outstanding 446,138,177 
shares at December 31, 2021

Paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note I)
Retained earnings

Treasury stock, at cost: 27,758,463 shares at December 31, 2022, and 28,778,057 shares at 
December 31, 2021
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4,749 
7,253,154 
(108,256) 
50,396 

4,749 
7,213,861 
(471,351) 
— 

(706,158) 
6,493,885 

(732,096) 
6,015,163 
$  24,379,094  $  23,621,613 

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This page intentionally left blank.

62

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 from unconsolidated affiliates
Deferred income taxes
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

2022

Years Ended December 31,
2021
(Thousands of dollars)

2020

$ 

1,722,221  $ 

1,499,706  $ 

612,809 

626,132 
— 
(147,720) 
146,718 
463,419 
91,790 

(87,274) 
(62,149) 
(26,106) 
197,460 
(18,536) 
2,905,955 

621,701 
— 
(122,520) 
123,010 
472,057 
94,091 

(610,531) 
(105,038) 
622,425 
(93,713) 
45,084 
2,546,272 

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 

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

(1,202,057) 
20,267 
42,554 
(1,139,236) 

(696,854) 
19,363 
12,199 
(665,292) 

(2,195,381) 
31,808 
(106,956) 
(2,270,529) 

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.

(1,671,582) 
— 
869,393 
(895,814) 
32,442 
(27,322) 
(1,692,883) 
73,836 
146,391 
220,227  $ 

(1,667,431) 
— 
— 
(604,894) 
32,791 
(19,551) 
(2,259,085) 
(378,105) 
524,496 
146,391  $ 

(1,605,366) 
(220,000) 
3,244,777 
(1,457,222) 
969,759 
(56,949) 
874,999 
503,538 
20,958 
524,496 

581,663  $ 
58,935  $ 

691,897  $ 
8,864  $ 

760,984 
342 

$ 

$ 
$ 

63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common 
Stock
(Thousands of dollars)

Paid-in
Capital

—  $ 
— 
— 

4,450  $ 
— 
— 

7,403,895 
— 
— 

— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 

— 
299 

— 
— 
4,749 
— 
— 

— 
— 

— 
— 
4,749 
— 
— 

— 
— 

(550) 
934,473 

(992,741) 
8,319 
7,353,396 
— 
— 

— 
6,680 

(168,145) 
21,930 
7,213,861 
— 
— 

— 
12,716 

— 
— 
—  $ 

— 
— 
4,749  $ 

— 
26,577 
7,253,154 

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Preferred
Stock Issued

Common 
Stock Issued

Preferred
Stock

January 1, 2020
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Preferred stock dividends - $55.00 per share 
(Note H)
Common stock issued
Common stock dividends - $3.74 per share 
(Note H)
Other, net
December 31, 2020
Net income
Other comprehensive income (Note I)
Preferred stock dividends - $55.00 per share 
(Note H)
Common stock issued
Common stock dividends - $3.74 per share 
(Note H)
Other, net
December 31, 2021
Net income
Other comprehensive income (Note I)
Preferred stock dividends - $55.00 per share 
(Note H)
Common stock issued
Common stock dividends - $3.74 per share 
(Note H)
Other, net
December 31, 2022

(Shares)

20,000 
— 
— 

  445,016,234  $ 

— 
— 

— 
— 

— 
29,900,000 

— 
— 
20,000 
— 
— 

— 
— 
  474,916,234 
— 
— 

— 
— 

— 
— 

— 
— 
20,000 
— 
— 

— 
— 
  474,916,234 
— 
— 

— 
— 

— 
— 
20,000 

— 
— 

— 
— 

  474,916,234  $ 

64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Continued)

January 1, 2020
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Preferred stock dividends - $55.00 per share 
(Note H)

Common stock issued
Common stock dividends - $3.74 per share 
(Note H)
Other, net
December 31, 2020
Net income
Other comprehensive income (Note I)
Preferred stock dividends - $55.00 per share 
(Note H)
Common stock issued
Common stock dividends - $3.74 per share 
(Note H)
Other, net
December 31, 2021
Net income
Other comprehensive income (Note I)
Preferred stock dividends - $55.00 per share 
(Note H)
Common stock issued
Common stock dividends - $3.74 per share 
(Note H)
Other, net
December 31, 2022

Retained
Earnings

Treasury
Stock

Total
Equity

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

$ 

(374,000)  $ 
— 
(177,449) 

— 
— 

— 
— 
(551,449) 
— 
80,098 

— 
— 

— 
— 
(471,351) 
— 
363,095 

— 
— 

(Thousands of dollars)
—  $ 

612,809 
— 

(550) 
— 

(612,259) 
— 
— 
1,499,706 
— 

(1,100) 
— 

(1,498,606) 
— 
— 
1,722,221 
— 

(1,100) 
— 

(808,394)  $ 
— 
— 

— 
44,096 

— 
— 
(764,298) 
— 
— 

— 
32,202 

— 
— 
(732,096) 
— 
— 

— 
25,938 

— 
— 
(108,256)  $ 

(1,670,725) 
— 
50,396  $ 

— 
— 
(706,158)  $ 

$ 

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 
1,722,221 
363,095 

(1,100) 
38,654 

(1,670,725) 
26,577 
6,493,885 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 gas, usually referred to as residue natural gas, is then recompressed and 
delivered to natural gas pipelines, storage facilities and end users.  The NGLs separated from the raw natural gas are sold and 
delivered through NGL pipelines to fractionation facilities for further processing. 

Our Natural Gas Liquids segment owns and operates facilities that gather, fractionate, treat and distribute NGLs and store purity 
NGLs, 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, Nebraska, 
Iowa and Illinois.  We have a 50% ownership interest in Overland Pass, which operates an interstate NGL pipeline originating 
in Wyoming and Colorado and terminating in Kansas.  The majority of the pipeline-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 petroleum products, including unleaded gasoline and diesel, from Kansas to Iowa.

Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment, through its wholly owned assets primarily in Oklahoma, Texas and the upper Midwest, 
provides transportation and storage services to end users, such as natural gas distribution and electric-generation companies that 
require natural gas to operate their businesses regardless of location price differentials.  We have 50% ownership interests in 
Northern Border and Roadrunner, which provide transportation services to various end users.  Our assets are connected to key 
supply areas and demand centers, including supply areas in Canada and the United States via our intrastate and interstate natural 
gas pipelines and Northern Border, and export markets in Mexico via Roadrunner which enable us to provide essential natural 
gas transportation and storage services.  

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.

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for using the equity method if we have the ability to exercise significant 
influence over operating and financial policies of our investee.  Under this method, an investment is carried at its acquisition 
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 the fair value of the 
underlying 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 affiliates on our 
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.  See Note N for disclosures of our unconsolidated affiliates.

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 from the unconsolidated affiliate 
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 return of investment and is classified as an investing activity on our 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

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 
benefit plans, allowance for credit losses, expenses for services received but for which no invoice has been received, provision 
for income taxes, including any deferred tax valuation allowances, the results of litigation and various other recorded or 

66

disclosed amounts.  In addition, a portion of our revenues and cost of sales and fuel are recorded based on current month prices 
and estimated volumes.  The estimates are reversed in the following month when we record actual volumes.  

We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis using historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods we 
consider reasonable based on the particular circumstances.  Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from the 
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.

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 liability in an orderly transaction at the measurement date.  We measure the fair value of a group of financial assets 
and liabilities consistent with how a market participant would price the net risk exposure at the measurement date.

Most 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 available.

We compute the fair value of our derivative portfolio by discounting the projected future cash flows from our derivative assets 
and liabilities to present value using interest-rate yields to calculate present-value discount factors derived from the implied 
forward SOFR yield curve.  The fair value of our forward-starting interest-rate swaps is determined using financial models that 
incorporate the implied forward SOFR yield curve for the same period as the future interest-rate swap settlements.  We consider 
current market data in evaluating counterparties’, as well as our own, 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.

Fair Value Hierarchy - 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 fair value.  The levels of the 
hierarchy are described below:

•

•

•

Level 1 - fair value measurements are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical securities in active markets.  
These balances are composed predominantly of exchange-traded derivative contracts for natural gas and crude oil.
Level 2 - fair value measurements are based on significant observable pricing inputs, including quoted prices for 
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 and over-the-counter derivatives to hedge natural gas 
basis and NGL price risk and over-the-counter interest-rate derivatives.
Level 3 - fair value measurements are based on inputs that may include one or more unobservable inputs.

Determining the appropriate classification of our fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy requires 
management’s judgment regarding the degree to which market data is observable or corroborated by observable market data.  
We categorize derivatives based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

See Note C for 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 maturities of three months or less.

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, completion of our performance obligations, 
invoicing and receipt of payment due is not significant.  

Performance Obligations and Revenue Sources - Revenue sources are disaggregated in Note R and are derived from commodity 
sales and services revenues, as described below:

Commodity Sales (all segments) - We contract to deliver residue natural gas, condensate, unfractionated NGLs and/or purity 
NGLs to customers at a specified delivery point.  Our sales agreements may be daily or longer-term contracts for a specified 
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 from each unit individually.  We record revenue when the commodity is delivered to the 

67

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.  Occasionally, we sell unfractionated 
NGLs to customers at an index-based price less third-party fractionation costs.  These costs are included as a reduction to 
commodity sales revenue.  The third-party fractionation costs we incurred associated with the Medford incident (Note B) were 
primarily under this type of agreement. 

Services
Gathering only contracts (Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment) - Under this type of contract, we charge fees for 
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 method based on delivery of product to our system as the measure of progress, as our services are 
performed simultaneously.

Fee with POP contracts with producer take-in-kind rights (Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment) - Under this type 
of contract, we do not control the stream of unprocessed natural gas that we receive at the wellhead due to the producer’s take-
in-kind rights.  We purchase a portion of the raw natural gas stream, charge fees for providing midstream services, which 
include gathering, treating, compressing and processing our customer’s natural gas.  After performing these services, we return 
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.

Transportation and exchange contracts (Natural Gas Liquids segment) - Under this type of contract, we charge fees for 
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 purity NGLs 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.

Storage contracts (Natural Gas Liquids and Natural Gas Pipelines segments) - We reserve a stated storage capacity and inject/
withdraw/store commodities for our customer.  The capacity reservation and injection/withdrawal/storage services are 
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.  Capacity 
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, injected 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.

Firm service transportation contracts (Natural Gas Pipelines segment) - We reserve a stated transportation capacity and 
transport commodities for our customer.  The capacity reservation and transportation services are 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.  Capacity 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 based on 
a daily effective fee rate.  If the capacity reservation fees vary solely as a contract feature, contract assets or liabilities are 
recorded for the difference between the amount recorded in revenue and the amount billed to the customer.  Transportation fees 
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.

Interruptible transportation contracts (Natural Gas Pipelines segment) - We agree to transport natural gas on our pipelines 
between the customer’s specified 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 based on delivery of product to the customer to measure satisfaction of the performance obligation.  The 
total consideration for delivered volumes is recorded in revenue at the time of delivery, when the customer obtains control.

68

Many of the contract types described above contain additional fees or charges payable by customers for nonperformance (e.g., 
minimum volume commitments or product specifications), which are considered to be variable consideration.  These fees and 
charges are not recorded until it is probable that a significant reversal of the associated revenue will not occur.

