10-Q 1 eqt930201510q.htm 10-Q 10-Q
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
 
or
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
 
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                TO               
 
 
 
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-3551
 
EQT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
PENNSYLVANIA
 
25-0464690 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
625 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1700, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 
15222
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
 
(412) 553-5700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x  No  ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large Accelerated Filer  x
 
Accelerated Filer                 ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer    ¨
 
Smaller reporting company ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ¨  No x
 
As of September 30, 2015, 152,540 (in thousands) shares of common stock, no par value, of the registrant were outstanding.




EQT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Index
 
 
 
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
EQT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Statements of Consolidated Income (Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales of natural gas, oil and NGLs
$
358,977

 
$
526,521

 
$
1,306,684

 
$
1,596,894

Pipeline and marketing services
56,775

 
50,381

 
203,164

 
185,680

Gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedges
161,263

 
1,821

 
209,114

 
(16,058
)
Total operating revenues
577,015

 
578,723

 
1,718,962

 
1,766,516

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Transportation and processing
65,033

 
49,121

 
187,709

 
146,019

Operation and maintenance
32,385

 
27,944

 
92,693

 
80,752

Production
32,505

 
33,840

 
95,353

 
97,662

Exploration
8,177

 
3,606

 
32,153

 
12,477

Selling, general and administrative
60,633

 
57,131

 
193,415

 
169,382

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
208,227

 
175,578

 
599,791

 
484,908

Total operating expenses
406,960

 
347,220

 
1,201,114

 
991,200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sale / exchange of assets

 

 

 
37,749

Operating income
170,055

 
231,503

 
517,848

 
813,065

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income
2,661

 
1,004

 
6,289

 
6,134

Interest expense
36,547

 
35,717

 
110,596

 
99,558

Income before income taxes
136,169

 
196,790

 
413,541

 
719,641

Income tax expense
35,936

 
64,496

 
28,393

 
239,920

Income from continuing operations
100,233

 
132,294

 
385,148

 
479,721

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 
1,772

Net income
100,233

 
132,294

 
385,148

 
481,493

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
59,446

 
33,739

 
165,398

 
79,824

Net income attributable to EQT Corporation
$
40,787

 
$
98,555

 
$
219,750

 
$
401,669

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts attributable to EQT Corporation:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Income from continuing operations
$
40,787

 
$
98,555

 
$
219,750

 
$
399,897

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 
1,772

Net income
$
40,787

 
$
98,555

 
$
219,750

 
$
401,669

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share of common stock attributable to EQT Corporation:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Weighted average common stock outstanding
152,551

 
151,557

 
152,326

 
151,533

Income from continuing operations
$
0.27

 
$
0.65

 
$
1.44

 
$
2.64

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 
0.01

Net income
$
0.27

 
$
0.65

 
$
1.44

 
$
2.65

Diluted:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Weighted average common stock outstanding
152,854

 
152,330

 
152,789

 
152,468

Income from continuing operations
$
0.27

 
$
0.65

 
$
1.44

 
$
2.62

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 
0.01

Net income
$
0.27

 
$
0.65

 
$
1.44

 
$
2.63

Dividends declared per common share
$
0.03

 
$
0.03

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.09

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


EQT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Thousands)
Net income
$
100,233

 
$
132,294

 
$
385,148

 
$
481,493

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net change in cash flow hedges:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Natural gas, net of tax (benefit) expense of $(26,093), $11,844, $(81,279) and $(16,036)
(39,346
)
 
17,820

 
(122,678
)
 
(23,418
)
Interest rate, net of tax expense of $25, $25, $75 and $75
36

 
36

 
108

 
108

Pension and other post-retirement benefits liability adjustment, net of tax expense of $127, $113, $382 and $340
202

 
175

 
606

 
527

Other comprehensive (loss) income
(39,108
)
 
18,031

 
(121,964
)
 
(22,783
)
Comprehensive income
61,125

 
150,325

 
263,184

 
458,710

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
59,446

 
33,739

 
165,398

 
79,824

Comprehensive income attributable to EQT Corporation
$
1,679

 
$
116,586

 
$
97,786

 
$
378,886

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

4


EQT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Statements of Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
Net income
$
385,148

 
$
481,493

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
(78,958
)
 
102,301

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
599,791

 
484,908

Asset impairments
35,004

 
8,729

Gain on sale / exchange of assets

 
(37,749
)
Gain on dispositions

 
(3,598
)
(Recoveries of) provision for losses on accounts receivable
(2,262
)
 
1,753

Other income
(6,276
)
 
(6,134
)
Stock-based compensation expense
41,622

 
33,072

Loss recognized in operating revenues for hedging ineffectiveness

 
(13,075
)
(Gain) loss on derivatives not designated as hedges
(209,114
)
 
16,058

Cash settlements received (paid) on derivatives not designated as hedges
70,874

 
(9,232
)
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Dividend from Nora Gathering, LLC

 
9,463

Excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation
(21,176
)
 
(28,592
)
Accounts receivable
161,118

 
34,419

Accounts payable
(84,262
)
 
(15,201
)
Accrued interest
22,935

 
30,860

Other items, net
(14,226
)
 
52,470

Net cash provided by operating activities
900,218

 
1,141,945

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Capital expenditures from continuing operations
(1,899,338
)
 
(1,606,307
)
Capital expenditures associated with Range Resources Corporation asset exchange

 
(163,251
)
Capital contributions to Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
(75,838
)
 

Restricted cash, net

 
(338,561
)
Proceeds from sale of assets

 
7,444

Net cash used in investing activities
(1,975,176
)
 
(2,100,675
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Proceeds from the issuance of common units of EQT Midstream Partners, LP, net of issuance costs
758,812

 
902,467

Proceeds from the sale of common units of EQT GP Holdings, LP, net of sale costs
674,010

 

Proceeds from issuance of EQT Midstream Partners, LP debt

 
500,000

Increase in short-term loans
561,500

 
450,000

Decrease in short-term loans
(211,500
)
 
(450,000
)
Dividends paid
(13,725
)
 
(13,653
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(85,218
)
 
(46,155
)
Repayments and retirements of long-term debt
(9,004
)
 
(6,162
)
Proceeds and excess tax benefits from exercises under employee compensation plans
35,196

 
42,181

Cash paid for taxes related to net settlement of share-based incentive awards
(46,492
)
 
(49,013
)
Debt issuance costs and revolving credit facility origination fees

 
(12,690
)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
(3,375
)
 
(32,368
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,660,204

 
1,284,607

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
585,246

 
325,877

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
1,077,429

 
845,641

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
1,662,675

 
$
1,171,518

 
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 

 
 

Interest, net of amount capitalized
$
87,661

 
$
68,698

Income taxes, net
$
100,987

 
$
127,858

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


EQT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(Thousands)
Assets
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,662,675

 
$
1,077,429

Accounts receivable (less accumulated provision for doubtful accounts:
$2,685 at September 30, 2015 and $5,311 at December 31, 2014)
147,229

 
306,085

Derivative instruments, at fair value
395,264

 
458,460

Prepaid expenses and other
57,653

 
62,349

Total current assets
2,262,821

 
1,904,323

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
15,364,032

 
13,608,151

Less: accumulated depreciation and depletion
4,091,834

 
3,531,337

Net property, plant and equipment
11,272,198

 
10,076,814

 
 
 
 
Other assets
205,087

 
83,763

Total assets
$
13,740,106

 
$
12,064,900

  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6


EQT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(Thousands)
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Current portion of long-term debt
$
160,000

 
$
166,011

Short-term loans
350,000

 

Accounts payable
265,407

 
444,077

Other current liabilities
215,709

 
223,391

Total current liabilities
991,116

 
833,479

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
2,818,200

 
2,822,889

Deferred income taxes
1,875,552

 
1,750,870

Other liabilities and credits
302,965

 
284,599

Total liabilities
5,987,833

 
5,691,837

 
 
 
 
Equity:
 

 
 

Stockholders’ equity:
 

 
 

Common stock, no par value, authorized 320,000 shares, shares issued:
175,347 at September 30, 2015 and 175,384 at December 31, 2014
2,384,312

 
1,895,632

Treasury stock, shares at cost: 22,807 at September 30, 2015
and 23,788 at December 31, 2014
(411,701
)
 
(429,440
)
Retained earnings
3,121,376

 
2,917,129

Accumulated other comprehensive income
77,530

 
199,494

Total common stockholders’ equity
5,171,517

 
4,582,815

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries
2,580,756

 
1,790,248

Total equity
7,752,273

 
6,373,063

Total liabilities and equity
$
13,740,106

 
$
12,064,900


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


7


EQT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Statements of Condensed Consolidated Equity (Unaudited)
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Noncontrolling
Interests in
Consolidated
Subsidiaries
 
 
 
Shares
Outstanding
 
No
Par Value
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
 
Total
Equity
 
(Thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2014
150,884

 
$
1,422,105

 
$
2,567,980

 
$
44,703

 
$
829,340

 
$
4,864,128

Comprehensive income (net of tax):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 

 
 

 
401,669

 
 

 
79,824

 
481,493

Net change in cash flow hedges:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
Natural gas, net of tax benefit of $(16,036)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(23,418
)
 
 
 
(23,418
)
Interest rate, net of tax expense of $75
 
 
 
 
 
 
108

 
 
 
108

Pension and other post-retirement benefits liability adjustment,
net of tax expense of $340
 
 
 
 
 
 
527

 
 
 
527

Dividends ($0.09 per share)
 

 
 

 
(13,653
)
 
 

 
 

 
(13,653
)
Stock-based compensation plans, net
922

 
40,436

 
 

 
 

 
1,685

 
42,121

Distributions to noncontrolling interests ($1.47 per EQM common unit)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(46,155
)
 
(46,155
)
Issuance of common units of EQT Midstream Partners, LP


 


 


 


 
902,467

 
902,467

Repurchase and retirement of common stock
(300
)
 
(12,759
)
 
(19,609
)
 
 
 
 
 
(32,368
)
Balance, September 30, 2014
151,506

 
$
1,449,782

 
$
2,936,387

 
$
21,920

 
$
1,767,161

 
$
6,175,250

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, January 1, 2015
151,596

 
$
1,466,192

 
$
2,917,129

 
$
199,494

 
$
1,790,248

 
$
6,373,063

Comprehensive income (net of tax):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 

 
 

 
219,750

 
 

 
165,398

 
385,148

Net change in cash flow hedges:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
Natural gas, net of tax benefit of $(81,279)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(122,678
)
 
 
 
(122,678
)
Interest rate, net of tax expense of $75
 
 
 
 
 
 
108

 
 
 
108

Pension and other post-retirement benefits liability adjustment,
net of tax expense of $382
 
 
 
 
 
 
606

 
 
 
606

Dividends ($0.09 per share)
 

 
 

 
(13,725
)
 
 

 
 

 
(13,725
)
Stock-based compensation plans, net
982

 
54,238

 
 

 
 

 
796

 
55,034

Distributions to noncontrolling interests ($1.83 and $0.04739 per common unit from EQM and EQGP, respectively)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(85,218
)
 
(85,218
)
Issuance of common units of EQT Midstream Partners, LP
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
758,812

 
758,812

Sale of common units of EQT GP Holdings, LP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
674,010

 
674,010

Changes in ownership of consolidated subsidiaries
 
 
453,778

 
 
 
 
 
(723,290
)
 
(269,512
)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
(38
)
 
(1,597
)
 
(1,778
)
 
 
 
 
 
(3,375
)
Balance, September 30, 2015
152,540

 
$
1,972,611

 
$
3,121,376

 
$
77,530

 
$
2,580,756

 
$
7,752,273

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


8

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 


A.                        Financial Statements
 
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of EQT Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and its cash flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.  In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “EQT,” “EQT Corporation,” and the “Company” refer collectively to EQT Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The impact of these reclassifications was not material to any of the previously issued financial statements.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States GAAP for complete financial statements.
 
Amounts related to discontinued operations included within the Statements of Consolidated Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 relate to the sale of Equitable Gas Company, LLC and related transactions in 2013.

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in EQT Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 21 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

B.                        Discontinued Operations
 
On December 17, 2013, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Distribution Holdco, LLC (Holdco) completed the disposition of their ownership interests in Equitable Gas Company, LLC (Equitable Gas) and Equitable Homeworks, LLC (Homeworks) to PNG Companies LLC (the Equitable Gas Transaction). Equitable Gas and Homeworks comprised substantially all of the Company’s previously reported Distribution segment.  The financial information of Equitable Gas and Homeworks is reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented in these financial statements. 
 
During the second quarter of 2014, the Company received additional cash proceeds of $7.4 million as a result of post-closing purchase price adjustments for the Equitable Gas Transaction. The Company recognized an additional gain of $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, included in income from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the Statements of Consolidated Income. As consideration for the Equitable Gas Transaction, the Company received total cash proceeds of $748.0 million, select midstream assets (including the Allegheny Valley Connector) with a fair value of $140.9 million and other contractual assets with a fair value of $32.5 million.
 
