WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., May 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Fuel Gas Company ("National Fuel" or the "Company") (NYSE:NFG) today announced consolidated results for the second quarter of its 2023 fiscal year and for the six months ended March 31, 2023.

FISCAL 2023 SECOND QUARTER SUMMARY

GAAP net income of $140.9 million, or $1.53 per share, compared to GAAP net income of $167.3 million, or $1.82 per share, in the prior year.
Adjusted operating results of $141.8 million, or $1.54 per share, compared to $154.4 million, or $1.68 per share, in the prior year (see non-GAAP reconciliation on page 2).
Net cash provided by operating activities fiscal year to date of $711 million, an increase of $285 million or 67%, compared to $426 million in the prior year.
E&P segment net Appalachian natural gas production of 93.2 Bcfe, an increase of 9.7 Bcfe, or 12%, higher than prior year and 3% higher than fiscal 2023 first quarter.
Joint settlement agreement filed in Utility's Pennsylvania rate case for increase in base rates of $23 million (black box settlement) and the addition of a weather normalization mechanism. This joint settlement, pending PaPUC approval, would become effective in August.
Company is revising its fiscal 2023 earnings guidance to a range of $5.10 to $5.40 per share, while maintaining capital expenditure guidance with a range of $830 million to $940 million.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

David P. Bauer, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Fuel Gas Company, stated: "The Company had strong operational results in the second quarter amidst a challenging commodity price backdrop. Over the first six months of fiscal 2023, we experienced a significant year-over-year increase in free cash flow generation, affording us the flexibility to reduce our absolute leverage levels and further strengthen our investment grade balance sheet.

"With respect to the balance of the fiscal year, our consistent approach to hedging, combined with the durability of our rate-regulated cash flows, position us well to navigate current natural gas pricing headwinds. As we look further ahead, our ongoing investment in the modernization of our rate-regulated infrastructure, along with Seneca's growing natural gas production and an improved long-term outlook for natural gas prices, should continue to drive significant free cash flow."

ACQUISITION OF BOLT-ON UPSTREAM ASSETS IN EASTERN DEVELOPMENT AREA

Seneca has entered into an agreement to acquire upstream assets in northwest Tioga County, Pennsylvania from Southwestern Energy for total consideration of $127.0 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments at closing.

As part of the transaction, Seneca has agreed to purchase approximately 30,000 net acres located in Tioga and Potter counties, Pennsylvania. At closing, these assets are expected to have flowing net production of approximately 20 million cubic feet per day. The transaction is anticipated to close on June 1, 2023 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

Additionally, Seneca entered into two separate transactions to acquire approximately 6,000 bolt-on fee and lease acres, with a modest amount of production and one proved developed non-producing well, in its Lycoming and Tioga operating areas for total consideration of between $20 and $25 million, subject to closing and title adjustments.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP EARNINGS TO ADJUSTED OPERATING RESULTS


	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 31,						March 31,
(in thousands except per share amounts)		2023			2022			2023			2022
Reported GAAP Earnings	$	140,880		$	167,328		$	310,570		$	299,720
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset (E&P)		2,471			—			2,273			—
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset		(677	)		—			(623	)		—
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments (Corporate / All Other)		(1,068	)		2,170			(1,278	)		6,659
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments		224			(456	)		268			(1,398	)
Reduction of other post-retirement regulatory liability (Utility)		—			(18,533	)		—			(18,533	)
Tax impact of reduction of other post-retirement regulatory liability		—			3,892			—			3,892
Adjusted Operating Results	$	141,830		$	154,401		$	311,210		$	290,340

Reported GAAP Earnings Per Share	$	1.53		$	1.82		$	3.37		$	3.26
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset, net of tax (E&P)		0.02			—			0.02			—
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax (Corporate / All Other)		(0.01	)		0.02			(0.01	)		0.05
Reduction of other post-retirement regulatory liability, net of tax (Utility)		—			(0.16	)		—			(0.16	)
Rounding		—			—			(0.01	)		—
Adjusted Operating Results Per Share	$	1.54		$	1.68		$	3.37		$	3.15

FISCAL 2023 GUIDANCE UPDATE

National Fuel is revising its fiscal 2023 earnings guidance with updated forecast assumptions and projections. The Company is now projecting that earnings, excluding items impacting comparability, will be within the range of $5.10 to $5.40 per share, a decrease of $0.30 per share from the midpoint of the Company's prior guidance range. The decrease from the Company's prior earnings guidance primarily reflects the impact of lower natural gas prices, as the rest of the Company's assumptions and projections are unchanged.