See Note Q for 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 from customers for 
which revenue is recognized over the contract periods, which range from 5 to 10 years.

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 
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:  

Fee with POP contracts with no producer take-in-kind rights (Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment) - 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 return a portion of the 
commodity sales proceeds to the producer less our contractual fees. 

Purchase with fee (Natural Gas Liquids segment) - Under this type of contract, we purchase raw, unfractionated NGLs at an 
index price and charge fees for providing midstream services, which may include a bundled combination of gathering, 
transporting and/or fractionation.  

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, and 
(iii) other business-related service costs.

Accounts Receivable - Accounts receivable represent valid claims against nonaffiliated customers for products sold or services 
rendered.  We present accounts receivable net of an allowance for credit losses to reflect the net amount expected to be 
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 for credit losses are recorded based upon management’s estimate of 
collectability, current conditions and supportable forecasts at each balance sheet date.  At December 31, 2022, our allowance 
for credit losses was not material.  

Inventory - The values of current NGLs and natural gas in storage are determined using the lower of weighted-average cost or 
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.

Commodity Imbalances - Commodity imbalances represent amounts payable or receivable for NGL exchange contracts and 
natural gas pipeline imbalances and are valued at market prices.  Under the majority of our NGL exchange agreements, we 
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 purity NGLs 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 receivable or payable position with the counterparties.  These net exchange receivables and payables are generally 
settled with movements of purity NGLs 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.

69

Derivatives and Risk Management - We utilize derivatives to reduce our market-risk exposure to commodity price and 
interest-rate fluctuations and to achieve more predictable cash flows.  We record all derivative instruments at fair 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 table 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
- 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

To reduce our exposure to fluctuations in natural gas, NGLs and condensate prices, we periodically enter into futures, forward 
purchases and sales, options or swap transactions in order to hedge anticipated purchases and sales of natural gas, NGLs and 
condensate.  Interest-rate swaps are used from time to time to manage interest-rate risk.  Under certain conditions, we designate 
our derivative instruments as a hedge of exposure to changes in fair values or cash flows.  We formally document all 
relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as risk-management objectives and strategies for 
undertaking various hedge transactions, and methods for assessing and testing correlation and hedge effectiveness.  We 
specifically identify the forecasted transaction that has been designated as the hedged item in a cash flow hedge relationship.  
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.

The realized revenues and purchase costs of our derivative instruments not considered held for trading purposes and derivatives 
that qualify as normal purchases or normal sales that are expected to result in physical delivery are reported on a gross basis. 

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

See Notes C and D for 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 capitalized 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 capitalized interest represent the cost of borrowed funds used to finance construction 
activities for regulated and nonregulated projects, respectively.  We capitalize 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 
capitalization of the estimated average cost of equity used during the construction of major projects and is recorded in the cost 
of our regulated properties and as a credit to the allowance for equity funds used during construction.

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 changes, the changes are 
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.

70

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheets includes construction work in process for capital projects 
that have not yet been placed in service and therefore are not being depreciated.  Assets are transferred out of construction work 
in process when they are substantially complete and ready for their intended use.

See Note E for 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, 2022, 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 our reporting units with goodwill are less than the carrying value of their 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 our reporting units with goodwill are less than their carrying amount.  If further testing is 
necessary or a 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 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.

To estimate the fair value of our reporting units, we use two generally accepted valuation approaches, an income approach and 
a market approach, using assumptions consistent with a market participant’s perspective.  Under the income approach, we use 
anticipated cash flows over a period of years plus a terminal value and discount these amounts to their present value using 
appropriate discount rates.  The forecasted cash flows are based on probability weighted-average possible future cash flows for 
a reporting unit over a period of years.  Under the market approach, we apply EBITDA multiples to forecasted EBITDA.  The 
multiples used are consistent with recent market transactions.

Long-lived assets - We assess our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that 
an asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable.  An impairment is indicated if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset 
exceeds the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset.  If 
an impairment is indicated, we record an impairment loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the fair value 
of the long-lived asset. 

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates - 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 E, F and N for our disclosures and related impairment charges related to long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible 
assets and investments in unconsolidated affiliates, respectively.

Regulation - Depending on the specific service provided, our natural gas transmission pipelines, NGL pipelines and certain 
natural gas storage facilities are subject to rate regulation and/or accounting requirements by one or more of the FERC, OCC, 
KCC and RRC.  Accordingly, portions of our Natural Gas Liquids and Natural Gas Pipelines segments follow the accounting 
and reporting guidance for regulated operations as defined pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) 
Accounting Standards Codification 980, Regulated Operations.  In our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we also 
state separately certain amounts for regulated operations where they are defined by the SEC.  In Notes E and R we have made 
certain reclassifications to prior year amounts to conform to current year presentation.  During the rate-making process for 
certain of our assets, regulatory authorities set the framework 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 for fuel and losses, acquisition costs, contributions in aid of construction, charges for 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 for immediate recovery.  Actions by regulatory authorities could have an effect on the amounts we may charge our 
customers.  Any difference in the amount recoverable and the amount deferred is recorded as income or expense at the time of 
the regulatory action.  A 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) established by independent, third-party regulators and (ii) set at levels that 
will recover our costs when considering the demand and competition for our services.

71

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 five years of service.  The expense and liability related to these 
plans is calculated using statistical and other factors that attempt to anticipate future events.  These factors include assumptions 
about the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, rate of future compensation increases, mortality and employment length.  
In determining the projected benefit obligations and costs, assumptions can change from period to period and may result in 
changes in the costs and liabilities we recognize. 

See Note L for our retirement and other postretirement employee benefits disclosures.

Income Taxes - Deferred income taxes are provided for the difference between the financial statement and income tax basis of 
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.

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 for tax provisions that do not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition 
threshold and measurement attribute.  For all periods presented, we had no uncertain tax positions that required the 
establishment 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) for the year among the various financial statement components.

We file numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns with federal tax authorities of the United States along with the 
tax authorities of several states.  We are not under any United States federal audits or statute waivers at this time.  

See Note M for 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 subject 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 the 
discontinued use of the assets.  We recognize the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period when it 
is incurred if a reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made.  We are not able to estimate reasonably the fair value of the 
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 gas for heating and cooking 
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 foreseeable future.

For our assets that we are able to make an estimate, the fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the 
associated asset, and this additional carrying amount is depreciated over the life of the asset.  The liability is accreted at the end 
of each period through charges to operating expense.  If the obligation is settled for an amount other than the carrying amount 
of the liability, we will recognize a gain or loss on settlement.  The depreciation and accretion expense are immaterial to our 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Contingencies - Our accounting for contingencies covers a variety of business activities, including contingencies for legal and 
environmental exposures.  We accrue these contingencies when our assessments indicate that it is probable that a liability has 
been incurred or an asset will not be recovered and an amount can be estimated reasonably.  We expense legal fees as incurred 
and base our legal liability estimates on currently available facts and our estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution.  
Accruals for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations generally are recognized no later than completion of 
a remediation feasibility study.  Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when 
their receipt is deemed probable.  Our expenditures for environmental evaluation, mitigation, remediation and compliance to 
date have not been significant in relation to our financial position or results of operations, and our expenditures related to 
environmental matters had no significant effect on earnings or cash flows during 2022, 2021 and 2020.  Actual results may 
differ from our estimates resulting in an impact, positive or negative, on earnings.  

72

See Note O for additional discussion of contingencies.

Share-Based Payments - We expense the fair value of share-based payments net of estimated forfeitures.  We estimate 
forfeiture rates based on historical forfeitures under our share-based payment plans.

See Note K for our share-based payments disclosures.

Earnings per Common Share - Basic EPS is calculated based on the daily weighted-average number of shares of common 
stock outstanding during the period, vested restricted and performance units that have been deferred and share awards deferred 
under the compensation plan for non-employee directors.  Diluted EPS is calculated based on the daily weighted-average 
number of shares of 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 for 
each quarter are averaged to arrive at the fiscal year-to-date dilutive component.

See Note J for our EPS disclosures.

Segment Reporting - Our chief operating decision-maker reviews the financial 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 because it and similar measures are used by many companies in our industry as a 
measurement of financial performance and are commonly employed by financial analysts and others to evaluate our financial 
performance and to compare financial performance among companies in our industry.  Adjusted EBITDA for each segment is 
defined as net income adjusted for interest expense, depreciation and amortization, noncash impairment charges, income taxes, 
allowance for equity funds used during construction, noncash compensation expense, and other noncash items.  This calculation 
may not be comparable with similarly titled measures of other companies.

See Note R for our segments disclosures.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Update - Changes to GAAP are established by the FASB in the form of ASUs to the 
FASB Accounting Standards Codification.  We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs.  ASUs not discussed herein 
were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or clarifications of ASUs previously issued.  There have been no new 
accounting pronouncements that have become effective or have been issued that are of significance or potential significance to 
us.

B. 

MEDFORD INCIDENT

On July 9, 2022, a fire occurred at our 210 MBbl/d Medford, Oklahoma, natural gas liquids fractionation facility.  All personnel 
were safe and accounted for with temporary evacuations of local residents taken as a precautionary measure.  Subject to the 
terms and conditions of our insurance policies and any applicable sub-limits, we have property damage and business 
interruption coverage with a combined per occurrence limit of $2 billion and deductibles of $5 million per occurrence for 
property damage and a 45-day waiting period per occurrence for business interruption coverage.  Beginning in August 2022, we 
developed claims related to the Medford incident and recorded accruals for the expected insurance recoveries.  We assessed 
incurred costs and lost earnings related to business interruption and property damage to our facility, as well as timing of 
recognition under applicable insurance recovery guidance, and recorded accruals of $150.7 million in 2022.  We received a 
$100 million unallocated payment from our insurers in the fourth quarter 2022.  

We assessed the property damage to our facility and wrote off assets totaling $45.6 million for the year ended December 31, 
2022, which represents the value associated with certain damaged Medford facility property.  We recorded an insurance 
receivable that was probable of recovery and fully offsets our noncash property losses, resulting in no impact to our 
Consolidated Statement of Income.  We expect to continue to operate NGL pipeline assets in Medford along with existing 
offices for regional operations.  In addition, we are preserving certain Medford assets for future potential NGL facilities that 
could be constructed in Medford to enhance our NGL business as the market evolves.  Our property insurance policy also 
includes coverage for expenses incurred in response to the Medford incident.  For the year ended December 31, 2022, we 
recorded accruals of $9 million related to the incurred costs in excess of our $5 million deductible that were probable of 
recovery, with an offset to the operations and maintenance line item in our Consolidated Statement of Income. 

Our business interruption insurance provides coverage including, but not limited to (i) incurred costs and losses that are either 
unavoidable or incurred to mitigate or reduce losses and (ii) lost earnings.  We record recoveries for incurred costs and losses 
related to our business interruption coverage for the amount probable of recovery, not to exceed the actual losses incurred and 

73

for lost earnings that have been realized and are no longer considered a gain contingency.  For the year ended December 31, 
2022, we recorded accruals of $96.1 million, related primarily to third-party fractionation costs incurred subsequent to the 45-
day business interruption waiting period.  Accruals for business interruption insurance proceeds are recorded to other operating 
(income) expense, net in our Consolidated Statement of Income.