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes was $3.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Income from discontinued operations was $1.8 million, net of tax of $1.3 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

9

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 

C.                        EQT GP Holdings, LP

In January 2015, the Company formed EQT GP Holdings, LP (EQGP) (NYSE: EQGP), a Delaware limited partnership, to own partnership interests in EQT Midstream Partners, LP (EQM) (NYSE: EQM). In April 2015, EQT Midstream Investments, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that held EQT’s EQM common units, merged with and into EQGP, and EQT Gathering Holdings, LLC (EQT Gathering Holdings), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EQT, contributed 100% of the outstanding limited liability company interests in EQT Midstream Services, LLC, EQM’s general partner, to EQGP. As a result of these restructuring transactions, EQGP owned the following EQM partnership interests as of September 30, 2015, which represent EQGP’s only cash-generating assets: 21,811,643 EQM common units, representing a 29.89% limited partner interest in EQM; 1,443,015 EQM general partner units, representing a 1.98% general partner interest in EQM; and all of EQM’s incentive distribution rights, or IDRs, which entitle EQGP to receive up to 48.0% of all incremental cash distributed in a quarter after $0.5250 has been distributed in respect of each common unit and general partner unit of EQM for that quarter. The Company is the ultimate parent company of EQGP and EQM.

On May 15, 2015, EQGP completed an underwritten initial public offering (IPO) of 26,450,000 common units representing limited partner interests in EQGP, which represented 9.9% of EQGP’s outstanding limited partner interests. The Company retained 239,715,000 common units, which represented a 90.1% limited partner interest, and a non-economic general partner interest, in EQGP. EQT Gathering Holdings, as the selling unitholder, sold all of the EQGP common units in the offering, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $674.0 million after deducting underwriting discounts and structuring fees of approximately $2.6 million. EQGP did not receive any of the proceeds from, or incur any expenses in connection with, EQGP’s IPO.

The Company continues to consolidate the results of EQGP, but records an income tax provision only as to its ownership percentage.  The Company records the noncontrolling interest of the EQGP public limited partners in its financial statements. In connection with the May 2015 EQGP IPO, the Company recorded a $321.8 million gain to additional paid-in-capital, a decrease in noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiary of $512.9 million and an increase to deferred tax liability of $191.1 million.

On October 20, 2015, the Board of Directors of EQGP’s general partner declared a cash distribution to EQGP’s unitholders for the third quarter of 2015 of $0.104 per common unit, or approximately $27.7 million.  The distribution will be paid on November 23, 2015 to unitholders of record, including the Company, at the close of business on November 2, 2015.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (i.e., to the EQGP limited partner interests not owned by the Company and the EQM limited partner interests not owned by EQGP) was $59.4 million and $165.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (i.e., to the EQM limited partner interests not owned by the Company) was $33.7 million and $79.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

D.                        EQT Midstream Partners, LP
 
In January 2012, the Company formed EQM to own, operate, acquire and develop midstream assets in the Appalachian Basin. EQM provides midstream services to the Company and other third parties. EQM is consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company records the noncontrolling interest of the EQM public limited partners in its financial statements.

In connection with EQM’s IPO in July 2012, EQM issued 17,339,718 subordinated units of EQM to the Company. On February 17, 2015, the subordinated units converted into common units representing limited partner interests in EQM on a one-for-one basis as a result of satisfaction of certain conditions for termination of the subordination period set forth in EQM’s partnership agreement.

On March 10, 2015, the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company entered into a contribution and sale agreement (Contribution Agreement) with EQM and EQM Gathering Opco, LLC (EQM Gathering), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EQM. Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, on March 17, 2015, a subsidiary of the Company contributed the Northern West Virginia Marcellus gathering system to EQM Gathering in exchange for total consideration of approximately $925.7 million, consisting of approximately $873.2 million in cash, 511,973 EQM common units and 178,816 EQM general partner units (the NWV Gathering Transaction). EQM Gathering is consolidated by the Company as it is still controlled by the Company. On April 15, 2015, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the Company transferred a preferred interest in EQT Energy Supply, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company that generates revenue from services provided to a local distribution company, to EQM in exchange for total consideration of approximately $124.3 million.


10

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 

On March 17, 2015, EQM completed an underwritten public offering of 8,250,000 common units. On March 18, 2015, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase 1,237,500 additional common units on the same terms as the offering. EQM received net proceeds of approximately $696.6 million from the offering after deducting the underwriters’ discount and offering expenses of approximately $24.5 million. In connection with the offering, the Company recorded a $122.8 million gain to additional paid-in-capital, a decrease in noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiary of $195.8 million and an increase to deferred tax liability of $73.0 million.

On March 30, 2015, the Company assigned 100% of the membership interests in MVP Holdco, LLC (MVP Holdco), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that owns a majority interest (the MVP Interest) in Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (MVP Joint Venture), to EQM for approximately $54.2 million, which represented EQM’s reimbursement to the Company for 100% of the capital contributions made by the Company to the MVP Joint Venture as of March 30, 2015. The MVP Joint Venture plans to construct the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), an estimated 300-mile natural gas interstate pipeline spanning from northern West Virginia to southern Virginia. The MVP Joint Venture has secured a total of 2.0 Bcf per day of 20 - year firm capacity commitments, including an approximately 1.3 Bcf per day firm capacity commitment by the Company. The MVP project is subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval. The voluntary prefiling process with the FERC began in October 2014 and the pipeline is expected to be placed in-service during the fourth quarter of 2018. The MVP Joint Venture has been determined to be a variable interest entity because the MVP Joint Venture has insufficient equity to finance activities during the construction stage of the MVP. EQM is not the primary beneficiary because it does not have the power to direct the activities of the MVP Joint Venture that most significantly impact its economic performance. EQM accounted for the MVP Interest beginning on the date it was assumed from EQT as an equity method investment.

During the third quarter of 2015, EQM entered into an equity distribution agreement that established an “At the Market” (ATM) common unit offering program, pursuant to which a group of managers, acting as EQM’s sales agents, may sell EQM common units having an aggregate offering price of up to $750 million (the $750 million ATM Program). During the three months ended September 30, 2015, EQM issued 827,975 common units at an average price per unit of $76.58. EQM received net proceeds of approximately $62.2 million after deducting commissions of approximately $0.7 million and other offering expenses of approximately $0.5 million. EQM used the net proceeds from the sales for general partnership purposes. EQM’s general partner elected not to maintain its general partner ownership percentage at the previous level of 2.0%. In connection with the September offerings, the Company recorded a $9.2 million gain to additional paid-in-capital, a decrease in noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiary of $14.6 million and an increase to deferred tax liability of $5.4 million.

On October 20, 2015, the Board of Directors of EQM’s general partner declared a cash distribution to EQM’s unitholders for the third quarter of 2015 of $0.675 per common unit. The cash distribution will be paid on November 13, 2015 to unitholders of record, including EQGP, at the close of business on November 2, 2015. Based on the 71,870,181 EQM common units outstanding on October 22, 2015, the aggregate cash distributions to EQGP would be approximately $28.6 million consisting of: $14.7 million in respective of its limited partner interest, $1.2 million in respect of its general partner interest and $12.7 million in respect of its incentive distribution rights in EQM. The distributions in respect of EQGP's general partner interest and incentive distribution rights in EQM are subject to change if EQM issues additional common units on or prior to the record date for the third quarter 2015 distribution. 


11

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 


E.                        Financial Information by Business Segment
 
Operating segments are revenue-producing components of the enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally and which are subject to evaluation by the Company’s chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources.
 
The Company reports its operations in two segments, which reflect its lines of business.  The EQT Production segment includes the Company’s exploration for, and development and production of, natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and a limited amount of crude oil in the Appalachian and Permian Basins.  The EQT Midstream segment’s operations include the natural gas gathering, transmission, storage and marketing activities of the Company, including ownership and operation of EQM.
 
Operating segments are evaluated on their contribution to the Company’s consolidated results based on operating income. Other income, interest and income taxes are managed on a consolidated basis. Headquarters’ costs are billed to the operating segments based upon an allocation of the headquarters’ annual operating budget.  Differences between budget and actual headquarters’ expenses are not allocated to the operating segments.
 
Substantially all of the Company’s operating revenues, income from operations and assets are generated or located in the United States. 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Thousands)
Revenues from external customers:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

EQT Production
$
381,538

 
$
411,687

 
$
1,127,319

 
$
1,297,593

EQT Midstream
198,579

 
173,856

 
599,235

 
502,427

Less intersegment revenues, net (a)
(3,102
)
 
(6,820
)
 
(7,592
)
 
(33,504
)
Total
$
577,015

 
$
578,723

 
$
1,718,962

 
$
1,766,516

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

EQT Production (b)
$
56,360

 
$
140,036

 
$
175,317

 
$
561,930

EQT Midstream (b)
113,010

 
93,600

 
350,942

 
265,196

Unallocated expenses (c)
685

 
(2,133
)
 
(8,411
)
 
(14,061
)
Total operating income
$
170,055

 
$
231,503

 
$
517,848

 
$
813,065


(a)
Eliminates intercompany natural gas sales from EQT Production to EQT Midstream.
(b)
Gains on sales / exchanges of assets of $31.0 million and $6.8 million are included in EQT Production and EQT Midstream operating income, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
(c)
Unallocated expenses consist primarily of incentive compensation expense and administrative costs.

Reconciliation of operating income to income from continuing operations:
Other income
2,661

 
1,004

 
6,289

 
6,134

Interest expense
36,547

 
35,717

 
110,596

 
99,558

Income taxes
35,936

 
64,496

 
28,393

 
239,920

Income from continuing operations
$
100,233

 
$
132,294

 
$
385,148

 
$
479,721




12

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 

 
As of September 30, 2015
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
(Thousands)
Segment assets:
 

 
 

EQT Production
$
8,842,653

 
$
8,153,199

EQT Midstream
3,134,036

 
2,709,052

Total operating segments
11,976,689

 
10,862,251

Headquarters assets, including cash and short-term investments
1,763,417

 
1,202,649

Total assets
$
13,740,106

 
$
12,064,900

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Thousands)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

EQT Production
$
184,277

 
$
154,031

 
$
529,071

 
$
421,521

EQT Midstream
23,830

 
21,709

 
70,417

 
63,848

Other
120

 
(162
)
 
303

 
(461
)
Total
$
208,227

 
$
175,578

 
$
599,791

 
$
484,908

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenditures for segment assets (d):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

EQT Production (e)
$
451,358

 
$
511,971

 
$
1,453,647

 
$
1,855,518

EQT Midstream
130,902

 
136,589

 
368,019

 
333,813

Other
437

 
805

 
2,046

 
2,167

Total
$
582,697

 
$
649,365

 
$
1,823,712

 
$
2,191,498

 
(d)
Includes non-cash capital expenditures of $5.9 million and $5.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $18.5 million and $13.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for certain labor overhead costs including a portion of non-cash stock-based compensation expense. The Company also had accrued capital expenditures which had not yet been paid of $164.1 million and $233.3 million as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(e)     Includes $159.0 million of cash capital expenditures and $353.1 million of non-cash capital expenditures for the exchange of assets with Range Resources Corporation (Range) (described in Note L) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Expenditures for segment assets in the EQT Production segment include $41.8 million and $37.2 million for property acquisitions during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $180.9 million and $646.9 million for property acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

F.                        Derivative Instruments
 
The Company’s primary market risk exposure is the volatility of future prices for natural gas and NGLs, which can affect the operating results of the Company primarily at EQT Production. The Company’s overall objective in its hedging program is to protect cash flows from undue exposure to the risk of changing commodity prices.
 
The Company uses over the counter (OTC) derivative commodity instruments, primarily swap and collar agreements, that are primarily placed with financial institutions and the creditworthiness of all counterparties is regularly monitored. The Company also uses exchange traded futures contracts that obligate the Company to buy or sell a designated commodity at a future date for a specified price and quantity at a specified location. Swap agreements involve payments to or receipts from counterparties based on the differential between two prices for the commodity. Collar agreements require the counterparty to pay the Company if the index price falls below the floor price and the Company to pay the counterparty if the index price rises above the cap price. The Company also engages in basis swaps to protect earnings from undue exposure to the risk of geographic disparities in commodity prices and interest rate swaps to hedge exposure to interest rate fluctuations on potential debt issuances. The Company has also engaged in a limited number of swaptions and call options.

The Company recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value on a gross basis. The assets are reported as derivative instruments at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and liabilities are reported within other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These derivative instruments are reported as either current assets or current liabilities due to their highly liquid nature. The Company can net settle its derivative instruments at any time.

13

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 

 
The accounting for the changes in fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments depends on the use of the derivative instruments.  To the extent that a derivative instrument had been designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative instrument is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI), net of tax, and is subsequently reclassified into the Statements of Consolidated Income in the same period or periods during which the forecasted transaction affects earnings.  In conjunction with the exchange of assets with Range that closed in June 2014 (see Note L), the Company de-designated certain derivative instruments that were previously designated as cash flow hedges because it was probable that the forecasted transactions would not occur, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $28.0 million recorded within gain on sale / exchange of assets in the Statements of Consolidated Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Any subsequent changes in fair value of these derivative instruments are recognized within operating revenues in the Statements of Consolidated Income each period.