The Company is now assuming that NYMEX natural gas prices will average $2.50 per MMBtu for the remainder of fiscal 2023, a decrease of $0.75 per MMBtu from the $3.25 per MMBtu assumed in the previous guidance. For guidance purposes, the Company's updated natural gas price projections approximate the current NYMEX forward curve and consider the impact of local sales point differentials and new physical firm sales, transportation, and financial hedge contracts.

The Exploration and Production segment's fiscal 2023 net production guidance range of 370 to 390 Bcfe remains unchanged. Capital expenditures are expected to be within the range of $525 to $575 million, which is consistent with prior guidance. During the first half of the year, the Company operated a two-rig program with a dedicated completion crew, while also periodically utilizing a top-hole rig and an additional completion crew. As previously planned, activity levels are expected to decrease during the remainder of the fiscal year as the Company drops its top-hole rig and only utilizes its dedicated completion crew.

Seneca currently has firm sales contracts in place for approximately 92% of its projected remaining fiscal 2023 production, limiting its exposure to in-basin markets. Approximately 77% of Seneca's expected remaining fiscal 2023 production is either matched by a financial hedge, including a combination of swaps and no-cost collars, or was entered into at a fixed price.

The Company's other guidance assumptions remain unchanged from the previous guidance. The details are outlined in the table on page 7.

DISCUSSION OF SECOND QUARTER RESULTS BY SEGMENT

The following earnings discussion of each operating segment for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 is summarized in a tabular form on pages 8 and 9 of this report (earnings drivers for the six months ended March 31, 2023 are summarized on pages 10 and 11). It may be helpful to refer to those tables while reviewing this discussion.

Note that management defines Adjusted Operating Results as reported GAAP earnings adjusted for items impacting comparability, and Adjusted EBITDA as reported GAAP earnings before the following items: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, other income and deductions, impairments, and other items reflected in operating income that impact comparability.

Upstream Business

Exploration and Production Segment

The Exploration and Production segment operations are carried out by Seneca Resources Company, LLC ("Seneca"). Seneca explores for, develops and produces primarily natural gas reserves in Pennsylvania.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in thousands)		2023		2022	Variance
GAAP Earnings	$	60,982	$	71,121	$	(10,139	)
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative asset, net of tax		1,794		—		1,794
Adjusted Operating Results	$	62,776	$	71,121	$	(8,345	)

Adjusted EBITDA	$	154,574	$	158,450	$	(3,876	)

Seneca's second quarter GAAP earnings decreased $10.1 million versus the prior year. Higher production and Appalachian realized natural gas prices were more than offset by the loss of earnings related to Seneca's crude oil production in California which was divested in June 2022. This decrease includes an unrealized loss of $2.5 million ($1.8 million after-tax) recognized from a reduction in the implied fair value of an asset related to the contingent consideration in connection with this divestiture. Excluding this loss, Seneca's earnings decreased $8.3 million.

Seneca produced 93.3 Bcfe during the second quarter, an increase of 6.2 Bcfe, or 7%, from the prior year. This increase was a result of a 9.7 Bcf increase, or 12%, in Appalachian natural gas production, partially offset by a 3.5 Bcfe decrease in production related to the aforementioned California sale.

Seneca's average Appalachian realized natural gas price, after the impact of hedging and transportation costs, was $2.58 per Mcf, an increase of $0.02 per Mcf from the prior year. The lower Appalachian natural gas prices, before the impact of hedging, were more than offset by an increase in the weighted average hedge price compared to the prior year second quarter.

On an absolute basis, lease operating and transportation expense ("LOE") decreased $6.8 million primarily due to the California sale. Partly offsetting that decrease were increases in LOE from higher transportation and gathering costs as a result of increased production, as well as higher water management and well maintenance costs in Appalachia. LOE expense includes $55.3 million in intercompany expense for gathering and compression services used to connect Seneca's production to sales points along interstate pipelines. On a per unit basis, LOE was $0.71 per Mcfe, a decrease of $0.12 per Mcfe from the prior year.

General and administrative ("G&A") expense decreased by $1.4 million largely due to the California sale. On a per unit basis, G&A expense was $0.19 per Mcfe, a decrease of $0.03 per Mcfe from the prior year. The decrease in Seneca's other operating expenses of $2.7 million was also primarily due to the sale of Seneca's California assets. Other taxes decreased $2.4 million largely attributable to both the impact of the sale of Seneca's California assets as well as lower Impact Fees in Pennsylvania.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization ("DD&A") expense increased $8.1 million due to higher natural gas production and a higher per unit DD&A rate, which was driven by an increase in capitalized costs in Seneca's full cost pool. DD&A expense was $0.63 per Mcfe, an increase of $0.05 per Mcfe from the prior year.

