U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 40-F
o |
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT of 1934 |
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OR |
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ý |
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(a) OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 Commission File Number 1-8887
TRANSCANADA PIPELINES LIMITED (Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter) |
Canada (Province or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
4922, 4923, 4924, 5172 (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number (if applicable)) |
Not Applicable (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number (if applicable)) |
TransCanada Tower, 450 1 Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 5H1 (403) 920-2000 (Address and telephone number of Registrant's principal executive offices) |
TransCanada PipeLine USA Ltd., 700 Louisiana Street, Suite 700 Houston, Texas, 77002-2700; (832) 320-5201 (Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code) of agent for service in the United States) |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: Debt Securities
For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed with this Form:
o Annual information form | ý Audited annual financial statements |
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
At December 31, 2014, 779,605,870 common shares,
which are all owned by TransCanada Corporation, were issued and outstanding.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or 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 ý No o
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 ý No o
The document (or portions thereof) forming part of this Form 40-F are incorporated by reference into the following registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended:
Form
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Registration No. | |||
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F-10 |
333-192562 |
An amendment to this Form 40-F shall be filed to include the TransCanada PipeLines Limited ("TCPL") Annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2014. The amendment shall be filed no later than the date the Annual information form is required pursuant to home country requirements.
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Except sections specifically referenced below which shall be deemed incorporated by reference herein and filed, no other portion of the TCPL 2014 Management's discussion and analysis and audited consolidated financial statements shall be deemed filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") as part of this report under the Exchange Act.
A. Audited Annual Financial Statements
For audited consolidated financial statements, including the auditors' report, see pages 97 through 156 of the TCPL 2014 Management's discussion and analysis and audited consolidated financial statements included herein.
B. Management's Discussion and Analysis
For management's discussion and analysis, see pages 1 through 96 of the TCPL 2014 Management's discussion and analysis and audited consolidated financial statements included herein.
C. Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
For management's report on internal control over financial reporting, see "Management's report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting" that accompanies the audited consolidated financial statements on page 97 of the TCPL 2014 Management's discussion and analysis and audited consolidated financial statements included herein.
2
The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to: the securities registered pursuant to Form 40-F; the securities in relation to which the obligation to file an annual report on Form 40-F arises; or transactions in said securities.
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
For information on disclosure controls and procedures, see "Other information Controls and Procedures" in Management's discussion and analysis on pages 81 and 82 of the TCPL 2014 Management's discussion and analysis and audited consolidated financial statements.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The Registrant's Board of Directors has determined that it has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its Audit committee. Mr. Kevin E. Benson and Mr. Siim A. Vanaselja have been designated audit committee financial experts and are independent, as that term is defined by the New York Stock Exchange's listing standards applicable to the Registrant. The Commission has indicated that the designation of Mr. Benson and Mr. Vanaselja as audit committee financial experts does not make Mr. Benson or Mr. Vanaselja "experts" for any purpose, impose any duties, obligations or liability on Mr. Benson or Mr. Vanaselja that are greater than those imposed on members of the Audit committee and Board of Directors who do not carry this designation or affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit committee.
The Registrant has adopted a code of business ethics for its directors, officers, employees and contractors. The Registrant's code is available on its website at www.transcanada.com. No waivers have been granted from any provision of the code during the 2014 fiscal year.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
TCPL's Audit committee has adopted a pre-approval policy with respect to permitted non-audit services. Under the policy, the Audit committee has granted pre-approval for specified non-audit services. For engagements of up to $250,000, approval of the Audit committee Chair is required, and the Audit committee is to be informed of the engagement at the next scheduled Audit committee meeting. For all engagements of $250,000 or more, pre-approval of the Audit committee is required. In all cases, regardless of the dollar amount involved, where there is a potential for conflict of interest involving the external auditor to arise on an engagement, the Audit committee must pre-approve the assignment.
To date, non-audit services have been pre-approved by the Audit committee in accordance with the pre-approval policy described above.
3
External Auditor Service Fees
The following table provides information about the fees paid by the Company to KPMG LLP, the external auditor of the TransCanada group of companies, for professional services rendered for the 2014 and 2013 fiscal years.
($ millions) |
2014 | 2013 | |||
Audit fees |
$6.4 | $6.4 | |||
audit of the annual consolidated financial statements |
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services related to statutory and regulatory filings or engagements |
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review of interim consolidated financial statements and information contained in various prospectuses and other securities offering documents |
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Audit-related fees |
0.2 | 0.2 | |||
services related to the audit of the financial statements of certain TransCanada post-retirement and post-employment plans |
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Tax fees |
0.5 | 0.7 | |||
Canadian and international tax planning and tax compliance matters, including the review of income tax returns and other tax filings |
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All other fees |
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Total fees |
$7.1 | $7.3 | |||
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Registrant has no off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in this Form, other than the guarantees and commitments described in Note 26 of the Notes to consolidated financial statements attached to this Form 40-F and incorporated herein by reference.
TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
For information on tabular disclosure of contractual obligations, see "Contractual obligations" in Management's discussion and analysis on page 70 of the TCPL 2014 Management's discussion and analysis and audited consolidated financial statements.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Registrant has a separately-designated standing Audit committee. The members of the Audit committee are:
Chair: |
K.E. Benson | |
Members: |
D.H. Burney M. P. Salomone D.M.G. Stewart S.A. Vanaselja |
4
We disclose forward-looking information to help current and potential investors understand management's assessment of our future plans and financial outlook, and our future prospects overall.
Statements that are forward-looking are based on certain assumptions and on what we know and expect today and generally include words like anticipate, expect, believe, may, will, should, estimate or other similar words.
Forward-looking statements in this document may include information about the following, among other things:
Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance. Actual events and results could be significantly different because of assumptions, risks or uncertainties related to our business or events that happen after the date of this document.
Our forward-looking information is based on the following key assumptions, and subject to the following risks and uncertainties:
Assumptions
5
Risks and uncertainties
You can read more about these factors and others in reports we have filed with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
As actual results could vary significantly from the forward-looking information, you should not put undue reliance on forward-looking information and should not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. We do not update our forward-looking statements due to new information or future events, unless we are required to by law.
6
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 40-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Calgary, Province of Alberta, Canada.
TRANSCANADA PIPELINES LIMITED | ||||
Per: |
/s/ DONALD R. MARCHAND DONALD R. MARCHAND Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Date: February 13, 2015 |
7
DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THIS REPORT
13.1 |
Management's discussion and analysis (included on pages 1 through 96 of the TCPL 2014 Management's discussion and analysis and audited consolidated financial statements). |
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13.2 |
2014 Audited consolidated financial statements (included on pages 97 through 156 of the TCPL 2014 Management's discussion and analysis and audited consolidated financial statements), including the auditors' report thereon. |
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EXHIBITS |
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23.1 |
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
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31.1 |
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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31.2 |
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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32.1 |
Certification of Chief Executive Officer regarding Periodic Report containing Financial Statements. |
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32.2 |
Certification of Chief Financial Officer regarding Periodic Report containing Financial Statements. |
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101.INS |
XBRL Instance Document. |
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101.SCH |
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
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101.CAL |
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
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101.DEF |
XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document. |
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101.LAB |
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. |
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101.PRE |
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
8
Management's discussion and analysis
February 12, 2015
This management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) contains information to help the reader make investment decisions about TransCanada PipeLines Limited. It discusses our business, operations, financial position, risks and other factors for the year ended December 31, 2014.
This MD&A should be read with our accompanying December 31, 2014 audited comparative consolidated financial statements and notes for the same period, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Contents
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT | 2 | ||
ABOUT OUR BUSINESS | 5 | ||
Three core businesses | 5 | ||
Our strategy | 6 | ||
Capital program | 7 | ||
2014 financial highlights | 8 | ||
Outlook | 13 | ||
NATURAL GAS PIPELINES | 15 | ||
LIQUIDS PIPELINES | 33 | ||
ENERGY | 43 | ||
CORPORATE | 63 | ||
FINANCIAL CONDITION | 65 | ||
OTHER INFORMATION | 75 | ||
Risks and risk management | 75 | ||
Controls and procedures | 81 | ||
CEO and CFO certifications | 82 | ||
Critical accounting estimates | 82 | ||
Financial instruments | 84 | ||
Accounting changes | 88 | ||
Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures | 89 | ||
Quarterly results | 91 | ||
Fourth quarter 2014 highlights | 92 | ||
GLOSSARY | 96 |
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 1
About this document
Throughout this MD&A, the terms, we, us, our and TCPL mean TransCanada PipeLines Limited and its subsidiaries.
Abbreviations and acronyms that are not defined in the document are defined in the glossary on page 96.
All information is as of February 12, 2015 and all amounts are in Canadian dollars, unless noted otherwise.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
We disclose forward-looking information to help current and potential investors
understand management's assessment of our future plans and financial outlook, and our future
prospects overall.
Statements that are forward-looking are based on certain assumptions and on what we know and expect today and generally include words like anticipate, expect, believe, may, will, should, estimate or other similar words.
Forward-looking
statements in this MD&A may include information about the following, among other things:
Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance. Actual events and results could be significantly different because of assumptions, risks or uncertainties related to our business or events that happen after the date of this MD&A.
Our forward-looking information is based on the following key assumptions, and subject to the following risks and uncertainties:
Assumptions
2 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Risks and uncertainties
You can read more about these factors and others in reports we have filed with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
As actual results could vary significantly from the forward-looking information, you should not put undue reliance on forward-looking information and should not use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. We do not update our forward-looking statements due to new information or future events, unless we are required to by law.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
You can find more information about TCPL in our annual information form and other disclosure documents, which are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).
NON-GAAP MEASURES
We use the following non-GAAP measures:
These measures do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by U.S. GAAP and therefore may not be similar to measures presented by other entities.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 3
EBITDA and EBIT
We use EBITDA as an approximate measure of our pre-tax operating cash flow. It measures
our earnings before deducting financial charges, income tax, depreciation and
amortization, net income attributable to non-controlling interests and preferred share dividends, and includes income from equity investments. EBIT measures our earnings from ongoing operations and is
a useful measure of our performance and an effective tool for evaluating trends in each segment as it is equivalent to our segmented earnings.
Funds generated from operations
Funds generated from operations includes net cash provided by operations before changes
in operating working capital. We believe it is a useful measure of our consolidated
operating cash flow because it does not include fluctuations from working capital balances, which do not necessarily reflect underlying operations in the same period and is used to provide a
consistent measure of the cash generating performance of our assets. See the Financial condition section for a reconciliation to net cash provided by operations.
Comparable measures
We calculate the comparable measures by adjusting certain GAAP and non-GAAP measures
for specific items we believe are significant but not reflective of our underlying
operations in the period. These comparable measures are calculated on a consistent basis from period to period and are adjusted for specific items in each period, as applicable.
Comparable measure | Original measure | |
comparable earnings | net income attributable to common shares | |
comparable EBITDA | EBITDA | |
comparable EBIT | segmented earnings | |
comparable depreciation and amortization | depreciation and amortization | |
comparable interest expense | interest expense | |
comparable interest income and other | interest income and other | |
comparable income tax expense | income tax expense | |
Our decision not to include a specific item is subjective and made after careful consideration. Specific items may include:
We calculate comparable earnings by excluding the unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of certain derivatives used to reduce our exposure to certain financial and commodity price risks. These derivatives provide effective economic hedges, but do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting. As a result, the changes in fair value are recorded in net income. As these unrealized changes in fair value do not accurately reflect the gains and losses that will be realized at settlement, we do not consider them part of our underlying operations.
4 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
About our business
With over 60 years of experience, TCPL is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas and liquids pipelines, power generation and natural gas storage facilities. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of TransCanada Corporation (TransCanada).
THREE CORE BUSINESSES
We operate our business in three segments Natural Gas Pipelines,
Liquids Pipelines and Energy. We also have a non-operational corporate
segment consisting of corporate and administrative functions that provide support and governance to our operational business segments.
Our $59 billion portfolio of energy infrastructure assets meets the needs of people who rely on us to deliver their energy safely and reliably every day. We operate in seven Canadian provinces, 35 U.S. states and Mexico.
at December 31 (millions of $) |
2014 | 2013 | ||
Total assets | ||||
Natural Gas Pipelines | 27,103 | 25,165 | ||
Liquids Pipelines | 16,116 | 13,253 | ||
Energy | 14,197 | 13,747 | ||
Corporate | 4,422 | 4,461 | ||
61,838 | 56,626 | |||
year ended December 31 (millions of $) |
2014 | 2013 | ||
Total revenue | ||||
Natural Gas Pipelines | 4,913 | 4,497 | ||
Liquids Pipelines | 1,547 | 1,124 | ||
Energy | 3,725 | 3,176 | ||
10,185 | 8,797 | |||
year ended December 31 (millions of $) |
2014 | 2013 | |||
Segmented earnings 1 | |||||
Natural Gas Pipelines | 2,187 | 1,881 | |||
Liquids Pipelines | 843 | 603 | |||
Energy | 1,051 | 1,113 | |||
Corporate | (150 | ) | (124 | ) | |
3,931 | 3,473 | ||||
Common shares outstanding average
(millions) | ||||
2014 | 775 | |||
2013 |
749 |
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2012 |
738 |
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as at February 9, 2015 Common shares |
Issued and outstanding |
779 million | |
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 5
OUR STRATEGY
Our energy infrastructure business is made up of pipeline and power generation
assets that gather, transport, produce, store or deliver natural gas, crude oil and other
petroleum products and electricity to support businesses and communities in North America.
Our vision is to be the leading energy infrastructure company in North America, focusing on pipeline and power generation opportunities in regions where we have or can develop a significant competitive advantage.
Key components of our strategy
1 Maximize the full-life value of our infrastructure assets and commercial positions | |||
Our strategy at a glance |
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Long-life infrastructure assets and long-term commercial arrangements are the cornerstones of our low-risk business model. Our pipeline assets include large-scale natural gas and crude oil pipelines that connect long-life supply basins with stable and growing markets, generating predictable and sustainable cash flows and earnings. In Energy, long-term power sale agreements and shorter-term power sales to wholesale and load customers are used to manage and optimize our portfolio and to manage price volatility. |
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2 Commercially develop and build new asset investment programs | |||
Our strategy at a glance |
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We are developing high quality, long-life projects under our current $46 billion capital program, comprised of $12 billion in short-term projects and $34 billion in medium to long-term projects. These will contribute incremental earnings over the near, medium and long terms as our investments are placed in service. Our expertise in managing construction risks and maximizing capital productivity ensures a disciplined approach to quality, cost and schedule, resulting in superior service for our customers and returns to shareholders. As part of our growth strategy, we rely on this experience and our regulatory, commercial, financial, legal and operational expertise to successfully build and integrate new energy and pipeline facilities. Our growing investment in natural gas, nuclear, wind, hydro and solar generating facilities demonstrates our commitment to clean, sustainable energy. |
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3 Cultivate a focused portfolio of high quality development options | |||
Our strategy at a glance |
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We focus on pipelines and energy growth initiatives in core regions of North America. We assess opportunities to acquire and develop energy infrastructure that complements our existing portfolio and provides access to attractive supply and market regions. We will advance selected opportunities to full development and construction when market conditions are appropriate and project risks and returns are acceptable. |
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4 Maximize our competitive strengths | |||
Our strategy at a glance |
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We are continually developing competitive strengths to ensure we provide maximum shareholder value over the short, medium and long terms. |
A competitive advantage
Years of experience in the energy infrastructure business and a
disciplined approach to project and operational management and capital
investment give us our competitive edge.
Strong leadership: scale, presence, operating capabilities and strategy development; expertise in regulatory, legal, commercial and financing support.
High quality portfolio: a low-risk business model that maximizes the full-life value of our long-life assets and commercial positions.
Disciplined operations: highly skilled in designing, building and operating energy infrastructure; focus on operational excellence; and a commitment to health, safety and the environment are paramount parts of our core values.
Financial positioning: excellent reputation for consistent financial performance and long-term financial stability and profitability; disciplined approach to capital investment; ability to access sizable amounts of competitively priced capital to support our growth; stable and growing master limited partnership that complements our funding program; ability to balance an increasing dividend on our common shares while preserving financial flexibility to fund industry-leading capital program in all market conditions.
Long-term relationships: long-term, transparent relationships with key customers and stakeholders; clear communication of our value to equity and debt investors both the upside and the risks to build trust and support.
6 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
CAPITAL PROGRAM
We are developing quality projects under our long-term capital program. These
long-life infrastructure assets are supported by long-term commercial arrangements with
creditworthy counterparties or regulated business models and are expected to generate significant growth in earnings and cash flow.
Our capital program consists of $12 billion of small to medium-sized, shorter-term projects and $34 billion of commercially secured large-scale, medium and longer-term projects. Amounts presented exclude the impact of foreign exchange and capitalized interest.
All projects are subject to cost adjustments due to market conditions, route refinement, permitting conditions, scheduling and timing of regulatory permits.
at December 31, 2014 (billions of $) |
Segment | Expected In-Service Date |
Estimated Project Cost |
Amount Spent |
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Small to medium sized, shorter-term | ||||||||
Houston Lateral and Terminal | Liquids Pipelines | 2015 | US 0.6 | US 0.4 | ||||
Topolobampo | Natural Gas Pipelines | 2016 | US 1.0 | US 0.7 | ||||
Mazatlan | Natural Gas Pipelines | 2016 | US 0.4 | US 0.2 | ||||
Grand Rapids1 | Liquids Pipelines | 2016-2017 | 1.5 | 0.2 | ||||
Heartland and TC Terminals | Liquids Pipelines | 2017 | 0.9 | 0.1 | ||||
Northern Courier | Liquids Pipelines | 2017 | 0.9 | 0.2 | ||||
Canadian Mainline Other | Natural Gas Pipelines | 2015-2016 | 0.5 | - | ||||
NGTL System North Montney | Natural Gas Pipelines | 2016-2017 | 1.7 | 0.1 | ||||
2016/17 Facilities | Natural Gas Pipelines | 2016-2017 | 2.7 | - | ||||
Other | Natural Gas Pipelines | 2015-2016 | 0.4 | 0.1 | ||||
Napanee | Energy | 2017 or 2018 | 1.0 | 0.1 | ||||
11.6 | 2.1 | |||||||
Large-scale, medium and longer-term | ||||||||
Upland | Liquids Pipelines | 2018 | 0.6 | - | ||||
Keystone projects | ||||||||
Keystone XL2 | Liquids Pipelines | 3 | US 8.0 | US 2.4 | ||||
Keystone Hardisty Terminal | Liquids Pipelines | 3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | ||||
Energy East projects | ||||||||
Energy East4 | Liquids Pipelines | 2018 | 12.0 | 0.5 | ||||
Eastern Mainline | Natural Gas Pipelines | 2017 | 1.5 | - | ||||
BC west coast LNG-related projects | ||||||||
Coastal GasLink | Natural Gas Pipelines | 2019+ | 4.8 | 0.2 | ||||
Prince Rupert Gas Transmission | Natural Gas Pipelines | 2019+ | 5.0 | 0.3 | ||||
NGTL System Merrick | Natural Gas Pipelines | 2020 | 1.9 | - | ||||
34.1 | 3.5 | |||||||
45.7 | 5.6 | |||||||
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 7
2014 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
We use certain financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP because we believe
they improve our ability to compare results between reporting periods,
and enhance understanding of our operating performance. Known as non-GAAP measures, they may not be similar to measures provided by other companies.
Highlights
Comparable EBITDA (comparable earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization), comparable EBIT (comparable earnings before interest and taxes), comparable
earnings, comparable earnings per common share and funds generated from operations are all non-GAAP measures. See page 3 for more information about the non-GAAP measures we use and page 89 for a
reconciliation to their GAAP equivalents.
year ended December 31 (millions of $, except per share amounts) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Revenue | 10,185 | 8,797 | 8,007 | ||||
Net income attributable to common shares | 1,841 | 1,769 | 1,338 | ||||
per common share basic & diluted | $2.38 | $2.36 | $1.81 | ||||
Comparable EBITDA | 5,521 | 4,859 | 4,245 | ||||
Comparable earnings | 1,813 | 1,641 | 1,369 | ||||
Operating cash flow |
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Funds generated from operations | 4,267 | 3,977 | 3,259 | ||||
(Increase)/decrease in working capital | (189) | (334) | 287 | ||||
Net cash provided by operations | 4,078 | 3,643 | 3,546 | ||||
Investing activities |
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Capital spending capital expenditures | 3,550 | 4,264 | 2,595 | ||||
Capital spending projects under development | 807 | 488 | 3 | ||||
Equity investments | 256 | 163 | 652 | ||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | 241 | 216 | 214 | ||||
Proceeds from sale of assets, net of transaction costs | 196 | - | - | ||||
Balance sheet |
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Total assets | 61,838 | 56,626 | 51,302 | ||||
Long-term debt | 24,757 | 22,865 | 18,913 | ||||
Junior subordinated notes | 1,160 | 1,063 | 994 | ||||
Preferred shares | - | 194 | 389 | ||||
Non-controlling interests | 1,583 | 1,417 | 1,036 | ||||
Common shareholders' equity | 21,095 | 19,827 | 17,915 | ||||
8 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Consolidated results
year ended December 31 (millions of $, except per share amounts) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Segmented earnings | ||||||
Natural Gas Pipelines | 2,187 | 1,881 | 1,808 | |||
Liquids Pipelines | 843 | 603 | 553 | |||
Energy | 1,051 | 1,113 | 579 | |||
Corporate | (150) | (124) | (111) | |||
Total segmented earnings | 3,931 | 3,473 | 2,829 | |||
Interest expense | (1,235) | (1,046) | (1,037) | |||
Interest income and other | 128 | 72 | 125 | |||
Income before income taxes | 2,824 | 2,499 | 1,917 | |||
Income tax expense | (830) | (605) | (461) | |||
Net income | 1,994 | 1,894 | 1,456 | |||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | (151) | (105) | (96) | |||
Net income attributable to controlling interests | 1,843 | 1,789 | 1,360 | |||
Preferred share dividends | (2) | (20) | (22) | |||
Net income attributable to common shares | 1,841 | 1,769 | 1,338 | |||
Net income per common share basic and diluted | $2.38 | $2.36 | $1.81 | |||
Net income attributable to common shares
Net income attributable to common shares in 2014 was $1,841 million (2013 $1,769 million; 2012 $1,338 million). The following specific items were recognized in net income in 2012 to 2014:
2014
2013
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 9
2012
The items discussed above were excluded from comparable earnings for the relevant periods. Certain unrealized fair value adjustments relating to risk management activities are also excluded from comparable earnings. The remainder of net income is equivalent to comparable earnings. A reconciliation of net income attributable to common shares to comparable earnings is shown in the following table.