Historically, derivative commodity instruments used by the Company to hedge its exposure to variability in expected future cash flows associated with the fluctuations in the price of natural gas related to the Company’s forecasted sale of equity production and forecasted natural gas purchases and sales were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company deferred net gains of $94.4 million and $217.1 million, respectively, in accumulated OCI, net of tax, related to the effective portion of the change in fair value of its derivative commodity instruments designated as cash flow hedges. Effective December 31, 2014, the Company elected to de-designate all cash flows hedges and discontinue the use of cash flow hedge accounting. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the forecasted transactions remained probable of occurring and as such, the amounts in accumulated OCI will continue to be reported in accumulated OCI and will be reclassified into earnings in future periods when the underlying hedged transactions occur. The Company estimates that approximately $73.8 million of net gains on its derivative commodity instruments reflected in accumulated OCI, net of tax, as of September 30, 2015 will be recognized in earnings during the next twelve months due to the settlement of hedged transactions. As a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedge accounting, beginning in 2015, all changes in fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments are recognized in the Statements of Consolidated Income.

The Company also enters into fixed price natural gas sales agreements that are satisfied by physical delivery.  These physical commodity contracts qualify for the normal purchases and sales exception and are not subject to derivative instrument accounting.
 
Exchange-traded instruments are generally settled with offsetting positions. OTC arrangements require settlement in cash. Settlements of derivative commodity instruments are reported as a component of cash flows from operations in the accompanying Statements of Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows. 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Commodity derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
(Thousands)
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion), net of tax
$

 
$
23,160

 
$

 
$
(29,489
)
Amount of gain reclassified from accumulated OCI, net of tax, into gain on sale / exchange of assets due to forecasted transactions probable to not occur

 

 

 
16,735

Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI, net of tax, into operating revenues (effective portion)
39,346

 
5,340

 
122,678

 
(22,806
)
Amount of gain recognized in operating revenues (ineffective portion) (a)

 
34,348

 

 
13,075

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated OCI, net of tax, into interest expense (effective portion)
$
(36
)
 
$
(36
)
 
$
(108
)
 
$
(108
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedges
$
161,263

 
$
1,821

 
$
209,114

 
$
(16,058
)

(a)   No amounts were excluded from effectiveness testing of cash flow hedges.


14

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 

The absolute quantities of the Company’s derivative commodity instruments totaled 585 Bcf and 624 Bcf as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and were primarily related to natural gas swaps and collars. The open positions at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 had maturities extending through December 2018.

The Company recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value on a gross basis. Margin deposits remitted to financial counterparties or received from financial counterparties related to OTC natural gas swap agreements and options and any funds remitted to or deposits received from the Company’s brokers are recorded on a gross basis.  The Company has netting agreements with financial institutions and its brokers that permit net settlement of gross commodity derivative assets against gross commodity derivative liabilities. The table below reflects the impact of netting agreements and margin deposits on gross derivative assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
As of September 30, 2015
 
Derivative
instruments,
recorded in the
Condensed
Consolidated
Balance
Sheet, gross
 
Derivative
instruments
subject to
master
netting
agreements
 
Margin
deposits
remitted to
counterparties
 
Derivative
instruments, net
 
 
(Thousands)
Asset derivatives:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative instruments, at fair value
 
$
395,264

 
$
(15,411
)
 
$

 
$
379,853

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liability derivatives:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative instruments, at fair value (included in other current liabilities)
 
$
26,057

 
$
(15,411
)
 
$

 
$
10,646

As of December 31, 2014
 
Derivative
instruments,
recorded in the
Condensed
Consolidated
Balance
Sheet, gross
 
Derivative
instruments
subject to 
master
netting
agreements
 
Margin
deposits
remitted to
counterparties
 
Derivative
instruments, net
 
 
(Thousands)
Asset derivatives:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative instruments, at fair value
 
$
458,460

 
$
(22,810
)
 
$

 
$
435,650

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liability derivatives:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative instruments, at fair value (included in other current liabilities)
 
$
22,942

 
$
(22,810
)
 
$
(132
)
 
$

 
Certain of the Company’s derivative instrument contracts provide that if the Company’s credit ratings by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) or Moody’s Investors Services (Moody’s) are lowered below investment grade, additional collateral may be required to be deposited with the counterparty.  The additional collateral can be up to 100% of the derivative liability.  As of September 30, 2015, the aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position was $15.7 million, for which the Company had no collateral posted on September 30, 2015.  If the Company’s credit rating by S&P or Moody’s had been downgraded below investment grade on September 30, 2015, the Company would not have been required to post any additional collateral under the agreements with the respective counterparties.  Investment grade refers to the quality of the Company’s credit as assessed by one or more credit rating agencies. The Company’s senior unsecured debt was rated BBB by S&P and Baa3 by Moody’s at September 30, 2015.  In order to be considered investment grade, the Company must be rated BBB- or higher by S&P and Baa3 or higher by Moody’s.  Anything below these ratings is considered non-investment grade. Having a non-investment grade rating may result in greater borrowing costs and collateral requirements than would be available if all credit ratings were investment grade.

15

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 


G.            Fair Value Measurements
 
The Company records its financial instruments, principally derivative instruments, at fair value in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The Company estimates the fair value using quoted market prices, where available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon models that use market-based parameters as inputs, including forward curves, discount rates, volatilities and nonperformance risk.  Nonperformance risk considers the effect of the Company’s credit standing on the fair value of liabilities and the effect of the counterparty’s credit standing on the fair value of assets.  The Company estimates nonperformance risk by analyzing publicly available market information, including a comparison of the yield on debt instruments with credit ratings similar to the Company’s or counterparty’s credit rating and the yield of a risk-free instrument and credit default swaps rates where available.

The Company has categorized its assets and liabilities recorded at fair value into a three-level fair value hierarchy, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique.  The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).  Assets and liabilities included in Level 1 include the Company’s futures contracts.  Assets and liabilities in Level 2 primarily include the Company’s swap and collar agreements. There were no transfers between Level 1 and 2 during the periods presented. There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 during the periods presented. The Company recognizes transfers between Levels as of the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.

The fair value of the assets and liabilities included in Level 2 is based on standard industry income approach models that use significant observable inputs, including New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) forward curves, LIBOR-based discount rates and basis forward curves.  The Company’s collars, swaptions and options are valued using standard industry income approach option models. The significant observable inputs utilized by the option pricing models include NYMEX forward curves, natural gas volatilities and LIBOR-based discount rates.
 
The Company uses NYMEX forward curves to value futures, commodity swaps, collars, swaptions and options. The NYMEX forward curves, LIBOR-based discount rates, natural gas volatilities and basis forward curves are validated to external sources at least monthly.

The following assets and liabilities were measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the applicable period:
 
 
 
 
Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Description
 
As of September 30, 2015
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
(Thousands)
Assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative instruments, at fair value
 
$
395,264

 
$

 
$
395,264

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Derivative instruments, at fair value (included in other current liabilities)
 
$
26,057

 
$

 
$
26,057

 
$



16

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 

 
 
 
 
Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Description
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
(Thousands)
Assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative instruments, at fair value
 
$
458,460

 
$

 
$
458,460

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative instruments, at fair value (included in other current liabilities)
 
$
22,942

 
$
132

 
$
22,810

 
$

 
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, amounts due to/from related parties and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short maturity of the instruments. The carrying value of short-term loans under EQM’s credit facility approximates fair value as the interest rates are based on prevailing market rates.
 
The Company estimates the fair value of its debt using its established fair value methodology.  Because not all of the Company’s debt is actively traded, the fair value of the debt is a Level 2 fair value measurement.  Fair value for non-traded debt obligations is estimated using a standard industry income approach model which utilizes a discount rate based on market rates for debt with similar remaining time to maturity and credit risk.  The estimated fair value of long-term debt (including EQM’s long-term debt) on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was approximately $3.1 billion and $3.3 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The carrying value of long-term debt (including EQM’s long-term debt) on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was approximately $3.0 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

H.                       Income Taxes
 
The Company estimates an annual effective income tax rate based on projected results for the year and applies this rate to income before taxes to calculate income tax expense.  All of EQGP’s earnings are included in the Company’s net income. However, the Company is not required to record income tax expense with respect to the portion of EQGP’s earnings allocated to the noncontrolling public limited partners of EQGP and EQM, which reduces the Company’s effective tax rate.  Any refinements made due to subsequent information that affects the estimated annual effective income tax rate are reflected as adjustments in the current period.
 
The Company’s effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 6.9%, compared to 33.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Excluding the impact of recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance received by the Company (discussed below), the effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 15.5%. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was primarily attributable to an increase in income allocated to the noncontrolling limited partners of EQGP and EQM, a decrease in state taxes in 2015 as a result of lower pre-tax income on state tax paying entities and increased tax credits recorded in 2015. The increase to noncontrolling limited partners income was primarily the result of higher net income at EQM and increased noncontrolling interests as a result of EQM’s March 2015 underwritten public offering of common units, issuances of EQM common units under the $750 million ATM Program and EQGP’s May 2015 IPO.

The Company’s income tax expense was lower for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to a realized $35.5 million tax benefit in connection with recent IRS guidance received by the Company regarding the Company’s sale of Equitable Gas Company, LLC, a regulated entity, in 2013. The transaction included a partial like-kind exchange of assets that resulted in tax deferral for the Company. However, in order to be in compliance with the normalization rules of the Internal Revenue Code, the IRS guidance held that the deferred tax liability associated with the exchanged regulatory assets should not be considered for ratemaking purposes. As a result, during the second quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a regulatory asset equal to the taxes deferred from the exchange and an associated income tax benefit. The regulatory asset and deferred taxes will be reversed when the assets are disposed of in a taxable transaction such as a sale of assets or amortized over the 32-year remaining life of the assets received in the exchange, in either event increasing tax expense at that time.

There were no material changes to the Company’s methodology for determining unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended September 30, 2015.  The Company believes that it is appropriately reserved for uncertain tax positions. 

17

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 


I.                       Revolving Credit Facilities

The Company has a $1.5 billion credit facility that expires in February 2019. The Company had no loans or letters of credit outstanding under its revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014 or at any time during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.
 
EQM has a $750 million credit facility that expires in February 2019, and EQM had $350.0 million of loans and no letters of credit outstanding under its revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2015. As of December 31, 2014, EQM had no loans or letters of credit outstanding under its revolving credit facility. The maximum amount of outstanding short-term loans under EQM’s revolving credit facility at any time during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $404 million. The maximum amount of outstanding short-term loans under EQM’s revolving credit facility at any time during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $330 million and $450 million, respectively. The average daily balance of loans outstanding under EQM’s credit facility was approximately $357 million and $241 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The average daily balance of loans outstanding under EQM’s credit facility was approximately $133 million and $159 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Interest was incurred on the loans at a weighted average annual interest rate of approximately 1.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.
 
The Company incurred commitment fees averaging approximately 6 basis points for each of the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and approximately 17 basis points for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, to maintain credit availability under its revolving credit facility. EQM incurred commitment fees averaging approximately 6 basis points for each of the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and 17 basis points and 18 basis points for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to maintain credit availability under its revolving credit facility.

J.                            Earnings Per Share
 
Potentially dilutive securities, consisting of options and restricted stock awards, which were included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, totaled 302,550 and 772,873 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 462,317 and 935,027 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Options to purchase common stock which were excluded from potentially dilutive securities because they were anti-dilutive totaled 291,700 and 133,500 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. No options to purchase common stock were excluded from potentially dilutive securities because they were anti-dilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The impact of EQM’s and EQGP’s dilutive units did not have a material impact on the Company’s earnings per share calculations for any of the periods presented. 

K.         Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component
 
The following tables explain the changes in accumulated OCI by component during the applicable period:
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Natural gas cash
flow hedges, net of tax
 
Interest rate
cash flow
hedges, net
of tax
 
Pension and
other post-
retirement
benefits liability
adjustment,
net of tax
 
Accumulated
OCI, net of tax
 
(Thousands)
Accumulated OCI (loss), net of tax, as of July 1, 2015
$
133,789

 
$
(915
)
 
$
(16,236
)
 
$
116,638

(Gains) losses reclassified from accumulated OCI, net of tax
(39,346
)
(a)
36

(a)
202

(b)
(39,108
)
Accumulated OCI (loss), net of tax, as of September 30, 2015
$
94,443

 
$
(879
)
 
$
(16,034
)
 
$
77,530



18

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Natural gas cash
flow hedges, net of tax
 
Interest rate
cash flow
hedges, net
of tax
 
Pension and
other post-
retirement
benefits liability
adjustment,
net of tax
 
Accumulated
OCI, net of tax
 
(Thousands)
Accumulated OCI (loss), net of tax, as of July 1, 2014
$
20,461

 
$
(1,060
)
 
$
(15,512
)
 
$
3,889

Gains recognized in accumulated OCI, net of tax
23,160

(a)

 

 
23,160

(Gains) losses reclassified from accumulated OCI, net of tax
(5,340
)
(a)
36

(a)
175

(b)
(5,129
)
Change in accumulated OCI, net of tax
17,820

 
36

 
175

 
18,031

Accumulated OCI (loss), net of tax, as of September 30, 2014
$
38,281

 
$
(1,024
)
 
$
(15,337
)
 
$
21,920

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Natural gas cash
flow hedges, net
of tax
 
Interest rate
cash flow
hedges, net
of tax
 
Pension and
other post-
retirement
benefits liability
adjustment,
net of tax
 
Accumulated
OCI (loss), net
of tax
 
(Thousands)
Accumulated OCI (loss), net of tax, as of January 1, 2015
$
217,121

 
$
(987
)
 
$
(16,640
)
 
$
199,494

(Gains) losses reclassified from accumulated OCI, net of tax
(122,678
)
(a)
108

(a)
606

(b)
(121,964
)
Accumulated OCI (loss), net of tax, as of September 30, 2015
$
94,443

 
$
(879
)
 
$
(16,034
)
 
$
77,530

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Natural gas cash
flow hedges, net
of tax
 
Interest rate
cash flow
hedges, net
of tax
 
Pension and
other post-
retirement
benefits liability
adjustment,
net of tax
 
Accumulated
OCI (loss), net
of tax
 
(Thousands)
Accumulated OCI (loss), net of tax, as of January 1, 2014
$
61,699

 
$
(1,132
)
 
$
(15,864
)
 
$
44,703

Losses recognized in accumulated OCI, net of tax
(29,489
)
(a)

 

 
(29,489
)
Gain reclassified from accumulated OCI, net of tax, into gain on sale / exchange of assets
(16,735
)
(a)

 

 
(16,735
)
Losses reclassified from accumulated OCI, net of tax
22,806

(a)
108

(a)
527

(b)
23,441

Change in accumulated OCI (loss), net of tax
(23,418
)
 
108

 
527

 
(22,783
)
Accumulated OCI (loss), net of tax, as of September 30, 2014
$
38,281

 
$
(1,024
)
 
$
(15,337
)
 
$
21,920


(a)   See Note F for additional information.