Subsequent Event - On January 9, 2023, we reached an agreement with our insurers to settle all claims for physical damage and 
business interruption related to the Medford incident.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, we agreed to resolve the 
claims for total insurance payments of $930 million, $100 million of which was received in 2022.  The remaining $830 million 
was received in January and February 2023.  The proceeds serve as settlement for property damage, business interruption 
claims to the date of the settlement and as payment in lieu of future business interruption insurance claims.   

In the first quarter 2023, we applied the $830 million received to our outstanding insurance receivable at December 31, 2022 of 
$50.7 million, and recorded an operational gain for the remaining $779.3 million.

C. 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Recurring Fair Value Measurements - The following tables set forth our recurring fair value measurements as of the dates 
indicated:

December 31, 2022

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total - Gross Netting (a)

Total - Net

(Thousands of dollars)

Derivative assets

Commodity contracts
Financial contracts
Interest-rate contracts
Total derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Commodity contracts
Financial contracts
Total derivative liabilities

$ 

$ 

14,897  $  152,338  $ 

— 

10,918 

14,897  $  163,256  $ 

—  $ 
— 
—  $ 

167,235  $  (124,566)  $ 
10,918 
178,153  $  (124,566)  $ 

— 

42,669 
10,918 
53,587 

$ 
$ 

(38,187)  $ 
(38,187)  $ 

(86,379)  $ 
(86,379)  $ 

—  $ 
—  $ 

(124,566)  $  124,566  $ 
(124,566)  $  124,566  $ 

— 
— 

(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, 
2022, we held no cash and posted $8.9 million of cash with various counterparties, which is included in other current assets in our 
Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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  $  172,833  $ 
22,019  $  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)  $  303,740  $ 
(145,524) 
(449,264)  $  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 
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.

74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of our Level 3 fair value measurements for the periods indicated:

Derivative Assets (Liabilities)

Net 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
2022
(Thousands of dollars)
(114,283)  $ 

(31,321) 

$ 

99,567 
(48,743) 
56,387 
7,072 

$ 

—  $ 

31,003 
(59,911) 
(57,325) 
3,271 
(114,283) 

(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 years ended December 31, 2022 and 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 from an exchange as a Level 2 valuation.  

Other Financial Instruments - The approximate fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, 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 fair value of the short-term borrowings can be determined using information available in the 
commercial paper market.  We have investments associated with our supplemental executive retirement plan and nonqualified 
deferred compensation plan that are carried at fair value and primarily are composed of exchange-traded mutual funds classified 
as Level 1. 

The estimated fair value of our consolidated long-term debt, including current maturities, was $12.7 billion and $15.6 billion at 
December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.  The book value of our consolidated long-term debt, including current maturities, 
was $13.6 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021.  The estimated fair value of the aggregate senior notes outstanding was 
determined using quoted market prices for similar issues with similar terms and maturities.  The estimated fair value of our 
consolidated long-term debt is classified as Level 2.

D. 

RISK-MANAGEMENT AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES USING DERIVATIVES

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

Commodity price risk - Commodity price risk refers to the risk of loss in cash flows and future earnings arising from adverse 
changes in the price of natural gas, NGLs and condensate.  We may use the following commodity derivative instruments to 
reduce the near-term commodity price risk associated with a portion of the forecasted sales of these commodities:

•

•

•

Futures contracts - Standardized contracts to purchase or sell natural gas and crude oil for future delivery or settlement 
under the provisions of exchange regulations;
Forward contracts - Nonstandardized commitments between two parties to purchase or sell natural gas, crude oil or 
NGLs for future physical delivery.  These contracts are typically nontransferable and can only be canceled with the 
consent of both parties;
Swaps - 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 liability;

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•

•

Options - Contractual agreements that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a fixed quantity of 
a commodity at a fixed price within a specified period of time.  Options may either be standardized and exchange-
traded or customized and nonexchange-traded; and
Collar - Combination of a purchased put option and a sold call option, which places a floor and ceiling price for 
commodity sales being hedged.

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.  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 the impact of price fluctuations related to natural gas, NGLs and condensate.

In our Natural Gas Liquids segment, we are primarily exposed to commodity price risk resulting from the relative values of the 
various purity NGLs to each other, the value of NGLs in storage and the relative value of NGLs to natural gas.  We are also 
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 fluctuations related to NGLs. 

In our Natural Gas Pipelines segment, we are primarily exposed to commodity price risk on our intrastate pipelines because 
they consume natural gas in operations and retain natural gas from our customers for operations or as part of our fee for 
compression services provided.  When the amount consumed in operations differs from the amount provided by our customers, 
our pipelines must buy or sell natural gas, or store or use natural gas inventory, which can expose this segment to commodity 
price risk depending 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 cost-recovery mechanisms, we may use physical-forward sales or purchases to 
reduce the impact of natural gas price fluctuations.  At December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were no financial derivative 
instruments with respect to our natural gas pipeline operations.

Interest-rate risk - We may manage interest-rate risk through the use of fixed-rate debt, floating-rate debt and interest-rate 
swaps.  Interest-rate swaps are agreements to exchange interest payments at some future point based on specified notional 
amounts.  In 2022, we settled $750 million of our forward-starting interest-rate swaps related to our underwritten public 
offering of $750 million senior unsecured notes resulting in a gain of $28.1 million, which is included in accumulated other 
comprehensive loss and amortized into interest expense over the term of the related debt.  In December 2022, we terminated the 
remaining $375 million of our forward-starting interest swaps that had mandatory termination dates of December 31, 2022.  We 
simultaneously entered into forward-starting interest rate swaps with the same notional amounts at current market rates to hedge 
the variability of interest payments on a portion of our forecasted debt issuances that may result from changes in the benchmark 
interest rate before the debt is issued. 

At December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, we had forward-starting interest-rate swaps with notional amounts totaling 
$0.4 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, to hedge the variability of interest payments on a portion of our forecasted debt 
issuances.  All of our interest-rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges.

76

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments - See Note A for a discussion of the inputs associated with our fair value 
measurements.  The following table sets forth the fair values of our derivative instruments presented on a gross basis as of the 
dates indicated:

December 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

Location in our Consolidated 
Balance Sheets

Assets

(Liabilities)

Assets
(Thousands of dollars)

(Liabilities)

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Commodity contracts (a)
Financial contracts (b)

Other current assets
Other assets
Other current assets/liabilities

Interest-rate contracts

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Commodity contracts (a)
Financial contracts 

Other current assets

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Total derivatives

$  160,390  $  (123,121)  $  204,161  $  (303,740) 
— 
(145,524) 
(449,264) 

(1,205) 
— 
(124,326) 

6,287 
10,918 
177,595 

— 
— 
204,161 

558 
558 

— 
— 
$  178,153  $  (124,566)  $  204,161  $  (449,264) 

(240) 
(240) 

— 
— 

(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, our derivative net liability positions under master-netting arrangements for financial contracts were fully offset 
by cash collateral of $99.6 million.

Notional Quantities for Derivative Instruments - The following table sets forth the notional quantities for derivative 
instruments held for the periods indicated:

December 31, 
December 31, 
2021
2022
Net Purchased/Payor 
(Sold/Receiver)

Contract
Type

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Cash flow hedges

Fixed price
-Natural gas (Bcf)
-Crude oil and NGLs (MMBbl)
Basis
-Natural gas (Bcf)
Interest-rate contracts (Billions of dollars)

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

Fixed price
-Natural gas (Bcf)
-Crude oil and NGLs (MMBbl)
Basis
-Natural gas (Bcf)

Futures 
Futures

Futures 
Swaps

Futures 
Futures

Futures 

(39.3) 
(8.4) 

(39.3) 

0.4  $ 

$ 

(0.1) 
0.1 

(0.1) 

Cash Flow Hedges - The following table sets forth the unrealized change in fair value of cash flow hedges in other 
comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated:

Commodity contracts
Interest-rate contracts

$ 

2022

Years Ended December 31,
2021
(Thousands of dollars)
(322,648)  $ 
57,884 

(84,807)  $ 
206,172 

(32.3) 
(10.0) 

(30.5) 
1.1 

— 
— 

— 

2020

(5,699) 
(208,616) 

Total unrealized change in fair value of cash flow hedges in other comprehensive 
income (loss)

$ 

121,365  $ 

(264,764)  $ 

(214,315) 

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table sets forth the effect of cash flow hedges on net income for 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

2022

Commodity sales revenues
Cost of sales and fuel
Interest expense

$ 

Years Ended December 31,
2021
(Thousands of dollars)
(731,793)  $ 
473,612 
(39,952) 

(483,625)  $ 
256,888 
(34,215) 

2020

85,436 
(19,170) 
(93,676) 

Total change in fair value of cash flow hedges reclassified from accumulated other 
comprehensive loss into net income on derivatives

$ 

(260,952)  $ 

(298,133)  $ 

(27,410) 

(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 
credit ratings, bond yields and credit default swap rates), collateral requirements under certain circumstances and the use of 
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.

Our financial commodity derivatives are generally settled through a NYMEX or ICE clearing broker account with daily margin 
requirements.  However, we may enter into financial derivative instruments that contain provisions that require us to maintain 
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, 2022.

The counterparties to our derivative contracts typically consist of major energy companies, financial institutions and 
commercial and industrial end users.  This concentration of counterparties may affect our overall exposure to credit risk, either 
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 effect on our 
financial position or results of operations as a result of counterparty nonperformance.

At December 31, 2022, the credit exposure from our derivative assets is with investment-grade companies in the financial 
services sector.

78

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
E. 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The following table sets forth our property, plant and equipment by property type, as of the dates 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

Estimated Useful
Lives (Years)

December 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

(Thousands of dollars)

5 to 40
3 to 40
3 to 54
5 to 87
2 to 60
—

5 to 25
5 to 77
5 to 87
2 to 50
—

$ 

$ 

4,671,063  $ 
5,396,165 
926,300 
756,805 
716,310 
1,618,561 

9,659 
2,028,995 
8,575,980 
94,641 
220,656 
25,015,135 
(3,151,214) 
(1,911,395) 
19,952,526  $ 

4,371,936 
5,356,508 
874,522 
726,191 
678,410 
1,122,615 

9,197 
1,970,631 
8,445,523 
90,157 
174,849 
23,820,539 
(2,814,045) 
(1,686,620) 
19,319,874 

The average depreciation rates for our regulated property are set forth, by segment, in the following table for the periods 
indicated:

Natural Gas Liquids
Natural Gas Pipelines

Years Ended December 31,
2021
2.2%
2.2%

2022
2.2%
2.3%

2020
2.2%
2.2%

We incurred costs for construction work in process that had not been paid at December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, of $171.1 
million, $130.5 million and $151.7 million, respectively.  Such amounts are not included in capital expenditures (less AFUDC) 
on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Medford Assets - In connection with the Medford incident, we assessed the property damage to our facility and wrote off 
assets totaling $45.6 million, which represents the carrying value associated with certain damaged Medford facility property.  
These noncash property losses are fully offset by insurance recoveries.

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 
recoverable and exceeded their estimated fair value.  As a result, we recorded noncash impairment charges of $362.3 million, 
which includes a natural gas processing plant and infrastructure in the Powder River Basin and its related supply contracts and 
natural gas processing plants and infrastructure in western Oklahoma and Kansas.  In our Natural Gas Liquids segment, we 
recorded noncash impairment charges of $71.6 million related primarily to certain inactive assets, as our expectation for future 
use of the assets changed.  These charges are included within impairment charges in our Consolidated Statement of Income for 
the year ended December 31, 2020. 