Reconciliation of net income to comparable earnings
year ended December 31 (millions of $) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Net income attributable to common shares | 1,841 | 1,769 | 1,338 | ||||
Specific items (net of tax): | |||||||
Cancarb gain on sale | (99) | - | - | ||||
Niska contract termination | 32 | - | - | ||||
Gas Pacifico/INNERGY gain on sale | (8) | - | - | ||||
NEB 2013 Decision 2012 | - | (84) | - | ||||
Part VI.I income tax adjustment | - | (25) | - | ||||
Sundance A PPA arbitration decision 2011 | - | - | 15 | ||||
Risk management activities1 | 47 | (19) | 16 | ||||
Comparable earnings | 1,813 | 1,641 | 1,369 | ||||
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Canadian Power | (11) | (4) | 4 | |||
U.S. Power | (55) | 50 | (1) | |||
Natural Gas Storage | 13 | (2) | (24) | |||
Foreign exchange | (21) | (9) | (1) | |||
Income tax attributable to risk management activities | 27 | (16) | 6 | |||
Total (losses)/gains from risk management activities | (47) | 19 | (16) | |||
Comparable earnings
Comparable earnings in 2014 were $172 million higher than in 2013.
The
increase in comparable earnings was primarily the net result of:
10 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Comparable earnings in 2013 were $272 million higher than 2012.
The
increase in comparable earnings was the net result of:
Cash flows
Funds generated from operations
Funds generated from operations
were 12 per cent higher this year compared to 2013 primarily for the same reasons comparable earnings were higher, as described
above.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 11
Funds used in investing activities
Capital spending1
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Natural Gas Pipelines | 2,136 | 2,021 | 1,389 | |||
Liquids Pipelines | 1,969 | 2,529 | 1,148 | |||
Energy | 206 | 152 | 24 | |||
Corporate | 46 | 50 | 37 | |||
4,357 | 4,752 | 2,598 | ||||
We invested $4.4 billion in capital projects in 2014 as part of our ongoing capital program which was consistent with our revised outlook in our third quarter 2014 report to shareholders. Our capital program is a key part of our strategy to optimize the value of our existing assets and develop new, complementary assets in high demand areas that are expected to generate stable, predictable earnings and cash flows and to maximize returns to shareholders for years to come.
Equity investments and acquisitions
In 2014, we invested
$256 million in our equity investments primarily related to the construction of Grand Rapids. We also spent $241 million on the acquisition
of four additional solar facilities from Canadian Solar Solutions Inc.
Balance sheet
We continue to maintain a strong balance sheet while growing our total assets by
$10.5 billion since 2012. At December 31, 2014, common equity represented
47 per cent (47 per cent in 2013) of our capital structure. See page 66 for more information about our capital structure.
Quarterly dividend on our common shares
The dividend declared for the
quarter ending March 31, 2015 is equal to the quarterly dividend to be paid on TransCanada's issued and outstanding common shares at the
close of business on March 31, 2015.
Annual dividends on our preferred shares
In March 2014, TCPL redeemed
all of the 4 million outstanding Series Y preferred shares at a redemption price of $50 per share plus $0.2455 representing
accrued and unpaid dividends to such redemption date. As of December 31, 2014, we do not have any issued and outstanding preferred shares.
Cash dividends
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Common shares | 1,345 | 1,285 | 1,226 | |||
Preferred shares | 4 | 22 | 22 | |||
Refer to the Results section in each business segment and the Financial condition section of this MD&A for further discussion of these highlights.
12 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Earnings
We anticipate earnings in 2015 to be higher than 2014, mainly due to the net effect of
the following:
Earnings will also be impacted by additional Corporate segment items including increased AFUDC reflecting continued growth and capital spending primarily on Topolobampo, Mazatlan, the NGTL System and Energy East.
Results from our U.S. businesses are subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. These fluctuations are largely offset by interest on our U.S. dollar denominated debt as well as our hedging activities which are included in our Corporate segment.
Natural Gas Pipelines
Earnings from the Natural Gas
Pipelines segment are affected by regulatory decisions and the timing of these decisions. Earnings are also impacted by market conditions, which
drive the level of demand and the rate we secure for our services.
Canadian Mainline earnings are anticipated to be lower in 2015 primarily as the result of the 2015 - 2030 Tolls and Tariff Application approved by the NEB in November 2014. These lower earnings are expected to be largely offset by growth in the NGTL System investment base as we connect new natural gas supply in northeastern B.C. and western Alberta and respond to growing demand in the oil sands market in northeast Alberta.
U.S. and International Gas Pipelines earnings are expected to be higher in 2015 primarily due to new long-term contracts for ANR originating from the Utica/Marcellus shale plays.
Earnings from our existing Mexican pipeline operations are expected to be consistent with 2014.
Liquids Pipelines
Earnings in 2015 from the Liquids
Pipelines segment are not expected to be significantly different than 2014. We continue to seek further operational efficiencies which would,
depending on market demand, improve capacity and flows on the Keystone Pipeline System.
Over time, Liquids Pipelines' earnings will increase as projects currently in development are placed in service.
Energy
Earnings in the Energy segment
are generally maximized by maintaining and optimizing the operations of our power plants and through various marketing activities. Although a
significant portion of Energy's output is sold under long-term contracts, output that is sold under shorter-term arrangements or at spot prices will continue to be affected by fluctuations in
commodity prices.
Western Power earnings are anticipated to be lower in 2015 as a result of changing market conditions. Despite continued robust power demand in Alberta, exclusive of any market supply challenges, new supply additions in 2015 are expected to result in downward pressure on spot prices.
Eastern Power earnings in 2015 are expected to be higher as a result of a full year of operations from the additional solar assets acquired in 2014 as well as higher contractual earnings at Bécancour.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 13
Bruce Power equity income is expected to be lower primarily due to the increased planned maintenance activity and higher operating costs.
U.S. Power earnings are anticipated to increase as a result of higher net energy margins and production partially offset by lower capacity prices for Ravenswood as a result of new supply entering the market in 2015.
Natural Gas Storage earnings are expected to be slightly lower in 2015 with fewer opportunities to realize shorter-term gas cycling gains such as those realized during periods of extreme volatility in 2014.
Consolidated capital spending and equity investments
We expect to spend approximately $6 billion in 2015 on new and existing capital
projects. The 2015 capital spending relates to Natural Gas Pipeline projects including
NGTL System expansion, the Canadian Mainline, Topolobampo, and Mazatlan; Liquids Pipeline projects including Grand Rapids, Northern Courier, Energy East and Heartland; and Energy projects including
Napanee.
14 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Natural Gas Pipelines
Our natural gas pipeline network transports natural gas to local distribution companies, power generation facilities and other businesses across Canada, the
U.S. and Mexico. We serve more than 80 per cent of the Canadian demand and approximately 15 per cent of the U.S. demand on a daily basis by connecting major natural
gas supply basins and markets through:
We also have regulated natural gas storage facilities in Michigan with a total capacity of 250 Bcf, making us one of the largest providers of natural gas storage and related services in North America.
Strategy at a glance |
Optimizing the value of our existing natural gas pipelines systems, while responding to the changing flow patterns of natural gas in North America, is a top priority. |
We are also pursuing new pipeline projects to add incremental value to our business. Our key areas of focus include: |
greenfield development opportunities, such as infrastructure for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from the west coast of Canada and the Gulf of Mexico |
additional new pipeline developments within Mexico |
connections to emerging Canadian and U.S. shale gas and other supplies |
connections to new and growing markets |
all of which play a critical role in meeting the transportation requirements for supply and demand for natural gas in North America. |
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 15
16 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
We are the operator of all of the following natural gas pipelines and regulated natural gas storage assets except for Iroquois.
length | description | effective ownership |
|||||
Canadian pipelines | |||||||
1 | NGTL System | 24,525 km (15,239 miles) |
Receives, transports and delivers natural gas within Alberta and B.C., and connects with the Canadian Mainline, Foothills system and third-party pipelines | 100% | |||
2 | Canadian Mainline | 14,114 km (8,770 miles) |
Transports natural gas from the Alberta/Saskatchewan border and the Ontario/U.S. border to serve eastern Canada and interconnects to the U.S. | 100% | |||
3 | Foothills | 1,241 km (771 miles) |
Transports natural gas from central Alberta to the U.S. border for export to the U.S. Midwest, Pacific northwest, California and Nevada | 100% | |||
4 | Trans Québec & Maritimes (TQM) | 572 km (355 miles) |
Connects with Canadian Mainline near the Ontario/Québec border to transport natural gas to the Montréal to Québec City corridor, and connects with the Portland pipeline system that serves the northeast U.S. | 50% | |||
U.S. pipelines |
|||||||
5 | ANR Pipeline | 15,109 km (9,388 miles) |
Transports natural gas from supply basins to markets throughout the mid-west and south to the Gulf of Mexico. | 100% | |||
5a | ANR Storage | 250 Bcf | Provides regulated underground natural gas storage service from facilities located in Michigan | ||||
6 | Bison | 487 km (303 miles) |
Transports natural gas from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming to Northern Border in North Dakota. We effectively own 28.3 per cent of the system through our interest in TC PipeLines, LP | 28.3% | |||
7 | Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) | 2,178 km (1,353 miles) |
Transports natural gas from the WCSB and the Rocky Mountains to Washington, Oregon and California. Connects with Tuscarora and Foothills. We effectively own 49.8 per cent of the system through the combination of our 30 per cent direct ownership interest and our 28.3 per cent interest in TC PipeLines, LP | 49.8% | |||
8 | Great Lakes | 3,404 km (2,115 miles) |
Connects with the Canadian Mainline near Emerson, Manitoba and St Clair, Ontario, plus interconnects with ANR at Crystal Falls and Farwell in Michigan, to transport natural gas to eastern Canada, and the U.S. upper Midwest. We effectively own 66.7 per cent of the system through the combination of our 53.6 per cent direct ownership interest and our 28.3 per cent interest in TC PipeLines, LP | 66.77% | |||
9 | Iroquois | 666 km (414 miles) |
Connects with Canadian Mainline near Waddington, New York to deliver natural gas to customers in the U.S. northeast | 44.5% | |||
10 | North Baja | 138 km (86 miles) |
Transports natural gas between Arizona and California, and connects with a third-party pipeline on the California/Mexico border. We effectively own 28.3 per cent of the system through our interest in TC PipeLines, LP | 28.3% | |||
11 | Northern Border | 2,265 km (1,407 miles) |
Transports WCSB and Rockies natural gas with connections to Foothills and Bison to U.S. Midwest markets. We effectively own 14.2 per cent of the system through our 28.3 per cent interest in TC PipeLines, LP | 14.2% | |||
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 17
length | description | effective ownership |
|||||
U.S. pipelines | |||||||
12 | Portland | 474 km (295 miles) |
Connects with TQM near East Hereford, Québec, to deliver natural gas to customers in the U.S. northeast | 61.7% | |||
13 | Tuscarora | 491 km (305 miles) |
Transports natural gas from GTN at Malin, Oregon to markets in northeastern California and northwestern Nevada. We effectively own 28.3 per cent of the system through our interest in TC PipeLines, LP | 28.3% | |||
14 | TC Offshore | 958 km (595 miles) |
Gathers and transports natural gas within the Gulf of Mexico with subsea pipeline and seven offshore platforms to connect in Louisiana with our ANR pipeline system. | 100% | |||
Mexican pipelines |
|||||||
15 | Guadalajara | 310 km (193 miles) |
Transports natural gas from Manzanillo, Colima to Guadalajara, Jalisco | 100% | |||
16 | Tamazunchale | 365 km (227 miles) |
Transports natural gas from Naranjos, Veracruz in east central Mexico to Tamazunchale, San Luis Potosi and on to to El Sauz, Queretaro | 100% | |||
Under construction |
|||||||
17 | Mazatlan Pipeline | 413 km (257 miles) |
To deliver natural gas from El Oro to Mazatlan, Sinaloa in Mexico. Will connect to the Topolobampo Pipeline at El Oro | 100% | |||
18 | Topolobampo Pipeline | 530 km (329 miles) |
To deliver natural gas to Topolobampo, Sinaloa, from interconnects with third-party pipelines in El Oro, Sinaloa and El Encino, Chihuahua in Mexico | 100% | |||
In development |
|||||||
19 | Alaska LNG Pipeline | 1,448 km* (900 miles) |
To transport natural gas from Prudhoe Bay to LNG facilities in Nikiski, Alaska | 25% | |||
20 | Coastal GasLink | 670 km* (416 miles) |
To deliver natural gas from the Montney gas producing region at an expected interconnect on NGTL near Dawson Creek, B.C. to LNG Canada's proposed LNG facility near Kitimat, B.C. | 100% | |||
21 | Prince Rupert Gas Transmission | 900 km* (559 miles) |
To deliver natural gas from the North Montney gas producing region at an expected interconnect on NGTL near Fort St. John, B.C. to the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG facility near Prince Rupert, B.C. | 100% | |||
22 | North Montney Mainline | 301 km* (187 miles) |
An extension of the NGTL System to receive natural gas from the North Montney gas producing region and connect to NGTL's existing Groundbirch Mainline and the proposed Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project | 100% | |||
23 | Merrick Mainline | 260 km* (161 miles) |
To deliver natural gas from NGTL's existing Groundbirch Mainline near Dawson Creek, B.C. to its end point near the community of Summit Lake, B.C. | 100% | |||
24 | Eastern Mainline | 245 km* (152 miles) |
Various pipeline and compression facilities expected to be added in the Eastern Triangle of the Canadian Mainline to meet the requirements of the existing shippers as well as new firm service requirements following the conversion of components of the Mainline to facilitate the Energy East project | 100% | |||
NGTL 2016/17 Facilities** | 540 km* (336 miles) |
The expansion program comprised of 21 integrated projects of pipes, compression and metering to meet new incremental firm service requests on the NGTL System | 100% | ||||
* | Pipe lengths are estimates as final route is still under design | ||||||
** | Facilities are not shown on the map |
||||||
18 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
RESULTS
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures)
to segmented earnings (the equivalent GAAP measure).
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Comparable EBITDA | 3,241 | 2,852 | 2,741 | ||||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (1,063) | (1,013) | (933) | ||||
Comparable EBIT | 2,178 | 1,839 | 1,808 | ||||
Specific items: | |||||||
Gas Pacifico/INNERGY gain on sale | 9 | - | - | ||||
NEB 2013 Decision 2012 | - | 42 | - | ||||
Segmented earnings | 2,187 | 1,881 | 1,808 | ||||
Natural Gas Pipelines segmented earnings in 2014 increased by $306 million compared to 2013 and included $9 million related to the gain on sale of Gas Pacifico/INNERGY in November 2014 whereas the year ended December 31, 2013 included $42 million related to the 2012 impact of the NEB 2013 Decision. These amounts have been excluded in our calculation of comparable EBIT. The remainder of the Natural Gas Pipelines segmented earnings are equivalent to comparable EBIT which, along with comparable EBITDA, are discussed below.
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Canadian Pipelines | ||||||
Canadian Mainline | 1,334 | 1,121 | 994 | |||
NGTL System | 856 | 846 | 749 | |||
Foothills | 106 | 114 | 120 | |||
Other Canadian pipelines1 | 22 | 26 | 29 | |||
Canadian Pipelines comparable EBITDA | 2,318 | 2,107 | 1,892 | |||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (821) | (790) | (715) | |||
Canadian Pipelines comparable EBIT | 1,497 | 1,317 | 1,177 | |||
U.S. and International Pipelines (in US$) | ||||||
ANR | 189 | 188 | 254 | |||
TC PipeLines, LP1,2 | 88 | 72 | 74 | |||
Great Lakes3 | 49 | 34 | 62 | |||
Other U.S. pipelines (Bison4, GTN5, Iroquois1, Portland6) | 132 | 183 | 223 | |||
Mexico (Guadalajara, Tamazunchale) | 160 | 100 | 99 | |||
International and other1,7 | (10) | (4) | 5 | |||
Non-controlling interests8 | 241 | 186 | 161 | |||
U.S. and International Pipelines comparable EBITDA | 849 | 759 | 878 | |||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (219) | (217) | (218) | |||
U.S. and International Pipelines comparable EBIT | 630 | 542 | 660 | |||
Foreign exchange impact | 68 | 15 | - | |||
U.S. and International Pipelines comparable EBIT (Cdn$) | 698 | 557 | 660 | |||
Business Development comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT | (17) | (35) | (29) | |||
Natural Gas Pipelines comparable EBIT | 2,178 | 1,839 | 1,808 | |||
Summary | ||||||
Natural Gas Pipelines comparable EBITDA | 3,241 | 2,852 | 2,741 | |||
Comparable depreciation and amortization |
(1,063) |
(1,013) |
(933) |
|||
Natural Gas Pipelines comparable EBIT | 2,178 | 1,839 | 1,808 | |||
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 19
Ownership percentage as of |
|||||||||
October 1, 2014 | July 1, 2013 | May 22, 2013 | January 1, 2012 | ||||||
TC PipeLines, LP |
28.3 |
28.9 |
28.9 |
33.3 |
|||||
Effective ownership through TC PipeLines, LP: | |||||||||
Bison | 28.3 | 20.2 | 7.2 | 8.3 | |||||
GTN | 19.8 | 20.2 | 7.2 | 8.3 | |||||
Great Lakes | 13.1 | 13.4 | 13.4 | 15.5 | |||||
Canadian Pipelines
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Net income | |||||||
Canadian Mainline net income | 300 | 361 | 187 | ||||
Canadian Mainline comparable earnings | 300 | 277 | 187 | ||||
NGTL System | 241 | 243 | 208 | ||||
Average investment base | |||||||
Canadian Mainline | 5,690 | 5,841 | 5,737 | ||||
NGTL System | 6,236 | 5,938 | 5,501 | ||||
Net income and comparable EBITDA for our rate-regulated Canadian Pipelines are primarily affected by our approved ROE, our investment base, the level of deemed common equity, carrying charges owed to shippers on the Canadian Mainline Tolls Stabilization Account (TSA), and incentive earnings. Changes in depreciation, financial charges and income taxes also impact comparable EBITDA but do not have a significant impact on net income as they are almost entirely recovered in revenue on a flow-through basis.
Canadian Mainline's comparable earnings this year increased by $23 million compared to 2013 because of higher incentive earnings, partially offset by higher carrying charges owed to shippers on the positive TSA balance and a lower average investment base. Among other things, the NEB 2013 Decision set out an ROE of 11.50 per cent on deemed common equity of 40 per cent for the years 2012 through 2017. Net income of $361 million recorded in 2013 included $84 million related to the 2012 impact of the NEB 2013 Decision, which was excluded from comparable earnings. Comparable earnings in 2013 were $90 million higher than 2012 because of the impact of the NEB 2013 Decision which approved incentive earnings and a higher ROE. The ROE used to record earnings in 2012 was 8.08 per cent on 40 per cent deemed common equity.
Net income for the NGTL System was $2 million lower in 2014 compared to 2013. The decrease in net income was due to increased OM&A costs at risk under the terms of the 2013-2014 NGTL Settlement approved by the NEB in November 2013, partially offset by a higher average investment base. The settlement included an ROE of 10.10 per cent on deemed common equity of 40 per cent and included annual fixed amounts for certain OM&A costs. Net income in 2013 was $35 million higher than 2012 because of a higher average investment base and a higher ROE. In 2012, the NGTL System was operating under the 2010-2012 Settlement which had an ROE of 9.70 per cent on deemed common equity of 40 per cent and included an annual fixed amount for certain OM&A costs.
20 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Comparable EBITDA and EBIT for the Canadian pipelines reflect the variances discussed above as well as variances in depreciation, financial charges and income tax which are substantially recovered in revenue on a flow-through basis and, therefore, do not have a significant impact on net income.
U.S. and International Pipelines
EBITDA for our U.S. operations is affected by contracted volume levels, actual
volumes delivered and the rates charged, as well as by the cost of providing services,
including OM&A and other costs as well as property taxes.
ANR is also affected by the level of contracting and the determination of rates driven by the market value of its storage capacity, storage related transportation services, and incidental commodity sales. ANR's pipeline and storage volumes and revenues are generally higher in the winter months because of the seasonal nature of its business.
Comparable
EBITDA for the U.S. and International Pipelines was US$90 million higher in 2014 than 2013. This was due to the net effect of:
Comparable
EBITDA for the U.S. and International Pipelines was US$119 million lower in 2013 than 2012. This was due to the net effect of:
Comparable depreciation and amortization
Comparable depreciation and amortization was $50 million higher in 2014 than in
2013 mainly because of a higher rate base for the NGTL System. Depreciation and
amortization was $80 million higher in 2013 than in 2012 mainly because of a higher rate base for the NGTL System, as well as the impact of the Mainline NEB 2013 Decision discussed
above.
Business development
In 2014, business development expenses were $18 million lower than 2013 due to a
change in scope on the Alaska project and lower administrative costs, partially offset
by higher spending on Mexican projects. Business development expenses were $6 million higher in 2013 compared to 2012 mainly due to a change in scope on the Alaska project. See page 30 for
further discussion on Alaska.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 21
OUTLOOK
Canadian Pipelines
Earnings
Earnings for Canadian Pipelines
are affected most significantly by changes in investment base, ROE and regulated capital structure, and also by the terms of toll settlements or
other toll proposals approved by the NEB.
For 2015, the Canadian Mainline will operate under the terms of the 2015 2030 Tolls and Tariff Application, the fundamentals of which were approved by the NEB in November 2014. The terms of the application decision include a lower ROE of 10.10 per cent on deemed common equity of 40 per cent, an incentive mechanism that has both upside and downside risk and a $20 million after-tax contribution through tolls from us. As a result, we expect Canadian Mainline 2015 earnings to be lower than 2014.
We expect the NGTL System investment base to continue to grow as we connect new natural gas supply in northeastern B.C. and western Alberta and respond to rising demand in the oil sands market in northeastern Alberta. We expect the growing investment base to have a positive impact on NGTL System earnings in 2015.
We also anticipate a modest level of investment in our other Canadian rate-regulated natural gas pipelines, but expect the average investment bases of these pipelines to continue to decline as annual depreciation outpaces capital investment, reducing their year-over-year earnings.
Under the current regulatory model, earnings from Canadian rate-regulated natural gas pipelines are not materially affected by short-term fluctuations in the commodity price of natural gas, changes in throughput volumes or changes in contracted capacity levels.