(b)   This accumulated OCI reclassification is attributable to the net actuarial loss and net prior service cost related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans.  See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for additional information.

19

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 


L.         Sale and Exchange of Properties

In June 2014, the Company exchanged assets with Range. The Company received approximately 73,000 net acres and approximately 900 producing wells, most of which are vertical wells, in the Permian Basin of Texas. In exchange, Range received approximately 138,000 net acres in the Nora field of Virginia (Nora), the Company’s working interest in approximately 2,000 producing vertical wells in Nora, the Company’s 50% ownership interest in Nora Gathering, LLC (Nora LLC), which owned the supporting gathering system in Nora, and $167.3 million in cash. The Company previously recorded its 50% ownership interest in Nora LLC as a nonconsolidated investment in its consolidated financial statements.

The fair value of the assets exchanged by the Company was approximately $516.5 million. Fair value of $318.3 million was allocated to the acquired acreage and $198.2 million was allocated to the acquired wells. The Company recorded a pre-tax gain of $34.1 million, which is included in gain on sale / exchange of assets in the Statements of Consolidated Income. The gain on sale / exchange of assets includes a $28.0 million pre-tax gain related to the de-designation of certain derivative instruments that were previously designated as cash flow hedges because it was probable that the forecasted transactions would not occur.

As the asset exchange qualified as a business combination under United States GAAP, the fair value of the acquired assets was determined using a discounted cash flow model under the market approach. Significant unobservable inputs used in the analysis included the determination of estimated developed reserves, NYMEX forward pricing and comparable sales transactions, which classify the acquired assets as a Level 3 measurement.

M.        Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard requires an entity to recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2014-09 will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition requirements in United States GAAP when it becomes effective and is required to be adopted using one of two retrospective application methods. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Deferral of the Effective Date which approved a one year deferral of ASU 2014-09 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is permitted as of the original effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the method of adoption and impact this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation. The standard changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The ASU will be effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods therein. The Company has evaluated this standard and determined that the adoption of it will have no significant impact on reported results.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest. The standard requires an entity to present the debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Interest - Imputation of Interest. The standard added Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) paragraphs to clarify the applicability of ASU No. 2015-03 to debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. The guidance in ASU No. 2015-03 is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the timing of adoption and impact this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. The ASU adds guidance that will help entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement. The ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.

20

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
 
Disclosures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking and usually identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “may,” “forecast,” “approximate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial matters.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include the matters discussed in the section captioned “Outlook” in Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance of the Company and its subsidiaries, including guidance regarding the Company’s strategy to develop its Marcellus, Utica and other reserves; drilling plans and programs (including the number, type, feet of pay and location of wells to be drilled and the availability of capital to complete these plans and programs); production sales volumes (including liquids volumes) and growth rates; gathering and transmission volumes; infrastructure programs (including the timing, cost and capacity of the transmission and gathering expansion projects); the timing, cost, capacity and expected interconnects with facilities and pipelines of the Ohio Valley Connector (OVC) and Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) projects; the ultimate terms, partners and structure of the MVP joint venture; technology (including drilling techniques); monetization transactions, including midstream asset sales (dropdowns) to EQT Midstream Partners, LP (EQM) and other asset sales, joint ventures or other transactions involving the Company’s assets; natural gas prices and changes in basis; reserves; projected capital expenditures; the amount and timing of any repurchases under the Company’s share repurchase authorization; liquidity and financing requirements, including funding sources and availability; hedging strategy; the effects of government regulation and litigation; and tax position. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results.  Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.  The Company has based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and assumptions about future events.  While the Company considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control.  The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance and results of the Company’s business and forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company does not intend to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
In reviewing any agreements incorporated by reference in or filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, please remember such agreements are included to provide information regarding the terms of such agreements and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the Company. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by the Company, which should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties to such agreements should those statements prove to be inaccurate. The representations and warranties were made only as of the date of the relevant agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in such agreement and are subject to more recent developments.  Accordingly, these representations and warranties alone may not describe the actual state of affairs of the Company or its affiliates as of the date they were made or at any other time. 

21

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

CORPORATE OVERVIEW
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to EQT Corporation for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $40.8 million, $0.27 per diluted share, compared with $98.6 million, $0.65 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The $57.8 million decrease in income from continuing operations attributable to EQT Corporation between periods was primarily attributable to a 42% decrease in the average realized price for production sales volumes, higher operating expenses and higher net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, partially offset by increased gains on derivatives not designated as hedges, increased production sales volumes, lower income tax expense and increased gathering and transmission firm reservation revenues.
 
The average realized price to EQT Corporation for production sales volumes was $2.12 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $3.63 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The decrease in the average realized price was driven by lower New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) natural gas prices net of cash settled derivatives, a lower average differential and lower natural gas liquids (NGLs) prices.

The average NYMEX natural gas index price was $2.77 per MMBtu during the third quarter of 2015, 32% lower than the average index price of $4.06 per MMBtu during the third quarter of 2014. In addition, the average differential decreased $0.13 per Mcf primarily due to lower recoveries. Recoveries represent differences in natural gas prices between the Appalachian Basin and the sales points of other markets reached by utilizing transportation capacity, differences in natural gas prices between Appalachian Basin and fixed price sales contracts, term sales with fixed differentials to NYMEX and other marketing activity, including the resale of unused pipeline capacity. The average NGL price was $8.10 per barrel for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $42.27 per barrel for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of EQT GP Holdings, LP (EQGP) and EQM was $59.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $33.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The $25.7 million increase was primarily the result of increased net income at EQM and increased noncontrolling interests as a result of EQM’s March 2015 public offering of common units, EQGP’s May 2015 initial public offering (IPO), and EQM's September 2015 issuances of common units in connection with the $750 million ATM Program (as defined in Note D to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). In March 2015, EQM completed a public offering of additional EQM common units in connection with the NWV Gathering Transaction (as defined in Note D to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). In May 2015, EQGP completed an IPO of 26,450,000 common units representing limited partner interests in EQGP, which represented 9.9% of EQGP’s outstanding limited partner interests. The Company retained a 90.1% limited partner interest and a non-economic general partner interest in EQGP (as described in Note C to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). During September 2015, EQM issued 827,975 common units pursuant to the $750 million ATM Program.

Income tax expense was $35.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to income tax expense of $64.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The Company's effective income tax rate was 26.4% and 32.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was primarily attributable to an increase in income allocated to the noncontrolling limited partners of EQGP and EQM, a decrease in EQT Production’s operating income, a decrease in state taxes in 2015 as a result of lower pre-tax income on state tax paying entities and increased tax credits recorded in 2015. The Company’s effective income tax rate was reduced for both periods as the Company consolidates 100% of the pre-tax income related to the noncontrolling public limited partners’ share of EQGP earnings, but is not required to record an income tax provision with respect to the portion of the earnings allocated to EQGP and EQM noncontrolling public limited partners. Earnings allocated to the EQGP and EQM noncontrolling public limited partners increased in the third quarter 2015 compared to the third quarter 2014 due to higher net income at EQM and increased noncontrolling interests as a result of EQM’s March 2015 public offering of common units, EQGP’s May 2015 IPO and issuances of EQM common units under the $750 million ATM Program.


22

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

Income from continuing operations attributable to EQT Corporation for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $219.8 million, $1.44 per diluted share, compared with $399.9 million, $2.62 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The $180.1 million decrease in income from continuing operations attributable to EQT Corporation between periods was primarily attributable to a 37% decrease in the average realized price for production sales volumes, higher operating expenses and higher net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, partially offset by increased gains on derivatives not designated as hedges, lower income tax expense, increased production sales volumes and increased gathering and transmission firm reservation revenues.

The average realized price to EQT Corporation for production sales volumes was $2.71 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $4.32 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The decrease in the average realized price was driven by lower NYMEX natural gas prices net of cash settled derivatives, a lower average differential and lower NGL prices.

The average NYMEX natural gas index price was $2.80 per MMBtu during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, 38% lower than the average index price of $4.55 per MMBtu during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. In addition, the average differential decreased $0.25 per Mcf primarily due to lower Appalachian Basin basis, which was partially offset by increased recoveries. The average NGL price was $15.17 per barrel for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $46.46 per barrel for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of EQGP and EQM was $165.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $79.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The $85.6 million increase was primarily the result of increased net income at EQM and increased noncontrolling interests as a result of EQM’s March 2015 public offering of common units, EQGP’s May 2015 IPO, and EQM's September 2015 issuances of common units in connection with the $750 million ATM Program. Additionally, during May of 2014, EQM completed a public offering of common units in connection with its acquisition of the Jupiter gathering system from the Company.

Interest expense increased $11.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 primarily as a result of EQM’s 4.00% Senior Notes due 2024 issued during the third quarter of 2014.

Income tax expense decreased $211.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 primarily as a result of lower pre-tax income and a realized $35.5 million tax benefit in connection with recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance received by the Company in connection with the Company’s sale of Equitable Gas Company, LLC in 2013 (discussed below). The Company’s effective income tax rate decreased to 6.9% in 2015 from 33.3% in 2014. The decrease in the effective income tax rate from the nine months of 2014 is primarily attributable to the effects of the IRS guidance, an increase in earnings allocated to noncontrolling limited partners of EQGP and EQM, a decrease in EQT Production’s operating income, a decrease in state taxes in 2015 as a result of lower pre-tax income on state paying entities and increased tax credits in 2015. The overall rate was lower for both periods as the Company consolidates 100% of the pre-tax income related to the noncontrolling public limited partners’ share of EQGP earnings, but is not required to record an income tax provision with respect to the portion of the earnings allocated to EQM and EQGP noncontrolling public limited partners. Earnings allocated to the EQM and EQGP noncontrolling public limited partners increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 due to higher net income at EQM and increased noncontrolling interests as a result of EQM’s March 2015 public offering of common units, EQGP’s May 2015 IPO and issuances of EQM common units under the $750 million ATM Program.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company realized a $35.5 million tax benefit in connection with recent IRS guidance received by the Company regarding the Company’s sale of Equitable Gas Company, LLC, a regulated entity, in 2013. The transaction included a partial like-kind exchange of assets that resulted in tax deferral for the Company. However, in order to be in compliance with the normalization rules of the Internal Revenue Code, the IRS guidance held that the deferred tax liability associated with the exchanged regulatory assets should not be considered for ratemaking purposes. As a result, during the second quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a regulatory asset equal to the taxes deferred from the exchange and an associated income tax benefit. The regulatory asset and deferred taxes will be reversed when the assets are disposed of in a taxable transaction such as a sale of assets or amortized over the 32-year remaining life of the assets received in the exchange, in either event increasing tax expense at that time.


23

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

See “Business Segment Results of Operations” for a discussion of production sales volumes and gathering and transmission firm reservation revenues.

See “Investing Activities” under the caption “Capital Resources and Liquidity” for a discussion of capital expenditures.

Consolidated Operational Data
 
Revenues earned by the Company from the sale of natural gas, NGLs and oil are split between EQT Production and EQT Midstream. The split is reflected in the calculation of EQT Production’s average realized price.  The following operational information presents detailed gross liquid and natural gas operational information as well as midstream deductions to assist in the understanding of the Company’s consolidated operations.

The operational information in the table below presents an average realized price ($/Mcfe) to EQT Production and EQT Corporation, which is based on EQT Production adjusted net operating revenues, a non-GAAP supplemental financial measure. EQT Production adjusted net operating revenues is presented because it is an important measure used by the Company’s management to evaluate period-to-period comparisons of earnings trends. EQT Production adjusted net operating revenues should not be considered as an alternative to EQT Corporation total operating revenues as reported in the Statements of Consolidated Income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” for a reconciliation of EQT Production adjusted net operating revenues to EQT Corporation total operating revenues.