79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
F. 

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill - The following table sets forth our goodwill, by segment, as of the dates indicated:

Natural Gas Liquids
Natural Gas Pipelines

Total goodwill

December 31,
2022

December 31,
2021

(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 for impairment and concluded that the carrying value of the Natural Gas Gathering and 
Processing reporting unit exceeded its estimated fair value, resulting in a noncash impairment charge of $153.4 million, which 
is included within impairment charges in our Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2020.  We 
have no remaining goodwill in our Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment.

Intangible Assets - Our intangible assets relate primarily to contracts acquired through acquisitions in our Natural Gas Liquids 
segment, which are being amortized over periods of 15 to 40 years.  Amortization expense for intangible assets was 
$10.4 million in 2022, $10.4 million in 2021, and $10.8 million in 2020, and the amortization expense for each of the next five 
years is estimated to be $10.4 million.  The following table reflects the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of 
intangible assets as of the dates presented:

Gross intangible assets
Accumulated amortization
Net intangible assets

December 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
(Thousands of dollars)

$ 

$ 

381,435  $ 
(156,160) 
225,275  $ 

381,435 
(145,732) 
235,703 

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 impaired.  These charges are included within impairment charges in our Consolidated 
Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2020.  

80

 
 
 
 
 
 
G. 

DEBT

The following table sets forth our consolidated debt for as of the dates indicated:

Commercial paper outstanding (a)
Senior unsecured obligations:

$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 
$750,000 at 6.1% due November 2032
$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

$120,000 term loan, rate of 4.06% as of December 31, 2022, due June 2025

Total debt
Unamortized portion of terminated swaps
Unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts
Current maturities of long-term debt 

Long-term debt

December 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
(Thousands of dollars)
—  $ 

— 

$ 

— 
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 
750,000 
400,000 
600,000 
600,000 
650,000 
400,000 
689,006 
1,000,000 
672,530 

443,015 
300,000 

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 

120,000 
13,730,895 
9,878 
(119,939) 
(925,000) 

— 
13,756,709 
11,596 
(124,855) 
(895,814) 
$  12,695,834  $  12,747,636 

(a) - Individual issuances of commercial paper under our commercial paper program generally mature in 90 days or less.

$2.5 Billion Credit Agreement - In June 2022, we amended and restated our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, extending its 
maturity to June 2027.  Our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement is a revolving credit facility and contains certain customary 
conditions for borrowing, as well as customary financial, affirmative and negative covenants.  Among other things, beginning 
in June 2022, these covenants include maintaining a ratio of consolidated net indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA, as 
defined in our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, adjusted for 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, 2022.  

The $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement includes a $100 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and a 
$200 million sublimit for swingline loans.  Under the terms of the $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement, we may request up to an 
aggregate $1.0 billion increase in the size of the facility, upon satisfaction of customary conditions, including receipt of 
commitments from new lenders or increased commitments from existing lenders.  The $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement contains 
provisions for an applicable margin rate and an annual facility fee, both of which adjust with changes in our credit ratings.  
Borrowings, if any, will accrue at Term SOFR plus an applicable margin based on our credit ratings at the time of 
determination plus an adjustment of 10 basis points.  Under our current credit ratings, the applicable margin on any borrowings 

81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
would be 110 basis points.  We are required to pay an annual facility fee equal to the daily amount of aggregate commitments 
under the $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement times an applicable rate based on our credit rating at the time of determination.  Under 
our current credit ratings, the applicable rate is 15 basis points.  We have the option to request two one-year maturity 
extensions, subject to lender approvals.  The $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement also contains various customary events of default, 
the occurrence of which could result in a termination of the lenders’ commitments and the acceleration of all of our obligations 
thereunder.  As of December 31, 2022, our ratio of consolidated net indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA was 3.7 to 1, and we 
were in compliance with all covenants under our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement.

At December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had letters of credit issued totaling $7.9 million and $7.7 million, respectively, and no 
borrowings outstanding under our $2.5 Billion Credit Agreement.

Guardian Term Loan Agreement - In June 2022, Guardian entered into a $120 million unsecured term loan agreement.  The 
Guardian Term Loan Agreement matures in June 2025, and bears interest at Term SOFR plus an applicable margin based on 
Guardian’s credit rating at the time of determination plus an adjustment of 10 basis points.  Under Guardian’s current credit 
ratings, the applicable margin is 112.5 basis points.  The Guardian Term Loan Agreement allows prepayment of all or any 
portion outstanding without penalty or premium.  During the second quarter 2022, Guardian drew the full $120 million 
available under the agreement and used the proceeds to repay intercompany debt with ONEOK.  As of December 31, 2022, 
Guardian was in compliance with all covenants under the Guardian Term Loan Agreement. 

Senior Unsecured Obligations - All notes are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with all of our 
existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness, and are structurally subordinate to any of the existing and future debt and 
other liabilities of any non guarantor subsidiaries. 

Issuances - In November 2022, we completed an underwritten public offering of $750 million, 6.1% senior unsecured notes due 
2032.  The net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses, were $742 million.  The 
proceeds were used primarily to repay all outstanding amounts under our commercial paper program.  The remainder was used 
for general corporate purposes.

In May 2020, we completed an underwritten public offering of $1.5 billion senior unsecured notes consisting of $600 million, 
5.85% senior notes due 2026; $600 million, 6.35% senior notes due 2031; and $300 million, 7.15% senior notes 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.

In March 2020, we completed an underwritten public offering of $1.75 billion senior unsecured notes consisting of 
$400 million, 2.2% senior notes due 2025; $850 million, 3.1% senior notes due 2030; and $500 million, 4.5% senior notes due 
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 capital expenditures. 

Repayments - In July 2022, we redeemed the remaining $895.8 million of our 3.375% senior notes due October 2022 at 100% 
of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, with cash on hand and short-term borrowings. 

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’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 (expense), net in our 
Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2020.

82

Subsequent event - We elected to redeem our $425 million, 5.0% senior notes due September 2023, with a redemption effective 
date in late February 2023.  We expect the redemption price to equal 100% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued 
and unpaid interest, which we will pay with cash on hand.

The aggregate maturities of long-term debt outstanding and interest payments on debt as of December 31, 2022, for the years 
2023 through 2027 are shown below:

2023
2024
2025
2026
2027

Senior
Unsecured
Obligations

Interest
Obligations
on Debt

Guardian 

$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

925.0  $ 
500.0  $ 
887.0  $ 
600.0  $ 
500.0  $ 

(Millions of dollars)
—  $ 
—  $ 
120.0  $ 
—  $ 
—  $ 

675.1  $ 
630.4  $ 
599.3  $ 
554.5  $ 
544.7  $ 

Total

1,600.1 
1,130.4 
1,606.3 
1,154.5 
1,044.7 

Compliance with Debt Covenants - As of December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with the covenants contained in our 
various debt agreements. 

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.  The Guardian Term Loan Agreement is not guaranteed by ONEOK, ONEOK Partners or the 
Intermediate Partnership.

H. 

EQUITY

Series A and B Convertible Preferred Stock - There are no shares of Series A or Series B Preferred Stock currently issued or 
outstanding.

Equity Issuances - In July 2020, we established an “at-the-market” equity program for the offer and sale from time to time of 
our common stock up to an aggregate offering price of $1.0 billion.  The program allows us to offer and sell common stock at 
prices we deem appropriate through a sales agent, in forward sales transactions through a forward seller or directly to one or 
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. 

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 capital expenditures.

Dividends - Holders of our common stock share equally in any dividend declared by our Board of Directors, subject to the 
rights of the holders of outstanding Series E Preferred Stock.  Dividends paid totaled $1.7 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.6 billion 
for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  The following table 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,
2021

2020

2022

$ 

$ 

0.935  $ 
0.935 
0.935 
0.935 
3.74  $ 

0.935  $ 
0.935 
0.935 
0.935 
3.74  $ 

0.935 
0.935 
0.935 
0.935 
3.74 

83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additionally, in February 2023, we paid a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.955 per share ($3.82 per share on an 
annualized basis), which was paid to shareholders of record as of January 30, 2023.

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 2022, 
2021 and 2020.  We paid quarterly dividends totaling $0.3 million for the Series E Preferred Stock in February 2023. 

I. 

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The following table 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)

$ 

(377,446)  $ 

(157,635)  $ 

(16,368)  $ 

(551,449) 

(203,868) 
228,999 
25,131 
(352,315) 

93,451 
200,933 
294,384 
(57,931)  $ 

31,897 
18,079 
49,976 
(107,659) 

41,140 
11,624 
52,764 
(54,895)  $ 

3,088 
1,903 
4,991 
(11,377) 

15,183 
764 
15,947 
4,570  $ 

(168,883) 
248,981 
80,098 
(471,351) 

149,774 
213,321 
363,095 
(108,256) 

January 1, 2021
Other comprehensive income (loss) before 
reclassifications
Amounts reclassified to net income (c)

Other comprehensive income

December 31, 2021
Other comprehensive income before 
reclassifications
Amounts reclassified to net income (c)

Other comprehensive income

December 31, 2022

$ 

(a) - All amounts are presented net of tax.
(b) - Includes amounts related to supplemental executive retirement plan.
(c) - See Note D for details of amounts reclassified to net income for risk-management assets/liabilities.

The following table sets forth information about the balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2022, 
representing unrealized gains (losses) related to risk-management assets and liabilities, net of tax:

Commodity derivative instruments expected to be realized within the next 24 months (b)
Settled interest-rate swaps to be recognized over the life of the long-term, fixed-rate debt (c)
Interest-rate swaps with future settlement dates expected to be amortized over the life of long-term debt (d)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2022

$ 

Risk-
Management
Assets/Liabilities (a)
(Thousands of dollars)
$ 

32,611 
(115,616) 
25,074 
(57,931) 

(a) - All amounts are presented net of tax.
(b) - Based on commodity prices on December 31, 2022, we expect net gains of $28.7 million, net of tax, will be reclassified into earnings 
during the next 12 months.
(c) - We expect net losses of $18.0 million, net of tax, will be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months.
(d) - Includes the interest rate swaps terminated in December 2022.  See Note D for more details.

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. 

84

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. 

EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS for the periods indicated:

Year Ended December 31, 2022

Income

Shares
(Thousands, except per share amounts)

Per Share
Amount

Basic EPS

Net income available for common stock

Diluted EPS 

$ 

1,721,121 

447,507  $ 

3.85 

Effect of dilutive securities
Net income available for common stock and common stock equivalents

— 
1,721,121 

$ 

940 
448,447  $ 

3.84 

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 

Basic EPS

Net income available for common stock

Diluted EPS

Year Ended December 31, 2020

Income

Shares

Per Share
Amount

(Thousands, except per share amounts)

$ 

611,709 

431,105  $ 

1.42 

Effect of dilutive securities
Net income available for common stock and common stock equivalents

— 
611,709 

$ 

677 
431,782  $ 

1.42 

K. 

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

Our Equity Incentive Plan (EIP) provides for the granting of stock-based compensation, including restricted stock unit awards 
and performance unit awards, to eligible employees and the granting of stock awards to non-employee directors.  We have 
reserved 8.5 million shares of common stock for issuance under the EIP and at December 31, 2022, we had 4.6 million shares 
available for issuance under the plan.  This calculation of available shares reflects shares issued and estimated shares expected 
to be issued upon vesting of outstanding awards granted under the EIP, excluding estimated forfeitures expected to be returned 
to the plan.