U.S. Pipelines
Earnings
U.S. Pipeline earnings are
affected by the level of contracted capacity and the rates charged to customers. Our ability to recontract or sell capacity at favourable
rates is influenced by prevailing market conditions and competitive factors, including alternatives available to end use customers in the form of competing natural gas pipelines and supply sources, in
addition to broader macroeconomic conditions that might impact demand from certain customers or market segments. Earnings are also affected by the level of OM&A and other costs, which includes the
impact of safety, environmental and other regulator's decisions.
Many of our U.S. natural gas pipelines are backed by long-term take-or-pay contracts that are expected to deliver stable and consistent financial performance. ANR and Great Lakes have had more commercial exposure from transportation and storage contract renewals in recent years, which resulted in reduced earnings in 2013 and 2014 as transportation and storage values were depressed to historically low levels.
ANR has secured new long term contracts and extended terms at maximum recourse rates for significant volumes originating from the Utica/Marcellus shale plays with contract start dates from late 2014 through late 2015. We continue to seek opportunities to expand upon this success along with those opportunities associated with continued growth in end use markets for natural gas. In addition, ANR and Great Lakes are examining commercial, regulatory and operational changes to continue to optimize their position in response to positive developments in supply fundamentals. As a result, we expect 2015 earnings from our U.S. Pipelines to increase slightly from 2014.
Mexican Pipelines
The 2015 earnings for our current operating assets in Mexico are expected to be
consistent with 2014 due to the nature of the long-term contracts applicable to our Mexican
pipeline systems.
Capital spending
We spent a total of $2.1 billion in 2014 for our natural gas pipelines in Canada,
the U.S. and Mexico, and expect to spend $3.4 billion in 2015 primarily on the
NGTL System expansion projects, the Topolobampo and
22 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Mazatlan pipelines in Mexico and Canadian Mainline capacity projects. See page 81 for further discussion on liquidity risk.
UNDERSTANDING THE NATURAL GAS PIPELINES BUSINESS
Natural gas pipelines move natural gas from major sources of supply to locations or markets that use natural gas to meet their energy needs.
Our natural gas pipeline business builds, owns and operates a network of natural gas pipelines in North America that connects locations where gas is produced or interconnects with other pipelines to end customers such as local distribution companies, power generation facilities, industrial operations and other pipeline interconnects or end-users. The network includes pipelines that are buried underground and transport natural gas under high pressure, compressor stations that act like pumps to move the large volumes of natural gas along the pipeline and meter stations that record the amount of natural gas coming on the network at receipt locations and leaving the network at delivery locations.
Regulation of tolls and cost recovery
Our natural gas pipelines are generally regulated in Canada by the NEB, in the
U.S. by the FERC and in Mexico by the CRE. The regulators approve construction of new
pipeline facilities and ongoing operations of the infrastructure.
Regulators in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico allow us to recover costs to operate the network by collecting tolls, or payments, for services. Costs of operating the systems include a return on our capital invested in the assets or rate base, as well as the recovery of the rate base over time through depreciation. Other costs recovered include OM&A costs, income and property taxes, and interest on debt. The regulator reviews our costs to ensure they are prudent and approves tolls that provide us a reasonable opportunity to recover them.
Within their respective jurisdictions, the FERC and CRE approve maximum transportation rates. These rates are cost based and are designed to recover the pipeline's investment, operating expenses and a reasonable return for our investors. As the pipeline operator within these jurisdictions, we may negotiate lower rates with shippers.
Sometimes we enter into agreements or settlements with our shippers for tolls and cost recovery, which may include mutually beneficial performance incentives. The regulator must approve a settlement, including performance incentives, for it to be put into effect.
Generally, Canadian natural gas pipelines request the NEB to approve the pipeline's cost of service and tolls once a year, and recover or refund the variance between actual and expected revenues and costs in future years. The Canadian Mainline, however, operates under a fixed toll arrangement for its longer-term firm transportation services and has the flexibility to price its shorter-term and interruptible services in order to maximize its revenue.
The FERC does not require U.S. interstate pipelines to calculate rates annually, nor do they allow for the collection or refund of the variance between actual and expected revenue and costs into future years. This difference in U.S. regulation puts our U.S. pipelines at risk for the difference in expected and actual costs and revenues between rate cases. If revenues no longer provide a reasonable opportunity to recover costs, we can file with the FERC for a new determination of rates, subject to any moratorium in effect. Similarly, the FERC may institute proceedings to lower tolls if they consider the return on the capital invested to be too high.
Our Mexican pipelines have approved tariffs, services and related rates. However, most of the contracts underpinning the construction and operation of the facilities in Mexico are long-term negotiated fixed-rate contracts. These rates are only subject to change under specific circumstances such as certain types of force majeure events or changes in law.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 23
Business environment and strategic priorities
The North American natural gas pipeline network has developed to connect supply
to market. Use and growth of this infrastructure is affected by changes in the location and
relative cost of natural gas supplies as well as changes in the location of markets and level of demand.
We have a significant pipeline footprint in the WCSB and transport approximately 75 per cent of total WCSB production to markets within and outside of the basin. Our pipelines also source natural gas, to a lesser degree, from the other major basins including the Appalachian (Utica and Marcellus), Rockies, Williston, Haynesville, Fayetteville and Anadarko as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
Increasing supply
The WCSB spans almost all of
Alberta and extends into B.C., Saskatchewan, Yukon and Northwest Territories and is Canada's primary source of natural gas supply. The WCSB is
currently estimated to have 150 trillion cubic feet of remaining conventional resources and a technically accessible unconventional resource base of over 700 trillion
cubic feet. The total recoverable WCSB resource base has recently more than quadrupled with the advent of technology that can economically access unconventional gas areas in the basin.
Production from the WCSB increased slightly in 2014 after decreasing every year since 2007 and is expected to continue to increase over the next several years. The Montney and Horn River shale play
formations and the Liard basin in northeastern B.C. are also part of the WCSB and have recently become a significant source of natural gas. We expect production from the Montney play that is currently
just under 3 Bcf/d, to grow to approximately 6 Bcf/d by 2020, depending on the economics of exploration and production compared to other, mainly U.S., sources and the progress of
proposed B.C. west coast LNG exports.
The primary sources of natural gas in the U.S. are the U.S. shale areas, Gulf of Mexico and the Rockies. The U.S. shales are the biggest area of growth which we estimate will meet almost 50 per cent of the overall North American gas demand by 2020. The largest shale developments for natural gas are the Utica/Marcellus basins
24 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
in the northeast U.S. These basins have grown from essentially no production prior to 2008 up to 16 Bcf/d at the end of 2014. They are forecast to grow to 25 Bcf/d by 2020. Other natural gas supply from shale in the U.S. includes the Haynesville, Barnett, Eagle Ford and Fayetteville plays.
The
overall supply of natural gas in North America is forecast to increase significantly over the next decade (by almost 20 Bcf/d or 22 per cent by 2020), and is expected
to continue to increase over the long term for several reasons:
The development of shale gas basins that are located close to existing markets, particularly in the northeast U.S., has led to an increase in the number of supply choices and is expected to change historical gas pipeline flow patterns, generally from long-haul, long-term firm contracted capacity to shorter-distance, shorter-term contracts. Along with our competitors, we are restructuring our tolls and service offerings to capture this growing northeast supply and North American demand.
The Canadian Mainline is well positioned to offer optionality of supply to eastern Canadian and northeast U.S. markets, while still ensuring the opportunity to recover our costs including a return on the investment for both existing and new infrastructure as required.
Growing northeast supply has had a positive impact for both the Mainline, with new proposed facilities in eastern Canada, and our ANR U.S. pipeline assets, with significant new long-term contracts for service. The increase in supply in northeastern B.C. has created opportunities for us to plan and build, subject to regulatory approval and a positive final investment decisions (FID), new large pipeline infrastructure on the NGTL System to move the natural gas to markets, including proposed LNG exports and growing Alberta market demand.
Changing demand
The growing supply of natural gas
has resulted in relatively low natural gas prices in North America, which have supported increased demand for natural gas particularly in the
following areas:
Natural gas producers continue to progress opportunities to sell natural gas to global markets, which involves connecting natural gas supplies to new LNG export terminals which are proposed primarily along the west coast of B.C. and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Assuming the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, the proposed facilities along the west coast of B.C. are expected to become operational later in this decade. The U.S Gulf Coast also has several LNG export facilities in various stages of development or construction. LNG exports are expected to ramp up from this area, with initial deliveries beginning as early as late 2015. The demand created by the addition of these new markets creates opportunities for us to build new pipeline infrastructure and to increase throughput on our existing pipelines.
Commodity Prices
In general, the profitability of
our gas pipelines business is not directly tied to commodity prices given we are a transporter of the commodity and the transportation costs
are not tied to the price of natural gas. However, the cyclical supply and demand nature of commodities and its price impact can have an indirect impact on our business where our shippers may choose
to accelerate or delay certain projects. This can impact the timing for the demand of transportation services and/or new gas pipeline infrastructure.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 25
More competition
Changes in supply and demand
levels and locations have resulted in increased competition for transportation services throughout North America. Development of technology for
shale gas supply basins that are closer to markets historically served by long-haul pipelines has resulted in changes to flow patterns of existing natural gas pipeline infrastructure that includes
reversing direction of flow and different distances of haul, particularly with the large development of U.S. northeast supply. Along with other pipelines, we are restructuring our tolls and
service offerings to capture this growing northeast supply and North American demand.
Strategic priorities
We are focused on capturing
opportunities resulting from growing natural gas supply, and connecting new markets, while satisfying increasing demand for natural gas within
existing markets.We are also focused on adapting our existing assets to the changing gas flow dynamics.
The Canadian Mainline continued to be a focal point of our strategy in 2014. The cold 2013/14 winter coupled with the ability to price our discretionary services at market prices, resulted in a significant increase in long-haul firm transportation originating at Empress as well as increased revenue collection from the utilization of Mainline transportation services. The regulatory framework in place at the time did not allow us the opportunity to meet growing demand for new gas supplies to eastern Canada and recover the costs for those investments. As a result, an application for approval of 2015 to 2030 tolls was filed with the NEB based on the components reached in a settlement with the three major LDCs in Ontario and Québec. In November 2014, the NEB approved the application as filed (2015 - 2030 Tolls and Tariff Application). This approval sets the stage to advance capital projects in eastern Canada to meet the needs of our eastern Canada and northeast U.S. shippers seeking alternative supply sources. It also ensures a reasonable opportunity to recover the costs associated with our existing assets as well as those related to new pipeline investments.
In 2015, we will continue to advance the planned conversion of portions of the Canadian Mainline from natural gas service to crude oil service. The Energy East Pipeline is a planned project, subject to regulatory approval, to convert approximately 3,000 km (1,864 miles) of the Canadian Mainline from the Alberta border to a point in eastern Ontario, southeast of Ottawa to crude oil service. We are committed to ensuring that our gas shipper community continues to receive transportation service to meet their firm service requirements.
The NGTL System is the major natural gas gathering and transportation system for the WCSB, connecting most of the natural gas production in Western Canada to domestic and export markets. It faces competition for connection to supply, particularly in northeastern B.C., where the largest new source of natural gas has access to two other existing competing pipelines. Connections to new supply and new or growing demand continues to support new capital expansions of the NGTL System. We expect supply in the WCSB to grow from its current level of approximately 14 Bcf/d to approximately 16 Bcf/d by 2020. The NGTL System is well positioned to connect WCSB supply to meet expected demand for proposed LNG exports on the B.C. coastline. Obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals to extend and expand the NGTL System in northeastern B.C. to connect the Montney shale area was a key focus in 2014. A hearing process that examined the merits of our North Montney Pipeline project concluded in December 2014 and the NEB decision is expected by the end of April 2015.
Our
U.S. pipeline assets are positioned for further connections to growth in supply and markets for the following reasons:
26 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Management expects to drop down our remaining U.S. natural gas pipeline assets into TC PipeLines, LP as a means of funding a portion of our capital growth program, subject to the approvals of TC PipeLines, LP's board and our board as well as market conditions.
Our focus in Mexico in 2015 is to advance the construction phase for the Mazatlan and Topolobampo pipelines and to continue operating our existing facilities safely and reliably. We continue to be very interested in the further development of natural gas infrastructure in Mexico and will work to advance future projects, that align with our strategic priorities.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
Canadian Regulated Pipelines
NGTL System
We continue to experience
significant growth on the NGTL System as a result of growing natural gas supply in northwestern Alberta and northeastern B.C. from unconventional gas
plays and substantive growth in intra-basin delivery markets. This demand growth is driven primarily by oil sands development, gas-fired electric power generation and expectations of B.C. west coast
LNG projects. This demand for NGTL System services is expected to result in approximately 4.0 Bcf/d of incremental firm services with approximately 3.1 Bcf/d related to firm receipt
services and 0.9 Bcf/d related to firm delivery services. We will be seeking regulatory approvals in 2015 to construct new facilities to meet service requests of approximately 540 km
(336 miles) of pipeline, seven compressor stations, and 40 meter stations that will be required in 2016 and 2017 (2016/17 Facilities). The estimated total capital cost for the
facilities is approximately $2.7 billion.
Including the new 2016/17 Facilities, the North Montney Mainline, the Merrick Mainline, and other new supply and demand facilities, the NGTL System has approximately $6.7 billion of commercially secured projects in various stages of development.
North Montney Mainline
The $1.7 billion
North Montney Pipeline is a proposed extension and expansion of the NGTL System to receive and transport natural gas from the North Montney area of B.C.
The hearing for the application before the NEB to build and operate this project concluded in December 2014. We expect the NEB to issue its report and recommendations for the project by the end
of April 2015.
Merrick Mainline
In June 2014, we
announced the signing of agreements for approximately 1.9 Bcf/d of firm natural gas transportation services to underpin the development of a
major extension of our NGTL System.
The proposed Merrick Mainline will transport natural gas sourced through the NGTL System to the inlet of the proposed Pacific Trail Pipeline that will terminate at the Kitimat LNG Terminal at Bish Cove near Kitimat, B.C. The proposed project will be an extension from the existing Groundbirch Mainline section of the NGTL System beginning near Dawson Creek, B.C. to its end point near the community of Summit Lake, B.C. The $1.9 billion project will consist of approximately 260 km (161 miles) of 48-inch diameter pipe.
Subject to the necessary approvals, which includes the regulatory approval from the NEB for us to build and operate the pipeline, and a positive final investment decision for the Kitimat LNG project, we expect the Merrick Mainline to be in service in first quarter 2020.
2015 Revenue Requirement Settlement
We received NEB approval
on February 2, 2015 for our revenue requirement settlement with our shippers for 2015 on the NGTL System. The terms of the one year settlement
include continuation of the 2014 ROE of 10.10 per cent on 40 per cent deemed equity, continuation of the 2014 depreciation rates and a mechanism for sharing variances above
and below a fixed operating, maintenance and administrative expense amount that is based on an escalation of 2014 actual costs.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 27
Canadian Mainline
2015 2030 Tolls and Tariff Application
On November 28, 2014, the NEB approved the
Canadian Mainline's 2015 2030 Tolls and Tariff Application. The application reflected
components of a settlement between the Canadian Mainline and the three major LDCs in Ontario and Québec. The approval of this application provides a long term commercial platform for
both the Canadian Mainline and its shippers with a known toll design for 2015 to 2020 and certain parameters for a toll-setting methodology up to 2030. The platform balances the needs of our shippers
while at the same time ensuring a reasonable opportunity to recover the capital from our existing facilities and any new facilities required to serve existing and new markets.
Highlights
of the approved application include:
Eastern Mainline Project
In October 2014, we
filed an application seeking NEB approval to build, own and operate new facilities for our existing Canadian Mainline natural gas transmission system
in southeastern Ontario (Eastern Mainline Project). The new facilities are a result of the proposed transfer of a portion of the Canadian Mainline capacity from natural gas service to crude oil
service as part of our Energy
East Pipeline and an open season that closed in January 2014. The $1.5 billion capital project will add 0.6 Bcf/d of new capacity in the Eastern Triangle segment of the Canadian
Mainline and will ensure appropriate levels of capacity are available to meet the requirements of existing shippers as well as new firm service commitments. The project is contingent upon the Energy
East Pipeline and is subject to regulatory approvals expected to be issued simultaneously with regulatory approvals for the Energy East Pipeline. The project is expected to be in service by second
quarter 2017.
Other Canadian Mainline Expansions
In addition to the Eastern
Mainline Project, we have executed new short haul arrangements in the Eastern Triangle portion of the Canadian Mainline that require new facilities,
or modifications to existing facilities with a total capital cost of approximately $475 million with expected in-service dates between November 1, 2015 and November 1, 2016. These
projects are subject to regulatory approval and, once constructed, will provide capacity needed to meet customer requirements in eastern Canada.
28 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
U.S. Pipelines
Sale of Bison Pipeline to TC PipeLines, LP
In October 2014, we closed the
sale of our remaining 30 per cent interest in Bison Pipeline LLC to our master limited partnership, TC
PipeLines, LP, for cash proceeds of US$215 million.
Sale of GTN Pipeline to TC PipeLines, LP
In November 2014, we announced
an offer to sell the remaining 30 per cent interest in Gas Transmission Northwest LLC (GTN) to TC
PipeLines, LP. Subject to the satisfactory negotiation of terms and TC PipeLines, LP's board approval, the transaction is expected to close in late first quarter 2015.
At December 31, 2014, we held a 28.3 per cent interest in TC PipeLines, LP for which we are the General Partner.
ANR Pipeline
We have secured nearly
2.0 Bcf/d of firm natural gas transportation commitments for existing and expanded capacity on ANR Pipeline's Southeast Main Line (SEML). The
capacity sales and expansion projects include reversing the Lebanon Lateral in western Ohio, additional compression at Sulphur Springs, Indiana, expanding the Rockies Express pipeline interconnect
near Shelbyville, Indiana and 600 MMcf/d of capacity as part of a reversal project on the SEML. Capital costs associated with the ANR System expansions required to bring the additional capacity
to market are currently estimated to be US$150 million. The capacity was subscribed at maximum rates for an average term of 23 years with approximately 1.25 Bcf/d of new contracts
beginning service in late 2014. These secured contracts on the SEML will move Utica and Marcellus shale gas to points north and south on the system.
ANR is also assessing further demand from our customers to transport natural gas from the Utica/Marcellus formation, which is expected to result in incremental opportunities to enhance and expand the system.
Mexican Pipelines
Tamazunchale Pipeline Extension
Construction of the
US$600 million extension was completed November 6, 2014. Delays from the original service commencement date of March 9, 2014 were
attributed primarily to archeological findings along the pipeline route. Under the terms of the Transportation Service Agreement, these delays were recognized as a force majeure with provisions
allowing for collection of revenue from the original service commencement date.
Topolobampo and Mazatlan Pipelines
Permitting, engineering, and
construction activities are advancing as planned for these two northwest Mexico pipelines. The Topolobampo project is a 530 km
(329 miles), 30-inch pipeline with a capacity of 670 MMcf/d and a cost of US$1 billion that will deliver gas to Topolobampo, Sinaloa from interconnects with third party pipelines
in El Oro, Sinaloa and El Encino, Chihuahua in Mexico. The Mazatlan project is a 413 km (257 miles), 24-inch pipeline running from El Oro to Mazatlan, within the state of Sinaloa with a
capacity of 200 MMcf/d and an estimated cost of US$400 million. Both projects are supported by 25-year contracts with the CFE and are expected to be in service mid to late 2016.
International Gas Pipelines
Gas Pacifico/INNERGY sale
In November 2014, we
closed the sale of our 30 per cent equity interests in Gas Pacifico/INNERGY at a price of $9 million. This sale marks our exit
from the Southern Cone region of South America.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 29
LNG Pipeline Projects
Coastal GasLink
In October 2014, the B.C.
Environmental Assessment Office issued an Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) for Coastal GasLink. In 2014, we also submitted
applications to the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission (BC OGC) for the permits required under the Oil and Gas Activities Act to build and operate Coastal GasLink. Regulatory review of those
applications is progressing on schedule, with permit decisions anticipated in first quarter 2015. We are currently continuing our engagement with Aboriginal groups and stakeholders along the pipeline
route and are progressing detailed engineering and construction planning work to support the regulatory applications and refine the capital cost estimates. Pending the receipt of all required
regulatory approvals and a positive FID from our customer, construction is anticipated in 2016, with an in-service date by the end of the decade. Should the project not proceed, our project costs
(including AFUDC) are fully recoverable.
Prince Rupert Gas Transmission
On November 25, 2014, we
received an EAC from the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office. We have submitted our pipeline permit applications to the BC OGC for construction
of the pipeline and anticipate receiving these permits in first quarter 2015.
We have made significant changes to the project route since first announced, increasing it by 150 km (93 miles) to 900 km (559 miles), taking into account Aboriginal and stakeholder input. We continue to work closely with First Nations and stakeholders along the proposed route to create and deliver appropriate benefits to all impacted groups. In October 2014, we concluded a benefits agreement with the Nisga'a First Nation to allow 85 km (52 miles) of the proposed natural gas pipeline to run through Nisga'a Lands.
On December 3, 2014, our customer announced the deferral of an FID. We continue to work with our contractors to refine capital cost estimates for the project. Once the permitting process with the BC OGC is complete and Pacific NorthWest LNG secures the necessary regulatory approvals and proceeds with a positive FID, we will be in a position to begin construction. All costs would be fully recoverable should the project not proceed. The deferral of an FID past the end of 2014 has resulted in a deferral of the expected in-service date for the pipeline. The in-service date will depend on when our customer receives the necessary regulatory approvals and is in a position to make an FID.
Alaska
In April 2014, the State of
Alaska passed new legislation to provide a framework for us, the three major Alaska North Slope producers (ANS Producers), and the
Alaska Gasline Development Corp. (AGDC) to advance the development of an LNG export project, which is believed to be the best opportunity to commercialize Alaska North Slope gas resources in current
market conditions. In June 2014, we executed an agreement with the State of Alaska to abandon the previous project governance and framework and executed a new precedent agreement where we will
act as the transporter of the State's portion of natural gas under a long-term shipping contract in the Alaska LNG Project. We also entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with the three major ANS
Producers and AGDC to commence the pre-front end engineering and design (pre-FEED) phase of Alaska LNG Project. The pre-FEED work is anticipated to take two years to complete with our share of the
cost to be approximately US$100 million. The precedent agreement also provides us with full recovery of development costs in the event the project does not proceed.
In July 2014, the ANS Producers filed an export permit application with the U.S. Department of Energy for the right to export 20 million tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas for 30 years. In September 2014, the FERC approved the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) pre-file request jointly made by us, the three major ANS Producers and AGDC. This approval triggers the NEPA environmental review process, which includes a series of community consultations.