24

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
in thousands (unless noted)
 
2015
 
2014
 
%
 
2015
 
2014
 
%
LIQUIDS
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

NGLs:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Sales volume (MMcfe) (a)
 
13,827

 
12,047

 
14.8

 
39,552

 
27,768

 
42.4

Sales volume (Mbbls)
 
2,304

 
2,008

 
14.7

 
6,592

 
4,628

 
42.4

Gross price ($/Bbl)
 
$
8.10

 
$
42.27

 
(80.8
)
 
$
15.17

 
$
46.46

 
(67.3
)
Gross NGL sales
 
$
18,665

 
$
84,868

 
(78.0
)
 
$
99,983

 
$
215,016

 
(53.5
)
Third-party processing
 
(19,970
)
 
(17,883
)
 
11.7

 
(57,084
)
 
(45,456
)
 
25.6

Net NGL sales
 
$
(1,305
)
 
$
66,985

 
(101.9
)
 
$
42,899

 
$
169,560

 
(74.7
)
Oil:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Sales volume (MMcfe) (a)
 
1,102

 
933

 
18.1

 
3,250

 
1,632

 
99.1

Sales volume (Mbbls)
 
184

 
155

 
18.7

 
542

 
272

 
99.3

Net price ($/Bbl)
 
$
39.13

 
$
87.91

 
(55.5
)
 
$
41.02

 
$
87.46

 
(53.1
)
Net oil sales
 
$
7,187

 
$
13,668

 
(47.4
)
 
$
22,221

 
$
23,785

 
(6.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net liquids sales
 
$
5,882

 
$
80,653

 
(92.7
)
 
$
65,120

 
$
193,345

 
(66.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NATURAL GAS
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Sales volume (MMcf)
 
141,367

 
110,362

 
28.1

 
405,743

 
310,201

 
30.8

NYMEX price ($/MMBtu) (b)
 
$
2.77

 
$
4.05

 
(31.6
)
 
$
2.80

 
$
4.52

 
(38.1
)
Btu uplift
 
$
0.28

 
$
0.41

 
(31.7
)
 
$
0.26

 
$
0.38

 
(31.6
)
Gross natural gas price ($/Mcf)
 
$
3.05

 
$
4.46

 
(31.6
)
 
$
3.06

 
$
4.90

 
(37.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basis ($/Mcf)
 
$
(1.54
)
 
$
(1.54
)
 

 
$
(1.26
)
 
$
(0.90
)
 
40.0

Recoveries ($/Mcf) (c)
 
0.64

 
0.80

 
(20.0
)
 
0.88

 
0.79

 
11.4

Cash settled basis swaps (not designated as hedges) ($/Mcf)
 
0.01

 
(0.02
)
 
150.0

 
(0.02
)
 
(0.04
)
 
(50.0
)
Average differential ($/Mcf)
 
$
(0.89
)
 
$
(0.76
)
 
17.1

 
$
(0.40
)
 
$
(0.15
)
 
166.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average adjusted price - unhedged ($/Mcf)
 
$
2.16

 
$
3.70

 
(41.6
)
 
$
2.66

 
$
4.75

 
(44.0
)
Cash settled derivatives (cash flow hedges) ($/Mcf)
 
0.46

 
0.08

 
475.0

 
0.50

 
(0.12
)
 
516.7

Cash settled derivatives (not designated as hedges) ($/Mcf)
 
0.21

 
0.05

 
320.0

 
0.19

 
0.02

 
850.0

Average adjusted price, including cash settled derivatives ($/Mcf)
 
$
2.83

 
$
3.83

 
(26.1
)
 
$
3.35

 
$
4.65

 
(28.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net natural gas sales, including cash settled derivatives
 
$
401,382

 
$
422,359

 
(5.0
)
 
$
1,355,645

 
$
1,444,221

 
(6.1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL PRODUCTION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total net natural gas & liquids sales, including cash settled derivatives
 
$
407,264

 
$
503,012

 
(19.0
)
 
$
1,420,765

 
$
1,637,566

 
(13.2
)
Total sales volume (MMcfe)
 
156,296

 
123,342

 
26.7

 
448,545

 
339,601

 
32.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net natural gas & liquids price, including cash settled derivatives ($/Mcfe)
 
$
2.61

 
$
4.08

 
(36.0
)
 
$
3.17

 
$
4.82

 
(34.2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Midstream Deductions ($/Mcfe)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Gathering to EQT Midstream
 
$
(0.72
)
 
$
(0.74
)
 
(2.7
)
 
$
(0.74
)
 
$
(0.74
)
 

Transmission to EQT Midstream
 
(0.19
)
 
(0.20
)
 
(5.0
)
 
(0.19
)
 
(0.20
)
 
(5.0
)
Third-party gathering and transmission costs
 
(0.49
)
 
(0.45
)
 
8.9

 
(0.46
)
 
(0.50
)
 
(8.0
)
Total midstream deductions
 
$
(1.40
)
 
$
(1.39
)
 
0.7

 
$
(1.39
)
 
$
(1.44
)
 
(3.5
)
Average realized price to EQT Production ($/Mcfe)
 
$
1.21

 
$
2.69

 
(55.0
)
 
$
1.78

 
$
3.38

 
(47.3
)
Gathering and transmission to EQT Midstream ($/Mcfe)
 
$
0.91

 
$
0.94

 
(3.2
)
 
$
0.93

 
$
0.94

 
(1.1
)
Average realized price to EQT Corporation ($/Mcfe)
 
$
2.12

 
$
3.63

 
(41.6
)
 
$
2.71

 
$
4.32

 
(37.3
)

(a)
NGLs and crude oil were converted to Mcfe at the rate of six Mcfe per barrel for all periods.
(b)
The Company’s volume weighted NYMEX natural gas price (actual average NYMEX natural gas price ($/MMBtu) was $2.77 and $4.06 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $2.80 and $4.55 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively).
(c)
Recoveries represent differences in natural gas prices between the Appalachian Basin and the sales points of other markets reached by utilizing transportation capacity, differences in natural gas prices between Appalachian Basin and fixed price sales contracts, term sales with fixed differentials to NYMEX and other marketing activity, including the sale of unused pipeline capacity. Recoveries include approximately $0.20 and $0.19 per Mcf for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $0.20 and $0.18 per Mcf for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for the sale of unused pipeline capacity.

25

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

The table below reconciles EQT Production adjusted net operating revenues, a non-GAAP supplemental financial measure, to EQT Corporation total operating revenues as reported in the Statements of Consolidated Income, its most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP.

The Company reports gain (loss) for hedging ineffectiveness and gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedges within total operating revenues in the Statements of Consolidated Income.

EQT Production adjusted net operating revenues is presented because it is an important measure used by the Company’s management to evaluate period-over-period comparisons of earnings trends. EQT Production adjusted net operating revenues as presented excludes the revenue impact of changes in the fair value of derivative instruments prior to settlement and is net of transportation and processing costs.  Management utilizes EQT Production adjusted net operating revenues to evaluate earnings trends because the measure reflects only the impact of settled derivative contracts and thus does not burden the revenue from natural gas sales with the often volatile fluctuations in the fair value of derivatives prior to settlement.  EQT Production adjusted net operating revenues also reflects third-party transportation and processing costs as deductions from operating revenues because management considers the net price realized for sales of products, after the costs of processing and transporting the product to sales points, to be an indicator of the quality of earnings period-over-period.  Management also considers this to be an indicator of how well the Company is utilizing its transportation and processing contracts.  The sale price for natural gas is significantly impacted by the market in which the gas is sold and the expense incurred to transport and process the gas is important in evaluating the quality of earnings period-over-period because the cost of reaching a higher priced market may exceed the incremental price benefit of that market as compared to the market where the gas is produced.  This is particularly important to natural gas producers in the Appalachian Basin given pipeline constraints and the impact on pricing in the area.  Management further believes that EQT Production adjusted net operating revenues as presented provides useful information for investors for evaluating period-over-period earnings and is consistent with industry practices.

Calculation of EQT Production adjusted net operating revenues
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
$ in thousands (unless noted)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
EQT Production total operating revenues, as reported on segment page
$
381,538

 
$
411,687

 
$
1,127,319

 
$
1,297,593

(Deduct) add back:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain for hedging ineffectiveness

 
(34,348
)
 

 
(13,075
)
(Gain) loss on derivatives not designated as hedges
(160,458
)
 
(832
)
 
(209,881
)
 
13,036

Net cash settlements received (paid) on derivatives not designated as hedges
33,170

 
3,040

 
69,714

 
(5,895
)
Premiums paid for derivatives that settled during the period
(1,029
)
 

 
(3,054
)
 

EQT Production transportation and processing, as reported on segment page
(64,739
)
 
(48,561
)
 
(187,008
)
 
(144,622
)
EQT Production adjusted net operating revenues, a non-GAAP measure
$
188,482

 
$
330,986

 
$
797,090

 
$
1,147,037

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total sales volumes (MMcfe)
156,296

 
123,342

 
448,545

 
339,601

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average realized price to EQT Production ($/Mcfe)
$
1.21

 
$
2.69

 
$
1.78

 
$
3.38

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Gathering and Transmission to EQT Midstream ($/Mcfe)
$
0.91

 
$
0.94

 
$
0.93

 
$
0.94

Average realized price to EQT Corporation ($/Mcfe)
$
2.12

 
$
3.63

 
$
2.71

 
$
4.32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EQT Production total operating revenues, as reported on segment page
$
381,538

 
$
411,687

 
$
1,127,319

 
$
1,297,593

EQT Midstream total operating revenues, as reported on segment page
198,579

 
173,856

 
599,235

 
502,427

Less: intersegment revenues, net
(3,102
)
 
(6,820
)
 
(7,592
)
 
(33,504
)
EQT Corporation total operating revenues, as reported in accordance with GAAP
$
577,015

 
$
578,723

 
$
1,718,962

 
$
1,766,516


26

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Business Segment Results of Operations
 
Business segment operating results from continuing operations are presented in the segment discussions and financial tables on the following pages. Operating segments are evaluated on their contribution to the Company’s consolidated results based on operating income. Other income, interest, and income taxes are managed on a consolidated basis. Headquarters’ costs are billed to the operating segments based upon a fixed allocation of the headquarters’ annual operating budget. Unallocated expenses consist primarily of incentive compensation expense and administrative costs.

The Company has reported the components of each segment’s operating income from continuing operations and various operational measures in the sections below and, where appropriate, has provided information describing how a measure was derived. EQT’s management believes that presentation of this information provides useful information to management and investors regarding the financial condition, operations and trends of each of EQT’s business segments without being obscured by the financial condition, operations and trends for the other segments or by the effects of corporate allocations of interest, income taxes and other income.  In addition, management uses these measures for budget planning purposes. Purchased gas costs at EQT Midstream include natural gas purchases, including natural gas purchases from affiliates, purchased gas costs adjustments and other gas supply expenses. These purchased gas costs are primarily attributable to transactions with affiliates and are eliminated in consolidation. Consistent with the consolidated results, energy trading contracts recorded within storage, marketing and other revenues are reported net within operating revenues, regardless of whether the contracts are physically or financially settled. The Company has reconciled each segment’s operating income to the Company’s consolidated operating income and net income in Note E to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. 

27

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

EQT PRODUCTION

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
%
 
2015
 
2014
 
%
OPERATIONAL DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales volume detail (MMcfe):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Horizontal Marcellus Play (a)
129,645

 
97,861

 
32.5

 
373,522

 
266,835

 
40.0

Horizontal Huron Play
9,643

 
9,187

 
5.0

 
28,177

 
24,165

 
16.6

Other (b)
17,008

 
16,294

 
4.4

 
46,846

 
48,601

 
(3.6
)
Total production sales volumes (c)
156,296

 
123,342

 
26.7

 
448,545

 
339,601

 
32.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average daily sales volumes (MMcfe/d)
1,699

 
1,341

 
26.7

 
1,643

 
1,244

 
32.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average realized price to EQT Production ($/Mcfe)
$
1.21

 
$
2.69

 
(55.0
)
 
$
1.78

 
$
3.38

 
(47.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease operating expenses (LOE), excluding production taxes ($/Mcfe)
$
0.12

 
$
0.14

 
(14.3
)
 
$
0.12

 
$
0.14

 
(14.3
)
Production taxes ($/Mcfe)
$
0.09

 
$
0.14

 
(35.7
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.15

 
(40.0
)
Production depletion ($/Mcfe)
$
1.16

 
$
1.23

 
(5.7
)
 
$
1.16

 
$
1.22

 
(4.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) (thousands):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Production depletion
$
181,857

 
$
151,576

 
20.0

 
$
521,741

 
$
413,794

 
26.1

Other DD&A
2,420

 
2,455

 
(1.4
)
 
7,330

 
7,727

 
(5.1
)
Total DD&A (thousands)
$
184,277

 
$
154,031

 
19.6

 
$
529,071

 
$
421,521

 
25.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures (thousands) (d)
$
451,358

 
$
511,971

 
(11.8
)
 
$
1,453,647

 
$
1,855,518

 
(21.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL DATA (thousands)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production sales
$
221,080

 
$
376,507

 
(41.3
)
 
$
917,438

 
$
1,297,554

 
(29.3
)
Gain for hedging ineffectiveness

 
34,348

 
(100.0
)
 

 
13,075

 
(100.0
)
Gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedges
160,458

 
832

 
19,185.8

 
209,881

 
(13,036
)
 
1,710.0

Total operating revenues
381,538

 
411,687

 
(7.3
)
 
1,127,319

 
1,297,593

 
(13.1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Transportation and processing
64,739

 
48,561

 
33.3

 
187,008

 
144,622

 
29.3

LOE, excluding production taxes
18,808

 
17,166

 
9.6

 
53,615

 
47,526

 
12.8

Production taxes
13,698

 
16,674

 
(17.8
)
 
41,739

 
50,136

 
(16.7
)
Exploration expense
8,163

 
3,593

 
127.2

 
32,128

 
12,444

 
158.2

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A)
35,493

 
31,626

 
12.2

 
108,441

 
90,400

 
20.0

DD&A
184,277

 
154,031

 
19.6

 
529,071

 
421,521

 
25.5

Total operating expenses
325,178

 
271,651

 
19.7

 
952,002

 
766,649

 
24.2

Gain on sale / exchange of assets

 

 

 

 
30,986

 
(100.0
)
Operating income
$
56,360

 
$
140,036

 
(59.8
)
 
$
175,317

 
$
561,930

 
(68.8
)

(a)
Includes Upper Devonian wells.
(b)
Includes 1,731 MMcfe of dry Utica sales volume for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.
(c)
NGLs and crude oil were converted to Mcfe at the rate of six Mcfe per barrel for all periods.
(d)
Includes $159.0 million of cash capital expenditures and $353.1 million of non-cash capital expenditures for the exchange of assets with Range Resources Corporation (Range) during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.