Restricted Stock Units - We have granted restricted stock units to key employees that vest at the end of a designated period, 
typically three years, 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 for estimated forfeitures.  Restricted stock unit 
awards accrue dividend 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.

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 return of a peer group of other energy companies over the same period.  
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 form of additional performance units prior to vesting.  
Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award.

85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock Compensation for Non-Employee Directors

The EIP provides for the granting of nonstatutory stock options and stock bonus awards to non-employee directors, including 
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 for all shares authorized under the EIP.  The maximum 
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.

General

For all awards outstanding, we used a 3% forfeiture rate based on historical forfeitures under our share-based payment plans.  
We currently use treasury stock to satisfy our share-based payment obligations.

Compensation expense for our share-based payment plans was $52.8 million, $54.1 million and $29.4 million during 2022, 
2021 and 2020, respectively, before related tax benefits of $13.5 million, $14.4 million and $14.1 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock Unit Activity

As of December 31, 2022, we had $20.7 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 1.7 years.  The following tables set 
forth activity and various statistics for our restricted stock unit awards:

Nonvested December 31, 2021

Granted
Released to participants
Forfeited

Nonvested December 31, 2022

Weighted-average grant date fair value (per share)
Fair value of units granted (thousands of dollars)
Grant date fair value of units vested (thousands of dollars)

Performance Unit Activity

Number of
Units

Weighted
Average Price

779,937  $ 
323,048  $ 
(222,254)  $ 
(47,997)  $ 
832,734  $ 

59.02 
60.96 
64.98 
57.07 
58.30 

2022

2021

2020

$ 
$ 
$ 

60.96  $ 
19,693  $ 
14,442  $ 

46.84  $ 
19,542  $ 
12,519  $ 

76.49 
16,552 
11,204 

As of December 31, 2022, we had $33.7 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 1.7 years.  The following tables set forth 
activity and various statistics related to the performance unit awards and the assumptions used in the valuations at the respective 
grant dates:

Nonvested December 31, 2021

Granted
Released to participants
Forfeited

Nonvested December 31, 2022

Volatility (a)
Dividend yield
Risk-free interest rate

Number of
Units

Weighted
Average Price

976,585  $ 
399,315  $ 
(267,538)  $ 
(62,656)  $ 
1,045,706  $ 

72.73 
79.05 
76.49 
73.22 
74.15 

2022
61.10%
6.15%
1.78%

2021
60.30%
8.13%
0.21%

2020
21.70%
4.87%
1.39%

(a) - Volatility was based on historical volatility over three years using daily stock price observations.

86

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average grant date fair value (per share)
Fair value of units granted (thousands of dollars)
Grant date fair value of units vested (thousands of dollars)

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

2022

2021

2020

$ 
$ 
$ 

79.05  $ 
31,566  $ 
20,464  $ 

62.03  $ 
33,632  $ 
19,962  $ 

88.43 
25,028 
17,722 

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, subject to 
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 68%, 69% and 68% of employees participated in the plan in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  Under 
the plan, we sold 235,583 shares at a weighted average of $47.21 per share in 2022, 277,012 shares at a weighted average of 
$38.98 per share in 2021 and 359,977 shares at a weighted average of $27.78 per share in 2020.

Employee Stock Award Program

Under our Employee Stock Award Program, we issue, for no monetary consideration, to all eligible employees one share of our 
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 for issuance under this 
program is 900,000.  Shares issued to employees under this program during 2020 totaled 2,871.  Compensation expense related 
to the Employee Stock Award Program was $0.2 million for 2020.  No shares were issued to employees under this program in 
2022 or 2021.  As of the date of this report, the next award will be issued when our common stock closes at or above $78.

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 defer the receipt of all or a 
portion of their annual retainer fees, which will be credited with interest during the deferral period.  Under the phantom stock 
option, directors may defer all or a portion of their annual retainer fees and receive such fees on a deferred basis in the form of 
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 fair market value of our common stock at the date of distribution.

L. 

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 for 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 five years of full-time consecutive service.  The 
postretirement medical plan for pre-Medicare participants is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted periodically, and 
contains other cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance.  The postretirement medical plan for Medicare-
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.

87

 
Obligations and Funded Status - The following table sets forth our retirement and other postretirement benefit plans benefit 
obligations and fair value of plan assets for the periods indicated:

Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation, beginning of period
Service cost
Interest cost
Plan participants’ contributions
Actuarial gain
Benefits paid

Benefit obligation, end of period (a)

Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of period
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Plan participants’ contributions
Benefits paid

Fair value of plan assets, end of period (b)
Balance at December 31

Current liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities

Balance at December 31

Retirement Benefits
December 31,

Other Postretirement Benefits
December 31,

2022

2021
2022
(Thousands of dollars)

2021

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

567,011  $ 
6,808 
17,788 
— 
(148,988) 
(19,845) 
422,774 

583,072  $ 
8,314 
16,900 
— 
(22,792) 
(18,483) 
567,011 

413,183 
(71,705) 
— 
— 
(19,845) 
321,633 
(101,141)  $ 

379,092 
41,374 
11,200 
— 
(18,483) 
413,183 
(153,828)  $ 

51,027  $ 
307 
1,480 
824 
(11,554) 
(4,461) 
37,623 

24,397 
(3,957) 
— 
824 
(4,461) 
16,803 
(20,820)  $ 

(5,036)  $ 
(96,105) 
(101,141)  $ 

(5,219)  $ 

(148,609) 
(153,828)  $ 

—  $ 

(20,820) 
(20,820)  $ 

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) 

(a) - The benefit obligation for Retirement Benefits at December 31, 2022 and 2021, include the supplemental executive retirement plan 
obligation.
(b) - Fair value of plan assets for Retirement Benefits exclude the assets of our supplemental executive retirement plan, which totaled 
$91.8 million and $111.2 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, 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 $408.6 million and $541.8 million at December 31, 2022 and 
2021, respectively. 

The actuarial gains 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 “Actuarial Assumptions” section below. 

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost - The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost for our 
retirement and other postretirement benefit plans for the periods indicated:

Retirement Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
2021

2020

2022

Other Postretirement Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
2021

2022

2020

Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of prior service cost
Amortization of net loss

Net periodic benefit cost (income)

(Thousands of dollars)

$ 

8,154  $ 

6,808  $ 
17,788 
(24,469) 
114 
13,050 

8,314  $ 
16,900 
(25,109) 
114 
19,673 
$  13,291  $  19,892  $  19,928  $ 

18,318 
(24,964) 
114 
18,306 

307  $ 

421  $ 

1,480 
(1,493) 
— 
1,932 
2,226  $ 

1,454 
(1,364) 
— 
3,692 
4,203  $ 

460 
1,771 
(2,894) 
— 
5 
(658) 

88

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - The following table sets forth the amounts recognized in other comprehensive income 
(loss) related to our retirement and other postretirement benefits for the periods indicated:

Retirement Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
2021

2020

2022

Other Postretirement Benefits
Years Ended December 31,
2021

2020

2022

(Thousands of dollars)

Net gain (loss) (a)
Prior service cost
Amortization of prior service cost
Amortization of net loss
Deferred income taxes

$  47,577  $  34,529  $  (31,016)  $ 

— 
114 
13,050 
(13,970) 

— 
114 
19,673 
(12,493) 

— 
114 
18,306 
2,897 
(9,699)  $ 

5,629  $ 
— 
— 
1,932 
(1,739) 
5,822  $ 

7,052  $  (21,453) 
— 
— 
— 
— 
5 
3,692 
4,933 
(2,471) 
8,273  $  (16,515) 

Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

$  46,771  $  41,823  $ 

(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.

The table below sets forth the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that had not yet been recognized as 
components of net periodic benefit expense for the periods indicated:

Prior service cost
Accumulated loss
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Deferred income taxes
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Retirement Benefits
December 31,

Other Postretirement Benefits
December 31,

2022

2021
2022
(Thousands of dollars)

2021

$ 

$ 

(260)  $ 

(70,833) 
(71,093) 
22,788 
(48,305)  $ 

(374)  $ 

(131,460) 
(131,834) 
36,759 
(95,075)  $ 

—  $ 

(7,255) 
(7,255) 
2,113 
(5,142)  $ 

— 
(14,815) 
(14,815) 
3,852 
(10,963) 

Actuarial Assumptions - The following table sets forth the weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit 
obligations for retirement and other postretirement benefits for the periods indicated:

Discount rate
Compensation increase rate

Retirement Benefits
December 31,

Other Postretirement Benefits
December 31,

2022
5.75%
3.60%

2021
3.25%
3.60%

2022
5.75%
NA

2021
3.00%
NA

The following table sets forth the weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs for the periods 
indicated:

Discount rate - retirement plans
Discount rate - other postretirement plans
Expected long-term return on plan assets
Compensation increase rate

Years Ended December 31,
2021
3.00%
2.75%
7.00%
3.60%

2022
3.25%
3.00%
6.50%
3.60%

2020
3.50%
3.50%
7.50%
3.70%

We determine our overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets based on our review of historical returns and 
economic growth models.

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 filtering criteria to remove unsuitable bonds. 

89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Health Care Cost Trend Rates - The following table sets forth the assumed health care cost-trend rates for the periods 
indicated:

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

2022
7.00%

5.00%
2026

2021
6.50%

5.00%
2025

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 while managing risk in order to meet the 
plan’s current and projected financial obligations.  The investment allocation for our other postretirement benefit plans is to 
target a diversified mix of approximately 30% fixed income and 70% equity securities.  The investment allocation for our 
defined benefit pension plan follows a glide path approach of liability-driven investing that shifts a higher portfolio weighting 
to fixed income as the plan’s funded status increases.  The purpose of liability-driven investing is to structure the asset portfolio 
to more closely resemble the pension liability and thereby more effectively hedge against changes in the liability.  The plan’s 
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, 2022, 
is as follows:

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.

The following tables set forth the plan assets by fair value category as of the measurement date for our defined benefit pension 
and other postretirement benefit plans:

Asset Category

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Subtotal

Measured at 
NAV (d)

Total

(Thousands of dollars)

Pension Benefits
December 31, 2022

$ 

40  $ 

—  $ 

—  $ 

40  $ 

—  $ 

40 

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

$ 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
40  $ 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
—  $ 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
—  $ 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
40  $ 

99,511 
26,196 
57,328 
101,723 
5,576 
31,259 
321,593  $ 

99,511 
26,196 
57,328 
101,723 
5,576 
31,259 
321,633 

(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.

90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset Category

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Subtotal

Measured at 
NAV (d)

Total

(Thousands of dollars)

Pension Benefits
December 31, 2021

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  $ 

—  $ 

42 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
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 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.

Asset Category

Investments:
Equity securities (a)
Money market funds
Municipal obligations

Fair value of plan assets

Other Postretirement Benefits

December 31, 2022

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

(Thousands of dollars)

$ 

$ 

11,906  $ 
2 
4,134 
16,042  $ 

—  $ 
761 
— 
761  $ 

—  $ 
— 
— 
—  $ 

11,906 
763 
4,134 
16,803 

(a) - This category represents securities of the respective market sector from diverse industries.

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.