30 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
BUSINESS RISKS
The following are risks specific to our natural gas pipelines business. See
page 75 for information about general risks that affect the company as a whole, including
other operational risks, health, safety and environment (HSE) risks, and financial risks.
WCSB supply for downstream connecting pipelines
Although we have diversified our sources of natural gas supply, many of our North
American natural gas pipelines and transmission infrastructure assets depend largely on supply
from the WCSB. We continue to monitor changes in the capital programs of our
customers and how these changes may impact our project schedules. There is competition for this supply from several pipelines, demand within the basin, and in the future, demand for pipelines proposed
for LNG exports from the west coast of B.C. An overall decrease in production and/or competing demand for supply, could impact throughput on WCSB connected pipelines that in turn could impact overall
revenues generated. The WCSB has considerable reserves, but the amount actually produced depends on many variables, including the price of natural gas, basin-on-basin competition, downstream pipeline
tolls, demand within the basin and the overall value of the reserves, including liquids content.
Market access
We compete for market share with other natural gas pipelines. New supply basins being
developed closer to markets we have historically served may reduce the throughput and/or
distance of haul on our existing pipelines that may impact revenue. The long-term competitiveness of our pipeline systems and the avoidance of bypass pipelines will depend on our ability to adapt to
changing flow patterns by offering alternative transportation services at prices that are acceptable to the market.
Competition for greenfield expansion
We face competition from other pipeline companies seeking opportunities to invest in
greenfield natural gas pipeline development opportunities. This competition could result in
fewer projects being available that meet our investment hurdles or projects that proceed with lower overall financial returns.
Demand for pipeline capacity
Demand for pipeline capacity is ultimately the key driver that enables pipeline
transportation services to be sold. Demand for pipeline capacity is created by supply and market
competition, variations in economic activity, weather variability, natural gas pipeline and storage competition and pricing of alternative fuels. Renewal of expiring contracts, and the opportunity to
charge and collect a toll that the market requires depends on the overall demand for transportation service. A change in the level of demand for our pipeline transportation services could impact
revenues.
Commodity Prices
The cyclical supply and demand nature of commodities and related pricing can have a
secondary impact on our business where our shippers may choose to accelerate or delay
certain projects. This can impact the timing for the demand of transportation services and/or new gas pipeline infrastructure. As well, sustained low gas prices could impact our shippers' financial
situation and their ability to meet their transportation service cost obligations.
Regulatory risk
Decisions by regulators can have an impact on the approval, timing, construction,
operation and financial performance of our natural gas pipelines. There is a risk that
decisions are delayed or are not favourable and therefore could impact revenues and the opportunity to further invest capital in our systems. There is also risk of a regulator disallowing a portion of
our prudently incurred costs, now or at some point in the future.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 31
The regulatory approval process for larger infrastructure projects, including the time it takes to receive a decision could be slowed or unfavorable due to the influence from the evolving role of activists and their impact on public opinion and government policy related to natural gas pipeline infrastructure development.
Increased scrutiny of operating processes by the regulator or other enforcing agencies has the potential to increase operating costs. There is a risk of an impact to income if these costs are not fully recoverable.
We continuously monitor regulatory developments and decisions to determine the possible impact on our gas pipelines business. We also work closely with our stakeholders in the development of rate, facility and tariff applications and negotiated settlements, where possible.
Operational
Keeping our pipelines operating safely and reliably is essential to the success of our
business. Interruptions in our pipeline operations impact our throughput capacity and may
result in reduced revenue and can affect corporate reputation as well as customer and public confidence in our operations. We manage this by investing in a highly skilled workforce, operating
prudently, using risk-based preventive maintenance programs and making effective capital investments. We use internal inspection equipment to check our pipelines regularly, and repair or replace them
whenever necessary. We also calibrate the meters regularly to ensure accuracy, and continuously maintain compression equipment to ensure safe and reliable operation.
32 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Liquids Pipelines
Our existing liquids pipeline infrastructure connects Alberta and U.S. crude oil supplies to U.S. refining markets in Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas, as well as connecting U.S. crude oil supplies from the Cushing, Oklahoma hub to refining markets in the U.S Gulf Coast. Our proposed future pipeline infrastructure would also connect Canadian and U.S. crude oil supplies to refining markets in eastern Canada and overseas export markets, expand Canadian and U.S. crude oil to U.S. markets and connect condensate supplies to U.S. and Canadian markets.
Strategy at a glance |
With the increasing production of crude oil in Alberta and the U.S. and the growing demand for secure, reliable sources of energy, developing new liquids pipeline capacity and related infrastructure is essential. |
We continue to focus on accessing and delivering growing North American liquids supply to key markets, and are planning to expand our liquids transportation infrastructure to deliver supply directly from producing regions seamlessly along a contiguous path to the market. |
We see the potential for expanding transportation service offerings to other areas of the liquids pipelines value chain such as condensate transportation or ancillary services such as short and long-term storage of liquids, which complement our pipeline transportation infrastructure. |
Construction of these infrastructure projects will provide North America with a key liquids transportation network to transport growing crude oil supply directly to key markets and provide opportunities for us to further expand our liquids pipelines business. |
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 33
34 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
We are the operator of all of the following pipelines and properties.
length | description | ownership | |||||
Liquids pipelines | |||||||
25 | Keystone Pipeline System | 4,247 km (2,639 miles) |
Transports crude oil from Hardisty, Alberta, to U.S. markets at Wood River and Patoka Illinois, Cushing, Oklahoma, and Port Arthur, Texas | 100% | |||
26 | Cushing Marketlink | Transports crude oil from the market hub at Cushing, Oklahoma to the Port Arthur, Texas refining market on facilities that form part of the Keystone Pipeline System | 100% | ||||
Under construction |
|||||||
27 28 |
Houston Lateral and Houston Terminal |
77 km (48 miles) |
To extend the Keystone Pipeline System to the Houston, Texas refining market | 100% | |||
29 | Keystone Hardisty Terminal | Crude oil terminal located at Hardisty, Alberta, providing western Canadian producers with crude oil batch accumulation tankage and access to the Keystone Pipeline System | 100% | ||||
30 | Grand Rapids Pipeline | 460 km (287 miles) |
To transport crude oil and diluent between the producing area northwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta and the Edmonton/Heartland, Alberta market region | 50% | |||
31 | Northern Courier Pipeline | 90 km (56 miles) |
To transport bitumen and diluent between the Fort Hills mine site and Suncor Energy's terminal located north of Fort McMurray, Alberta | 100% | |||
In development |
|||||||
32 | Bakken Marketlink | To transport crude oil from the Williston Basin producing region in North Dakota and Montana to Cushing, Oklahoma on facilities that form part of Keystone XL | 100% | ||||
33 | Keystone XL | 1,897 km (1,179 miles) |
To transport crude oil from Hardisty, Alberta to Steele City, Nebraska to expand capacity of the Keystone Pipeline System | 100% | |||
34 35 |
Heartland Pipeline and TC Terminals |
200 km (125 miles) |
Terminal and pipeline facilities to transport crude oil from the Edmonton/Heartland, Alberta region to facilities in Hardisty, Alberta | 100% | |||
36 | Energy East Pipeline | 4,600 km (2,850 miles) |
To transport crude oil from western Canada to eastern Canadian refineries and export markets | 100% | |||
37 | Upland Pipeline | 460 km (285 miles) |
To transport crude oil from, and between, multiple points in North Dakota and interconnect with the Energy East Pipeline at Moosomin, Saskatchewan | 100% | |||
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 35
RESULTS
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures)
to segmented earnings (the equivalent GAAP measure).
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Comparable EBITDA | 1,059 | 752 | 698 | |||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (216) | (149) | (145) | |||
Comparable EBIT | 843 | 603 | 553 | |||
Specific items | - | - | - | |||
Segmented earnings | 843 | 603 | 553 | |||
Liquids Pipelines segmented earnings were $240 million higher in 2014 than in 2013 and $50 million higher in 2013 than in 2012. Liquids Pipelines segmented earnings are equivalent to comparable EBIT, which along with comparable EBITDA, are discussed below.
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Keystone Pipeline System | 1,073 | 766 | 712 | |||
Liquids Pipelines Business Development | (14) | (14) | (14) | |||
Liquids Pipelines comparable EBITDA | 1,059 | 752 | 698 | |||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (216) | (149) | (145) | |||
Liquids Pipelines comparable EBIT | 843 | 603 | 553 | |||
Comparable EBIT denominated as follows | ||||||
Canadian dollars | 215 | 201 | 191 | |||
U.S. dollars | 570 | 389 | 363 | |||
Foreign exchange impact | 58 | 13 | (1) | |||
Liquids Pipelines comparable EBIT | 843 | 603 | 553 | |||
Comparable EBITDA
Comparable EBITDA for the Keystone Pipeline System was $307 million higher this year than in 2013.
This increase was primarily due to:
Comparable
EBITDA for the Keystone Pipeline System was $54 million higher in 2013 than in 2012. This increase reflected higher revenues primarily resulting from:
Comparable depreciation and amortization
Comparable depreciation and amortization was $67 million higher in 2014 than in
2013 due to the Keystone Gulf Coast extension being placed in service.
36 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
OUTLOOK
Earnings
Our 2015 earnings are not expected to be significantly different than our 2014
earnings. We continue to seek further operational efficiencies which would, depending on market
demand, improve capacity and flows on the Keystone Pipeline System.
Over time, Liquids Pipelines' earnings will increase as projects currently in development are placed in service.
Capital spending
We spent a total of $2.0 billion in 2014 on capital spending in Liquids Pipelines.
We expect to spend approximately $2.3 billion on Capital spending and equity
investments in 2015, primarily on Grand Rapids, Northern Courier, Energy East and Heartland. See page 81 for further discussion on liquidity risk.
UNDERSTANDING THE LIQUIDS PIPELINES BUSINESS
In general, pipelines move crude oil from major supply sources to refinery markets so
the crude oil can be refined into various petroleum products.
We generate earnings from our liquids pipelines mainly by providing pipeline capacity to shippers in exchange for fixed monthly payments that are not linked to actual throughput volumes. Uncontracted capacity is offered to the market on a spot basis which provides opportunities to generate incremental earnings.
The terms of service and fixed monthly payments are determined by transportation service arrangements negotiated with shippers. These arrangements are typically long term, and provide for the recovery of costs we incur to construct and operate the system.
Business environment and strategic priorities
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 37
Over the past decade, North American crude oil production has increased significantly in response to growth in global energy consumption and increased demand for crude oil. This growth in crude oil supply has increased the demand for new liquids pipeline infrastructure to connect these supplies to key North American and overseas markets. We have successfully secured a $25 billion portfolio of commercially secured projects to develop this infrastructure and we continue to pursue additional opportunities to expand our transportation service offerings to other areas of the value chain such as the long-term storage of liquids.
Recently, crude oil prices have declined sharply as continued growth in U.S. light oil supply, which has displaced North American imports, and growth in other global supplies has outpaced incremental demand. Although supplies from high cost production may be reduced if lower prices persist, our business is not expected to be significantly impacted by commodity price changes or supply reductions. Our existing operations and development projects are supported by long-term contracts where we have agreed to provide pipeline capacity to our customers in exchange for fixed monthly payments. The cyclical supply and demand nature of commodities and its price movements can have a secondary impact on our business where our shippers may choose to accelerate or delay certain new projects. This can impact the timing for the demand of transportation services and/or new liquids pipeline infrastructure.
Commodity price fluctuations are a normal part of the business cycle. Longer-term, we expect global demand for crude oil will continue to grow resulting in continued growth in North American crude oil supply production and demand for new pipeline infrastructure. Our growing position in the crude oil transportation business is creating a significant platform to capture these future growth opportunities.
Supply outlook
Canada
Alberta produces the majority of
the crude oil in the WCSB which is the primary source of crude oil supply for the Keystone Pipeline System. In its 2014 Crude Oil Forecast,
Markets and Transportation report, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) estimated 2015 WCSB crude oil production of 1.4 million Bbl/d of conventional crude oil and condensate
and 2.2 million Bbl/d of oil sands crude oil, a total of approximately 3.6 million Bbl/d. The report forecasted WCSB crude oil production will increase to 4.6 million Bbl/d by
2020 and to 6.4 million Bbl/d by 2030.
In a January 2015 press release, CAPP announced estimated 2015 industry capital spending in western Canada, including oil sands development, would decline to $46 billion, $23 billion lower than forecasted in 2014. CAPP forecasts a slowing in the growth of crude oil production from the 2014 Crude Oil Forecast, Markets and Transportation report by 65,000 Bbl/d in 2015 and 120,000 Bbl/d in 2016. Although CAPP anticipates a decrease in capital spending, the revised forecast for total western Canadian crude oil production is approximately 150,000 higher in 2015 than in 2014.
According to the May 2014 Alberta's Energy Reserves 2013 and Supply/Demand Outlook 2014-2023, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) estimated there is approximately 167 billion barrels of economically and technically recoverable conventional and oil sands reserves in Alberta. Oil sands projects have a long reserve life. It is estimated that a typical oil sands mine has a 25 to 50 year lifespan, while an in-situ operation will run 10 to 15 years on average. This longevity aligns with the producer's desire to secure long-term connectivity of their reserves to market. The Keystone Pipeline System, including Keystone XL, and the proposed Energy East Pipeline are underpinned by long term contracts.
U.S.
According to the International
Energy Agency World Energy Outlook 2014 Report, by 2020 the U.S. is set to surpass Saudi Arabia as the world's largest crude oil producer.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects over 1.0 million Bbl/d of U.S. production growth from 2014 to 2019, peaking at 9.6 million Bbl/d by 2019. Higher
production volumes are mainly a result of recent advancements in shale oil production. EIA forecasts shale oil production peaking at approximately 4.8 million Bbl/d by 2020 and declining
after 2022.
38 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
U.S. shale oil supply growth is mainly originating from the Bakken formation of the Williston basin in North Dakota and Montana, the Permian basin in south Texas and Woodford shale area of the Arkoma basin in Oklahoma. These shale production areas also represent some of the sources of crude oil supply for our Bakken Marketlink and Cushing Marketlink projects.
Growing U.S. production has contributed to increased crude oil supply at the Cushing, Oklahoma market hub and resulted in increased demand for additional pipeline capacity between Cushing, Oklahoma and the U.S. Gulf Coast refining market. Cushing Marketlink, which use facilities that form part of the Keystone Pipeline System, provides pipeline capacity to transport growing crude oil supply at Cushing, Oklahoma to the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Even with growth in U.S. crude oil production, the EIA report predicts the U.S. will remain a net importer of crude oil, importing 7.7 million Bbl/d into 2040. Growing production in the west Texas Permian, south Texas Eagle Ford and Williston basins is primarily light crude oil and is expected to compete with light imports from countries such as Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. Gulf Coast refiners are expected to continue to prefer Canadian heavy crude oil because these refineries are mainly configured to process heavy and medium crude oil and cannot easily switch to processing the new light shale oil in large quantities without significant capital investments. Gulf Coast refineries currently require approximately 3.5 million Bbl/d of heavy and medium crude oil, and the level of demand is not expected to change significantly in the future. The Keystone Pipeline System is well positioned to deliver Canadian crude oil to this significant market.
Strategic priorities
We are focused on advancing our
current portfolio of commercially secured projects to connect growing Canadian and U.S. crude oil supply to key markets.
Securing regulatory approval for our $12 billion Energy East Pipeline is a key priority. In 2014, we filed necessary regulatory applications for approval to construct and operate this project and we are actively engaged with stakeholders as we work towards securing regulatory approval. Refineries in eastern Canada currently process primarily light crude oil imported from west Africa and the Middle East, and therefore could process North American light crude oil. According to the 2014 Crude Oil Forecast, Markets and Transportation report, total refining capacity in eastern Canada is approximately 1.2 million Bbl/d, and western Canada supplied only 354,000 Bbl/d to these eastern refineries. Due to insufficient pipeline capacity, many of these refineries have begun receiving domestic light crude oil in small quantities by rail at a cost significantly higher than the cost to ship by pipeline. This has created a significant demand for pipelines to connect eastern Canada with growing Bakken and WCSB light crude oil production. We anticipate that our Energy East Pipeline, once approved and constructed, will meet this demand.
We also remain fully committed to Keystone XL despite the unprecedented regulatory delays we have faced on this project. Keystone XL would expand the Keystone Pipeline System to provide more than 800,000 Bbl/d of additional capacity. This project is supported by long-term contracts and will transport crude oil from Canada as well as growing U.S. crude oil supplies to the large refining markets found in the American Midwest and along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Within Alberta, we are leveraging our extensive natural gas pipeline footprint and experience to develop a regional liquids pipeline business. Growth in oil sands production is driving the need for new intra-Alberta pipelines, like our Grand Rapids Pipeline, that can move crude oil production from the source to market hubs at Edmonton/Heartland and Hardisty, Alberta as well as diluent from Edmonton/Heartland region to the production area in northern Alberta. The Heartland Pipeline and TC Terminals projects are intended to support these market hubs which will allow shippers the ability to connect with the Keystone Pipeline System, Energy East Pipeline and other pipelines that transport crude oil outside of Alberta to ultimately provide our customers with a contiguous seamless path from production to market.
As our liquids pipeline footprint continues to grow throughout North America, we are also pursuing other opportunities to expand our service offerings.These opportunities also include the development of rail
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 39
transportation solutions, transportation of other liquids such as condensate, and the addition of terminal and liquids storage services to complement our existing infrastructure.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
Keystone Pipeline System
The completion of the Gulf Coast extension in January 2014 expanded the Keystone
Pipeline System to a 4,247 km (2,639 miles) pipeline system that
transports crude oil from Hardisty, Alberta, to markets in the U.S. Midwest and the U.S. Gulf Coast.
To date, the Keystone Pipeline System has delivered more than 830 million barrels of crude oil from Canada to the U.S.
Cushing Marketlink
Construction was completed on the Cushing Marketlink facilities at Cushing, Oklahoma in
September 2014. Cushing Marketlink transports crude oil from the market hub at
Cushing, Oklahoma to the U.S. Gulf Coast refining market on facilities that form part of the Keystone Pipeline System.
Houston Lateral and Terminal
Construction continues on the 77 km (48 miles) Houston Lateral pipeline and
tank terminal which will extend the Keystone Pipeline System to Houston, Texas
refineries. The terminal is expected to have initial storage capacity for 700,000 barrels of crude oil. The pipeline and terminal are expected to be completed in the second half of 2015.
Keystone XL
In January 2014, the DOS released its Final Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (FSEIS) for the Keystone XL project. The results included in the report were
consistent with previous environmental reviews of Keystone XL. The FSEIS concluded Keystone XL is "unlikely to significantly impact the rate of extraction in the oil sands" and that all other
alternatives to Keystone XL are less efficient methods of transporting crude oil, and would result in significantly more greenhouse gas emissions, oil spills and risks to public safety. The report
initiated the National Interest Determination period of up to 90 days which involves consultation with other governmental agencies and provides an opportunity for public comment. In
April 2014, the DOS announced that the national interest determination period has been extended indefinitely to allow them to consider the potential impact of the case discussed below on the
Nebraska portion of the pipeline route.
In February 2014, a Nebraska district court ruled that the state Public Service Commission, rather than Governor Dave Heineman, has the authority to approve an alternative route through Nebraska for Keystone XL. Nebraska's Attorney General filed an appeal which was heard by the Nebraska State Supreme Court on September 5, 2014. On January 9, 2015, the Nebraska State Supreme Court vacated the lower court's ruling that the law was unconstitutional. As a result, the Governor's January 2013 approval of the alternate route through Nebraska for Keystone XL remains valid. Landowners have filed lawsuits in two Nebraska counties seeking to enjoin Keystone XL from condemning easements on state constitutional grounds.
In September 2014, we filed a certification petition for Keystone XL with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). This certification confirms that the conditions under which Keystone XL's original June 2010 PUC construction permit was granted continue to be satisfied. The formal hearing for the certification is scheduled for May 2015.
On January 16, 2015, the DOS reinitiated the national interest review and requested the eight federal agencies, with a role in the review, to complete their consideration of whether Keystone XL serves the national interest and to provide their views to the DOS by February 2, 2015.
On February 2, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted a comment letter to its website suggesting that, among other things, the FSEIS issued by the DOS has not fully and completely assessed the
40 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
environmental impacts of Keystone XL and that, at lower oil prices, Keystone XL may increase the rates of oil sands production and greenhouse gas emissions. On February 10, 2015, we sent a letter to the DOS refuting these and other comments in the EPA letter but also offering to work with the DOS to ensure it has all the relevant information to allow it to reach a decision to approve Keystone XL.
The timing and ultimate approval of Keystone XL remain uncertain. In the event the project does not proceed as planned, we would reassess and reduce its carrying value to its recoverable amount if necessary and appropriate.
The estimated capital costs for Keystone XL are expected to be approximately US$8.0 billion. As of December 31, 2014, we have invested US$2.4 billion in the project and have also capitalized interest in the amount of US$0.4 billion.
Keystone Hardisty Terminal
The Keystone Hardisty Terminal will be constructed in conjunction with Keystone XL and
is expected to be completed approximately two years from the date the Keystone XL permit
is received.
Energy East Pipeline
In March 2014, we filed the project description for the Energy East Pipeline with
the NEB. This was the first formal step in the regulatory process to receive the
necessary approvals to build and operate the pipeline.
On October 30, 2014, we filed the necessary regulatory applications for approvals to construct and operate the Energy East Pipeline and terminal facilities with the NEB. The project is estimated to cost approximately $12 billion, excluding the transfer value of Canadian Mainline natural gas assets. Subject to regulatory approvals, the pipeline is anticipated to commence deliveries by the end of 2018.
The Energy East Pipeline includes a proposed marine terminal near Cacouna, Québec which would be adjacent to a beluga whale habitat. On December 8, 2014, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada recommended that beluga whales be placed on the endangered species list. As a result, we have made the decision to halt any further work at Cacouna and will be analyzing the recommendation, assessing any impacts to the project and reviewing all viable options. We intend to make a decision on how to proceed by the end of first quarter 2015.
The 1.1 million Bbl/d Energy East Pipeline received approximately one million Bbl/d of firm, long-term contracts to transport crude oil from western Canada that were secured during binding open seasons.
Northern Courier Pipeline
In July 2014, the AER issued a permit approving our application to construct and
operate the Northern Courier Pipeline. Construction has started on the
$900 million, 90 km (56 miles) pipeline to transport bitumen and diluent between the Fort Hills mine site and Suncor Energy's terminal located north of Fort McMurray, Alberta. We
currently expect the pipeline to be ready for service in 2017.