Midstream Businesses

Pipeline and Storage Segment

The Pipeline and Storage segment's operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation ("Supply Corporation") and Empire Pipeline, Inc. ("Empire"). The Pipeline and Storage segment provides natural gas transportation and storage services to affiliated and non-affiliated companies through an integrated system of pipelines and underground natural gas storage fields in western New York and Pennsylvania.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in thousands)		2023		2022	Variance
GAAP Earnings	$	23,858	$	25,470	$	(1,612	)

Adjusted EBITDA	$	58,926	$	61,371	$	(2,445	)

The Pipeline and Storage segment's second quarter GAAP earnings decreased $1.6 million versus the prior year primarily due to higher operation and maintenance ("O&M") expense, partially offset by an increase in other income. O&M expense increased $2.8 million primarily due to higher personnel, pipeline integrity, and compressor maintenance costs. The increase in other income of $1.3 million was primarily attributable to a higher weighted average interest rate on intercompany short-term notes receivables.

Gathering Segment

The Gathering segment's operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Midstream Company, LLC's limited liability companies. The Gathering segment constructs, owns and operates natural gas gathering pipelines and compression facilities in the Appalachian region, which delivers Seneca and other non-affiliated Appalachian production to the interstate pipeline system.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in thousands)		2023		2022	Variance
GAAP Earnings	$	24,334	$	22,092	$	2,242

Adjusted EBITDA	$	46,263	$	43,056	$	3,207

The Gathering segment's second quarter GAAP earnings increased $2.2 million versus the prior year primarily due to higher operating revenues, partially offset by higher O&M expense and higher DD&A expense. Operating revenues increased $4.4 million, or 8%, which was the result of a 5.6 Bcf increase in gathered volumes due to an increase in Seneca's natural gas production. The increase in O&M expense of $1.2 million was due to higher compression leasing expenses, as well as increases in personnel expenses and costs for materials. DD&A expense increased $0.6 million due primarily to higher average depreciable plant in service compared to the prior year.

Downstream Business

Utility Segment

The Utility segment operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation ("Distribution"), which sells or transports natural gas to customers located in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in thousands)		2023		2022		Variance
GAAP Earnings	$	31,720	$	53,048		$	(21,328	)
Reduction of other post-retirement regulatory liability, net of tax		—		(14,641	)		14,641
Adjusted Operating Results	$	31,720	$	38,407		$	(6,687	)

Adjusted EBITDA	$	65,820	$	77,529		$	(11,709	)

The Utility segment's second quarter GAAP earnings decreased $21.3 million versus the prior year. Distribution's prior-year second quarter earnings included a $14.6 million (after-tax) reduction in an other post-employment benefit ("OPEB") regulatory liability as a result of the February 2022 conclusion of a rate proceeding in Distribution's Pennsylvania service territory.

Excluding the impact of the reduction in the OPEB-related regulatory liability recorded in the prior year's second quarter, the Utility segment's second quarter earnings decreased $6.7 million, due to lower customer margins (operating revenues less purchased gas sold), along with higher O&M and interest expense, partially offset by a decrease in non-service pension and OPEB costs and higher other income.

The decline in customer margin of $8.5 million was due primarily to a $8.0 million reduction in base rates in New York as a result of a rate proceeding that became effective October 1, 2022 which temporarily reduced the Utility's recovery of pension and OPEB expenses to zero. In addition to lowering rates, the proceeding mandated a corresponding decrease in pension and OPEB expense, most of which had been previously recorded in "below the line" non-service pension and OPEB costs. Additionally, customer margin was lower due to a decrease in customer usage related to weather that was 11% warmer than last year in Pennsylvania (where the Company's current rates are not subject to a weather normalization adjustment mechanism). These decreases were partially offset by higher revenues from the Company's system modernization tracking mechanism in its New York service territory.

O&M expense increased by $3.0 million due primarily to higher personnel costs and an increase in legal and consulting expenses related to the current Pennsylvania rate case proceeding filed in October 2022. An increase in the accrual for uncollectible accounts, which was generally in line with the increase in the Utility segment's revenue, also contributed to higher O&M expense for the quarter. Interest expense increased $4.2 million due primarily to a higher weighted average interest rate on intercompany short-term borrowings. The increase in other income of $1.5 million was primarily attributable to interest earned on deferred gas costs.

