ONEOK Announces First Quarter 2024 Earnings; Increases 2024 Financial Guidance

Higher Year-Over-Year Rocky Mountain Region Volumes

Volume Momentum Contributes to Higher 2024 Financial Expectations

TULSA, Okla., April 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE) today announced first quarter 2024 results and increased full-year 2024 financial guidance.

First Quarter 2024 Results, Compared With First Quarter 2023:

• Net income of $639 million, resulting in $1.09 per diluted share.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $1.44 billion.
• 12% increase in Rocky Mountain region NGL raw feed throughput volumes.
• 4% increase in natural gas volumes processed.
• 9% increase in Rocky Mountain region natural gas volumes processed.
• 7% increase in natural gas gathering and processing segment adjusted EBITDA.
• 4% increase in natural gas pipelines segment adjusted EBITDA.

2024 Guidance Increase:

• Net income increased $70 million to a midpoint of $2.88 billion.
• Earnings per diluted share increased to a midpoint of $4.92.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased $75 million to a midpoint of $6.175 billion.

The increase in financial guidance reflects favorable industry fundamentals across ONEOK's system and continued confidence in synergy expectations.

ONEOK increased 2024 net income guidance to a range of $2.73 billion to $3.03 billion, compared with the previously announced range of $2.61 billion to $3.01 billion. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (adjusted EBITDA) guidance increased to a range of $6.025 billion to $6.325 billion, compared with ONEOK's previously announced range of $5.9 billion to $6.3 billion.

Total 2024 capital expenditure guidance remains unchanged at $1.75 billion to $1.95 billion.

"ONEOK generated solid results during the first quarter, supported by higher year-over-year volumes in the Rocky Mountain region and contributions from the refined products and crude segment," said Pierce H. Norton II, ONEOK president and chief executive officer. "The strength of our business, underscored by accelerating volumes and a positive synergy outlook, resulted in an increase to our 2024 financial guidance and provides significant momentum into 2025.

"The resiliency of our assets and employees was highlighted once again as we were able to quickly respond to winter weather during the first quarter," continued Norton. "We remain focused on integrating the Magellan assets and maximizing value for our stakeholders."

FIRST QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

• In January 2024, ONEOK authorized a $2 billion share repurchase program and targets it to be largely utilized over the next four years.
• In March 2024, ONEOK purchased an additional 10% interest in the Saddlehorn Pipeline Company, resulting in a 40% ownership interest at March 31, 2024.
• At the end of the first quarter of 2024, ONEOK completed the expansion of its refined products pipeline to El Paso, Texas.
• In April 2024, ONEOK declared a quarterly dividend of 99 cents per share, or $3.96 per share on an annualized basis.
• As of March 31, 2024:
  • 3.8 times first-quarter 2024 annualized run-rate net debt-to-EBITDA ratio.
  • No borrowings outstanding under ONEOK's $2.5 billion credit agreement.

FIRST QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

ONEOK reported first quarter 2024 net income and adjusted EBITDA of $639 million and $1.44 billion, respectively.

Results were driven primarily by higher NGL and natural gas processing volumes in the Rocky Mountain region, increased transportation services in the natural gas pipelines segment and contributions from the refined products and crude segment, partially offset by higher operating costs primarily due to planned asset maintenance, higher property insurance premiums and the growth of ONEOK's operations.

ONEOK's first quarter 2023 net income and adjusted EBITDA included $733 million related to the Medford incident.

BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS:

Natural Gas Liquids Segment

 

The decrease in first quarter 2024 adjusted EBITDA, compared with the first quarter 2023, primarily reflects:

• A $748 million decrease related to the Medford incident, due to an insurance settlement gain of $779 million in the first quarter 2023, offset partially by $31 million of lower third-party fractionation costs in the first quarter 2024; and
• A $27 million increase in operating costs due primarily to planned asset maintenance and higher property insurance premiums; offset by
• A $75 million increase in exchange services due primarily to higher volumes in the Rocky Mountain region.