Contributions - During 2022, we made no contributions to our defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans.  
Our defined benefit pension plan has a minimum required contribution of approximately $7 million in 2023.  We expect that 
any contributions to our defined benefit pension plan in 2023 will be satisfied entirely through a non-cash offset against our 
prefunding account balance.  We do not expect to make any contributions to our other postretirement benefit plans in 2023. 

91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Payments - Benefit payments for our defined benefit pension and other 
postretirement benefit plans for the period ending December 31, 2022, were $19.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively.  The 
following table sets forth the defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits payments expected to be paid in 2023 
through 2032:

Benefits to be paid in:
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028 through 2032

Pension
Benefits

Other 
Postretirement 
Benefits

(Thousands of dollars)

$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

26,771  $ 
27,746  $ 
28,728  $ 
29,618  $ 
30,358  $ 
158,013  $ 

3,293 
3,230 
3,217 
3,172 
3,092 
14,927 

The expected benefits to be paid are based on the same assumptions used to measure our benefit obligation at December 31, 
2022, and include estimated future 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 $34.7 million, $32.7 million and $27.1 million in 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan - The 2020 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan and its predecessor 
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 due to limitations on employer and employee 
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 $22.9 million and $36.1 million at December 31, 
2022 and 2021, respectively.  These investments are maintained in a rabbi trust.  Our contributions to the plan were not material 
in 2022, 2021 or 2020.

M. 

INCOME TAXES

The following table sets forth our provision for income taxes for the periods indicated:

Current tax expense

Federal
State
Total current tax expense

Deferred tax expense

Federal
State
Total deferred tax expense
Total provision for income taxes

2022

Years Ended December 31,
2021
(Thousands of dollars)

2020

$ 

$ 

52,012  $ 
11,993 
64,005 

2,897  $ 
9,544 
12,441 

422,577 
40,842 
463,419 
527,424  $ 

433,469 
38,588 
472,057 
484,498  $ 

980 
1,797 
2,777 

154,068 
32,662 
186,730 
189,507 

92

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table 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

2022

Years Ended December 31,
2021
(Thousands of dollars)
$ 
$  1,984,204 

2020

802,316 

$  2,249,645 

 21.0 %

 21.0 %

 21.0 %

472,425 
54,217 
(1,382) 
(1,324) 
3,488 
$  527,424 

416,683 
40,092 
6,350 
(1,968) 
23,341 
484,498 

168,486 
13,580 
20,879 
(7,380) 
(6,058) 
189,507 

$ 

$ 

(a) The year ended December 31, 2021, includes $19.4 million impact from previously recognized gains on certain benefit plan investments.

The following table sets forth the tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax 
assets and liabilities for the periods indicated:

Deferred tax assets

Employee benefits and other accrued liabilities
Federal net operating loss
State net operating loss and benefits
Derivative instruments
Other (a)
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 (b)
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liabilities

December 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
(Thousands of dollars)

$ 

82,194  $ 

1,104,617 
196,369 
18,759 
30,048 
1,431,987 

95,952 
1,337,050 
216,181 
118,063 
4,863 
1,772,109 

(74,997) 
1,356,990 

(84,755) 
1,687,354 

94,815 
3,000,700 
3,095,515 
1,738,525  $ 

84,692 
2,769,352 
2,854,044 
1,166,690 

$ 

(a) The year ended December 31, 2022, includes an indefinite-lived interest limitation carryforward of $24.7 million.
(b) Due primarily to excess of tax over book depreciation.

In August 2022, the U.S. government enacted the Inflation Reduction Act into law.  The Inflation Reduction Act includes a new 
corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) of 15% on the adjusted financial statement income (AFSI) of corporations with 
average AFSI exceeding $1.0 billion over a three-year period.  The CAMT is effective for tax years beginning after December 
31, 2022.  We expect the CAMT to have an impact on our cash taxes beginning with the 2024 tax year.  When we become 
subject to the CAMT and our CAMT liability is greater than our regular U.S. federal income tax liability for any particular year, 
the CAMT liability would effectively accelerate our future U.S. federal income tax obligations but provide an offsetting credit 
against our regular U.S. federal income tax liability for future years.  As a result, we expect that any impact is limited to timing 
differences in future tax years.  

As of December 31, 2022, we have federal net operating loss carryforwards of $5.3 billion, the majority of which have an 
indefinite carryforward 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, $2.7 billion of which have an indefinite carryforward 
period and $1.7 billion of which will expire between 2024 and 2039.  We have deferred tax assets related to federal and state 
net operating loss and credit carryforwards of $1.3 billion and $1.6 billion in 2022 and 2021, 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, which was reduced by $1.4 million in 2022, and increased by $6.4 million and $20.9 million in 2021 and 2020, 
respectively, through net income.

93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
N. 

UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - The following table sets forth our investments in unconsolidated affiliates as of the 
dates indicated:

Overland Pass
Northern Border
Roadrunner
Other

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (a)

(a) - Equity-method goodwill (Note A) was $16.5 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021.

Net
Ownership
Interest

50%
50%
50%
Various

December 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
(Thousands of dollars)

$ 

$ 

401,244  $ 
265,096 
94,271 
41,183 
801,794  $ 

403,011 
283,170 
70,777 
40,655 
797,613 

Equity in Net Earnings from Investments and Impairments - The following table sets forth our equity in net earnings from 
investments for the periods indicated:

Northern Border
Roadrunner
Overland Pass
Other

Equity in net earnings from investments

Impairment of equity investments

$ 

$ 
$ 

2022

Years Ended December 31,
2021
(Thousands of dollars)
64,470  $ 
33,293 
19,434 
5,323 
122,520  $ 
—  $ 

71,106  $ 
37,114 
32,519 
6,981 
147,720  $ 
—  $ 

2020

75,409 
29,017 
38,618 
197 
143,241 
(37,730) 

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 Gas Liquids segment.  These impairment charges are included within impairment of equity 
investments in our Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2020. 

We incurred expenses in transactions with unconsolidated affiliates of $82.8 million, $62.8 million and $135.4 million for 2022, 
2021 and 2020, respectively, primarily related to Overland Pass and Northern Border.  Revenue earned and accounts receivable 
from, and accounts payable to, our equity-method investees were not material. 

Northern Border - The Northern Border partnership agreement provides that distributions to Northern Border’s partners are to 
be made on a pro rata basis according to each partner’s ownership percentage interest.  The Northern Border Management 
Committee determines the amount and timing of such distributions.  Any changes to, or suspension of, the cash distribution 
policy of Northern Border requires the unanimous approval of the Northern Border Management Committee.  Cash 
distributions are equal to 100% of distributable cash flow as determined from Northern Border’s financial statements based 
upon EBITDA less interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures.  Loans or other advances from Northern Border to 
its partners or affiliates are prohibited under its credit agreement.  In all periods presented, we made no contributions to 
Northern Border. 

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 liability company agreement.  In 2022, 2021 and 2020, 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 from Roadrunner included in operating income in our Consolidated 
Statements of Income for all periods presented were not material.

94

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overland Pass - The Overland Pass agreement provides that distributions to Overland Pass’s members are to be made on a pro 
rata basis according to each member’s ownership percentage interest.  The Overland Pass Management Committee determines 
the amount and timing of such distributions.  Any changes to, or suspension of, the cash distributions from Overland Pass 
requires the unanimous approval of the Overland Pass Management Committee.  Cash distributions are equal to 100% of 
available cash as defined in the limited liability company agreement.  In all periods presented, our contributions to Overland 
Pass were not material.

O. 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments - Firm transportation and storage contracts are fixed-price contracts that provide us with firm transportation and 
storage capacity.  The following table sets forth our firm transportation and storage contract payments for the periods indicated:

2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
Thereafter
Total

Firm
Transportation
and Storage
Contracts
(Millions of 
dollars)

$ 

$ 

72.5 
62.9 
55.6 
42.4 
36.9 
185.3 
455.6 

Environmental Matters and Pipeline Safety - The operation of pipelines, plants and other facilities for the gathering, 
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 and the environment.  As an owner and/or operator of these 
facilities, we must comply with laws and regulations that relate to air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste management 
and disposal, cultural resource protection and other environmental and safety matters.  The cost of planning, designing, 
constructing and operating pipelines, plants and other facilities must incorporate compliance with these laws, regulations and 
safety standards.  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.

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 from such 
proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, are not material.  Additionally, we believe the probable final outcome of such 
proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

P. 

LEASES

We lease certain buildings, warehouses, office space, pipeline capacity, land and equipment, including pipeline equipment, rail 
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. 

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 affiliates and others.  Our consolidated lease income is not material.

95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table sets forth information about our lease assets and liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of 
the dates indicated:

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, 2022

December 31, 2021

(Thousands of dollars)

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

82,838  $ 
31,264 
(4,769)   
109,333  $ 

12,289  $ 
2,954 

68,110 
19,299 
102,652  $ 

89,558 
29,962 
(3,590) 
115,930 

13,783 
2,584 

75,636 
21,082 
113,085 

The following table 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, 
2022

December 31, 
2021

7.5
5.5

3.54%
9.43%

7.8
6.6

3.40%
9.60%

(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.

The following table sets forth the maturity of our lease liabilities as of December 31, 2022:

2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028 and beyond
Total lease payments

Less:  Interest

Present value of lease liabilities

Finance
Lease

Operating
Leases

(Millions of dollars)
4.9  $ 
4.9 
5.6 
5.3 
4.5 
3.7 
28.9 
6.6 
22.3  $ 

14.6 
13.2 
11.8 
12.0 
11.5 
29.4 
92.5 
12.1 
80.4 

$ 

$ 

Our lease costs and supplemental cash flow information related to our leases for the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 
2021 are not material. 

96

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q. 

REVENUES

Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities - Our contract asset balances at the beginning and end of the years ended 
December 31, 2022 and 2021, primarily relate to our firm service transportation contracts with tiered rates, which are not 
material.  The following table sets forth the balances in contract liabilities for the periods indicated: 

Contract Liabilities
Balance at January 1, 2021
Revenue recognized included in beginning balance
Net additions
Balance at December 31, 2021 (a)
Revenue recognized included in beginning balance
Net additions
Balance at December 31, 2022 (b)

(Millions of dollars)
41.4 
$ 
(23.7) 
33.8 
51.5 
(36.0) 
36.9 
52.4 

$ 

(a) - 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.
(b) - Contract liabilities of $23.3 million and $29.1 million are included in other current liabilities and other deferred credits, respectively, in 
our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Receivables from Customers and Revenue Disaggregation - Substantially all of the balances in accounts receivable on our 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2022 and 2021, relate to customer receivables.  Revenues sources are 
disaggregated in Note R.

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 for services performed.  

The following table presents aggregate value allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations as of December 31, 2022, 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

2023
2024
2025
2026
2027 and beyond

Total estimated transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations

(Millions of dollars)
432.7 
$ 
360.6 
265.9 
255.0 
861.9 
2,176.1 

$ 

The table above excludes variable consideration allocated entirely to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations, wholly 
unsatisfied promises to transfer distinct goods or services that are part of a single performance obligation and consideration we 
determine to be fully constrained.  Information on the nature of the variable consideration excluded and the nature of the 
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 fully constrained relate to future 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.

R.

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 
purity NGLs; and
our Natural Gas Pipelines segment transports and stores natural gas via regulated intrastate and interstate natural gas 
transmission pipelines and natural gas storage facilities.