Corporate and All Other

The Company's operations that are included in Corporate and All Other generated a combined net loss of less than $0.1 million in the current quarter, which was $4.4 million lower than the combined net loss of $4.4 million in the prior-year second quarter. The reduction in the net loss was primarily driven by unrealized gains on investment securities recognized in the current quarter compared to unrealized losses on investment securities recognized in the prior-year second quarter.

EARNINGS TELECONFERENCE

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss this announcement. To pre-register for this call (recommended), please visit https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=96471e60&confld=49148. After registering, you will receive your access details via email. To join by telephone on the day of the call, dial U.S. toll free 1-833–470–1428 and provide Access Code 565178. The teleconference will be simultaneously webcast online and can be accessed on the NFG Investor Relations website at investor.nationalfuelgas.com. An audio replay of the teleconference call will be available until Thursday, May 11, 2023. To access the telephone replay, dial U.S. toll free 1-866-813-9403 and provide Access Code 313864.

National Fuel is an integrated energy company reporting financial results for four operating segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, and Utility. Additional information about National Fuel is available at www.nationalfuelgas.com.

Certain statements contained herein, including statements identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "believes," "seeks," "will," "may" and similar expressions, and statements which are other than statements of historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The Company's expectations, beliefs and projections contained herein are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that such expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished. In addition to other factors, the following are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements: changes in laws, regulations or judicial interpretations to which the Company is subject, including those involving derivatives, taxes, safety, employment, climate change, other environmental matters, real property, and exploration and production activities such as hydraulic fracturing; governmental/regulatory actions, initiatives and proceedings, including those involving rate cases (which address, among other things, target rates of return, rate design, retained natural gas and system modernization), environmental/safety requirements, affiliate relationships, industry structure, and franchise renewal; the Company's ability to estimate accurately the time and resources necessary to meet emissions targets; governmental/regulatory actions and/or market pressures to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas; changes in economic conditions, including inflationary pressures, supply chain issues, liquidity challenges, and global, national or regional recessions, and their effect on the demand for, and customers' ability to pay for, the Company's products and services; changes in the price of natural gas; the creditworthiness or performance of the Company's key suppliers, customers and counterparties; financial and economic conditions, including the availability of credit, and occurrences affecting the Company's ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms for working capital, capital expenditures and other investments, including any downgrades in the Company's credit ratings and changes in interest rates and other capital market conditions; impairments under the SEC's full cost ceiling test for natural gas reserves; increased costs or delays or changes in plans with respect to Company projects or related projects of other companies, as well as difficulties or delays in obtaining necessary governmental approvals, permits or orders or in obtaining the cooperation of interconnecting facility operators; the Company's ability to complete planned strategic transactions; changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas sold at different geographic locations, and the effect of such changes on commodity production, revenues and demand for pipeline transportation capacity to or from such locations; the impact of information technology disruptions, cybersecurity or data security breaches; factors affecting the Company's ability to successfully identify, drill for and produce economically viable natural gas reserves, including among others geology, lease availability and costs, title disputes, weather conditions, shortages, delays or unavailability of equipment and services required in drilling operations, insufficient gathering, processing and transportation capacity, the need to obtain governmental approvals and permits, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations; increasing health care costs and the resulting effect on health insurance premiums and on the obligation to provide other post-retirement benefits; other changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas having different quality, heating value, hydrocarbon mix or delivery date; the cost and effects of legal and administrative claims against the Company or activist shareholder campaigns to effect changes at the Company; negotiations with the collective bargaining units representing the Company's workforce, including potential work stoppages during negotiations; uncertainty of natural gas reserve estimates; significant differences between the Company's projected and actual production levels for natural gas; changes in demographic patterns and weather conditions (including those related to climate change); changes in the availability, price or accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments; changes in laws, actuarial assumptions, the interest rate environment and the return on plan/trust assets related to the Company's pension and other post-retirement benefits, which can affect future funding obligations and costs and plan liabilities; economic disruptions or uninsured losses resulting from major accidents, fires, severe weather, natural disasters, terrorist activities or acts of war, as well as economic and operational disruptions due to third-party outages; significant differences between the Company's projected and actual capital expenditures and operating expenses; or increasing costs of insurance, changes in coverage and the ability to obtain insurance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

GUIDANCE SUMMARY

As discussed on page 2, the Company is revising its earnings guidance for fiscal 2023. Additional details on the Company's forecast assumptions and business segment guidance are outlined in the table below.