Heartland Pipeline and TC Terminals
The Heartland Pipeline is a 200 km (125 miles) crude oil pipeline connecting
the Edmonton/Heartland, Alberta market region to facilities in Hardisty, Alberta. TC
Terminals is a terminal facility in the Heartland industrial area north of Edmonton, Alberta.
The pipeline could transport up to 900,000 Bbl/d, while the terminal is expected to have initial storage capacity for up to 1.9 million barrels of crude oil. In February 2014, the application for the terminal facility was approved and construction commenced in October 2014.
These projects together have a combined estimated cost of $900 million and are expected to be placed in service in late 2017.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 41
Grand Rapids Pipeline
On October 9, 2014, the AER issued a permit approving our application to construct
and operate the Grand Rapids Pipeline. We have a partner through a joint venture, to
develop Grand Rapids, a 460 km (287 miles) crude oil and diluent pipeline system connecting the producing area northwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta to terminals in the Edmonton/Heartland,
Alberta region. Each partner will own 50 per cent of the $3 billion pipeline project, and we will be the operator. Our partner has also entered into a long-term transportation
service contract in support of Grand Rapids. Construction has commenced with initial crude oil transportation planned in 2016.
Upland Pipeline
In November 2014, we completed a successful binding open season for the Upland
Pipeline. The $600 million pipeline would provide crude oil transportation from,
and between multiple points in North Dakota and interconnect with the Energy East Pipeline System at Moosomin, Saskatchewan.
Subject to regulatory approvals, we anticipate the Upland Pipeline to be in service in 2018. The commercial contracts we have executed for Upland Pipeline are conditioned on Energy East proceeding.
BUSINESS RISKS
The following are risks specific to our liquids pipelines business. See page 75 for
information about general risks that affect the company as a whole, including other
operational risks, health, safety and environment (HSE) risks, and financial risks.
Operational
Optimizing and maintaining availability of our liquids pipelines is essential to the
success of our liquids pipelines business. Interruptions in our pipeline operations impact
our throughput capacity and may result in reduced fixed payment revenues and spot volume opportunities. We manage this by investing in a highly skilled workforce, operating prudently, using risk-based
preventive maintenance programs and making effective capital investments. We use internal inspection equipment to check our pipelines regularly and repair them whenever necessary.
Regulatory
Decisions by Canadian and U.S. regulators can have a significant impact on the
approval, construction, operation and financial performance of our liquids pipelines.
Public opinion about crude oil development and production may also have an adverse impact on the regulatory process. There are some individuals and interest groups that are expressing their opposition
to crude oil production by lobbying against the construction of liquids pipelines. We manage this risk by continuously monitoring regulatory developments and decisions to determine their possible
impact on our liquids pipelines business and by working closely with our stakeholders in the development and operation of the assets.
Execution, capital costs and permitting
We make substantial capital commitments in large infrastructure projects based on the
assumption that the new assets will offer an attractive return on investment in the
future. Under some contracts, we share the cost of these risks with customers. While we carefully consider the expected cost of our capital projects, under some contracts we bear capital cost risk
which may impact our return on these projects. Our capital projects are also subject to permitting risk which may result in construction delays, increased capital cost and, potentially, reduced
investment returns.
Crude oil supply and demand for pipeline capacity
A decrease in demand for refined crude oil products could adversely impact the price
that crude oil producers receive for their product. Lower prices for crude oil could mean
producers may curtail their investment in the further development of crude oil supplies. Depending on their severity, these factors would negatively impact the opportunities we have to expand our
crude oil pipeline infrastructure and, in the longer term, to re-contract with shippers as current agreements expire.
Competition
As we continue to develop a competitive position in the North American liquids
transportation market to transport growing WCSB, Williston, Permian and Arkoma basins crude oil
supplies to key North American refining markets and export markets, we face competition from other pipeline companies and to a lesser extent, rail companies which also seek to transport these crude
oil supplies to the same markets. Our success is dependent on our ability to offer and contract transportation services on terms that are market competitive.
42 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Energy
Our Energy business includes a portfolio of power generation assets in Canada and the U.S., and unregulated natural gas storage assets in Alberta.
We own, control or are developing approximately 11,800 MW of generation capacity powered by natural gas, nuclear, coal, hydro, wind and solar assets. Our power business in Canada is mainly located in Alberta, Ontario and Québec. Our power business in the U.S. is located in New York, New England, and Arizona. The assets are largely supported by long-term contracts and some represent low-cost baseload generation, while others are critically located, essential capacity.
We conduct wholesale and retail electricity marketing and trading throughout North America from our offices in Alberta, Ontario and Massachusetts to actively manage our commodity exposure and provide higher returns.
We own and operate approximately 118 Bcf of unregulated natural gas storage capacity in Alberta and hold a contract with a third party for additional storage, in total accounting for approximately one-third of all storage capacity in the province. When combined with the regulated natural gas storage in Michigan (part of the Natural Gas Pipelines segment), we provide over 350 Bcf of natural gas storage and related services.
Strategy at a glance We are focusing on growing a portfolio of low-cost, long-life power generation and natural gas storage assets located in core North American markets, while maximizing the value of our existing investments through safe and reliable operations. Growth opportunities in the North American power generation sector are arising from increasing demand for power and the need to replace aging power generation infrastructure with gas-fired and renewable generation plants as societal trends and policies continue to focus on lowering the carbon intensity of the generation fleet. We are well positioned to participate in the development of this new power generation infrastructure due to our strong presence and experience in core markets and the strategic locations of existing operations. Our recent investments in solar generation and the construction of the Napanee Generating Station in Ontario, both of which are underpinned with long-term contracts, are examples of such growth and opportunity. The potential for further nuclear refurbishment at Bruce Power is another example of the opportunities for us to further develop our diverse portfolio of generation technologies, fuel types, markets and contract structures. Natural gas storage's role in balancing and providing reliability and flexibility to the natural gas system is expected to grow as the market expands and becomes more dynamic as a result of the electric grid's increased reliance on gas-fired capacity and from the addition of LNG export terminals. In the long-term, we expect an increased dependence on natural gas storage will drive higher returns from our gas storage operations. |
1 Includes facilities under construction |
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 43
44 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
We are the operator of all of our Energy assets, except for the Sheerness, Sundance A and Sundance B PPAs, Cartier Wind, Bruce A and B and Portlands Energy.
generating capacity (MW) |
type of fuel | description | location | ownership | |||||||
Canadian Power 8,037 MW of power generation capacity (including facilities under construction) | |||||||||||
Western Power 2,609 MW of power supply in Alberta and the western U.S. |
|||||||||||
38 | Bear Creek | 80 | natural gas | Cogeneration plant | Grande Prairie, Alberta | 100% | |||||
39 | Carseland | 80 | natural gas | Cogeneration plant | Carseland, Alberta | 100% | |||||
40 | Coolidge1 | 575 | natural gas | Simple-cycle peaking facility | Coolidge, Arizona | 100% | |||||
41 | Mackay River | 165 | natural gas | Cogeneration plant | Fort McMurray, Alberta | 100% | |||||
42 | Redwater | 40 | natural gas | Cogeneration plant | Redwater, Alberta | 100% | |||||
43 | Sheerness PPA | 756 | coal | Output contracted under PPA | Hanna, Alberta | 100% | |||||
44 | Sundance A PPA | 560 | coal | Output contracted under PPA | Wabamun, Alberta | 100% | |||||
44 | Sundance B PPA (Owned by ASTC Power Partnership2) |
3533 | coal | Output contracted under PPA | Wabamun, Alberta | 50% | |||||
Eastern Power 2,939 MW of power generation capacity (including facilities under construction) |
|||||||||||
45 | Bécancour | 550 | natural gas | Cogeneration plant | Trois-Rivières, Québec | 100% | |||||
46 | Cartier Wind | 3653 | wind | Five wind power projects | Gaspésie, Québec | 62% | |||||
47 | Grandview | 90 | natural gas | Cogeneration plant | Saint John, New Brunswick | 100% | |||||
48 | Halton Hills | 683 | natural gas | Combined-cycle plant | Halton Hills, Ontario | 100% | |||||
49 | Portlands Energy | 2753 | natural gas | Combined-cycle plant | Toronto, Ontario | 50% | |||||
50 | Ontario Solar | 76 | solar | Eight solar facilities | Southern Ontario and New Liskeard, Ontario | 100% | |||||
Bruce Power 2,489 MW of power generation capacity through eight nuclear power units |
|||||||||||
51 | Bruce A | 1,4673 | nuclear | Four operating reactors | Tiverton, Ontario | 48.9% | |||||
51 | Bruce B | 1,0223 | nuclear | Four operating reactors | Tiverton, Ontario | 31.6% | |||||
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 45
generating capacity (MW) |
type of fuel | description | location | ownership | |||||||
U.S. Power 3,755 MW of power generation capacity | |||||||||||
52 | Kibby Wind | 132 | wind | Wind farm | Kibby and Skinner Townships, Maine | 100% | |||||
53 | Ocean State Power | 560 | natural gas | Combined-cycle plant | Burrillville, Rhode Island | 100% | |||||
54 | Ravenswood | 2,480 | natural gas and oil | Multiple-unit generating facility using dual fuel-capable steam turbine, combined-cycle and combustion turbine technology | Queens, New York | 100% | |||||
55 | TC Hydro | 583 | hydro | 13 hydroelectric facilities, including stations and associated dams and reservoirs | New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts (on the Connecticut and Deerfield rivers) | 100% | |||||
Unregulated natural gas storage 118 Bcf of non-regulated natural gas storage capacity |
|||||||||||
56 | CrossAlta | 68 Bcf | Underground facility connected to the NGTL System | Crossfield, Alberta |
100% | ||||||
57 | Edson | 50 Bcf | Underground facility connected to the NGTL System | Edson, Alberta | 100% | ||||||
Under construction |
|||||||||||
58 | Napanee | 900 | natural gas | Combined-cycle plant | Greater Napanee, Ontario | 100% | |||||
46 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
RESULTS
The following is a reconciliation of comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT (our non-GAAP measures)
to segmented earnings (the equivalent GAAP measure).
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Comparable EBITDA | 1,348 | 1,363 | 903 | ||||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (309) | (294) | (283) | ||||
Comparable EBIT | 1,039 | 1,069 | 620 | ||||
Specific items: | |||||||
Cancarb gain on sale | 108 | - | - | ||||
Niska contract termination | (43) | - | - | ||||
Sundance A PPA arbitration decision 2011 | - | - | (20) | ||||
Risk management activities | (53) | 44 | (21) | ||||
Segmented earnings | 1,051 | 1,113 | 579 | ||||
Energy segmented earnings were $62 million lower in 2014 than in 2013 and $534 million higher in 2013 than in 2012.
Energy
segmented earnings included the following specific items:
Risk management activities (millions of $, pre-tax) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Canadian Power | (11) | (4) | 4 | |||
U.S. Power | (55) | 50 | (1) | |||
Natural Gas Storage | 13 | (2) | (24) | |||
Total (losses)/gains from risk management activities | (53) | 44 | (21) | |||
The year over year variances in these unrealized gains and losses reflect the impact of changes in forward natural gas and power prices and the volume of our position for these particular derivatives over a certain period of time; however, they do not accurately reflect the gains and losses that will be realized on settlement, or the offsetting impact of other derivative and non-derivative transactions that make up our business as a whole. As a result, we do not consider them part of our underlying operations.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 47
The specific items noted above have been excluded in our calculation of comparable EBIT. The remainder of the Energy segmented earnings are equivalent to comparable EBIT, which along with comparable EBITDA, are discussed below.
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Canadian Power | ||||||
Western Power | 252 | 355 | 311 | |||
Eastern Power1 | 350 | 322 | 321 | |||
Bruce Power | 314 | 310 | 14 | |||
Canadian Power comparable EBITDA2 | 916 | 987 | 646 | |||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (179) | (172) | (152) | |||
Canadian Power comparable EBIT2 | 737 | 815 | 494 | |||
U.S. Power (US$) | ||||||
U.S. Power comparable EBITDA | 376 | 323 | 209 | |||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (107) | (107) | (121) | |||
U.S. Power comparable EBIT | 269 | 216 | 88 | |||
Foreign exchange impact | 27 | 7 | - | |||
U.S. Power comparable EBIT (Cdn$) | 296 | 223 | 88 | |||
Natural Gas Storage and other | ||||||
Natural Gas Storage and other comparable EBITDA2 | 44 | 63 | 67 | |||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (12) | (12) | (10) | |||
Natural Gas Storage and other comparable EBIT2 | 32 | 51 | 57 | |||
Business Development comparable EBITDA and EBIT | (26) | (20) | (19) | |||
Energy comparable EBIT2 | 1,039 | 1,069 | 620 | |||
Summary | ||||||
Energy comparable EBITDA2 | 1,348 | 1,363 | 903 | |||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (309) | (294) | (283) | |||
Energy comparable EBIT2 | 1,039 | 1,069 | 620 | |||
Comparable EBITDA for Energy was $15 million lower in 2014 than in 2013. The decrease was the effect of:
48 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Comparable
EBITDA for Energy was $460 million higher in 2013 compared to 2012. This increase was the effect of:
OUTLOOK
Earnings
We expect 2015 earnings from the Energy segment to be slightly lower than 2014,
assuming the net effect of the following expectations:
Although a significant portion of Energy's output is sold under long-term contracts, revenue from power that is sold under shorter-term forward arrangements or at spot prices will continue to be impacted by fluctuations in commodity prices and changes in seasonal natural gas storage price spreads will impact Natural Gas Storage earnings.
Weather, unplanned outages and unforeseen regulatory changes can play a role in spot markets and can drive fluctuations in our Energy results.
Western Power
2015 average spot power prices are expected to be slightly lower than 2014. The Alberta
power market was relatively well supplied in 2014 and that trend is expected to be
further entrenched in 2015 with the addition of a large gas-fired power plant in the Calgary area which is expected to be placed in service in first half 2015. Average spot market power prices in 2014
($50/MWh) were much lower than 2013 ($80/MWh) primarily due to strong coal fleet availability and new wind generation capacity despite strong annual power demand growth of just over three
per cent.
The Alberta Electric System Operator is forecasting healthy supply growth over the next 10 years in order to meet continued demand growth of over three per cent per year over the next 10 years. While some of this robust growth outlook in Alberta is underpinned by oil and gas activity and demand, it is also driven by the anticipated coal fleet turnover and need to replace other aging generation capacity being retired over time. We remain cautiously optimistic that the Alberta market will continue to outpace growth in other regions of North America.
Natural Gas Storage
Natural gas price spreads are expected to modestly improve from cyclical lows, however,
extreme gas price volatility experienced in first quarter 2014 is not expected to repeat
in first quarter 2015. As a result, the 2015 segment contribution is expected to be slightly lower compared to 2014 results.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 49
Eastern Power
In January 2015, the OPA and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
merged and now operate as one organization which is continuing under the name IESO. This
merger does not impact the terms of any of our contracts with the OPA.
All of our energy assets in eastern Canada are fully contracted. The Ontario assets are contracted with the IESO and are largely sheltered from spot market pricing. Eastern Power earnings in 2015 are expected to be higher as a result of a full year of operations from the additional solar assets acquired in 2014 as well as higher contractual earnings at Bécancour.
The Ontario power market is currently well supplied despite the fact that the coal-fired fleet is now fully retired. The combination of flat system demand growth, partly due to conservation programs and increased nuclear and renewable output, is enabling Ontario to be a net exporter of electricity.
Bruce Power
We expect 2015 equity income from Bruce Power to be lower than 2014 primarily due to
increased planned maintenance activity and higher costs at each of Bruce A and
Bruce B. During second quarter 2015, all Bruce B units are expected to be removed from service for approximately one month to allow for inspection of the Bruce B vacuum building.
The vacuum building is a key component of the site's safety systems and is required to be inspected approximately once every decade. Additional planned maintenance at Bruce B is scheduled to
occur during second quarter 2015.
Planned maintenance at Bruce A is scheduled for first and third quarters of 2015.
Overall plant availability percentages in 2015 are expected to be in the mid 80s for Bruce A and Bruce B.
The Ontario government's 2013 Long-Term Energy Plan outlined their intentions on nuclear power's role in the fuel mix going forward. The potential refurbishment of six Bruce Power units was included within the plan and Bruce Power is actively considering the site's refurbishment options within this context.
U.S. Power
U.S. northeast markets experienced a colder than normal winter in 2014 with multiple
polar vortex events and natural gas pipeline constraints causing high price
volatility in the winter months. However, the summer months experienced below normal temperatures that reduced air conditioning power demand. In 2015, we expect to continue to experience price
volatility in the winter months due to pipeline constraints; however, recent reductions in fuel oil prices are anticipated to keep peak price excursions limited compared to previous years. The
New York and New England ISO forecasts growth in the demand for power of about one per cent per year in the coming years.
Our northeastern U.S. power facilities also earn significant revenues through participation in regional capacity markets. Capacity markets compensate power suppliers for being available to provide power, and as a result are intended to promote investment in new and existing power resources needed to meet customer demand and maintain a reliable power system. New York Spot capacity prices are on average expected to be lower in 2015 than 2014.
The timing of recognizing earnings from our U.S. power marketing business is impacted by different pricing profiles between the prices we charge our customers and the prices we pay for volumes purchased to fulfill our sales obligations over the term of the contracts. The costs on volumes purchased to fulfill power sales commitments to wholesale, commercial and industrial customers includes the impact of certain contracts to purchase power over multiple periods at a flat price. Because the price we charge our customers is typically shaped to the market, the impact of these two contract pricing profiles has generally resulted in higher earnings in January to March, offset by lower earnings between April and December with overall positive margins over the term of the contracts. Due to increased volatility of forward natural gas and power prices in the New England market, these timing differences will be more significant in 2015.
50 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Capital spending
We spent a total of $0.2 billion in 2014, and expect to spend approximately
$0.3 billion on capital spending in Energy in 2015. See page 81 for further
discussion on liquidity risk.
Equity investments and acquisitions
In 2014, we also invested $0.2 billion on the acquisition of four Ontario solar
facilities and $0.1 billion in Bruce Power for capital projects. We expect to
spend approximately $0.2 billion on Bruce Power investments in 2015.
UNDERSTANDING THE ENERGY BUSINESS
Our Energy business is made up of three groups:
Energy comparable EBIT contribution by group, excluding business development expenses
year ended December 31, 2014
Power generation capacity contribution by group
year ended December 31, 2014 (includes facilities in development)
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 51
Western Power
We own or have the rights to
approximately 2,600 MW of power supply in Alberta and Arizona through three long-term PPAs, five natural gas-fired cogeneration facilities,
and through Coolidge, a simple-cycle, natural gas peaking facility in Arizona.
Power purchased under long-term contracts is as follows:
Type of contract | With | Expires | ||||
Sheerness PPA | Power purchased under a 20-year PPA | ATCO Power and TransAlta Utilities Corporation | 2020 | |||
Sundance A PPA | Power purchased under a 20-year PPA | TransAlta Utilities Corporation | 2017 | |||
Sundance B PPA | Power purchased under a 20-year PPA (own 50 per cent through the ASTC Power Partnership) |
TransAlta Utilities Corporation | 2020 | |||
Power sold under long-term contracts is as follows:
Type of contract | With | Expires | ||||
Coolidge | Power sold under a 20-year PPA | Salt River Project Agricultural Improvements & Power District | 2031 | |||
Earnings in the Western Power business are maximized by maintaining and optimizing the operations of our power plants, and through various marketing activities.
A disciplined operational strategy is critical to maximizing output and revenue at our cogeneration facilities and maximizing Coolidge earnings, where revenue is based on plant availability, and is not a function of market price.
The marketing function is critical for optimizing returns and managing risk through direct sales to medium and large industrial and commercial companies and other market participants. Our marketing group sells power sourced through the PPAs, markets uncommitted volumes from the cogeneration plants, and buys and sells power and natural gas to maximize earnings from our assets. To reduce exposure associated with uncontracted volumes, we sell a portion of our power in forward sales markets when acceptable contract terms are available.
A portion of our power is retained to be sold in the spot market or under shorter-term forward arrangements. This ensures we have adequate power supply to fulfill our sales obligations if we have unexpected plant outages and provides the opportunity to increase earnings in periods of high spot prices.
The amount sold forward will vary depending on market conditions and market liquidity and has historically ranged between 25 to 75 per cent of expected future production with a higher proportion being hedged in the near term periods. Such forward sales may be completed with medium to large industrial and commercial companies as well as other market participants and will affect our average realized price (versus spot price) in future periods.
Eastern Power
We own or are developing
approximately 3,000 MW of power generation capacity in eastern Canada. All of the power produced by these assets is sold under long-term
contracts.
Disciplined maintenance of plant operations is critical to the results of our Eastern Power assets, where earnings are based on plant availability and performance.
52 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Assets currently operating under long-term contracts are as follows:
Type of contract | With | Expires | ||||
Bécancour1 | 20-year PPA Steam sold to an industrial customer |
Hydro-Québec | 2026 | |||
Cartier Wind | 20-year PPA | Hydro-Québec | 2032 | |||
Grandview | 20-year tolling agreement to buy 100 per cent of heat and electricity output | Irving Oil | 2025 | |||
Halton Hills | 20-year Clean Energy Supply contract | IESO | 2030 | |||
Portlands Energy | 20-year Clean Energy Supply contract | IESO | 2029 | |||
Ontario Solar2 | 20-year Feed-in Tariff (FIT) contracts | IESO | 2032-2034 | |||
Assets currently under construction are as follows:
Type of contract | With | Expires | ||||
Napanee | 20-year Clean Energy Supply contract | IESO | 20 years from in-service date | |||
Western and Eastern Power results
Comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT are non-GAAP measures. See page 3 for more information.