28

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
EQT Production’s operating income totaled $56.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $140.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The $83.6 million decrease in operating income was primarily due to a lower average realized price to EQT Production and increased operating expenses, partly offset by increased gains on derivatives not designated as hedges and increased sales of produced natural gas.
 
Total operating revenues were $381.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $411.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014.  The $30.2 million decrease in operating revenues was primarily due to a 55% decrease in the average realized price to EQT Production and a prior year gain on hedge ineffectiveness, partly offset by increased gains on derivatives not designated as hedges and a 27% increase in production sales volumes in the current year.
 
The components of average realized price are outlined in the table on page 25. The $1.48 per Mcfe decrease in the average realized price to EQT Production for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to the decrease in the average NYMEX natural gas price net of cash settled derivatives of $0.74 per Mcf and a decrease in the average natural gas differential of $0.13 per Mcf and lower NGL prices. The change in the average differential includes decreased recoveries of $0.16 per Mcf as a result of reduced spreads between prices in the Appalachian Basin and ultimate sales prices.

The increase in production sales volumes was primarily the result of increased production from the 2013 and 2014 drilling programs, primarily in the Marcellus play. This increase was partially offset by the normal production decline in the Company’s producing wells.

Total operating revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 included a $160.5 million gain on derivatives not designated as hedges compared to a gain of $0.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. The gains for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 related to favorable changes in the fair market value of EQT Production’s NYMEX swaps due to a decrease in forward NYMEX prices during the third quarter of 2015. During the quarter ended September 30, 2015, EQT Production received $33.2 million of net cash settlements for derivatives not designated as hedges. For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, EQT Production received $3.0 million of net cash settlements for derivatives not designated as hedges. These net cash settlements are included in the average realized price discussion above.
 
Operating expenses totaled $325.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $271.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in operating expenses was the result of increases in DD&A, transportation and processing, exploration expense, SG&A expense and LOE partially offset by a decrease in production taxes. The increase in DD&A expense was the result of higher produced volumes partially offset by a lower overall depletion rate in the current year. Transportation and processing expense increased by $16.2 million primarily due to additional contracted capacity to move EQT Production’s natural gas out of the Appalachian Basin and increased liquids processing fees. Transportation and processing expenses are included in the average realized price to EQT Production. Exploration expense increased $4.6 million primarily due to increased impairments of unproved lease acreage associated with leased acreage outside of core development areas. The increase in SG&A expense was primarily due to $3.5 million of rig release penalties and a $3.5 million increase in personnel costs, partly offset by a $1.8 million favorable adjustment to the reserve for uncollectible accounts and $1.4 million of lower professional services costs. The increase in LOE was mainly due to increased Marcellus activity. The decrease in production taxes was primarily driven by a $4.6 million decrease in severance taxes due to lower market sales prices partly offset by higher production sales volumes in certain jurisdictions subject to these taxes and a $1.0 million increase in property taxes.

29

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

EQT Production’s operating income totaled $175.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $561.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The $386.6 million decrease in operating income was primarily due to a lower average realized price to EQT Production, increased operating expenses and a gain on the sale / exchange of assets in 2014, which was partly offset by increased sales of produced natural gas and current year gains on derivatives not designated as hedges.

Total operating revenues were $1,127.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $1,297.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The $170.3 million decrease in operating revenues was primarily due to a 47% decrease in the average realized price to EQT Production and a prior year gain on hedging ineffectiveness, partly offset by a 32% increase in production sales volumes and gains on derivatives not designated as hedges in the current year.

The $1.60 per Mcfe decrease in the average realized price to EQT Production for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to the decrease in the average NYMEX natural gas price net of cash settled derivatives of $0.93 per Mcf, a decrease in the average natural gas differential of $0.25 per Mcf and lower NGL prices. The change in the average differential includes lower Appalachian Basin basis of $0.36 per Mcf and increased recoveries of $0.09 per Mcf. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, EQT Production recognized higher recoveries compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 primarily by using its contracted transportation capacity to sell gas in higher priced markets as well as from favorable fixed price sales contracts. The Company had more contracted transportation capacity available to move gas out of the Appalachian Basin in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014, primarily related to Texas Eastern Transmission capacity of 300,000 MMBtu per day which came online in November 2014.

The increase in production sales volumes was the result of increased production from the 2013 and 2014 drilling programs, primarily in the Marcellus play. This increase was partially offset by the normal production decline in the Company’s producing wells.

Total operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included a $209.9 million gain on derivatives not designated as hedges compared to $13.0 million of derivative losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 related to favorable changes in the fair market value of EQT Production’s NYMEX hedges due to a decrease in forward NYMEX prices during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, EQT Production received $69.7 million of net cash settlements for derivatives not designated as hedges. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, EQT Production paid $5.9 million of net cash settlements for derivatives not designated as hedges. These net cash settlements are included in the average realized price discussion above.

Operating expenses totaled $952.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $766.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in operating expenses was the result of increases in DD&A, transportation and processing, exploration expense, SG&A, and LOE partially offset by a decrease in production taxes. The increase in DD&A expense was the result of higher produced volumes partly offset by a lower overall depletion rate in the current year. Transportation and processing expense increased by $42.4 million primarily due to additional contracted capacity to move EQT Production’s natural gas out of the Appalachian Basin and increased liquids processing fees. Transportation and processing expenses are included in the average realized price to EQT Production. Exploration expense increased $19.7 million due to impairments of unproved lease acreage totaling $18.6 million primarily from lease expirations and increased delay rental payments. The increase in SG&A expense was primarily due to $12.5 million of higher personnel costs, $10.4 million of drilling program reduction charges, including rig release penalties, and $4.3 million of Utica proved property impairment, partly offset by a $4.6 million reduction to the reserve for uncollectible accounts and $4.0 million of higher litigation and environmental remediation costs in the prior year. The increase in LOE was due to increased Permian maintenance costs and Marcellus activities as well as insurance costs. Production taxes decreased primarily due to a $12.3 million decrease in severance taxes due to lower market sales prices, partly offset by higher production sales volumes in certain jurisdictions subject to these taxes, and a $3.6 million increase in property taxes.


30

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

EQT MIDSTREAM

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
%
 
2015
 
2014
 
%
OPERATIONAL DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net operating revenues (thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Firm reservation fee revenues
$
68,205

 
$
13,936

 
389.4

 
$
194,869

 
$
24,945

 
681.2

Volumetric based fee revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Usage fees under firm contracts (a)
8,815

 
16,385

 
(46.2
)
 
25,567

 
27,492

 
(7.0
)
Usage fees under interruptible contracts
48,899

 
72,116

 
(32.2
)
 
157,277

 
230,580

 
(31.8
)
Total volumetric based fee revenues
57,714

 
88,501

 
(34.8
)
 
182,844

 
258,072

 
(29.2
)
Total gathering revenues
$
125,919

 
$
102,437

 
22.9

 
$
377,713

 
$
283,017

 
33.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transmission
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Firm reservation fee revenues
$
50,657

 
$
39,409

 
28.5

 
$
162,602

 
$
120,061

 
35.4

Volumetric based fee revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Usage fees under firm contracts (a)
11,129

 
13,592

 
(18.1
)
 
29,706

 
33,509

 
(11.3
)
Usage fees under interruptible contracts
897

 
2,794

 
(67.9
)
 
3,422

 
5,854

 
(41.5
)
Total volumetric based fee revenues
12,026

 
16,386

 
(26.6
)
 
33,128

 
39,363

 
(15.8
)
Total transmission revenues
$
62,683

 
$
55,795

 
12.3

 
$
195,730

 
$
159,424

 
22.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Storage, marketing and other net revenues
6,657

 
8,245

 
(19.3
)
 
17,792

 
25,085

 
(29.1
)
Total net operating revenues
$
195,259

 
$
166,477

 
17.3

 
$
591,235

 
$
467,526

 
26.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathered volumes (BBtu per day):
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 


Firm reservation
1,150

 
231

 
397.8

 
1,085

 
129

 
741.1

Volumetric based services (b)
947

 
1,455

 
(34.9
)
 
967

 
1,399

 
(30.9
)
Total gathered volumes
2,097

 
1,686

 
24.4

 
2,052

 
1,528

 
34.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering and compression expense ($/MMBtu)
$
0.12

 
$
0.14

 
(14.3
)
 
0.12

 
0.15

 
(20.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transmission pipeline throughput (BBtu per day):
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 


Firm capacity reservation
1,751

 
1,219

 
43.6

 
1,866

 
1,265

 
47.5

Volumetric based services (b)
300

 
598

 
(49.8
)
 
257

 
435

 
(40.9
)
Total transmission pipeline throughput
2,051

 
1,817

 
12.9

 
2,123

 
1,700

 
24.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average contracted firm transmission reservation commitments (BBtu per day)
2,390

 
1,784

 
34.0

 
2,567

 
1,847

 
39.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures (thousands)
$
130,902

 
$
136,589

 
(4.2
)
 
$
368,019

 
$
333,813

 
10.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL DATA (thousands)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total operating revenues
$
198,579

 
$
173,856

 
14.2

 
$
599,235

 
$
502,427

 
19.3

Purchased gas costs
3,320

 
7,379

 
(55.0
)
 
8,000

 
34,901

 
(77.1
)
Total net operating revenues
195,259

 
166,477

 
17.3

 
591,235

 
467,526

 
26.5

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Operation and maintenance (O&M)
32,371

 
27,844

 
16.3

 
92,399

 
80,442

 
14.9

SG&A
26,048

 
23,324

 
11.7

 
77,477

 
64,803

 
19.6

DD&A
23,830

 
21,709

 
9.8

 
70,417

 
63,848

 
10.3

Total operating expenses
82,249

 
72,877

 
12.9

 
240,293

 
209,093

 
14.9

Gain on sale / exchange of assets (c)

 

 

 

 
6,763

 
(100.0
)
Operating income
$
113,010

 
$
93,600

 
20.7

 
$
350,942

 
$
265,196

 
32.3


(a)
Includes commodity charges and fees on volumes gathered or transported in excess of firm contracted capacity.
(b)
Includes volumes gathered or transported under interruptible contracts and volumes in excess of firm contracted capacity. 
(c)
As discussed in Note L to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, in connection with an asset exchange with Range during the second quarter of 2014, EQT Midstream recognized a pre-tax gain of $6.8 million, which is included in gain on sale / exchange of assets in the Statements of Consolidated Income.

31

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
EQT Midstream’s operating income totaled $113.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $93.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in operating income was primarily the result of increased gathering and transmission operating revenues, partly offset by increased operating expenses and a decrease in storage, marketing and other net operating revenues.

Gathering revenues increased by $23.5 million primarily as a result of higher affiliate volumes gathered for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2014, driven by production development in the Marcellus Shale. EQT Midstream significantly increased firm reservation fee revenues in 2015 compared to 2014 as a result of increased capacity under firm contracts with affiliates. The decrease in usage fees was primarily due to affiliates contracting for additional firm capacity.

Transmission operating revenues increased by $6.9 million in the third quarter of 2015 compared to 2014, reflecting continued production development in the Marcellus Shale by affiliate and third-party producers. The increase primarily resulted from higher firm reservation fees of $11.2 million partly offset by lower usage fees under both firm and interruptible contracts. The decrease in usage fees was primarily due to customers contracting for additional firm capacity.

Storage, marketing and other net operating revenues decreased from the prior year primarily as a result of lower revenues on NGLs marketed for non-affiliate producers due to lower liquids pricing in the current year.

Total operating expenses increased by $9.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2014. O&M expense increased $4.5 million as a result of $2.1 million of higher compressor and pipeline expenses related to an increase in Marcellus activity, higher personnel costs of $1.1 million and higher property taxes. SG&A expense increased $2.7 million primarily due to increased allocated expenses from affiliates of $1.3 million and higher personnel costs. DD&A increased $2.1 million as a result of additional assets placed in-service.
 