97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other and eliminations consist of corporate costs, the operating and leasing activities of our headquarters building and related 
parking facility, the activity of our wholly-owned captive insurance company, which began in 2022, and eliminations necessary 
to reconcile our reportable segments to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, we had no single customer from which we received 10% or more of our consolidated 
revenues.  For the year ended December 31, 2021, revenues from one customer in our Natural Gas Liquids segment represented 
approximately 11.6% of our consolidated revenues.  For the year ended December 31, 2020, we had no single customer from 
which we received 10% or more of our consolidated revenues. 

Operating Segment Information - The following tables set forth certain selected financial information for our operating 
segments for the periods indicated:

Year Ended December 31, 2022

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
Other
Segment adjusted EBITDA

Depreciation and amortization
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Total assets
Capital expenditures

Natural Gas
Gathering and
Processing

Natural Gas
Liquids (a)

Natural Gas
Pipelines (b)

Total
Segments

(Thousands of dollars)

$ 

$ 

$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

3,690,217  $  18,329,318  $ 
2,674,413 
144,278 
— 
24,584 
6,533,492 
(5,116,588) 
(403,217) 
4,857 
16,663 
1,426 

— 
546,650 
180,049 
10,805 
  19,066,822 
  (16,546,113) 
(575,791) 
34,643 
27,616 
88,035 

1,036,633  $  2,095,212  $ 

38,281 
— 
539,314 
947 
578,542 
(25,425) 
(181,281) 
108,220 
7,182 
1,194 

—  $  22,019,535 
2,712,694 
690,928 
719,363 
36,336 
  26,178,856 
  (21,688,126) 
(1,160,289) 
147,720 
51,461 
90,655 
488,432  $  3,620,277 

(302,331)  $ 
414,454  $ 

(257,311)  $ 
27,973  $ 

(621,771) 
801,794 
6,979,816  $  14,643,324  $  2,253,978  $  23,877,118 
123,443  $  1,149,131 

(62,129)  $ 
359,367  $ 

444,851  $ 

580,837  $ 

(a) - Our Natural Gas Liquids segment has regulated and nonregulated operations.  Our Natural Gas Liquids segment’s regulated operations 
had revenues of $2.5 billion, of which $2.3 billion related to revenues within the segment, cost of sales and fuel of $686.9 million and 
operating costs of $333.7 million.
(b) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and nonregulated operations.  Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated 
operations had revenues of $438.2 million, cost of sales and fuel of $48.9 million and operating costs of $154.4 million.
(c) Intersegment revenues are primarily commodity sales, which are based on the contracted selling price that is generally index-based and 
settled monthly, and for the Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment totaled $3.7 billion.  Intersegment revenues for the Natural Gas 
Liquids and Natural Gas Pipelines segments were not material.

98

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2022

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

$  22,019,535  $  (3,759,453)  $  18,260,082 
2,704,953 
690,928 
710,524 
20,405 
$  26,178,856  $  (3,791,964)  $  22,386,892 

2,712,694 
690,928 
719,363 
36,336 

(7,741) 
— 
(8,839) 
(15,931) 

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

$ (21,688,126)  $  3,778,260  $ (17,909,866) 
10,585  $  (1,149,704) 
$  (1,160,289)  $ 
(626,132) 
(4,361)  $ 
(621,771)  $ 
$ 
147,720 
—  $ 
147,720  $ 
$ 
$ 
801,794 
—  $ 
801,794  $ 
501,976  $  24,379,094 
$  23,877,118  $ 
52,926  $  1,202,057 
$  1,149,131  $ 

(a) - Noncustomer revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022, totaled $(285.9) million related primarily to losses from derivatives on 
commodity contracts. 

Year Ended December 31, 2021

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

Depreciation and amortization
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Total assets
Capital expenditures

Natural Gas
Gathering and
Processing

Natural Gas
Liquids (a)

Natural Gas
Pipelines (b)

Total
Segments

(Thousands of dollars)

$ 

$ 

$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

2,821,175  $  13,653,120  $ 
1,483,898 
135,501 
— 
20,965 
4,461,539 
(3,226,078) 
(367,390) 
3,757 
17,299 
889,127  $  1,963,639  $ 

— 
517,758 
179,619 
41,376 
  14,391,873 
  (11,939,661) 
(528,084) 
21,000 
18,511 

115,495 
— 
490,498 
910 
606,903 
(11,236) 
(170,257) 
97,763 
4,637 

—  $  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 
527,810  $  3,380,576 

(260,011)  $ 
27,018  $ 

(298,937)  $ 
416,648  $ 

(617,650) 
797,613 
6,768,955  $  14,502,372  $  2,143,307  $  23,414,634 
674,731 

(58,702)  $ 
353,947  $ 

275,165  $ 

306,949  $ 

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, cost of sales and fuel of $607.5 million and 
operating costs of $308.5 million.
(b) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and nonregulated operations.  Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated 
operations had revenues of $521.3 million, cost of sales and fuel of $28.5 million and operating costs of $147.5 million.
(c) -Intersegment revenues are primarily commodity sales, which are based on the contracted selling price that 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.

99

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  $  (2,904,598)  $  13,569,697 
1,599,393 
653,259 
656,996 
60,964 
$  19,460,315  $  (2,920,006)  $  16,540,309 

1,599,393 
653,259 
670,117 
63,251 

— 
— 
(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)  $  2,920,320  $ (12,256,655) 
(1,357)  $  (1,067,088) 
$  (1,065,731)  $ 
(621,701) 
(4,051)  $ 
(617,650)  $ 
$ 
122,520 
—  $ 
122,520  $ 
$ 
$ 
797,613 
—  $ 
797,613  $ 
206,979  $  23,621,613 
$  23,414,634  $ 
696,854 
22,123  $ 
674,731  $ 
$ 

(a) - Noncustomer revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021, totaled $(565.0) million related primarily to losses from derivatives on 
commodity contracts. 

Year Ended December 31, 2020

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

Depreciation and amortization
Impairment charges
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Total assets
Capital expenditures

Natural Gas
Gathering and
Processing

Natural Gas
Liquids (a)

Natural Gas
Pipelines (b)

Total
Segments

(Thousands of dollars)

$ 

$ 

$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 
$ 

889,388  $  6,409,332  $ 
771,486 
141,943 
— 
17,304 
1,820,121 
(843,976) 
(326,938) 
(1,123) 
1,952 

— 
488,574 
182,915 
9,192 
7,090,013 
(5,108,558) 
(412,900) 
39,938 
8,748 

650,036  $  1,617,241  $ 

8,693 
— 
470,097 
1,192 
479,982 
(6,809) 
(141,713) 
104,426 
1,540 

—  $  7,298,720 
780,179 
630,517 
653,012 
27,688 
9,390,116 
(5,959,343) 
(881,551) 
143,241 
12,240 
437,426  $  2,704,703 

(247,010)  $ 
(566,145)  $ 
22,757  $ 

(271,900)  $ 
(78,785)  $ 
423,494  $ 

(574,649) 
(644,930) 
805,032 
6,499,908  $  13,636,109  $  2,100,213  $  22,236,230 
71,918  $  2,173,819 

(55,739)  $ 
—  $ 
358,781  $ 

446,142  $  1,655,759  $ 

(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, cost of sales and fuel of $520.6 million and 
operating costs of $225.8 million.
(b) - Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment has regulated and nonregulated operations.  Our Natural Gas Pipelines segment’s regulated 
operations had revenues of $410.8 million, cost of sales and fuel of $35.4 million and operating costs of $121.9 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.

100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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)

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

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)  $  6,477,869 
769,319 
(10,860) 
630,517 
— 
638,413 
(14,599) 
26,124 
(1,564) 
(847,874)  $  8,542,242 

$  (5,959,343)  $ 
(881,551)  $ 
$ 
(574,649)  $ 
$ 
(644,930)  $ 
$ 
143,241  $ 
$ 
$ 
805,032  $ 
$  22,236,230  $ 
$  2,173,819  $ 

(4,653)  $ 
(4,013)  $ 
—  $ 
—  $ 
—  $ 

849,197  $  (5,110,146) 
(886,204) 
(578,662) 
(644,930) 
143,241 
805,032 
842,524  $  23,078,754 
21,562  $  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. 

Reconciliation of net income to total segment adjusted EBITDA
Net income
Add:

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
Depreciation and amortization
Income taxes
Impairment charges
Noncash compensation expense
Other corporate costs and equity AFUDC (a)

Total segment adjusted EBITDA

2022

Years Ended December 31,
2021
(Thousands of dollars)
$  1,722,221  $  1,499,706  $ 

2020

612,809 

675,946 
626,132 
527,424 
— 
70,502 
(1,948) 

712,886 
578,662 
189,507 
644,930 
8,540 
(42,631) 
$  3,620,277  $  3,380,576  $  2,704,703 

732,924 
621,701 
484,498 
— 
42,592 
(845) 

(a) - The year ended December 31, 2020, includes corporate net gains of $22.3 million on extinguishment of debt related to open market 
repurchases.

101

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 effective as of the end of the period covered by this report based on 
the evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) of the Exchange Act.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term 
is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f).  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our 
Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial 
reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not 
prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject 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.  Based on our evaluation under that framework, our management concluded that our internal 
control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2022.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, has been audited by 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included 
herein (Item 8).

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, 2022, that 
have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. 

OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

ITEM 9C. 

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. 

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors of the Registrant

Information concerning our directors is set forth in our 2023 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this 
reference.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Information concerning our executive officers is included in Part I, Item 1, Business, of this Annual Report.

102

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 2023 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 2023 definitive Proxy Statement and 
is incorporated herein by this reference.

Nominating Committee Procedures

Information concerning the Nominating Committee procedures is set forth in our 2023 definitive Proxy Statement and is 
incorporated herein by this reference.

Audit Committee

Information concerning the Audit Committee is set forth in our 2023 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 2023 definitive Proxy Statement and is 
incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 11. 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information on executive compensation is set forth in our 2023 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 2023 definitive Proxy Statement and is 
incorporated herein by this reference.

Security Ownership of Management

Information on security ownership of directors and officers is set forth in our 2023 definitive Proxy Statement and is 
incorporated herein by this reference.

103

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2022:

Number of Securities
to be Issued
Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(a)

3,320,600 

330,002 
3,650,602 

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(b) (3)

—

$  
$  

65.70 
65.70 

Number of Securities
Remaining Available For
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities in Column (a))
(c)

5,111,244 

— 
5,111,244 

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 K of the Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements in this Annual Report.  Column (c) includes 459,886, 130,204 and 4,521,154 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 L 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 $65.70, 
which represents the 2022 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 2023 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 2023 definitive Proxy Statement and is 
incorporated herein by this reference.

104

 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

PART IV

(1)  Financial Statements

Page No.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 238)

56-57

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended
December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended
December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

58

59

60-61

63

64-65

66-101

(2)  Financial Statements Schedules

All schedules have been omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required.

(3) Exhibits

3.1

3.2

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 By-laws of ONEOK, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to ONEOK 
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 24, 2023 (File No. 1-13643)).

Certificate of Designation for Convertible Preferred Stock of WAI, Inc. (now ONEOK, Inc.) filed 
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)).

Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2017, by and among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Partners, 
L.P., ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust, as 
trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to ONEOK Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 
3, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

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)).