The revised earnings guidance range does not include the impact of certain items that impacted the comparability of earnings during the six months ended March 31, 2023, including: (1) after-tax unrealized losses on a derivative asset, which reduced earnings by $0.02 per share; and (2) after-tax unrealized gains on other investments, which increased earnings by $0.01 per share. While the Company expects to record certain adjustments to unrealized gain or loss on a derivative asset and unrealized gain or loss on investments during the six months ending September 30, 2023, the amounts of these and other potential adjustments are not reasonably determinable at this time. As such, the Company is unable to provide earnings guidance other than on a non-GAAP basis.

	Previous FY 2023 Guidance	Updated FY 2023 Guidance
Consolidated Earnings per Share, excluding items impacting comparability	$5.35 to $5.75	$5.10 to $5.40
Consolidated Effective Tax Rate	~ 25 - 25.5%	~ 25 - 25.5%

Capital Expenditures (Millions)*
Exploration and Production	$525 - $575	$525 - $575
Pipeline and Storage	$110 - $130	$110 - $130
Gathering	$85 - $105	$85 - $105
Utility	$110 - $130	$110 - $130
Consolidated Capital Expenditures	$830 - $940	$830 - $940

Exploration & Production Segment Guidance**

Commodity Price Assumptions
NYMEX natural gas price	$3.25 /MMBtu	$2.50 /MMBtu
Appalachian basin spot price	$2.25 /MMBtu	$1.80 /MMBtu

Production (Bcfe)	370 to 390	370 to 390

E&P Operating Costs ($/Mcfe)
LOE	$0.67 - $0.69	$0.67 - $0.69
G&A	$0.17 - $0.19	$0.17 - $0.19
DD&A	$0.60 - $0.64	$0.60 - $0.64

Other Business Segment Guidance (Millions)
Gathering Segment Revenues	$230 - $245	$230 - $245
Pipeline and Storage Segment Revenues	$360 - $380	$360 - $380

* Capital expenditures guidance excludes capital related to recently announced acquisitions.

** Commodity price assumptions are for the remaining 6 months of the fiscal year.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2023
(Unaudited)

	Upstream			Midstream						Downstream

	Exploration &			Pipeline &									Corporate /
(Thousands of Dollars)	Production			Storage			Gathering			Utility			All Other			Consolidated*

Second quarter 2022 GAAP earnings	$	71,121		$	25,470		$	22,092		$	53,048		$	(4,403	)	$	167,328
Items impacting comparability:
Reduction of other post-retirement regulatory liability											(18,533	)					(18,533	)
Tax impact of reduction of other post-retirement regulatory liability											3,892						3,892
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments														2,170			2,170
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments														(456	)		(456	)
Second quarter 2022 adjusted operating results		71,121			25,470			22,092			38,407			(2,689	)		154,401
Drivers of adjusted operating results**
Upstream Revenues
Higher (lower) natural gas production		19,077															19,077
Higher (lower) crude oil production		(28,690	)														(28,690	)
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging		(1,289	)														(1,289	)
Higher (lower) other operating revenues		(2,580	)														(2,580	)
Midstream Revenues
Higher (lower) operating revenues								3,458									3,458
Downstream Margins***
Impact of usage and weather											(2,919	)					(2,919	)
Impact of new rates****											(6,333	)					(6,333	)
System modernization tracker revenues											1,729						1,729
Operating Expenses
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses		5,344															5,344
Lower (higher) operating expenses		3,184			(2,241	)		(920	)		(1,718	)					(1,695	)
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes		1,872															1,872
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion		(6,366	)					(439	)								(6,805	)
Other Income (Expense)
(Higher) lower other deductions		1,032			927						5,517			562			8,038
(Higher) lower interest expense											(3,395	)		1,917			(1,478	)
Income Taxes
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate		35			(60	)		(224	)		806			(205	)		352
All other / rounding		36			(238	)		367			(374	)		(443	)		(652	)
Second quarter 2023 adjusted operating results		62,776			23,858			24,334			31,720			(858	)		141,830
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset		(2,471	)														(2,471	)
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset		677															677
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments														1,068			1,068
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on other investments														(224	)		(224	)
Second quarter 2023 GAAP earnings	$	60,982		$	23,858		$	24,334		$	31,720		$	(14	)	$	140,880

* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations.
** Drivers of adjusted operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.
**** Amount is offset by corresponding decrease in other deductions and will have no earnings impact for the year ended September 30, 2023.