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Revenue1 | |||||||
Western Power | 736 | 605 | 644 | ||||
Eastern Power2 | 428 | 400 | 415 | ||||
Other3 | 85 | 108 | 91 | ||||
1,249 | 1,113 | 1,150 | |||||
Income from equity investments4 | 45 | 141 | 68 | ||||
Commodity purchases resold | (404) | (283) | (286) | ||||
Plant operating costs and other | (299) | (298) | (266) | ||||
Sundance A PPA arbitration decision | - | - | (30) | ||||
Exclude risk management activities1 | 11 | 4 | (4) | ||||
Comparable EBITDA | 602 | 677 | 632 | ||||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (179) | (172) | (152) | ||||
Comparable EBIT | 423 | 505 | 480 | ||||
Breakdown of comparable EBITDA |
|||||||
Western Power | 252 | 355 | 311 | ||||
Eastern Power | 350 | 322 | 321 | ||||
Comparable EBITDA | 602 | 677 | 632 | ||||
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 53
Sales volumes and plant availability
Includes our share of volumes from our equity investments.
year ended December 31 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||
Sales volumes (GWh) | ||||||||
Supply | ||||||||
Generation | ||||||||
Western Power | 2,517 | 2,728 | 2,691 | |||||
Eastern Power1 | 3,080 | 3,822 | 4,384 | |||||
Purchased | ||||||||
Sundance A & B and Sheerness PPAs and other2 | 11,472 | 8,223 | 6,906 | |||||
Other purchases | 16 | 13 | 46 | |||||
17,085 | 14,786 | 14,027 | ||||||
Sales | ||||||||
Contracted | ||||||||
Western Power | 10,484 | 7,864 | 8,240 | |||||
Eastern Power1 | 3,080 | 3,822 | 4,384 | |||||
Spot | ||||||||
Western Power | 3,521 | 3,100 | 1,403 | |||||
17,085 | 14,786 | 14,027 | ||||||
Plant availability3 | ||||||||
Western Power4 | 96% | 95% | 96% | |||||
Eastern Power1,5 | 91% | 90% | 90% | |||||
Western Power
Western Power's comparable EBITDA in 2014 was
$103 million lower than in 2013, due to the net effect of:
Average spot market power prices in Alberta decreased by 38% from approximately $80/MWh in 2013 to approximately $50/MWh in 2014. Despite strong power demand growth of just over three per cent, ten of the twelve months of 2014 saw relatively soft price levels as the Alberta power market was well supplied during the year. Weather events in February 2014 and July 2014 tightened the supply demand balance resulting in strong prices during those months. Realized power prices on power sales can be higher or lower than spot market power prices in any given period as a result of contracting activities.
In 2013, Western Power's comparable EBITDA was $44 million higher than 2012. The increase was mainly due to higher purchased volumes under the PPAs following the return to service of Sundance A Units 1 and 2.
Approximately 75 per cent of Western Power sales volumes were sold under contract in 2014 compared to 72 per cent in 2013 and 85 per cent in 2012.
54 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Eastern Power
Eastern Power's comparable EBITDA
in 2014 was $28 million higher than 2013 due to the net effect of incremental earnings from the four solar facilities acquired in 2013,
the additional four facilities acquired in late 2014 and higher contractual earnings at Bécancour.
In 2013, Eastern Power's comparable EBITDA was similar to 2012 due to the net effect of incremental earnings from Cartier Wind and from the four solar facilities acquired in 2013 and lower contractual earnings at Bécancour.
Bruce Power
Bruce Power is a nuclear power generation facility located near Tiverton, Ontario and
is comprised of Bruce A and Bruce B. Bruce A Units 1
to 4 have a combined capacity of approximately 3,000 MW and Bruce B Units 5 to 8 have a combined capacity of approximately 3,300 MW. Bruce B leases the
eight nuclear reactors from Ontario Power Generation and subleases Units 1 to 4 to Bruce A.
Results from Bruce Power fluctuate primarily due to the frequency, scope and duration of planned and unplanned outages.
Under a contract with the IESO, all of the output from Bruce A is sold at a fixed price/MWh which is adjusted annually on April 1 for inflation and other provisions under the contract. Bruce A also recovers fuel costs from the IESO.
Bruce A fixed price | Per MWh | |
April 1, 2014 March 31, 2015 | $71.70 | |
April 1, 2013 March 31, 2014 | $70.99 | |
April 1, 2012 March 31, 2013 | $68.23 | |
Under the same contract, all output from Bruce B Units 5 to 8 is subject to a floor price adjusted annually for inflation on April 1.
Bruce B floor price | Per MWh | |
April 1, 2014 March 31, 2015 | $52.86 | |
April 1, 2013 March 31, 2014 | $52.34 | |
April 1, 2012 March 31, 2013 | $51.62 | |
Amounts received under the Bruce B floor price mechanism within a calendar year are subject to repayment if the average spot price in a month exceeds the floor price. The first quarter 2014 average spot price exceeded the floor price; however, spot prices fell below the floor price for the remainder of 2014. As a result, Bruce B recognized annual revenues at the floor price throughout 2014 and amounts received above the floor price in first quarter 2014 were repaid to the IESO in January 2015.
Bruce B also enters into fixed-price contracts under which it receives or pays the difference between the contract price and the spot price.
The contract also provides for payment if the IESO reduces Bruce Power's generation to balance the supply of and demand for electricity and/or manage other operating conditions of the Ontario power grid. The amount of the reduction is considered "deemed generation", for which Bruce Power is paid the fixed price, floor price or spot price as applicable under the contract.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 55
Bruce Power results
Our proportionate share
year ended December 31 (millions of $, unless otherwise indicated) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Income/(loss) from equity investments1 | |||||||
Bruce A | 209 | 202 | (149) | ||||
Bruce B | 105 | 108 | 163 | ||||
314 | 310 | 14 | |||||
Comprised of: | |||||||
Revenues | 1,256 | 1,258 | 763 | ||||
Operating expenses | (623) | (618) | (567) | ||||
Depreciation and other | (319) | (330) | (182) | ||||
314 | 310 | 14 | |||||
Bruce Power other information | |||||||
Plant availability2 | |||||||
Bruce A3 | 82% | 82% | 54% | ||||
Bruce B | 90% | 89% | 95% | ||||
Combined Bruce Power | 86% | 86% | 81% | ||||
Planned outage days | |||||||
Bruce A | 118 | 123 | 336 | ||||
Bruce B | 127 | 140 | 46 | ||||
Unplanned outage days | |||||||
Bruce A | 123 | 63 | 18 | ||||
Bruce B | 4 | 20 | 25 | ||||
Sales volumes (GWh)1 | |||||||
Bruce A3 | 10,526 | 10,458 | 4,194 | ||||
Bruce B | 8,197 | 8,010 | 8,598 | ||||
18,723 | 18,468 | 12,792 | |||||
Realized sales price per MWh4 | |||||||
Bruce A | $72 | $70 | $68 | ||||
Bruce B | $56 | $54 | $55 | ||||
Combined Bruce Power | $63 | $62 | $57 | ||||
Equity income from Bruce A in 2014 was $7 million higher than 2013. The increase was mainly due to lower depreciation and operating expenses and higher volumes partially offset by recognition of an insurance recovery of approximately $40 million in the first quarter 2013. The negative impact of increased outage days in 2014 is offset by higher generation levels while operating.
Equity income from Bruce B in 2014 was $3 million lower than 2013. The decrease was mainly due to higher lease expense recognized based on the terms of the lease agreement with Ontario Power Generation, partially offset by higher volumes and lower operating costs resulting from lower outage days.
56 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
In
2013, equity income from Bruce A was $351 million higher than 2012. The increase was mainly due to:
In 2013, equity income from Bruce B was $55 million lower than 2012. The decrease was mainly due to lower volumes and higher operating costs resulting from higher planned outage days.
U.S. Power
We own approximately 3,800 MW of power generation capacity in New York and
New England, including plants powered by natural gas, oil, hydro
and wind.
We earn revenues in both New York and New England in two ways by providing capacity and by selling energy. Capacity markets compensate power suppliers for being available to provide power, and are intended to promote investment in new and existing power resources needed to meet customer demand and maintain a reliable power system. The energy markets compensate power providers for the actual energy they supply.
Providing capacity
Capacity revenues in
New York and New England are a function of two factors capacity prices and plant availability. It is
important for us to keep our plant availability high to maximize the amount of capacity for which we get paid.
Capacity prices paid to capacity suppliers in New York are determined by a series of voluntary forward auctions and a mandatory spot auction. The forward auctions are bid based while the mandatory spot auction is affected by a demand curve price setting process that is driven by a number of established parameters that are subject to periodic review by the New York ISO and FERC. The parameters are determined for each zone and include the forecasted cost of a new unit entering the market, available existing operable supply and fluctuations in the forecasted demand.
The price paid for capacity in the New England Power Pool is determined by annual competitive auctions which are held three years in advance of the applicable capacity year. Auction results are impacted by actual and projected power demand, power supply, and other factors.
Selling energy
We focus on selling power
under short and long-term contracts to wholesale, commercial and industrial customers in the following power markets:
We also earn additional revenues by bundling power sales with other energy services.
We meet our power sales commitments using power we generate ourselves or with power we buy at fixed prices, reducing our exposure to changes in commodity prices.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 57
U.S. Power results
Comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT are non-GAAP measures. See page 3 for more
information.
year ended December 31 (millions of US$) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Revenue | |||||||
Power1 | 1,794 | 1,587 | 1,240 | ||||
Capacity | 362 | 295 | 234 | ||||
2,156 | 1,882 | 1,474 | |||||
Commodity purchases resold | (1,297) | (1,003) | (765) | ||||
Plant operating costs and other2 | (529) | (509) | (500) | ||||
Exclude risk management activities1 | 46 | (47) | - | ||||
Comparable EBITDA | 376 | 323 | 209 | ||||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (107) | (107) | (121) | ||||
Comparable EBIT | 269 | 216 | 88 | ||||
Sales volumes and plant availability
year ended December 31 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Physical sales volumes (GWh) | |||||||
Supply | |||||||
Generation | 7,742 | 6,173 | 7,567 | ||||
Purchased | 10,822 | 9,001 | 9,408 | ||||
18,564 | 15,174 | 16,975 | |||||
Plant availability1 | 82% | 84% | 85% | ||||
U.S. Power other information
year ended December 31 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Average Spot Power Prices (US$ per MWh) | ||||||
New England | 65 | 57 | 36 | |||
New York | 58 | 52 | 39 | |||
Average New York Zone J Spot Capacity Prices (US$ per KW-M) | 14 | 11 | 8 | |||
U.S. Power's comparable EBITDA in 2014 was US$53 million higher than 2013. This reflected the net effect of:
In
2013, U.S. Power's comparable EBITDA was US$114 million higher than 2012. This reflected the net effect of:
58 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Average New York Zone J spot capacity prices were approximately 27 per cent higher in 2014 than in 2013. The increase in spot prices and the impact of hedging activities resulted in higher realized capacity prices in New York in 2014.
Wholesale electricity prices in New York and New England were higher in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to colder winter temperatures and gas transmission constraints. This resulted in higher natural gas prices in the predominantly gas-fired New England and New York power markets in first quarter 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Average spot power prices in 2014 in New England increased approximately 14 per cent and in New York spot power prices increased approximately 11 per cent compared to 2013.
Physical sales volumes in 2014 rose compared to 2013. Generation volumes increased primarily due to higher generation at the Ravenswood facility throughout 2014 compared to 2013. Purchased volumes were also higher in 2014 compared to 2013 due to increased sales to commercial and industrial customers in both the New England and PJM markets.
As at December 31, 2014, approximately 3,700 GWh or 30 per cent of U.S. Power's planned generation is contracted for 2015, and 1,600 GWh or 14 per cent for 2016. Planned generation fluctuates depending on hydrology, wind conditions, commodity prices and the resulting dispatch of the assets. Power sales fluctuate based on customer usage.
Natural Gas Storage
We own and operate 118 Bcf of non-regulated natural gas storage capacity in
Alberta. This business operates independently from our regulated natural gas transmission
business and from ANR's regulated storage business, which are included in our Natural Gas Pipelines segment.
Storage capacity
year ended December 31, 2014 | Working gas storage capacity (Bcf) |
Maximum injection/ withdrawal capacity (MMcf/d) |
||
Edson | 50 | 725 | ||
CrossAlta | 68 | 550 | ||
118 | 1,275 | |||
We also hold a contract for Alberta-based storage capacity with a third party.
Our natural gas storage business helps balance seasonal and short-term supply and demand, and adds flexibility to the delivery of natural gas to markets in Alberta and the rest of North America. Market volatility creates arbitrage opportunities and our natural gas storage facilities also give customers the ability to capture value from short-term price movements. The natural gas storage business is affected by the change in seasonal natural gas price spreads which are generally determined by the differential in natural gas prices between the traditional summer injection and winter withdrawal seasons.
Our gas storage business contracts with third parties, typically participants in the Alberta and interconnected gas markets, for a fixed fee to provide gas storage services on a short, medium, and/or long term basis.
We also enter into proprietary natural gas storage transactions, which include a forward purchase of our own natural gas to be injected into storage and a simultaneous forward sale of natural gas for withdrawal at a later period, typically during the winter withdrawal season. By matching purchase and sales volumes on a back-to-back basis, we lock in future positive margins, effectively eliminating our exposure to changes in gas prices.
These forward natural gas contracts provide highly effective economic hedges but do not meet the specific criteria for hedge accounting and, therefore, are recorded at their fair value through net income based on the forward market prices for the contracted month of delivery. We record changes in the fair value of these contracts in revenues. We do not include changes in the fair value of natural gas forward purchase and sales
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 59
contracts when we calculate comparable earnings because they do not represent the amounts that will be realized on settlement.
Natural Gas Storage and other results
Comparable EBITDA in 2014 was $19 million lower than 2013, mainly due to decreased
third party storage revenue as a result of lower realized natural gas storage
price spreads.
In 2013, comparable EBITDA was $4 million lower than 2012, mainly due to lower realized natural gas storage price spreads, partially offset by incremental earnings from CrossAlta resulting from the acquisition of the remaining 40 per cent interest in December 2012.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
Canadian Power
Ontario Solar
As part of a purchase agreement
with Canadian Solar Solutions Inc. signed in 2011, we completed the acquisition of three Ontario solar facilities for $181 million
in September 2014 and acquired a fourth facility for $60 million in December 2014. In 2013, we completed the acquisition of four solar facilities for $216 million. Our
total investment in the eight solar facilities is $457 million. All power produced by the solar facilities is sold under 20-year FIT contracts with the IESO.
Napanee
In January 2015, we began
construction activities of a 900 MW natural gas-fired power plant at Ontario Power Generation's Lennox site in eastern Ontario in the
town of Greater Napanee. We expect to invest approximately $1.0 billion in the Napanee facility during construction and commercial operations are expected to begin in late 2017 or early 2018.
Production from the facility is fully contracted with the IESO.
Bécancour
In May 2014, Hydro-Québec
exercised its option in the amended suspension agreement to extend suspension of all electricity generation to the end of 2017,
and requested further suspension of generation to the end of 2018. Under the December 2013 amended suspension agreement, Hydro-Québec has the option each year to further extend
the suspension by an additional year (subject to certain conditions). We continue to receive capacity payments while generation is suspended.
Cancarb Limited and Cancarb Waste Heat Facility
The sale of Cancarb Limited, a
thermal carbon black facility, and its related power generation facility closed in April 2014 for gross proceeds of $190 million.
We recognized a gain of $99 million, net of tax, in second quarter 2014.
Bruce Power
In March 2014, Cameco
Corporation sold its 31.6 per cent limited partnership interest in Bruce B to BPC Generation Infrastructure Trust (BPC). We
are considering our option to increase our Bruce B ownership percentage.
New Canadian federal legislation is expected to come into force in 2015 respecting the determination of liability and compensation for a nuclear incident in Canada resulting in personal injuries and damages. This proposed legislation will replace existing legislation which currently provides that the licensed operator of a nuclear facility has absolute and exclusive liability and limits the liability to a maximum of $75 million. The proposed new law is fundamentally consistent with the existing regime although the maximum liability will increase to $650 million and increase in increments over three years to a maximum of $1 billion. The operator will also be required to maintain financial assurances such as insurance in the amount of the maximum liability. Our indirect subsidiary owns one-third of the shares of Bruce Power Inc., the licensed operator of
60 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Bruce Power, and as such Bruce Power Inc. is subject to this liability in the event of an incident and the legislation's other requirements.
U.S. Power
Ravenswood
In late September 2014, the
972 MW Unit 30 at the Ravenswood Generating Station experienced an unplanned outage as a result of a problem with the generator
associated with the high pressure turbine. Insurance is expected to cover the repair costs and lost revenues associated with the unplanned outage, which are yet to be finalized. As a result of the
expected insurance recoveries, net of deductibles, the Unit 30 unplanned outage is not expected to have a significant impact on our earnings although the recording of earnings may not
coincide with lost revenues due to timing of the anticipated insurance proceeds. The unit is expected to be back in service in first half 2015.
Natural Gas Storage
Effective April 30, 2014, we terminated a 38 Bcf long-term natural gas
storage contract in Alberta with Niska Gas Storage. The contract contained provisions
allowing for possible early termination. As a result, we recorded an after tax charge of $32 million in 2014. We have re-contracted for new natural gas storage services in Alberta with Niska
Gas Storage starting May 1, 2014 for a six-year period and a reduced average volume.
BUSINESS RISKS
The following are risks specific to our energy business. See page 75 for
information about general risks that affect the company as a whole,including other operational
risks, health, safety and environment (HSE) risks, and financial risks.
Fluctuating power and natural gas market prices
Power and natural gas prices are affected by fluctuations in supply and demand, weather,
and by general economic conditions. The power generation facilities in our Western
Power operations in Alberta, and in our U.S. Power operations in New England and New York, are exposed to commodity price volatility.
Earnings from these businesses are generally correlated to the prevailing power supply and demand conditions. In New England and New York, the price of natural gas also has a significant impact on power prices, as energy prices in these markets are usually set by gas-fired power supplies. Extended periods of low gas prices will generally exert downward pressure on power prices and therefore on earnings from our New England and New York facilities.
Our Coolidge Generating Station and our portfolio of assets in eastern Canada are fully contracted, and are therefore not subject to fluctuating commodity prices. As these contracts expire in the long term, it is uncertain if we will be able to re-contract on similar terms. Bruce Power's exposure to fluctuating power prices is discussed further below.
To mitigate the impact of power price volatility in Alberta and the U.S. northeast, we sell a portion of our supply under medium to long-term sales contracts where contract terms are acceptable. A portion of our power is retained to be sold in the spot market or under shorter-term forward arrangements to ensure we have adequate power supply to fulfill sales obligations if unexpected plant outages occur. This unsold supply is exposed to fluctuating power and natural gas market prices. As power sales contracts expire, new forward contracts are entered into at prevailing market prices.
Under an agreement with the IESO, Bruce B volumes are subject to a floor price mechanism. When the spot market price is above the floor price, Bruce B's volumes are subject to spot price volatility. When spot prices are below the floor price, Bruce B receives the floor price for all of its output. Bruce B also enters into third party fixed-price contracts where it receives the difference between the contract price and spot price. All Bruce A output is sold into the Ontario wholesale power spot market under a fixed-price contract with the IESO.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 61
Our natural gas storage business is subject to fluctuating seasonal natural gas price spreads which are generally determined by the differential in natural gas prices between the traditional summer injection and winter withdrawal seasons.
U.S. Power capacity payments
A significant portion of revenues earned by Ravenswood and a portion of revenues earned
by our power facilities in New England are driven by capacity payments.
Fluctuations in capacity prices can have a material impact on these businesses, particularly in New York. New York capacity prices are determined by a series of voluntary forward
auctions and a mandatory spot auction. The forward
auctions are bid based while the mandatory spot auction is affected by a demand curve price setting process that is driven by a number of established parameters that are subject to periodic review by
the New York ISO and FERC. These parameters are determined for each capacity zone and include the forecasted cost of a new unit entering the market, available existing operable supply and
fluctuations in forecasted demand. Capacity payments are also a function of plant availability which is discussed below.
Plant availability
Optimizing and maintaining plant availability is essential to the continued success of
our Energy business. Unexpected outages or extended planned outages at our power plants
can increase maintenance costs, lower plant output and sales revenue and lower capacity payments and margins. We may also have to buy power or natural gas on the spot market to meet our delivery
obligations.
We manage this risk by investing in a highly skilled workforce, operating prudently, running comprehensive, risk-based preventive maintenance programs and making effective capital investments.
For facilities we do not operate, our purchase agreements include a financial remedy if a plant owner does not deliver as agreed. The Sundance and Sheerness PPAs, for example, require the producers to pay us market-based penalties if they cannot supply the amount of power we have agreed to purchase.
Regulatory
We operate in both regulated and deregulated power markets in both the
United States and Canada. These markets are subject to various federal, state and provincial
regulations in both countries. As power markets evolve across North America, there is the potential for regulatory bodies to implement new rules that could negatively affect us as a generator and
marketer of electricity. These may be in the form of market rule changes, changes in the interpretation and application of market rules by regulators, price caps, emission controls, cost allocations
to generators and out-of-market actions taken by others to build excess generation, all of which negatively affect the price of power or capacity, or both. In addition, our development projects rely
on an orderly permitting process and any disruption to that process can have negative effects on project schedules and costs. We are an active participant in formal and informal regulatory proceedings
and take legal action where required.
Weather
Significant changes in temperature and other weather events have many effects on our
business, ranging from the impact on demand, availability and commodity prices, to
efficiency and output capability. Extreme temperature and weather can affect market demand for power and natural gas and can lead to significant price volatility. Extreme weather can also restrict the
availability of natural gas and power if demand is higher than supply. Seasonal changes in temperature can reduce the efficiency of our natural gas-fired power plants, and the amount of power they
produce. Variable wind speeds affect earnings from our wind assets, and sun-light hours and intensity affects earnings from our solar assets.
Hydrology
Our hydroelectric power generation facilities in the northeastern U.S. are subject
to hydrology risks that can impact the volume of water available for generation at
these facilities including weather changes and events, local river management and potential dam failures at these plants or upstream facilities.
Competition
We face various competitive forces that impact our existing assets and prospects for
growth. For instance, our existing power plants in deregulated markets will compete over
time with new power capacity. New supply could come in several forms including supply that employs more efficient power generation technologies, additional supply from regional power transmission
interconnections
and new supply in the form of distributed generation. We also face competition from other power companies in the greenfield power plant development arena.
62 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Corporate
OTHER INCOME STATEMENT ITEMS
The following are reconciliations and related analyses of our non-GAAP measures to the
equivalent GAAP measures.
Interest expense
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Comparable interest on long-term debt (including interest on junior subordinated notes) |
|||||||
Canadian dollar-denominated | (443) | (495) | (513) | ||||
U.S. dollar-denominated | (854) | (766) | (740) | ||||
Foreign exchange | (90) | (20) | - | ||||
(1,387) | (1,281) | (1,253) | |||||
Other interest and amortization expense | (107) | (51) | (84) | ||||
Capitalized interest | 259 | 287 | 300 | ||||
Comparable interest expense | (1,235) | (1,045) | (1,037) | ||||
Specific item: | |||||||
NEB 2013 Decision 2012 | - | (1) | - | ||||
Interest expense | (1,235) | (1,046) | (1,037) | ||||
Comparable interest expense in 2014 was $190 million higher than in 2013 due to the net effect of:
Comparable
interest expense in 2013 was $8 million higher than 2012 due to the net effect of:
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 63
Interest income and other
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Comparable interest income and other | 149 | 80 | 126 | ||||
Specific items (pre-tax): | |||||||
NEB 2013 Decision 2012 | - | 1 | - | ||||
Risk management activities | (21) | (9) | (1) | ||||
Interest income and other | 128 | 72 | 125 | ||||
Comparable interest income and other in 2014 was $69 million higher than 2013. This was the net result of:
In 2013, comparable interest income and other was $46 million lower than 2012. This decrease was mainly due to higher realized losses in 2013 compared to 2012 on derivatives used to manage our net exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar-denominated income and on translation of foreign denominated working capital.