Refined Products and Crude Segment

 

Natural Gas Gathering and Processing Segment

 

The increase in first quarter 2024 adjusted EBITDA, compared with the first quarter 2023, primarily reflects:

• A $26 million increase from higher volumes due primarily to increased production in the Rocky Mountain region; and
• A $7 million increase due primarily to higher average fee rates and higher realized natural gas and condensate prices, net of hedging, offset partially by lower realized NGL prices, net of hedging; offset by
• A $12 million increase in operating costs due primarily to higher property insurance premiums and higher employee-related costs, outside services and materials and supplies expense due primarily to the growth of ONEOK's operations.

Natural Gas Pipelines Segment

 

The increase in first quarter 2024 adjusted EBITDA, compared with the first quarter 2023, primarily reflects:

• A $12 million increase in transportation services due primarily to higher firm and interruptible rates; offset by
• An $8 million increase in operating costs due primarily to planned asset maintenance, higher property insurance premiums and employee-related costs.

EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST:

ONEOK executive management will conduct a conference call at 11 a.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Central) on May 1, 2024. The call also will be carried live on ONEOK's website.

To participate in the telephone conference call, dial 877-883-0383, entry number 9316232, or log on to www.oneok.com.

If you are unable to participate in the conference call or the webcast, the replay will be available on ONEOK's website, www.oneok.com, for one year. A recording will be available by phone for seven days. The playback call may be accessed at 877-344-7529, access code 6947284.

LINK TO EARNINGS TABLES AND PRESENTATION:

https://ir.oneok.com/financial-information/financial-reports

NON-GAAP (GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES) FINANCIAL MEASURES:

ONEOK has disclosed in this news release adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (adjusted EBITDA), which is a non-GAAP financial metric, used to measure the company's financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income adjusted for interest expense, depreciation and amortization, noncash impairment charges, income taxes, noncash compensation expense, and other noncash items; and includes adjusted EBITDA from the company's unconsolidated affiliates using the same recognition and measurement methods used to record equity in net earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. Adjusted EBITDA from unconsolidated affiliates is calculated consistently with the definition above and excludes items such as interest, taxes, depreciation and other noncash items.

Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it and similar measures are used by many companies in the industry as a measure of financial performance and is commonly employed by financial analysts and others to evaluate ONEOK's financial performance and to compare the company's financial performance with the performance of other companies within the industry. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP.

This non-GAAP financial measure excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income. Additionally, this calculation may not be comparable with similarly titled measures of other companies. A reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA is included in the tables.

At ONEOK (NYSE:OKE), we deliver energy products and services vital to an advancing world. We are a leading midstream operator that provides gathering, processing, fractionation, transportation and storage services. Through our more than 50,000-mile pipeline network, we transport the natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), refined products and crude that help meet domestic and international energy demand, contribute to energy security and provide safe, reliable and responsible energy solutions needed today and into the future. As one of the largest diversified energy infrastructure companies in North America, ONEOK is delivering energy that makes a difference in the lives of people in the U.S. and around the world.

ONEOK is an S&P 500 company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

For information about ONEOK, visit the website: www.oneok.com.

For the latest news about ONEOK, find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "continues," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goal," "guidance," "intends," "may," "might," "outlook," "plans," "potential," "projects," "scheduled," "should," "target," "will," "would," and similar expressions may be used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and reflect our current views about future events. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the transaction involving us, including future financial and operating results, our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts, including future results of operations, projected cash flow and liquidity, business strategy, expected synergies or cost savings, and other plans and objectives for future operations. No assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements contained in this news release will occur as projected and actual results may differ materially from those projected.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and are not guarantees of future results. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements and, therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such statements and caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following:

• the impact on drilling and production by factors beyond our control, including the demand for natural gas, NGLs, Refined Products and crude oil; producers' desire and ability to drill and obtain necessary permits; regulatory compliance; reserve performance; and capacity constraints and/or shut downs on the pipelines that transport crude oil, natural gas, NGLs, and Refined Products from producing areas and our facilities;
• the impact of unfavorable economic and market conditions, inflationary pressures, including increased interest rates, which may increase our capital expenditures and operating costs, raise the cost of capital or depress economic growth;
• the impact of the volatility of natural gas, NGL, Refined Products and crude oil prices on our earnings and cash flows, which is impacted by a variety of factors beyond our control, including international terrorism and conflicts and the geopolitical instability;
• the impact of reduced volatility in energy prices or new government regulations on our business;
• our dependence on producers, gathering systems, refineries and pipelines owned and operated by others and the impact of any closures, interruptions or reduced activity levels at these facilities;
• the impact of increased attention to ESG issues, including climate change, and risks associated with the physical impacts of climate change;
• risks associated with operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions at our operations;
• the inability of insurance proceeds to cover all liabilities or incurred costs and losses, or lost earnings, resulting from a loss;
• the risk of increased costs for insurance premiums or less favorable coverage;
• demand for our services and products in the proximity of our facilities;
• risks associated with our ability to hedge against commodity price risks or interest rate risks;
• a breach of information security, including a cybersecurity attack, or failure of one or more key information technology or operational systems;
• exposure to construction risk and supply risks if adequate natural gas, NGL, Refined Products and crude oil supply is unavailable upon completion of facilities;
• the accuracy of estimates of hydrocarbon reserves, which could result in lower than anticipated volumes;
• our lack of ownership over all of the land on which our property is located and certain of our facilities and equipment;
• the impact of changes in estimation, type of commodity and other factors on our measurement adjustments;
• excess capacity on our pipelines, processing, fractionation, terminal and storage assets;
• risks associated with the period of time our assets have been in service;
• our partial reliance on cash distributions from our consolidated affiliates on our operating cash flows;
• our ability to cause our joint ventures to take or not take certain actions unless some or all of our joint-venture participants agree;
• our reliance on others to operate joint-venture assets and to provide other services;
• increased regulation of exploration and production activities, including hydraulic fracturing, well setbacks and disposable of wastewater;
• impacts of regulatory oversight and potential penalties on our business;
• risks associated with the rate regulation, challenges or changes, which may reduce the amount of cash we generate;
• the impact of our gas liquids blending activities, which subject us to federal regulations that govern renewable fuel requirements in the U.S.;
• incurrence of significant costs to comply with the regulation of GHG emissions;
• the impact of federal and state laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, public health and safety on our operations, as well as increased litigation and activism challenging oil and gas development as well as changes to and/or increased penalties from the enforcement of laws, regulations and policies;
• the impact of unforeseen changes in interest rates, debt and equity markets and other external factors over which we have no control;
• actions by rating agencies concerning our credit;
• our indebtedness and guarantee obligations could cause adverse consequences, including making us vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions, limiting our ability to borrow additional funds and placing us at competitive disadvantages compared with our competitors that have less debt;
• an event of default may require us to offer to repurchase certain of our or ONEOK Partners' senior notes or may impair our ability to access capital;
• the right to receive payments on our outstanding debt securities and subsidiary guarantees is unsecured and effectively subordinated to any future secured indebtedness and any existing and future indebtedness of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the senior notes;
• use by a court of fraudulent conveyance to avoid or subordinate the cross guarantees of our or ONEOK Partners' indebtedness;
• the risks associated with pending or possible acquisitions and dispositions, including our ability to finance or integrate any such acquisitions and any regulatory delay or conditions imposed by regulatory bodies in connection with any such acquisitions and dispositions;
• risks related to the Magellan Acquisition, including the risk that we may not realize the anticipated benefits of the Magellan Acquisition or successfully integrate the two companies;
• our ability to pay dividends;
• our exposure to the credit risk of our customers or counterparties;
• a shortage of skilled labor;
• misconduct or other improper activities engaged in by our employees;
• the impact of potential impairment charges;
• the impact of the changing cost of providing pension and postretirement health care benefits to eligible employees and qualified retirees;
• our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls; and
• the risk factors listed in the reports we have filed and may file with the SEC.

These reports are also available from the sources described below. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. ONEOK undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or changes in circumstances, expectations or otherwise.

The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the Risk Factors included in the most recent reports on Form 10-K and other documents of ONEOK on file with the SEC. ONEOK's SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

 

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SOURCE ONEOK, Inc.