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2023
(Unaudited)

	Upstream			Midstream						Downstream

	Exploration &			Pipeline &									Corporate /
	Production			Storage			Gathering			Utility			All Other			Consolidated*

Second quarter 2022 GAAP earnings per share	$	0.77		$	0.28		$	0.24		$	0.58		$	(0.05	)	$	1.82
Items impacting comparability:
Reduction of other post-retirement liability, net of tax											(0.16	)					(0.16	)
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax														0.02			0.02
Second quarter 2022 adjusted operating results per share		0.77			0.28			0.24			0.42			(0.03	)		1.68
Drivers of adjusted operating results**
Upstream Revenues
Higher (lower) natural gas production		0.21															0.21
Higher (lower) crude oil production		(0.31	)														(0.31	)
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging		(0.01	)														(0.01	)
Higher (lower) other operating revenues		(0.03	)														(0.03	)
Midstream Revenues
Higher (lower) operating revenues								0.04									0.04
Downstream Margins***
Impact of usage and weather											(0.03	)					(0.03	)
Impact of new rates****											(0.07	)					(0.07	)
System modernization tracker revenues											0.02						0.02
Operating Expenses
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses		0.06															0.06
Lower (higher) operating expenses		0.03			(0.02	)		(0.01	)		(0.02	)					(0.02	)
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes		0.02															0.02
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion		(0.07	)					—									(0.07	)
Other Income (Expense)
(Higher) lower other deductions		0.01			0.01						0.06			0.01			0.09
(Higher) lower interest expense											(0.04	)		0.02			(0.02	)
Income Taxes
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate		—			—			—			0.01			—			0.01
All other / rounding		—			(0.01	)		(0.01	)		—			(0.01	)		(0.03	)
Second quarter 2023 adjusted operating results per share		0.68			0.26			0.26			0.35			(0.01	)		1.54
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset, net of tax		(0.02	)														(0.02	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments, net of tax														0.01			0.01
Second quarter 2023 GAAP earnings per share	$	0.66		$	0.26		$	0.26		$	0.35		$	—		$	1.53

* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations.
** Drivers of adjusted operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.
**** Amount is offset by corresponding decrease in other deductions and will have no earnings impact for the year ended September 30, 2023.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023
(Unaudited)

	Upstream			Midstream						Downstream

	Exploration &			Pipeline &									Corporate /
(Thousands of Dollars)	Production			Storage			Gathering			Utility			All Other			Consolidated*

Six months ended March 31, 2022 GAAP earnings	$	133,490		$	50,637		$	45,229		$	75,178		$	(4,814	)	$	299,720
Items impacting comparability:
Reduction of other post-retirement regulatory liability											(18,533	)					(18,533	)
Tax impact of reduction of other post-retirement regulatory liability											3,892						3,892
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments														6,659			6,659
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments														(1,398	)		(1,398	)
Six months ended March 31, 2022 adjusted operating results		133,490			50,637			45,229			60,537			447			290,340
Drivers of adjusted operating results**
Upstream Revenues
Higher (lower) natural gas production		36,513															36,513
Higher (lower) crude oil production		(56,128	)														(56,128	)
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging		34,518															34,518
Higher (lower) other operating revenues		(2,601	)														(2,601	)
Midstream Revenues
Higher (lower) operating revenues					7,119			6,766									13,885
Downstream Margins***
Impact of usage and weather											348						348
Impact of new rates****											(10,059	)					(10,059	)
System modernization tracker revenues											2,597						2,597
Higher (lower) other operating revenues											1,741						1,741
Operating Expenses
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses		11,341															11,341
Lower (higher) operating expenses		6,507			(3,700	)		(2,105	)		(4,108	)		(489	)		(3,895	)
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes		891															891
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion		(11,147	)		(1,617	)		(690	)								(13,454	)
Other Income (Expense)
(Higher) lower other deductions		2,304			1,519			438			9,652			(3,881	)		10,032
(Higher) lower interest expense		(855	)		(852	)					(5,423	)		3,639			(3,491	)
Income Taxes
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate		(1,137	)		(251	)		(776	)		739			(158	)		(1,583	)
All other / rounding		128			480			210			(487	)		(116	)		215
Six months ended March 31, 2023 adjusted operating results		153,824			53,335			49,072			55,537			(558	)		311,210
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset		(2,273	)														(2,273	)
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset		623															623
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments														1,278			1,278
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on other investments														(268	)		(268	)
Six months ended March 31, 2023 GAAP earnings	$	152,174		$	53,335		$	49,072		$	55,537		$	452		$	310,570

* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations.
** Drivers of adjusted operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.
**** Amount is offset by corresponding decrease in other deductions and will have no earnings impact for the year ended September 30, 2023.