105

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.8

4.9

4.10

4.11

4.12

4.13

4.14

Indenture dated December 28, 2001, between ONEOK, Inc. and SunTrust Bank, as trustee (incorporated by 
reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed 
December 28, 2001 (File No. 333-65392)).

Second Supplemental Indenture dated September 25, 1998, between ONEOK, Inc. and Chase Bank of 
Texas, as trustee, with respect to the 6.875% Debentures due 2028 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 
5(b) to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed October 2, 1998 (File No. 1-13643)).

Third 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 
(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)).

Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated March 20, 2015, among ONEOK Partners, L.P., ONEOK Partners 
Intermediate Limited Partnership and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, with respect to the 3.80% Senior 
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)).

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, with respect to the 4.90% Senior 
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)).

Fourth Supplemental 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, 
with respect to the 4.00% Senior Notes due 2027 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to ONEOK 
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 13, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

Fifth Supplemental 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, 
with respect to the 4.95% Senior Notes due 2047 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to ONEOK 
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 13, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2017, by and among ONEOK Partners, L.P., 
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)).

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, dated June 17, 2005, between ONEOK, Inc. and SunTrust Bank, as trustee, 
with respect to the 6.00% Senior Notes due 2035 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to ONEOK, 
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 17, 2005 (File No. 1-13643)).

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 due 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed September 12, 2013 (File No. 1-12202)).

106

4.15

4.16

4.17

4.18

4.19

4.20

4.21

4.22

4.23

4.24

4.25

4.26

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 due 2043 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed September 12, 2013 (File No. 1-12202)).

Indenture, dated September 25, 2006, between ONEOK Partners, L.P. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as 
trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K 
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)).

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 
Notes due 2022 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on 
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 due 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)).

Indenture, dated January 26, 2012, among ONEOK, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee 
(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, dated January 26, 2012, among ONEOK, Inc. and U.S. Bank National 
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)).

Second Supplemental Indenture, dated August 21, 2015, between ONEOK, Inc. and U.S. Bank National 
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 from Exhibit 4.3 to ONEOK 
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 3, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

Sixth 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 
respect to the 4.55% Senior Notes due 2028 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.1 to ONEOK, 
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 2, 2018 (File No. 1-13643)).

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 
respect to the 5.20% Senior Notes due 2048 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.2 to ONEOK, 
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 2, 2018 (File No. 1-13643)).

107

4.27

4.28

4.29

4.30

4.31

4.32

4.33

4.34

4.35

4.36

4.37

Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 13, 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 4.35% Senior Notes due 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)).

Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 13, 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 5.20% Senior Notes due 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 due 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 from Exhibit No. 4.2 to 
ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019 (File No. 1-13643)).

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 due 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)).

Thirteenth 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 2.200% Senior Notes due 2025 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.1 to 
ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 10, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

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 due 2030 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.2 to 
ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 10, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

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 trustee, with respect to the 
4.500% Senior Notes due 2050 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.3 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed March 20, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

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 trustee, with 
respect to the 5.850% Senior Notes due 2026 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.1 to ONEOK, 
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 7, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

Seventeenth 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 6.350% Senior Notes due 2031 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.2 to 
ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 7, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

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 due 2051 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.3 to ONEOK, 
Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 7, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

108

4.38

4.39

10

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 18, 2022, among ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK 
Partners, L.P., ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National 
Association (successor in interest to U.S. Bank National Association), as trustee, with respect to the 6.100% 
Senior Notes due 2032 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 4.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed November 18, 2022 (File No. 1-13643)).

Description of securities (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.43 to ONEOK, Inc.'s Annual Report on 
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed February 23, 2021 (File No. 1-13643)).

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 fiscal 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 from 
Exhibit 99 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed January 25, 2001 (File 
No. 333-54274)).

ONEOK, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan terminated and frozen 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)).

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 Officer Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 
10.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 27, 2009 (File No. 1-13643)).

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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, filed February 25, 2009 (File No. 1-13643)).

109

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2017, by and between ONEOK Partners, L.P. and ONEOK 
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 from Exhibit 10.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed July 3, 2017 (File No. 1-13643)).

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)).

10.14

Form of ONEOK, Inc. Officer Change in Control Severance Plan (incorporated by reference from 
Exhibit 10.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 22, 2011 (File No. 1-13643)).

10.15

Form of 2023 Restricted Unit Stock Award Agreement dated February 22, 2023.

10.16

Form of 2023 Performance Unit Award Agreement dated February 22, 2023.

10.17

10.18

10.19

10.20

10.21

10.22

10.23

Form of 2022 Restricted Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.17 to ONEOK, 
Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed March 1, 2022 (File No. 1-13643)).

Form of 2022 Performance Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.18 to 
ONEOK, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed March 1, 2022 (File No. 1-13643)).

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)).

Guaranty Agreement, dated as of November 19, 2018, by ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited 
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 from Exhibit 99 to 
ONEOK, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed December 30, 2004 (File No. 333-121769)).

ONEOK, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, dated December 18, 2008 (incorporated 
by reference from Exhibit 10.44 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)).

110

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 
America, Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and TD Securities (USA) LLC as sales agents, principals 
and/or forward sellers, and Credit Suisse Capital 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 from Exhibit 1.1 
to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K with a filing date of July 24, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

Form of Master Forward Confirmation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1.2 to ONEOK Inc.’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K with a filing date of July 24, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

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 fiscal 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 fiscal 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 fiscal 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 fiscal 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 fiscal 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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed February 25, 2020 
(File No. 1-13643)).

ONEOK, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan as amended and restated effective May 23, 2012 (incorporated 
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)).

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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, 
filed February 25, 2020 (File No. 1-13643)).

ONEOK, Inc. 2020 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan dated July 24, 2019, and effective as of 
January 1, 2020 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.40 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed February 23, 2021 (File No. 1-13643)).

111

10.36

10.37

10.38

10.39

10.40

10.41

10.42

10.43

21

22.1

23

31.1

31.2

32.1

32.2

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)).

Form of ONEOK, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Unit Award Agreement (Make-Whole Award) 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended September 30, 2022, filed November 2, 2022 (File No. 1-13643)).

Restricted Unit Award Agreement between ONEOK, Inc. and Pamela Amburgy (incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.2 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, 
filed November 2, 2022 (File No. 1-13643)).

Restricted Unit Award Agreement between ONEOK, Inc. and Janet Hogan (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.3 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, 
filed November 2, 2022 (File No. 1-13643)).

Restricted Unit Award Agreement between ONEOK, Inc. and Darren Wallis (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.4 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, 
filed November 2, 2022 (File No. 1-13643)).

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 10, 2022, by and among ONEOK, Inc., as borrower, 
Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, a swing line lender, a letter of credit issuer and a lender, and the 
other lenders, swing line 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 13, 2022 (File No. 1-13643)).

Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement, dated June 10, 2022, by and between ONEOK Partners, L.P. 
and ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership, in favor of Citibank, N.A. (incorporated by 
reference from Exhibit 10.2 to ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 13, 2022 (File No. 
1-13643)).

Sworn Statement in Proof of Loss and Full and Final Settlement, Release, and Indemnity Agreement, dated 
January 9, 2023, among ONEOK, Inc., Bison Prairie Assurance, L.L.C., certain North American, British, 
and/or Continental European insurers who are parties thereto and certain North American, British, and/or 
Continental European reinsurers who are parties thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to 
ONEOK, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 10, 2023 (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.

112

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, 2022, 2021 and 2020; (iii) Consolidated 
Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020; (iv) Consolidated Balance 
Sheets at December 31, 2022 and 2021; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2022, 
2021 and 2020; (vi) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020; and 
(vii) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

ITEM 16. 

FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

113

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 duly authorized.

Signatures

ONEOK, Inc.
Registrant

Date: February 28, 2023

By:

/s/ Walter S. Hulse III
Walter S. Hulse III
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and 
Executive Vice President, Investor Relations  
and Corporate Development
(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 capacities indicated on this 28th day of February 2023.

/s/ Pierce H. Norton II
Pierce H. Norton II
President, Chief Executive Officer and 
Director

/s/ Mary M. Spears
Mary M. Spears
Senior Vice President and Chief 
Accounting Officer, Finance and
Tax

/s/ Pattye L. Moore
Pattye L. Moore
Director

/s/ Eduardo A. Rodriguez
Eduardo A. Rodriguez
Director

/s/ Gerald B. Smith
Gerald B. Smith
Director

/s/ Julie H. Edwards
Julie H. Edwards
Board Chair

/s/ Walter S. Hulse III
Walter S. Hulse III
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and 
Executive Vice President, Investor
Relations and Corporate Development

/s/ Brian L. Derksen
Brian L. Derksen
Director

/s/ Mark W. Helderman
Mark W. Helderman
Director

/s/ Randall J. Larson
Randall J. Larson
Director

/s/ Steven J. Malcolm
Steven J. Malcolm
Director

/s/ Jim W. Mogg
Jim W. Mogg
Director

114

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ONEOK, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Positions and ages as of February 25, 2023

Brian L. Derksen, 71
Retired Global Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited
Dallas, Texas

Jim W. Mogg, 74
Retired Chairman, DCP Midstream GP, L.L.C.
Hydro, Oklahoma

Julie H. Edwards, 64
Board Chair, ONEOK, Inc.
Former Chief Financial Officer, Frontier Oil Corporation and Southern Union Company
Houston, Texas

Pattye L. Moore, 65
Former Board Chair, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers;
Former Board Chair and President, Sonic Corp.
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Mark W. Helderman, 64
Retired Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager, Sasco Capital Inc.
Westlake, Ohio

Pierce H. Norton II, 63
President and Chief Executive Officer, ONEOK, Inc.
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Randall J. Larson, 65
Retired Chief Executive Officer, TransMontaigne Partners L.P.
Tucson, Arizona

Eduardo A. Rodriguez, 67
President, Strategic Communications Consulting Group
El Paso, Texas

Steven J. Malcolm, 74
Retired Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Williams Companies, Inc.
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Gerald B. Smith, 72
Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Smith Graham & Company
Investment Advisors
Houston, Texas

ONEOK, INC. OFFICERS 

Positions and ages as of February 25, 2023

Pierce H. Norton II, 63 
President and Chief Executive Officer

Scott D. Schingen, 49
Senior Vice President, Operations

Walter S. Hulse III, 59
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Executive Vice President, Investor Relations and 
Corporate Development

Sheridan C. Swords, 53
Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Liquids and Natural Gas Gathering and Processing

Kevin L. Burdick, 58
Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer

Stephen B. Allen, 49
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary

Janet L. Hogan, 58
Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer

Charles M. Kelley, 64
Senior Vice President, Natural Gas Pipelines

Mary M. Spears, 43
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, Finance and Tax

Pat Cipolla, 57
Vice President, Associate General Counsel - Compliance & Ethics and 
Corporate Secretary

ANNUAL MEETING
The 2023 annual meeting of shareholders will be held Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at  
9 a.m. Central Daylight Time as a virtual meeting only. In order to virtually attend the annual 
meeting, shareholders must register online at www.proxydocs.com/oke.

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 (positive)

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, 2022, 
included in this annual report.

 
 
 
MIX
Paper from
responsible sources
FSC® C103375

100 West Fifth Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103-4298

Post Office Box 871
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74102-0871

www.oneok.com