Income tax expense
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Comparable income tax expense | (858) | (656) | (472) | ||||
Specific items: | |||||||
Cancarb gain on sale | (9) | - | - | ||||
Niska contract termination | 11 | - | - | ||||
Gas Pacifico/INNERGY gain on sale | (1) | - | - | ||||
NEB 2013 Decision 2012 | - | 42 | - | ||||
Part VI.I income tax adjustment | - | 25 | - | ||||
Sundance A PPA arbitration decision 2011 | - | - | 5 | ||||
Risk management activities | 27 | (16) | 6 | ||||
Income tax expense | (830) | (605) | (461) | ||||
Comparable income tax expense increased $202 million in 2014 compared to 2013 mainly because of higher pre-tax earnings in 2014, changes in the proportion of income earned between Canadian and foreign jurisdictions as well as higher flow-through taxes in 2014 on Canadian regulated pipelines.
Comparable income tax expense increased $184 million in 2013 compared to 2012 because of higher pre-tax earnings in 2013 combined with changes in the proportion of income earned between Canadian and foreign jurisdictions.
Other
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | (151) | (105) | (96) | |||
Preferred share dividends | (2) | (20) | (22) | |||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests increased by $46 million in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to the sale of a 45 per cent interest in each of GTN and Bison to TC PipeLines, LP in July 2013 and the remaining 30 per cent of Bison in October 2014.
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest increased $9 million in 2013 compared to 2012 primarily due to the sale of a 45 per cent interest in each of GTN and Bison to TC PipeLines, LP in July 2013.
Preferred share dividends decreased by $18 million in 2014 compared to 2013 due to the redemption of Series U preferred shares in October 2013 and Series Y preferred shares in March 2014.
Preferred share dividends decreased $2 million in 2013 compared to 2012 due to the redemption of Series U preferred shares in October 2013.
64 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Financial condition
We strive to maintain strong financial capacity and flexibility in all parts of the economic cycle. We rely on our operating cash flow to sustain our business, pay dividends and fund a portion of our growth. In addition, we access capital markets to meet our financing needs, manage our capital structure and to preserve our credit ratings.
We believe we have the financial capacity to fund our existing capital program through our predictable cash flow from our operations, access to capital markets, proceeds from the sale of natural gas pipeline assets to TC PipeLines, LP, cash on hand and substantial committed credit facilities.
Balance sheet analysis
As of December 31, 2014, assets increased by $5.2 billion, liabilities
increased by $4.0 billion and equity rose by $1.2 billion compared to
December 31, 2013.
The increase in assets was primarily due to increases in property, plant and equipment and intangible and other assets. Property, plant and equipment increased by $4.2 billion primarily due to the completion of the Gulf Coast Extension of the Keystone Pipeline System, further investment in the NGTL System, investment in our Mexican pipelines projects, construction of the Houston Lateral and Tank Terminal and the expansion of our ANR pipeline. Intangible and other assets rose by $0.7 billion primarily due to spending on our capital projects under development.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 65
The increase in liabilities was primarily due to an increase in long-term debt and notes payable used to fund our growth. In 2014, we issued $1.4 billion and repaid $1.1 billion of long term debt. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar also contributed a $1.6 billion increase on translation of our U.S. dollar-denominated debt. In 2014, notes payable increased by $0.6 billion.
Total equity increased $1.2 billion in 2014 mainly due to $1.1 billion common share issuances to TransCanada.
Consolidated capital structure
at December 31, 2014
As at December 31, 2014, we had unused capacity of $2.0 billion and US$2.75 billion under our Canadian debt and U.S. debt shelf prospectuses, respectively, to facilitate future access to the North American debt markets.
As at December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all of our financial covenants. Provisions of various trust indentures and credit arrangements with certain of our subsidiaries can restrict those subsidiaries' ability to declare and pay dividends or make distributions under certain circumstances. If such restrictions apply, they may, in turn, have an impact on our ability to declare and pay dividends on our common and preferred shares. In the opinion of management, these provisions do not currently restrict or alter our ability to declare or pay dividends. These trust indentures and credit arrangements also require us to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants and maintain certain financial ratios.
Cash flows
The following tables summarize the cash flows of our business.
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Net cash provided by operations | 4,078 | 3,643 | 3,546 | |||
Net cash used in investing activities | (4,144) | (5,120) | (3,256) | |||
(Deficiency)/surplus | (66) | (1,477) | 290 | |||
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities | (345) | 1,807 | (367) | |||
(411) | 330 | (77) | ||||
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents | - | 28 | (15) | |||
Net change in Cash and Cash Equivalents | (411) | 358 | (92) | |||
We continue to fund our extensive capital program through cash flow from operations supplemented by capital market financing activities and the sale of our U.S. natural gas pipeline assets to TC PipeLines, LP.
Liquidity will continue to be comprised of predictable cash flow generated from operations, committed credit facilities, our ability to access debt and equity markets in both Canada and the U.S., additional drop downs of our U.S. natural gas pipeline assets into TC PipeLines, LP and cash on hand.
66 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Net cash provided by operations
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Funds generated from operations | 4,267 | 3,977 | 3,259 | |||
(Increase)/decrease in operating working capital | (189) | (334) | 287 | |||
Net cash provided by operations | 4,078 | 3,643 | 3,546 | |||
Funds generated from operations, a non-GAAP measure, helps us assess the cash generating ability of our operations excluding the timing effects of working capital changes. See page 3 for more information about non-GAAP measures. The increase in 2014 compared to 2013 was driven by the increase in comparable earnings adjusted for the following non-cash items: increased deferred income tax expense and depreciation, higher equity AFUDC income and lower equity earnings. Funds generated from operations also reflected lower distributed earnings from equity investments.
At December 31, 2014, our current liabilities were higher than our current assets, leaving us with a working capital deficit of $2.0 billion. This short-term deficiency was mainly due to the use of accounts payable, notes payable and the current portion of our long-term debt to fund our capital program.
This
short-term deficiency is considered to be in the normal course of a growing business and is managed through:
Net cash used in investing activities
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Capital expenditures | (3,550) | (4,264) | (2,595) | |||
Capital projects under development | (807) | (488) | (3) | |||
Equity investments | (256) | (163) | (652) | |||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (241) | (216) | (214) | |||
Proceeds from sale of assets, net of transaction costs | 196 | - | - | |||
Deferred amounts and other | 514 | 11 | 208 | |||
Net cash used in investing activities | (4,144) | (5,120) | (3,256) | |||
Our 2014 capital spending was incurred primarily for expanding our NGTL System, construction of our Mexican pipelines, construction of the Houston Lateral and Tank Terminal, development of our Energy East Pipeline and expansion of the ANR pipeline. Also included in investing activities in 2014 was the acquisition of an additional four solar facilities in Ontario, proceeds from the sale of Cancarb and its related power generation facilities and our contribution for the construction of Grand Rapids Pipeline.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 67
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Long-term debt issued, net of issue costs | 1,403 | 4,253 | 1,491 | |||
Long-term debt repaid | (1,069) | (1,286) | (980) | |||
Notes payable issued/(repaid), net | 544 | (492) | 449 | |||
Dividends and distributions paid | (1,523) | (1,454) | (1,361) | |||
Common shares issued | 1,115 | 899 | 269 | |||
Advances to affiliates, net | (694) | (297) | (235) | |||
Partnership units of subsidiary issued, net of issue costs | 79 | 384 | - | |||
Preferred shares redeemed | (200) | (200) | - | |||
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities | (345) | 1,807 | (367) | |||
Long-term debt issued
(millions of $) Company |
Issue date | Type | Maturity date | Amount | Interest Rate | |||||
TCPL | January 2015 | Senior Unsecured Notes | January 2018 | US$500 | 1.88% | |||||
January 2015 | Senior Unsecured Notes | January 2018 | US$250 | Floating | ||||||
February 2014 | Senior Unsecured Notes | March 2034 | US$1,250 | 4.63% | ||||||
October 2013 | Senior Unsecured Notes | October 2023 | US$625 | 3.75% | ||||||
October 2013 | Senior Unsecured Notes | October 2043 | US$625 | 5.00% | ||||||
July 2013 | Senior Unsecured Notes | June 2016 | US$500 | Floating | ||||||
July 2013 | Medium-Term Notes | July 2023 | $450 | 3.69% | ||||||
July 2013 | Medium-Term Notes | November 2041 | $300 | 4.55% | ||||||
January 2013 | Senior Unsecured Notes | January 2016 | US$750 | 0.75% | ||||||
August 2012 | Senior Unsecured Notes | August 2022 | US$1,000 | 2.50% | ||||||
March 2012 | Senior Unsecured Notes | March 2015 | US$500 | 0.88% | ||||||
TC PipeLines, LP | July 2013 | Unsecured Term Loan Facility | July 2018 | US$500 | Floating | |||||
Long-term debt retired
(millions of $) Company |
Retirement date | Type | Amount | Interest Rate | ||||
TCPL | January 2015 | Senior Unsecured Notes | US$300 | 4.88% | ||||
June 2014 | Debentures | $125 | 11.10% | |||||
February 2014 | Medium-Term Notes | $300 | 5.05% | |||||
January 2014 | Medium-Term Notes | $450 | 5.65% | |||||
August 2013 | Senior Unsecured Notes | US$500 | 5.05% | |||||
June 2013 | Senior Unsecured Notes | US$350 | 4.00% | |||||
May 2012 | Senior Unsecured Notes | US$200 | 8.63% | |||||
Nova Gas Transmission Ltd. | June 2014 | Debentures | $53 | 11.20% | ||||
December 2012 | Debentures | US$175 | 8.50% | |||||
68 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Preferred share redemption
In March 2014, we redeemed all four million Series Y preferred shares of TCPL at a price of
$50 per share plus $0.2455 representing accrued and unpaid dividends.
The total face value of the outstanding Series Y shares was $200 million and they carried an aggregate of $11 million in annualized dividends.
The net proceeds of the above debt and preferred share offerings were used for general corporate purposes and to reduce short-term indebtedness.
TC PipeLines, LP at-the-market (ATM) equity issuance program
In August 2014, TC PipeLines, LP initiated its at-the-market equity issuance
program (ATM program) under which it is authorized to offer and sell
common units having an aggregate offering price of up to US$200 million.
From August until December 31, 2014, 1.3 million common units were issued under the ATM program generating net proceeds of approximately US$73 million. Our ownership interest in TC PipeLines, LP will decrease as a result of equity issuances under the ATM program.
Credit facilities
We have committed, revolving credit facilities to primarily support our commercial
paper programs. The commercial paper programs, along with additional demand credit facilities
are used for general corporate purposes, including issuing letters of credit and providing additional liquidity.
At December 31, 2014, we had $6.7 billion (2013 $6.2 billion) in unsecured credit facilities, including:
Amount | Unused capacity |
Borrower | For | Matures | ||||
$3 billion | $3 billion | TCPL | Committed, syndicated, revolving, extendible credit facility that supports TCPL's Canadian commercial paper program | December 2019 | ||||
US$1 billion | US$1 billion | TransCanada PipeLine USA Ltd. (TCPL USA) | Committed, syndicated, revolving extendible, credit facility that is used for TCPL USA general corporate purposes | November 2015 | ||||
US$1 billion | US$1 billion | TransCanada American Investments Ltd. (TAIL) | Committed, syndicated, revolving, extendible credit facility that supports the TAIL U.S. dollar commercial paper program in the U.S. | November 2015 | ||||
$1.4 billion | $0.6 billion | TCPL/TCPL USA | Demand lines for issuing letters of credit and as a source of additional liquidity. At December 31, 2014, we had outstanding $0.8 billion in letters of credit under these lines. | Demand | ||||
At December 31, 2014, our operated affiliates had $0.4 billion of undrawn capacity on committed credit facilities.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 69
Related Party Debt Financing
Related party debt consists of amounts due to/from affiliates.
Amount | For | Matures | ||||
Discount Notes | $2.6 billion | Discount notes issued by TransCanada; used for general corporate purposes | 2015 | |||
Credit Facility | $0.2 billion | Demand revolving credit facility arrangement with TransCanada; used for general corporate purposes | n/a | |||
Credit Facility | $0.9 billion | TransCanada's unsecured credit facility agreement; used to repay indebtedness, make partner contributions to Bruce A, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. | 2016 | |||
Contractual obligations
Payments due (by period)
at December 31, 2014 (millions of $) |
Total | less than 12 months |
12 - 36 months |
37 - 60 months |
more than 60 months |
|||||
Notes payable | 2,467 | 2,467 | - | - | - | |||||
Long-term debt (includes junior subordinated notes) |
25,961 | 1,797 | 3,071 | 2,773 | 18,320 | |||||
Operating leases (future payments for various premises, services and equipment, less sub-lease receipts) |
1,694 | 300 | 575 | 432 | 387 | |||||
Purchase obligations | 4,221 | 2,201 | 1,251 | 453 | 316 | |||||
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the balance sheet | 416 | 8 | 17 | 19 | 372 | |||||
34,759 | 6,773 | 4,914 | 3,677 | 19,395 | ||||||
Our contractual obligations include our long-term debt, operating leases, purchase obligations and other liabilities incurred in our business such as environmental liability funds and employee retirement and post-retirement benefit plans.
Long-term debt
At the end of 2014, we had $25 billion of long-term debt and $1.2 billion of
junior subordinated notes, compared to $22.9 billion of long-term debt and
$1.1 billion of junior subordinated notes at December 31, 2013.
Total notes payable were $2.5 billion at the end of 2014 compared to $1.8 billion at the end of 2013.
We attempt to spread out the maturity profile of our debt. The majority of our debt obligations mature beyond five years with an average term of 12 years.
70 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
At December 31, 2014, scheduled principal repayments and interest payments related to our long-term debt were as follows:
Principal repayments
Payments due (by period)
at December 31, 2014 (millions of $) |
Total | less than 12 months |
12 - 36 months |
37 - 60 months |
more than 60 months |
|||||
Notes payable | 2,467 | 2,467 | - | - | - | |||||
Long-term debt | 24,801 | 1,797 | 3,071 | 2,773 | 17,160 | |||||
Junior subordinated notes | 1,160 | - | - | - | 1,160 | |||||
28,428 | 4,264 | 3,071 | 2,773 | 18,320 | ||||||
Interest payments
Payments due (by period)
at December 31, 2014 (millions of $) |
Total | less than 12 months |
12 - 36 months |
37 - 60 months |
more than 60 months |
|||||
Long-term debt | 17,878 | 1,328 | 2,467 | 2,226 | 11,857 | |||||
Junior subordinated notes | 3,867 | 74 | 147 | 147 | 3,499 | |||||
21,745 | 1,402 | 2,614 | 2,373 | 15,356 | ||||||
Operating leases
Our operating leases for premises, services and equipment expire at different times between now and
2052. Some of our operating leases include the option to renew the agreement
for one to five years.
Our commitments under the Alberta PPAs are considered operating leases and a portion of these PPAs have been subleased to third parties under similar terms and conditions. Fixed payments under these PPAs have been included in our summary of future obligations. Variable payments have been excluded as these payments are dependent upon plant availability and other factors. Our share of power purchased under the PPAs in 2014 was $391 million (2013 $242 million; 2012 $238 million).
Purchase obligations
We have purchase obligations that are transacted at market prices and in the normal
course of business, including long-term natural gas transportation and purchase
arrangements.
Capital expenditure commitments include obligations related to the construction of growth projects and are based on the projects proceeding as planned. Changes to these projects, including cancellation, would reduce or possibly eliminate these commitments as a result of cost mitigation efforts.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 71
Payments due (by period)1
at December 31, 2014 (millions of $) |
Total | less than 12 months |
12 - 36 months |
37 - 60 months |
more than 60 months |
|||||
Natural Gas Pipelines | ||||||||||
Transportation by others2 | 346 | 94 | 171 | 64 | 17 | |||||
Capital spending3 | 912 | 841 | 71 | - | - | |||||
Other | 6 | 2 | 4 | - | - | |||||
Liquids Pipelines | ||||||||||
Capital spending3 | 1,784 | 908 | 651 | 225 | - | |||||
Other | 70 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 35 | |||||
Energy | ||||||||||
Commodity purchases | 308 | 163 | 125 | 20 | - | |||||
Capital spending3 | 205 | 127 | 78 | - | - | |||||
Other4 | 570 | 48 | 129 | 130 | 263 | |||||
Corporate | ||||||||||
Information technology and other | 20 | 11 | 8 | - | 1 | |||||
4,221 | 2,201 | 1,251 | 453 | 316 | ||||||
72 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Outlook
We are developing quality projects under our long-term $46 billion capital program. These
long-life infrastructure assets are supported by long-term commercial
arrangements and once completed, are expected to generate significant growth in earnings and cash flow.
Our
$46 billion capital program is comprised of $12 billion of small to medium-sized, shorter-term projects and $34 billion of commercially secured large-scale, medium- and
longer-term projects each of which are subject to key commercial or regulatory approvals. The portfolio is expected to be financed through our growing internally generated cash flow and a combination
of funding options including:
Additional financing alternatives available include common equity through DRP or lastly, discrete equity issuances.
GUARANTEES
Bruce Power
We and our partner, BPC, have each severally guaranteed some of Bruce B's
contingent financial obligations related to power sales agreements, a lease agreement and
contractor services. The Bruce B guarantees have terms to 2018 except for one guarantee with no termination date that has no exposure associated with it.
We and BPC have each severally guaranteed half of certain contingent financial obligations of Bruce A related to a sublease agreement, an agreement with the IESO to restart the Bruce A power generation units, and certain other financial obligations. The Bruce A guarantees have terms to 2019.
At December 31, 2014, our share of the potential exposure under the Bruce A and B guarantees was estimated to be $634 million. The carrying amount of these guarantees was estimated to be $6 million. Our exposure under certain of these guarantees is unlimited.
Other jointly owned entities
We and our partners in certain other jointly owned entities have also guaranteed
(jointly, severally, or jointly and severally) the financial performance of these entities
relating mainly to redelivery of natural gas, PPA payments and the payment of liabilities. The guarantees have terms ranging to 2040.
Our share of the potential exposure under these assurances was estimated at December 31, 2014 to be a maximum of $104 million. The carrying amount of these guarantees was $14 million, and is included in other long-term liabilities. In some cases, if we make a payment that exceeds our ownership interest, the additional amount must be reimbursed by our partners.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 73
OBLIGATIONS PENSION AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT PLANS
In 2015, we expect to make funding contributions of approximately $70 million for the defined benefit
pension plans, approximately $7 million for the other
post-retirement benefit plans and approximately $36 million for the savings plan and defined contribution pension plans. In addition, the Company expects to provide a $35 million letter
of credit to the Canadian DB Plan for the funding of solvency requirements.
In 2014, we made funding contributions of $73 million to our defined benefit pension plans, $6 million for the other post-retirement benefit plans and $37 million for the savings plan and defined contribution pension plans. We also provided a $47 million letter of credit to a defined benefit plan in lieu of cash funding.
Outlook
The next actuarial valuation for our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans
will be carried out as at January 1, 2015. Based on current market conditions, we
expect funding requirements for these plans to approximate 2014 levels for several years. This will allow us to amortize solvency deficiencies in the plans, in addition to normal funding costs.
Our net benefit cost for our defined benefit and other post-retirement plans decreased to $115 million in 2014 from $134 million, mainly due to a higher discount rate used to measure the benefit obligation.
Future
net benefit costs and the amount we will need to contribute to fund our plans will depend on a range of factors, including:
We do not expect future increases in the level of funding needed to maintain our plans to have a material impact on our liquidity.
74 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Other information
RISKS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
The following is a summary of general risks that affect our company. You can find risks
specific to each operating business segment in the business segment discussions.
Risk management is integral to the successful operation of our business. Our strategy is to ensure that our risks and related exposures are in line with our business objectives and risk tolerance.
We build risk assessment into our decision-making processes at all levels.
The Board's Governance Committee oversees our risk management activities, which includes ensuring that there are appropriate management systems in place to manage our risks, and adequate Board oversight of our risk management policies, programs and practices. Other Board committees oversee specific types of risk: the Audit Committee oversees management's role in monitoring financial risk, the Human Resources Committee oversees executive resourcing and compensation, organizational capabilities and compensation risk, and the Health, Safety and Environment Committee oversees operational, safety and environmental risk through regular reporting from management.
Our executive leadership team is accountable for developing and implementing risk management plans and actions, and effective risk management is reflected in their compensation.
Operational risks
Risk and Description | Impact | Monitoring and Mitigation | ||
Business interruption | ||||
Operational risks, including labour disputes, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns, acts of terror, or natural disasters and other catastrophic events. | Decrease in revenues, increase in operating costs or legal proceedings or other expenses all of which could reduce our earnings. Losses not covered by insurance could have an adverse effect on operations, cash flow and financial position. | We have incident, emergency and crisis management systems to ensure an effective response to minimize further loss or injuries and to enhance our ability to resume operations. We also have a Business Continuity Program that determines critical business processes and develops resumption plans to ensure process continuity. We have comprehensive insurance to mitigate certain of these risks, but insurance does not cover all events in all circumstances. | ||
Reputation and relationships | ||||
Our reputation and relationship with our stakeholders, such as Aboriginal communities, other communities, landowners, governments and government agencies, and environmental non-governmental organizations is very important. | These stakeholders can have a significant impact on our operations, infrastructure development and overall reputation. | Our Stakeholder Engagement Framework is our formal commitment to stakeholder engagement. Our four core values integrity, collaboration, responsibility and innovation are at the heart of our commitment to stakeholder engagement, and guide us in our interactions with stakeholders. | ||
Execution and capital costs | ||||
Investing in large infrastructure projects involves substantial capital commitments and associated execution risks based on the assumption that these assets will deliver an attractive return on investment in the future. | While we carefully consider the expected cost of our capital projects, under some contracts we bear capital cost overrun risk which may decrease our return on these projects. | Under some contracts, we share the cost of execution risks with customers, in exchange for the potential benefit they will realize when the project is finished. | ||
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 75
Cyber security | ||||
We rely on our information technology to process, transmit and store electronic information, including information we use to safely operate our assets. | A breach in the security of our information technology could expose our business to a risk of loss, misuse or interruption of critical information and functions. This could affect our operations, damage our assets, result in safety incidents, damage to the environment, reputational harm, competitive disadvantage, regulatory enforcement actions and potential litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial position and results of operations. | We have a comprehensive cyber security strategy which aligns with industry and recognized standards for cyber security. This strategy includes cyber security risk assessments, continuous monitoring of networks and other information sources for threats to the organization, comprehensive incident response plans/processes and a cyber security awareness program for employees. | ||
Pipeline abandonment costs
The NEB's Land Matters Consultation Initiative
(LMCI) is an initiative that requires all Canadian pipeline companies regulated by the NEB to set aside funds to cover future
pipeline abandonment costs.