Total operating revenues increased $24.7 million primarily as a result of increased gathering and transmission revenue offset by reduced gas marketing activity for storage, marketing and other. Purchased gas costs decreased $4.1 million primarily as a result of reduced natural gas purchases from affiliates for gas marketing activities.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

EQT Midstream’s operating income totaled $350.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $265.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in operating income was primarily the result of increased gathering and transmission operating revenues partly offset by increased operating expenses, a decrease in storage, marketing and other net operating revenues and a gain on the sale / exchange of assets in 2014.

Gathering revenues increased by $94.7 million primarily as a result of higher affiliate volumes gathered for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014, driven by production development in the Marcellus Shale. EQT Midstream significantly increased firm reservation fee revenues in 2015 compared to 2014 as a result of increased capacity under firm contracts with affiliates. The decrease in usage fees was primarily due to affiliates contracting for additional firm capacity.
  
Transmission operating revenues increased by $36.3 million in the first three quarters of 2015 compared to 2014, reflecting continued production development in the Marcellus Shale by affiliate and third-party producers. The increase primarily resulted from higher firm reservation fees of $42.5 million partly offset by lower usage fees under both firm and interruptible contracts. The decrease in usage fees was primarily due to customers contracting for additional firm capacity.

Storage, marketing and other net operating revenues decreased from the prior year primarily as a result of lower revenues on NGLs marketed for non-affiliate producers as a result of lower liquids pricing in the current year and reduced marketing activity.

Total operating expenses increased $31.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014. O&M expense increased $12.0 million as a result of higher compressor and pipeline expenses of $3.4 million related to an increase in Marcellus activity, higher personnel costs of $2.9 million, higher property taxes and increased allocated expenses from affiliates. SG&A expense increased $12.7 million primarily as a result of increased allocated expenses

32

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

from affiliates of $4.7 million, higher personnel costs of $3.0 million, the impairment of certain expiring right of way options of $1.9 million, higher professional services and higher bad expense as a result of reserve reductions in 2014. DD&A increased $6.6 million as a result of additional assets placed in-service.

Total operating revenues increased by $96.8 million primarily as a result of increased gathering and transmission revenue offset by reduced gas marketing activity for storage, marketing and other. Purchased gas costs decreased $26.9 million primarily as a result of reduced natural gas purchases from affiliates for gas marketing activities.
 
OUTLOOK
 
The Company is committed to profitably developing its natural gas, NGL and oil reserves through environmentally responsible, cost-effective and technologically advanced horizontal drilling. Despite the continued uncertainty of natural gas, NGL and oil prices, the Company believes the long-term outlook for its businesses is favorable due to the Company’s resource base, financial strength, risk management, including commodity hedging strategy, and disciplined investment of capital. The Company believes the combination of these factors provide it with an opportunity to exploit and develop its positions and maximize efficiency through economies of scale in its key operating areas.  

The market prices for natural gas, NGLs and oil can be volatile and have been depressed in 2015. A prolonged low price environment could adversely affect, among other things, the Company's development plans, including the pace of the development of the Company's reserves, as well as the Company’s revenues, earnings, liquidity and reserves.  As a result of the continued low price environment, the Company suspended drilling on its Permian Basin acreage in the first quarter of 2015 and reduced its estimate of 2015 capital investment, excluding acquisitions, from $2.55 billion to $2.4 billion (including EQM). The Company further reduced its estimate to $2.3 billion in the third quarter of 2015 (including EQM). The reduction was primarily attributable to lower expected drilling and completion service costs.

In July 2015, the Company turned in-line its first dry gas focused Utica well, which has experienced prolific initial results.  Given the success of its first Utica well in Greene County, Pennsylvania, the Company has decided to begin development of its Utica acreage and suspend the Upper Devonian and Central Pennsylvania Marcellus drilling programs.  The Utica development plan includes two additional Utica wells for 2015, a second Utica well in Pennsylvania and one Utica well in West Virginia.   

Capital investment for EQT Production in 2015 is expected to be approximately $1.6 billion, including $1.5 billion related to well development (primarily drilling and completion), to support the drilling and completion of approximately 166 gross wells, including 138 Marcellus wells, 24 Upper Devonian wells, 2 Utica wells and 2 other wells.

Sales volumes for 2015 are expected to be 595 - 605 Bcfe, which would result in production sales volume growth of approximately 25% in 2015. To support continued growth in production, the Company plans to invest approximately $0.7 billion, including $0.5 billion at EQM, on midstream infrastructure in 2015.

The 2015 capital investment plan is expected to be funded by cash on hand, cash flow generated from operations, proceeds from EQGP’s IPO, proceeds from midstream asset sales (dropdowns) to EQM and EQM capital raises.

33

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
 
Overview
 
The Company’s primary sources of cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were cash flows from operating activities, cash on hand, proceeds from the IPO of EQGP’s common units, proceeds from the public offerings of EQM common units and an increase in EQM’s short term debt, while the primary use of cash was for capital expenditures.
 
Operating Activities
 
Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $900.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $1,141.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The $241.7 million decrease in operating activities was primarily the result of a 37% lower average realized price to EQT Corporation on natural gas, NGLs and oil sales, partially offset by a 32% increase in production sales volume and increased gathering and transmission firm reservation revenues.

Investing Activities
 
Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $1,975.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $2,100.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The $125.5 million decrease was primarily due to a $338.6 million decrease in restricted cash deposits and a $163.3 million decrease in capital expenditures used in connection with the exchange of assets with Range, partially offset by a $293.0 million increase in capital expenditures for continuing operations and $75.8 million of capital contributions made to the MVP joint venture, through EQM.

Capital expenditures for continuing operations totaled $1,899.3 million in the first nine months of 2015 compared to $1,606.3 million in 2014. The higher capital expenditures for continuing operations in 2015 compared to 2014 were primarily the result of an increase in well development and acreage acquisition expenditures, including payment for capital expenditures accrued at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in well development was driven by an increase in completed frac stages in the Marcellus play with 4,915 stages completed in the first nine months of 2015 compared to 3,475 stages in the first nine months of 2014.

The Company spud 134 gross wells in the first nine months of 2015, including 130 horizontal Marcellus and Upper Devonian wells, 2 horizontal Utica wells and 2 horizontal Permian Basin wells. The Company spud 244 gross wells in the first nine months of 2014, including 171 horizontal Marcellus and Upper Devonian wells, 72 horizontal Huron wells and 1 horizontal Permian Basin well.

Capital expenditures as reported on the Statement of Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows exclude non-cash capital expenditures for certain labor overhead costs for a portion of non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $18.5 million and $13.7 million and accrued but unpaid expenditures at the balance sheet date of $164.1 million and $233.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Financing Activities
 
Cash flows provided by financing activities totaled $1,660.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $1,284.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, an increase of $375.6 million between periods. During the first nine months of 2015, the Company received net proceeds of $758.8 million from EQM’s public offerings of common units, including sales under the $750 million ATM Program, net proceeds of $674.0 million from EQGP’s IPO and net proceeds of $350.0 million from increased borrowings on EQM’s revolving line of credit. The Company also paid distributions to noncontrolling interests of $85.2 million and $46.5 million for income tax withholdings related to the vesting or exercise of equity awards during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Under the Company’s share-based incentive awards, in connection with the settlement of equity awards, the Company may withhold shares or accept surrendered shares from Company employees holding the awards in exchange for satisfying the cash income tax withholding obligations with respect to the settlement of the awards. The Company received $35.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to satisfy the associated taxes on awards exercised.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company received net proceeds of $902.5 million from EQM’s public offering of common units, proceeds of $500.0 million from EQM's August 2014 issuance of 4% Senior Notes due 2024, and $42.2 million to satisfy taxes due on equity awards exercised. These proceeds were partially offset by $49.0 million of income tax

34

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

payments related to the vesting or exercise of equity awards, $46.2 million of distributions paid to noncontrolling interests and $32.4 million used to repurchase and retire shares of the Company's common stock.

Security Ratings and Financing Triggers
 
The table below reflects the credit ratings for debt instruments of the Company at September 30, 2015.  Changes in credit ratings may affect the Company’s cost of short-term and long-term debt (including interest rates and fees under its lines of credit), collateral requirements under derivative instruments, pipeline capacity contracts, joint venture arrangements and subsidiary construction contracts and access to the credit markets.
Rating Service
 
Senior Notes
 
Outlook
Moody’s Investors Service
 
Baa3
 
Stable
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service
 
BBB
 
Stable
Fitch Ratings Service
 
BBB-
 
Stable
 
The table below reflects the credit ratings for debt instruments of EQM at September 30, 2015.  Changes in credit ratings may affect EQM’s cost of short-term and long-term debt (including interest rates and fees under its lines of credit), collateral requirements under joint venture arrangements and construction contracts and access to the credit markets.
Rating Service
 

Senior Notes
 
Outlook
Moody’s Investors Service
 
Ba1
 
Stable
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service
 
BBB-
 
Stable
Fitch Ratings Service
 
BBB-
 
Stable

The Company’s and EQM’s credit ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.  The Company and EQM cannot ensure that a rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn by a credit rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant. If the credit rating agencies downgrade the ratings, particularly below investment grade, the Company's or EQM's access to the capital markets may be limited, borrowing costs and margin deposits on the Company’s derivative contracts would increase, counterparties may request additional assurances and the potential pool of investors and funding sources may decrease.  The required margin on the Company’s derivative instruments is also subject to significant change as a result of factors other than credit rating, such as gas prices and credit thresholds set forth in agreements between the hedging counterparties and the Company. 

The Company has a $1.5 billion credit facility that expires in February 2019, and the Company had no amounts outstanding under the facility as of September 30, 2015. The Company’s debt agreements and other financial obligations contain various provisions that, if not complied with, could result in termination of the agreements, require early payment of amounts outstanding or similar actions.  The most significant covenants and events of default under the debt agreements relate to maintenance of a debt-to-total capitalization ratio, limitations on transactions with affiliates, insolvency events, nonpayment of scheduled principal or interest payments, acceleration of other financial obligations and change of control provisions.  The Company’s credit facility contains financial covenants that require a total debt-to-total capitalization ratio of no greater than 65%.  The calculation of this ratio excludes the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI). As of September 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all debt provisions and covenants.

EQM has a $750 million credit facility that expires in February 2019, and EQM had $350.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the facility as of September 30, 2015. EQM’s debt agreements and other financial obligations contain various provisions that, if not complied with, could result in termination of the agreements, require early payment of amounts outstanding or similar actions.  The covenants and events of default under the debt agreements relate to maintenance of permitted leverage ratio, limitations on transactions with affiliates, limitations on restricted payments, insolvency events, nonpayment of scheduled principal or interest payments, acceleration of and certain other defaults under other financial obligations and change of control provisions.  Under EQM’s credit facility, EQM is required to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 5.00 to 1.00 (or not more than 5.50 to 1.00 for certain measurement periods following the consummation of certain acquisitions).  As of September 30, 2015, EQM was in compliance with all debt provisions and covenants.


35

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

EQM ATM Program

During the third quarter of 2015, EQM entered into an equity distribution agreement that established an “At the Market” (ATM) common unit offering program, pursuant to which a group of managers acting as EQM’s sales agents may sell EQM common units having an aggregate offering price of up to $750 million, under which EQM had approximately $663 million in remaining capacity as of October 22, 2015. 

Commodity Risk Management
 
The substantial majority of the Company’s commodity risk management program is related to hedging sales of the Company’s produced natural gas.  The Company’s overall objective in this hedging program is to protect cash flow from undue exposure to the risk of changing commodity prices. The derivative commodity instruments currently utilized by the Company are primarily NYMEX swaps and collars. The Company may also use other contractual agreements in implementing its commodity hedging strategy. The Company also enters into fixed price natural gas sales agreements that are satisfied by physical delivery. The Company’s fixed price natural gas sales agreements include contracts that fix only the NYMEX portion of the price and contracts that fix NYMEX and basis. The Company does not currently hedge its oil or NGL exposure.

As of October 21, 2015, the approximate volumes and prices of the Company’s total hedge position through December 2017 were:
NYMEX swaps and fixed price sales
 
2015 (b)
 
2016 (c)
 
2017 (c)
Total Volume (Bcf)
 
75

 
248

 
103

Average Price per Mcf (a)
 
$
4.04

 
$
3.81

 
$
3.66

Collars
 
 

 
 

 
 

Total Volume (Bcf)
 
9

 

 
7

Average Floor Price per Mcf (NYMEX) (a)
 
$
4.47

 
$

 
$
3.15

Average Cap Price per Mcf (NYMEX) (a)
 
$
7.19

 
$

 
$
4.03


(a)     The average price is based on a conversion rate of 1.05 MMBtu/Mcf.
(b)     October through December 31.
(c)     For 2016 and 2017, the Company also has a natural gas sales agreement for approximately 35 Bcf that includes a NYMEX ceiling price of $4.88 per Mcf. The Company also sold calendar year 2016 and 2017 calls for approximately 11 Bcf and 17 Bcf at strike prices of $3.65 per Mcf and $3.79 per Mcf, respectively.
 
See Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” and Note F to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the Company’s hedging program. 

Commitments and Contingencies
 
In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against the Company.  While the amounts claimed may be substantial, the Company is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings.  The Company accrues legal and other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred.  The Company has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters and, after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, the Company believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against the Company will not materially affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2015, EQM has issued a $110 million performance guarantee (the Initial Guarantee) in connection with the obligations of MVP Holdco, LLC (MVP Holdco) to fund its proportionate share of the construction budget for the MVP. Upon the Federal Exchange Regulatory Commission’s initial release to begin construction of the MVP, the Initial Guarantee will terminate, and EQM will be obligated to issue a new guarantee in an amount equal to 33% of MVP Holdco’s remaining obligations to make capital contributions to the MVP joint venture in connection with the then remaining construction budget.