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023
(Unaudited)

	Upstream			Midstream						Downstream

	Exploration &			Pipeline &									Corporate /
	Production			Storage			Gathering			Utility			All Other			Consolidated*
Six months ended March 31, 2022 GAAP earnings per share	$	1.45		$	0.55		$	0.49		$	0.82		$	(0.05	)	$	3.26
Items impacting comparability:
Reduction of other post-retirement regulatory liability, net of tax											(0.16	)					(0.16	)
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax														0.05			0.05
Six months ended March 31, 2022 adjusted operating results per share		1.45			0.55			0.49			0.66			—			3.15
Drivers of adjusted operating results**
Upstream Revenues
Higher (lower) natural gas production		0.40															0.40
Higher (lower) crude oil production		(0.61	)														(0.61	)
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging		0.37															0.37
Higher (lower) other operating revenues		(0.03	)														(0.03	)
Midstream Revenues
Higher (lower) operating revenues					0.08			0.07									0.15
Downstream Margins***
Impact of usage and weather											—						—
Impact of new rates****											(0.11	)					(0.11	)
System modernization tracker revenues											0.03						0.03
Higher (lower) other operating revenues											0.02						0.02
Operating Expenses
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses		0.12															0.12
Lower (higher) operating expenses		0.07			(0.04	)		(0.02	)		(0.04	)		(0.01	)		(0.04	)
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes		0.01															0.01
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion		(0.12	)		(0.02	)		(0.01	)								(0.15	)
Other Income (Expense)
(Higher) lower other deductions		0.02			0.02			—			0.10			(0.04	)		0.10
(Higher) lower interest expense		(0.01	)		(0.01	)					(0.06	)		0.04			(0.04	)
Income Taxes
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate		(0.01	)		—			(0.01	)		0.01			—			(0.01	)
All other / rounding		0.01			—			0.01			(0.01	)		—			0.01
Six months ended March 31, 2023 adjusted operating results per share		1.67			0.58			0.53			0.60			(0.01	)		3.37
Items impacting comparability:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative asset, net of tax		(0.02	)														(0.02	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments, net of tax														0.01			0.01
Rounding														0.01			0.01
Six months ended March 31, 2023 GAAP earnings per share	$	1.65		$	0.58		$	0.53		$	0.60		$	0.01		$	3.37

* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations.
** Drivers of adjusted operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.
**** Amount is offset by corresponding decrease in other deductions and will have no earnings impact for the year ended September 30, 2023.


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 31,						March 31,
	(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS		2023			2022			2023			2022
Operating Revenues:
Utility Revenues	$	406,758		$	369,092		$	718,376		$	605,776
Exploration and Production and Other Revenues		244,552			261,676			521,525			505,957
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering Revenues		65,951			70,952			136,218			136,544
		717,261			701,720			1,376,119			1,248,277
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Gas		243,839			199,592			415,035			301,219
Operation and Maintenance:
Utility		56,453			53,476			106,805			100,120
Exploration and Production and Other		31,782			49,806			58,655			95,425
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering		37,479			33,518			70,740			63,446
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes		25,367			27,717			51,572			52,219
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization		100,964			91,245			197,564			179,823
		495,884			455,354			900,371			792,252

Operating Income		221,377			246,366			475,748			456,025

Other Income (Expense):
Other Income		2,884			10,018			9,203			8,940
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt		(27,583	)		(30,079	)		(57,188	)		(60,209	)
Other Interest Expense		(5,861	)		(1,519	)		(9,704	)		(2,680	)

Income Before Income Taxes		190,817			224,786			418,059			402,076

Income Tax Expense		49,937			57,458			107,489			102,356

Net Income Available for Common Stock	$	140,880		$	167,328		$	310,570		$	299,720

Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$	1.53		$	1.83		$	3.39		$	3.28
Diluted	$	1.53		$	1.82		$	3.37		$	3.26

Weighted Average Common Shares:
Used in Basic Calculation		91,794,765			91,444,638			91,686,110			91,354,488
Used in Diluted Calculation		92,256,348			92,064,711			92,264,717			92,047,467