36

EQT Corporation and Subsidiaries
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Dividend
 
On October 14, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of three cents per share, payable December 1, 2015, to the Company’s shareholders of record at the close of business on November 13, 2015.

On October 20, 2015, the Board of Directors of EQGP’s general partner declared a cash distribution to EQGP’s unitholders for the third quarter of 2015 of $0.104 per common unit, or approximately $27.7 million.  The distribution will be paid on November 23, 2015 to unitholders of record, including the Company, at the close of business on November 2, 2015.

On October 20, 2015, the Board of Directors of EQM’s general partner declared a cash distribution to EQM’s unitholders for the third quarter of 2015 of $0.675 per common unit. The cash distribution will be paid on November 13, 2015 to unitholders of record, including EQGP, at the close of business on November 2, 2015. Based on the 71,870,181 EQM common units outstanding on October 22, 2015, the aggregate cash distributions to EQGP would be approximately $28.6 million consisting of: $14.7 million in respective of its limited partner interest, $1.2 million in respect of its general partner interest and $12.7 million in respect of its incentive distribution rights in EQM. The distributions in respect of EQGP's general partner interest and incentive distribution rights in EQM are subject to change if EQM issues additional common units on or prior to the record date for the third quarter 2015 distribution. 

Critical Accounting Policies
 
The Company’s critical accounting policies are described in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” for the year ended December 31, 2014 contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Any new accounting policies or updates to existing accounting policies as a result of new accounting pronouncements have been included in the notes to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015.  The application of the Company’s critical accounting policies may require management to make judgments and estimates about the amounts reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  Management uses historical experience and all available information to make these estimates and judgments.  Different amounts could be reported using different assumptions and estimates.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Derivative Instruments
 
The Company’s primary market risk exposure is the volatility of future prices for natural gas and NGLs, which can affect the operating results of the Company, primarily at EQT Production.  The Company’s use of derivatives to reduce the effect of this volatility is described in Note F to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and under the caption “Commodity Risk Management” in the “Capital Resources and Liquidity” section of Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  The Company uses derivative commodity instruments that are placed primarily with financial institutions and the creditworthiness of these institutions is regularly monitored.  The Company also enters into derivative instruments to hedge other forecasted natural gas purchases and sales, to hedge basis and to hedge exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.  The Company’s use of derivative instruments is implemented under a set of policies approved by the Company’s Hedge & Financial Risk Committee and reviewed by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
 
Commodity Price Risk
 
For the derivative commodity instruments used to hedge the Company’s forecasted sales of production, most of which are hedged at NYMEX natural gas prices, the Company sets policy limits relative to the expected production and sales levels which are exposed to price risk.  For the derivative commodity instruments used to hedge forecasted natural gas purchases and sales which are exposed to price risk, the Company sets limits related to acceptable exposure levels. The Company does not have any natural gas derivative commodity instruments for trading purposes.
 
The financial instruments currently utilized by the Company are primarily fixed price swap agreements and collar agreements which may require payments to or receipt of payments from counterparties based on the differential between two prices for the commodity. The Company may also use other contractual agreements in implementing its commodity hedging strategy.
 

37


The Company monitors price and production levels on a continuous basis and makes adjustments to quantities hedged as warranted.  The Company’s overall objective in its hedging program is to protect cash flows from undue exposure to the risk of changing commodity prices.
 
With respect to the derivative commodity instruments held by the Company as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company hedged portions of expected sales of equity production, portions of forecasted purchases and sales, and portions of its basis exposure covering approximately 527 Bcf and 563 Bcf of natural gas, respectively.  See the “Commodity Risk Management” section in the “Capital Resources and Liquidity” section of Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further discussion.
 
A hypothetical decrease of 10% in the market price of natural gas from the September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 levels would increase the fair value of natural gas derivative instruments by approximately $112.8 million and $126.6 million, respectively.  A hypothetical increase of 10% in the market price of natural gas from the September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 levels would decrease the fair value of natural gas derivative instruments by approximately $113.7 million and $126.5 million, respectively.
 
The Company determined the change in the fair value of the derivative commodity instruments using a method similar to its normal determination of fair value as described in Note G to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company assumed a 10% change in the price of natural gas from its levels at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The price change was then applied to the natural gas derivative commodity instruments recorded on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, resulting in the change in fair value.
 
The above analysis of the derivative commodity instruments held by the Company does not include the offsetting impact that the same hypothetical price movement may have on the Company’s physical sales of natural gas. The portfolio of derivative commodity instruments held to hedge the Company’s forecasted equity production approximates a portion of the Company’s expected physical sales of natural gas.  Therefore, an adverse impact to the fair value of the portfolio of derivative commodity instruments held to hedge the Company’s forecasted production associated with the hypothetical changes in commodity prices referenced above should be offset by a favorable impact on the Company’s physical sales of natural gas, assuming the derivative commodity instruments are not closed out in advance of their expected term, the derivative commodity instruments continue to function effectively as hedges of the underlying risk, the anticipated transactions occur as expected and basis does not significantly change.

If the underlying physical transactions or positions are liquidated prior to the maturity of the derivative commodity instruments, a loss on the financial instruments may occur or the derivative commodity instruments might be worthless as determined by the prevailing market value on their termination or maturity date, whichever comes first.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Changes in interest rates affect the amount of interest the Company, EQGP and EQM earn on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and the interest rates the Company and EQM pay on borrowings under their respective revolving credit facilities. All of the Company’s and EQM’s long-term borrowings are fixed rate and thus do not expose the Company to fluctuations in its results of operations or liquidity from changes in market interest rates.  Changes in interest rates do affect the fair value of the Company’s and EQM’s fixed rate debt. See Note I to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the Company’s borrowings and Note G to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of fair value measurements, including the fair value of long-term debt.
 
Other Market Risks
 
The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative contracts.  This credit exposure is limited to derivative contracts with a positive fair value, which may change as market prices change.  The Company believes that NYMEX-traded futures contracts have limited credit risk because Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulations are in place to protect exchange participants, including the Company, from potential financial instability of the exchange members. The Company’s OTC derivative instruments are primarily with financial institutions and, thus, are subject to events that would impact those companies individually as well as that industry as a whole.
 
The Company utilizes various processes and analyses to monitor and evaluate its credit risk exposures.  These include closely monitoring current market conditions, counterparty credit fundamentals and credit default swap rates.  Credit exposure is controlled through credit approvals and limits based on counterparty credit fundamentals.  To manage the level of credit risk, the Company enters into transactions with financial counterparties that are of investment grade or better, enters into netting agreements whenever possible and may obtain collateral or other security.
 

38


Approximately 94%, or $395.3 million, of the Company’s OTC derivative contracts at September 30, 2015 had a positive fair value. Approximately 95%, or $458.5 million, of the Company’s OTC derivative contracts at December 31, 2014 had a positive fair value.
 
As of September 30, 2015, the Company was not in default under any derivative contracts and had no knowledge of default by any counterparty to its derivative contracts. The Company made no adjustments to the fair value of derivative contracts due to credit related concerns outside of the normal non-performance risk adjustment included in the Company’s established fair value procedure. The Company monitors market conditions that may impact the fair value of derivative contracts reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
The Company is also exposed to the risk of nonperformance by credit customers on physical sales or transportation of natural gas. A significant amount of revenues and related accounts receivable of EQT Production are generated from the sale of produced natural gas, NGLs and crude oil to certain marketers, utility and industrial customers located mainly in the Appalachian Basin and the Northeastern United States as well as the Permian Basin of Texas and a gas processor in Kentucky and West Virginia. Additionally, a significant amount of revenues and related accounts receivable of EQT Midstream are generated from the transportation or gathering of natural gas in Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The Company has a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility that expires in February 2019. The credit facility is underwritten by a syndicate of financial institutions, each of which is obligated to fund its pro-rata portion of any borrowings by the Company. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had no loans or letters of credit outstanding under the facility. No one lender of the large group of financial institutions in the syndicate holds more than 10% of the facility. The Company’s large syndicate group and relatively low percentage of participation by each lender is expected to limit the Company’s exposure to problems or consolidation in the banking industry.

EQM has a $750 million revolving credit facility that expires in February 2019. The credit facility is underwritten by a syndicate of financial institutions, each of which is obligated to fund its pro-rata portion of any borrowings by EQM. As of September 30, 2015, EQM had $350 million of loans and no letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility. No one lender of the large group of financial institutions in the syndicate holds more than 10% of the facility. EQM’s large syndicate group and relatively low percentage of participation by each lender is expected to limit EQM’s exposure to problems or consolidation in the banking industry.

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)), was conducted as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the third quarter of 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


39

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
 
In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against the Company. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, the Company is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. The Company accrues legal and other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred. The Company has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters and, after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, the Company believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against the Company will not materially affect the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

Environmental Proceedings
 
In June and August 2012, the Company received three Notices of Violation (NOVs) from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (the PADEP). The NOVs alleged violations of the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act and Clean Streams Law in connection with the unintentional release in May 2012, by a Company vendor, of water from an impaired water pit at a Company well location in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Since confirming a release, the Company has cooperated with the PADEP in remediating the affected areas.

During the second quarter of 2014, the Company received a proposed consent assessment of civil penalty (CACP) from the PADEP and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (the PFBC). Under the CACP, the PADEP proposed a civil penalty related to the NOVs and the PFBC proposed a civil penalty related to possible violations of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Code. The Company was unable to resolve the PADEP claims due to the agency’s interpretation of the penalty provisions of the Clean Streams Law. Accordingly, on September 19, 2014, the Company filed a declaratory judgment action in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania against the PADEP seeking a court ruling on the legal interpretation. A Commonwealth Court decision upholding the PADEP’s preliminary objections to the Company’s complaint is on appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.  On October 7, 2014, the PADEP filed a complaint against the Company before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board seeking $4.53 million in civil penalties. The Company believes the PADEP’s penalty assessment is legally flawed and unsupportable under the Clean Streams Law.

While the Company expects the PADEP’s claims to result in penalties that exceed $100,000, the Company expects the resolution of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
Information regarding risk factors is discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K.


40


Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s repurchases of equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act that have occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2015:
Period
 
Total
number
of shares
purchased (a)
 
Average
price
paid per
share
 
Total number of
shares purchased
as part of publicly
announced plans
or programs
 
Maximum number
of shares that may
yet be purchased
under the plans or
programs (b)
July 2015  (July  1 – July 31)
 

 
$

 

 
700,000

August 2015  (August 1 – August 31)
 
2,136

 
78.47

 

 
700,000

September 2015 (September 1 – September 30)
 

 

 

 
700,000

Total
 
2,136

 
$
78.47

 

 


 
(a)
Reflects shares withheld by the Company to pay taxes upon vesting of restricted stock.

(b)
During 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization of up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock.  The Company may repurchase shares from time to time in open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  The share repurchase authorization does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares, has no pre-established end date and may be discontinued by the Company at any time. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had repurchased 300,000 shares under this authorization since its inception.

41


Item 6.  Exhibits
 
3.01

Amended and Restated Bylaws of EQT Corporation (amended through October 14, 2015)
 
 
10.01

Amended and Restated Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and David L. Porges
 
 
10.02

Amended and Restated Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Philip P. Conti
 
 
10.03

Amended and Restated Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Randall L. Crawford
 
 
10.04

Amended and Restated Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Lewis B. Gardner
 
 
10.05

Amended and Restated Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Steven T. Schlotterbeck
 
 
10.06

Termination of Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and David L. Porges
 
 
10.07

Termination of Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Philip P. Conti
 
 
10.08

Termination of Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Randall L. Crawford
 
 
10.09

Termination of Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Lewis B. Gardner
 
 
10.10

Termination of Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Steven T. Schlotterbeck
 
 
31.01

Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
 
 
31.02

Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
 
 
32

Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer
 
 
101

Interactive Data File


42


Signature
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
EQT CORPORATION
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Philip P. Conti
 
 
Philip P. Conti
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 Date:  October 22, 2015


43


INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
Method of Filing
3.01

 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of EQT Corporation (amended through October 14, 2015)
 
Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on October 15, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
10.01

 
Amended and Restated Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and David L. Porges
 
Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
10.02

 
Amended and Restated Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Philip P. Conti
 
Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
10.03

 
Amended and Restated Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Randall L. Crawford
 
Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
10.04

 
Amended and Restated Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Lewis B. Gardner
 
Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
10.05

 
Amended and Restated Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Steven T. Schlotterbeck
 
Filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
10.06

 
Termination of Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and David L. Porges
 
Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
10.07

 
Termination of Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Philip P. Conti
 
Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
10.08

 
Termination of Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Randall L. Crawford
 
Filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
10.09

 
Termination of Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Lewis B. Gardner
 
Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
10.1

 
Termination of Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement, dated July 29, 2015, between the Company and Steven T. Schlotterbeck
 
Filed as Exhibit 10.10 to Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
31.01

 
Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
 
Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.01
 
 
 
 
 
31.02

 
Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
 
Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.02
 
 
 
 
 
32

 
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer
 
Furnished herewith as Exhibit 32
 
 
 
 
 
101

 
Interactive Data File
 
Filed herewith as Exhibit 101

44