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

	March 31,			September 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)		2023			2022
ASSETS
Property, Plant and Equipment	$	12,978,137		$	12,551,909
Less - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization		6,162,406			5,985,432
Net Property, Plant and Equipment		6,815,731			6,566,477
Current Assets:
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments		71,533			46,048
Hedging Collateral Deposits		—			91,670
Receivables - Net		257,965			361,626
Unbilled Revenue		60,018			30,075
Gas Stored Underground		6,554			32,364
Materials and Supplies - at average cost		45,204			40,637
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs		26,851			99,342
Other Current Assets		75,233			59,369
Total Current Assets		543,358			761,131
Other Assets:
Recoverable Future Taxes		104,426			106,247
Unamortized Debt Expense		8,062			8,884
Other Regulatory Assets		61,497			67,101
Deferred Charges		85,053			77,472
Other Investments		74,618			95,025
Goodwill		5,476			5,476
Prepaid Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs		224,701			196,597
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments		42,424			9,175
Other		1,896			2,677
Total Other Assets		608,153			568,654
Total Assets	$	7,967,242		$	7,896,262
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Comprehensive Shareholders' Equity
Common Stock, $1 Par Value Authorized - 200,000,000 Shares; Issued and
Outstanding - 91,795,080 Shares and 91,478,064 Shares, Respectively	$	91,795		$	91,478
Paid in Capital		1,031,341			1,027,066
Earnings Reinvested in the Business		1,810,454			1,587,085
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		(54,864	)		(625,733	)
Total Comprehensive Shareholders' Equity		2,878,726			2,079,896
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion and Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs		2,085,235			2,083,409
Total Capitalization		4,963,961			4,163,305
Current and Accrued Liabilities:
Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper		410,000			60,000
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt		—			549,000
Accounts Payable		119,497			178,945
Amounts Payable to Customers		2,830			419
Dividends Payable		43,602			43,452
Interest Payable on Long-Term Debt		14,303			17,376
Customer Advances		—			26,108
Customer Security Deposits		34,382			24,283
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities		257,923			257,327
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments		34,763			785,659
Total Current and Accrued Liabilities		917,300			1,942,569
Other Liabilities:
Deferred Income Taxes		1,000,526			698,229
Taxes Refundable to Customers		354,274			362,098
Cost of Removal Regulatory Liability		265,626			259,947
Other Regulatory Liabilities		189,378			188,803
Other Post-Retirement Liabilities		2,977			3,065
Asset Retirement Obligations		160,910			161,545
Other Liabilities		112,290			116,701
Total Other Liabilities		2,085,981			1,790,388
Commitments and Contingencies		—			—
Total Capitalization and Liabilities	$	7,967,242		$	7,896,262


NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
	Six Months Ended
	March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)		2023			2022

Operating Activities:
Net Income Available for Common Stock	$	310,570		$	299,720
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization		197,564			179,823
Deferred Income Taxes		80,745			94,212
Stock-Based Compensation		11,286			10,631
Reduction of Other Post-Retirement Regulatory Liability		—			(18,533	)
Other		10,758			14,494
Change in:
Receivables and Unbilled Revenue		71,760			(166,584	)
Gas Stored Underground and Materials, Supplies and Emission Allowances		21,243			32,040
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs		72,491			29,377
Other Current Assets		(15,864	)		(8,605	)
Accounts Payable		(29,169	)		2,006
Amounts Payable to Customers		2,411			3,401
Customer Advances		(26,108	)		(17,223	)
Customer Security Deposits		10,099			1,474
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities		28,741			11,164
Other Assets		(26,901	)		(32,659	)
Other Liabilities		(8,417	)		(9,119	)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	$	711,209		$	425,619

Investing Activities:
Capital Expenditures	$	(496,362	)	$	(415,415	)
Net Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Gas Producing Properties		—			13,525
Deposit Paid for Upstream Assets		(12,700	)		—
Sale of Fixed Income Mutual Fund Shares in Grantor Trust		10,000			30,000
Other		14,413			13,689
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	$	(484,649	)	$	(358,201	)

Financing Activities:
Proceeds from Issuance of Short-Term Note Payable to Bank	$	250,000		$	—
Net Change in Other Short-Term Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper		100,000			59,500
Reduction of Long-Term Debt		(549,000	)		—
Dividends Paid on Common Stock		(87,051	)		(83,091	)
Net Repurchases of Common Stock		(6,694	)		(9,026	)

National Fuel Reports Second Quarter Earnings