The NEB provided several key guiding principles under this initiative, including the position that abandonment costs are a legitimate cost of providing pipeline service and are recoverable, upon NEB approval, from users of the individual pipeline systems. Pipeline companies are responsible for managing the collection and investment of funds to cover future abandonment costs.
All hearings have been completed and Board decisions have been received, with the final decision in December 2014, providing approval to begin collection through an abandonment surcharge in January 2015. Collection of funds will be held in trusts which will serve to hold and invest funds collected to cover future abandonment costs.
Health, safety and environment
The Health, Safety and
Environment committee of TCPL's Board of Directors (the Board) monitors compliance with our HSE corporate commitment statement
through regular reporting from management. We have an integrated HSE Management System that is used to capture, organize and document our related policies, programs and procedures.
The HSE Management System is modeled after international standards, conforms to external industry consensus standards and voluntary programs, and complies with applicable legislative requirements and various other internal management systems. It follows a continuous improvement cycle.
The
committee reviews HSE performance and operational risk management on a quarterly basis. It receives detailed reports on:
The committee also receives updates on any specific areas of operational and construction risk management review being conducted by management and the results and corrective action plans emanating from internal and third party audits.
The safety and integrity of our existing and newly-developed infrastructure is a top priority. All assets are designed, constructed and commissioned with full consideration given to safety and integrity, and are brought in service only after all necessary requirements have been satisfied. In 2014, we spent $550 million for pipeline integrity on the natural gas and liquids pipelines we operate, an increase of $174 million over 2013 primarily
76 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
due to increased levels of in-line pipeline inspections and related maintenance projects on all systems as well an increased amount of pipe replacement required due to population encroachment on the pipelines. Under the approved regulatory models in Canada, non-capital pipeline integrity expenditures on NEB-regulated pipelines are generally treated on a flow-through basis and, as a result, these expenditures have minimal impact on our earnings. Under the Keystone contracts, pipeline integrity expenditures are recovered through the tolling mechanism and, as a result, these expenditures generally have no impact on our earnings. Our safety record in 2014 continued to meet or exceed industry benchmarks.
Our Energy operations spending associated with process safety and our various integrity programs is used to minimize risk to employees and the public, process equipment, the surrounding environment, and to prevent disruptions to serving the electrical needs of our customers, within the footprint of each facility.
Spending associated with public safety on Energy assets is focused primarily on our hydro dams and associated equipment.
Our
main environmental risks are:
As described in the Business interruption section, above, we have a set of procedures in place to manage our response to natural disasters which include catastrophic events such as forest fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions and hurricanes. The procedures, which are included in our Incident Management Program, are designed to help protect the health and safety of our employees, minimize risk to the public and limit any operational impacts caused by a natural disaster on the environment.
Environmental compliance and liabilities
Our facilities are subject to
federal, state, provincial and local environmental statutes and regulations governing environmental protection, including air and GHG emissions,
water quality, wastewater discharges and waste management. Our facilities are required to obtain and comply with a wide variety of environmental registrations, licenses, permits and other approvals
and requirements. Failure to comply could result in administrative, civil or criminal penalties, remedial requirements or orders affecting future operations.
We continually monitor our facilities to ensure compliance with all environmental requirements. We routinely monitor proposed changes in environmental policy, legislation and regulation, and where the risks are potentially large or uncertain, we comment on proposals independently or through industry associations.
We are not aware of any material outstanding orders, claims or lawsuits against us related to releasing or discharging any material into the environment or in connection with environmental protection.
Compliance obligations can result in significant costs associated with installing and maintaining pollution controls, fines and penalties resulting from any failure to comply, and potential limitations on operations.
Remediation obligations can result in significant costs associated with the investigation and remediation of contaminated properties, and with damage claims arising from the contamination of properties.
It
is not possible to estimate the amount and timing of all our future expenditures related to environmental matters because:
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 77
At December 31, 2014, we had accrued approximately $30 million related to these obligations ($32 million at the end of 2013). This represents the amount that we have estimated that we will need to manage our currently known environmental liabilities. We believe that we have considered all necessary contingencies and established appropriate reserves for environmental liabilities; however, there is the risk that unforeseen matters may arise requiring us to set aside additional amounts. We adjust this reserve quarterly to account for changes in liabilities.
Greenhouse gas emissions regulation risk
We own assets and have business
interests in a number of regions where there are regulations to address industrial GHG emissions. We have procedures in place to comply with
these regulations, including:
There are federal, regional, state and provincial initiatives currently in development. While economic events may continue to affect the scope and timing of new regulations, we anticipate that most of our facilities will be subject to future regulations to manage industrial GHG emissions.
Financial risks
We are exposed to market risk, counterparty credit risk and liquidity risk, and have
strategies, policies and limits in place to mitigate their impact on our earnings, cash
flow and, ultimately, shareholder value.
These strategies, policies and limits are designed to ensure our risks and related exposures are in line with our business objectives and risk tolerance. We manage market risk and counterparty credit risk within limits that are ultimately established by the Board, implemented by senior management and monitored by our risk management and internal audit groups. Management monitors compliance with market and counterparty risk management policies and procedures, and reviews the adequacy of the risk management framework, overseen by the Audit Committee. Our internal audit group assists the Audit Committee by carrying out regular and ad-hoc reviews of risk management controls and procedures, and reporting up to the Audit Committee.
78 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Market risk
We build and invest in energy
infrastructure projects, buy and sell energy commodities, issue short-term and long-term debt (including amounts in foreign currencies) and invest
in foreign operations. Certain of these activities expose us to market risk from changes in commodity prices and foreign exchange and interest rates which may affect our earnings and the value of the
financial instruments we hold.
We
use derivative contracts to assist in managing our exposure to market risk, including:
We assess contracts we use to manage market risk to determine whether all, or a portion of it, meets the definition of a derivative.
Commodity price risk
We are exposed to changes
in commodity prices, especially electricity and natural gas, which may affect our earnings. We use several strategies to reduce this exposure,
including:
Foreign exchange and interest rate risk
Certain of our businesses
generate income in U.S. dollars, but since we report in Canadian dollars, changes in the value of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian
dollar can affect our net income. As our U.S. dollar-denominated operations continue to grow, this exposure increases. The majority of this risk is offset by interest expense on
U.S. dollar-denominated debt and by using foreign exchange derivatives.
We have floating interest rate debt which subjects us to interest rate cash flow risk. We manage this using a combination of interest rate swaps and options.
Average exchange rate U.S. to Canadian dollars
2014 | 1.10 | |
2013 | 1.03 | |
2012 | 1.00 | |
The impact of changes in the value of the U.S. dollar on our U.S. operations is significantly offset by other U.S. dollar-denominated items, as set out in the table below. Comparable EBIT is a non-GAAP measure. See page 3 for more information.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 79
Significant U.S. dollar-denominated amounts
year ended December 31 (millions of US$) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
U.S. and International Natural Gas Pipelines comparable EBIT | 630 | 542 | 660 | |||
U.S. Liquids Pipelines comparable EBIT | 570 | 389 | 363 | |||
U.S. Power comparable EBIT | 269 | 216 | 88 | |||
Interest on U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt | (854) | (766) | (740) | |||
Capitalized interest on U.S. dollar-denominated capital expenditures | 154 | 219 | 124 | |||
U.S. non-controlling interests and other | (234) | (196) | (192) | |||
535 | 404 | 303 | ||||
We hedge our net investment in foreign operations (on an after-tax basis) with U.S. dollar-denominated debt, cross-currency interest rate swaps, foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign exchange options.
Derivatives designated as a net investment hedge
The fair values and notional or principal amounts for the derivatives designated as a
net investment hedge were as follows:
2014 |
2013 |
|||||||
at December 31 (millions of $) | Fair value1 |
Notional or principal amount |
Fair value1 |
Notional or principal amount |
||||
U.S. dollar cross-currency interest rate swaps (maturing 2015 to 2019)2 | (431) | US 2,900 | (201) | US 3,800 | ||||
U.S. dollar foreign exchange forward contracts (maturing 2015) | (28) | US 1,400 | (11) | US 850 | ||||
(459) | US 4,300 | (212) | US 4,650 | |||||
U.S. dollar-denominated debt designated as a net investment hedge
at December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | ||
Carrying value | 17,000 (US 14,700) | 14,200 (US 13,400) | ||
Fair value | 19,000 (US 16,400) | 16,000 (US 15,000) | ||
The balance sheet classification of the fair value of derivatives used to hedge our U.S. dollar net investment in foreign operations is as follows:
at December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | ||
Other current assets | 5 | 5 | ||
Intangible and other assets | 1 | - | ||
Accounts payable and other | (155) | (50) | ||
Other long-term liabilities | (310) | (167) | ||
(459) | (212) | |||
80 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Counterparty credit risk
We have exposure to counterparty credit risk in
the following areas:
If
a counterparty fails to meet its financial obligations to us according to the terms and conditions of the financial instrument, we could experience a financial loss. We manage our exposure to this
potential loss using recognized credit management techniques, including:
There is no guarantee that these techniques will protect us from material losses.
We review our accounts receivable regularly and record allowances for doubtful accounts using the specific identification method. We had no significant credit losses in 2014 and no significant amounts past due or impaired at year end. We had a credit risk concentration of $258 million (US$222 million) at December 31, 2014 with one counterparty (2013 $240 million (US$225 million)). This amount is secured by a guarantee from the counterparty's parent company and we anticipate collecting the full amount.
We have significant credit and performance exposure to financial institutions because they hold cash deposits and provide committed credit lines and letters of credit that help manage our exposure to counterparties and provide liquidity in commodity, foreign exchange and interest rate derivative markets.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that
we will not be able to meet our financial obligations as they come due. We manage our liquidity by continuously forecasting our cash flow for a
12 month period and making sure we have adequate cash balances, cash flow from operations, committed and demand credit facilities and access to capital markets to meet our operating, financing
and capital expenditure obligations under both normal and stressed economic conditions.
See page 65 Financial condition for more information about our liquidity.
Dealing with legal proceedings
Legal proceedings, arbitrations
and actions are part of doing business. While we cannot predict the final outcomes of proceedings and actions with certainty, management does
not expect any current proceeding or action to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. We are not aware of any potential legal proceeding or
action that would have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We meet Canadian and U.S. regulatory requirements for disclosure controls and
procedures, internal control over financial reporting and related CEO and CFO
certifications.
Disclosure controls and procedures
We carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of
management, including our President and CEO and our CFO, of the effectiveness of our disclosure
controls and procedures as at
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 81
December 31, 2014 as required by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and by the SEC. Based on this evaluation, our President and CEO and our CFO have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in that they are designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in reports we file with or send to securities regulatory authorities is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under Canadian and U.S. securities laws.
Management's annual report on internal control over financial reporting
We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting, which is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our
President and CEO and our CFO, and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our President and CEO and our CFO, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting was conducted as of December 31, 2014 based on the criteria described in "Internal Control Integrated Framework" issued in 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management determined that, as of December 31, 2014, the internal control over financial reporting was effective.
Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report which is included herein.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
Effective January 1, 2014, management successfully implemented an Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP) system, and made changes to certain related processes. As a result
of the ERP system, certain processes supporting our internal control over financial reporting changed in 2014.
Other than this ERP system implementation there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Although this implementation changed certain specific activities within the accounting function, it did not significantly affect the overall controls and procedures we follow in establishing internal controls over financial reporting.
CEO AND CFO CERTIFICATIONS
Our President and CEO and our CFO have attested to the quality of the public disclosure
in our fiscal 2014 reports filed with Canadian securities regulators and the SEC, and
have filed certifications with them.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
When we prepare financial statements that conform with GAAP, we are required to make
certain estimates and assumptions that affect the timing and amount we record for our
assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses because these items may be affected by future events. We base the estimates and assumptions on the most current information available, using our best
judgment. We also regularly assess the assets and liabilities themselves.
The following accounting estimates require us to make the most significant assumptions when preparing our financial statements and changes in these assumptions could have a material impact on the financial statements from those estimates.
82 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Rate-regulated accounting
Under GAAP, an asset qualifies to use rate-regulated accounting (RRA) when it meets
three criteria:
We believe that the regulated natural gas pipelines and certain liquids pipelines projects we account for using RRA meet these criteria. The most significant impact of using these principles is the timing of when we recognize certain expenses and revenues, which is based on the economic impact of the regulators' decisions about our revenues and tolls, and may be different from what would otherwise be expected under GAAP. Regulatory assets represent costs that are expected to be recovered in customer rates in future periods. Regulatory liabilities are amounts that are expected to be refunded through customer rates in future periods.
Regulatory assets and liabilities
at December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | |||
Regulatory assets | |||||
Long-term assets | 1,297 | 1,735 | |||
Short-term assets (included in other current assets) | 16 | 42 | |||
Regulatory liabilities |
|||||
Long-term liabilities | 263 | 229 | |||
Short-term liabilities (included in accounts payable and other) | 30 | 7 | |||
Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill
We review long-lived assets (such as plant, property and equipment) and intangible assets for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances lead us to believe we might
not be able to recover an asset's carrying value. If the total of the undiscounted future cash flows we estimate for an asset is less than its carrying value, we consider its fair value to be less
than its carrying value and we calculate and record an impairment loss to recognize this.
Goodwill
We test goodwill for impairment
annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances lead us to believe it might be impaired. We first assess qualitative factors
to determine whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired, and if we conclude that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is
greater than its carrying value, we use a two-step process to test for impairment:
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 83
We
base these valuations on our projections of future cash flows, which involves making estimates and assumptions about:
If our assumptions change significantly, our requirement to record an impairment charge could also change. There is a risk that adverse changes in key assumptions could result in a future impairment of a portion of the goodwill balance relating to Great Lakes. These assumptions could be negatively impacted by factors including changes in customer demand at Great Lakes for pipeline capacity and services, weather, North American natural gas production and prices as well as natural gas storage market conditions. Our share of the goodwill related to Great Lakes, net of non-controlling interests, was US$243 million at December 31, 2014 (2013 US$246 million).
Asset retirement obligations
When there is a legal obligation to set aside funds to cover future abandonment costs,
and we can reasonably estimate them, we recognize the fair value of the asset retirement
obligation (ARO) in our financial statements.
We cannot determine when we will retire many of our hydro-electric power plants, oil pipelines, natural gas pipelines and transportation facilities and regulated natural gas storage systems because we intend to operate them as long as there is supply and demand, and so we have not recorded obligations for them.
For
those we do record, we use the following assumptions:
The ARO is initially recorded when the obligation exists and is subsequently accreted through charges to operating expenses.
We continue to evaluate our future abandonment obligations and costs and monitor developments that could affect the amounts we record.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
All financial instruments, including both derivative and non-derivative instruments,
are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value unless they were entered into and continue
to be held for the purpose of receipt or delivery in accordance with our normal purchase and normal sales exemptions and are documented as such. In addition, fair value accounting is not required for
other financial instruments that qualify for certain accounting exemptions.
Non-derivative financial instruments
Fair value of non-derivative financial instruments
The fair value of our notes
receivable is calculated by discounting future payments of interest and principal using forward interest rates. The fair value of long-term debt has
been estimated using an income approach based on quoted market prices for the same or similar debt instruments from external data providers. The fair value of available for sale assets has been
calculated using quoted
market prices where available. Credit risk has been taken into consideration when calculating the fair value of non-derivative financial instruments.
Certain non-derivative financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, due from affiliates, intangibles and other assets, notes payable, accounts payable and other, due to affiliates, accrued interest and other long-term liabilities have carrying amounts that equal their fair value due to the nature of the item or the short time to maturity.
84 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Derivative instruments
We use derivative
instruments to reduce volatility associated with fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange rates. We apply hedge accounting to
derivative instruments that qualify and are designated for hedge accounting treatment. The effective portion of the change in the fair value of hedging derivatives for cash flow hedges and hedges of
our net investment in foreign operations are recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI) in the period of change. Any ineffective portion is recognized in net income in the same financial category as
the underlying transaction. The change in the fair value of derivative instruments that have been designated as fair value hedges are recorded in net income in interest income and other and interest
expense.
The majority of derivative instruments that are not designated or do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment have been entered into as economic hedges to manage our exposure to market risk (held for trading). Changes in the fair value of held for trading derivative instruments are recorded in net income in the period of change. This may expose us to increased variability in reported operating results since the fair value of the held for trading derivative instruments can fluctuate significantly from period to period.
The recognition of gains and losses on derivatives for Canadian natural gas regulated pipelines exposures is determined through the regulatory process. Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives accounted for as part of RRA, including those that qualify for hedge accounting treatment, can be recovered or refunded through the tolls charged by us. As a result, these gains and losses are deferred as regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities and are refunded to or collected from the ratepayers in subsequent years when the derivative settles.
Fair value of derivative instruments
The fair value of foreign
exchange and interest rate derivatives has been calculated using the income approach which uses year-end market rates and applies a discounted cash
flow valuation model. The fair value of power and natural gas derivatives has been calculated using quoted market prices where available. In the absence of quoted market prices, third-party broker
quotes or other valuation techniques have been used. Credit risk has been taken into consideration when calculating the fair value of derivative instruments.
Balance sheet presentation of derivative instruments
The balance sheet classification of the fair value of derivative instruments is
as follows:
at December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | ||
Other current assets | 409 | 395 | ||
Intangible and other assets | 93 | 112 | ||
Accounts payable and other | (749) | (357) | ||
Other long-term liabilities | (411) | (255) | ||
(658) | (105) | |||
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 85
Anticipated timing of settlement derivative instruments
The anticipated timing of settlement for derivative instruments assumes constant commodity prices, interest rates and foreign
exchange rates. Settlements will vary based on the
actual value of these factors at the date of settlement.
at December 31, 2014 (millions of $) |
Total fair value |
2015 | 2016 and 2017 |
2018 and 2019 |
2020 and thereafter |
||||||
Derivative instruments held for trading | |||||||||||
Assets | 436 | 363 | 62 | 7 | 4 | ||||||
Liabilities | (530) | (457) | (61) | (12) | - | ||||||
Derivative instruments in hedging relationships | |||||||||||
Assets | 66 | 47 | 17 | 2 | - | ||||||
Liabilities | (630) | (293) | (246) | (91) | - | ||||||
(658) | (340) | (228) | (94) | 4 | |||||||
The effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statement of income
The following summary does not include hedges of our net investment in foreign operations.
year ended December 31 (millions of $) |
2014 | 2013 | |||
Derivative instruments held for trading1 | |||||
Amount of unrealized (losses)/gains in the year | |||||
Power | (5) | 19 | |||
Natural Gas | (35) | 17 | |||
Foreign Exchange | (20) | (10) | |||
Amount of realized (losses)/gains in the year | |||||
Power | (39) | (49) | |||
Natural Gas | 11 | (13) | |||
Foreign Exchange | (28) | (9) | |||
Derivative instruments in hedging relationships2,3 | |||||
Amount of realized gains/(losses) in the year | |||||
Power | 130 | (19) | |||
Natural Gas | - | (2) | |||
Interest | 4 | 5 | |||
86 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships
The components of the consolidated statement of OCI related to derivatives in
cash flow hedging relationships is as follows:
year ended December 31 (millions of $, pre-tax) |
2014 | 2013 | |||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments recognized in OCI (effective portion) | |||||
Power | (126) | 117 | |||
Natural Gas | (2) | (1) | |||
Foreign Exchange | 10 | 5 | |||
(118) | 121 | ||||
Reclassification of (losses)/gains on derivative instruments from AOCI to net income (effective portion)1 | |||||
Power | (114) | 40 | |||
Natural Gas | 3 | 4 | |||
Interest | 16 | 16 | |||
(95) | 60 | ||||
(Losses)/gains on derivative instruments recognized in earnings (ineffective portion) | |||||
Power | (13) | 8 | |||
(13) | 8 | ||||
Credit risk related contingent features of derivative instruments
Derivatives often contain financial assurance provisions that may require us to provide collateral if a
credit risk-related contingent event occurs (for example, if our
credit rating is downgraded to non-investment grade). We may also need to provide collateral if the fair value of our derivative financial instruments exceeds pre-defined exposure limits.
Based on contracts in place and market prices at December 31, 2014, the aggregate fair value of all derivative contracts with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position was $15 million (2013 $16 million), with collateral provided in the normal course of business of nil (2013 nil).
If the credit-risk-related contingent features in these agreements were triggered on December 31, 2014, we would have been required to provide additional collateral of $15 million (2013 $16 million) to our counterparties. We have sufficient liquidity in the form of cash and undrawn committed revolving bank lines to meet these contingent obligations should they arise.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 87
ACCOUNTING CHANGES
Changes in accounting policies for 2014
Obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements
In February 2013, the FASB
issued guidance for recognizing, measuring, and disclosing obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements when the total
amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. Debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, and settled litigation and judicial rulings are examples of these obligations. This new
guidance was effective January 1, 2014 and there was no material impact on our consolidated financial statements as a result of applying this new standard.
Foreign currency matters cumulative translation adjustment
In March 2013, the FASB issued amended guidance
related to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all
of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business. This new guidance was applied prospectively from
January 1, 2014.
Unrecognized tax benefit
In July 2013, the FASB
issued amended guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar
tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This new guidance was effective January 1, 2014 and there was no material impact on our consolidated financial statements as a result of applying
this new standard.
Future accounting changes
Reporting discontinued operations
In April 2014, the FASB
issued amended guidance on the reporting of discontinued operations. The criteria of what will qualify as a discontinued operation has changed
and there are expanded disclosures required. This new guidance is effective from January 1, 2015 and will be applied prospectively. We do not expect the adoption of this new standard to have a
material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue from contracts with customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued
new guidance on Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This guidance supersedes the current revenue recognition requirements and most
industry-specific guidance. This new guidance requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration
to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This new guidance is effective from January 1, 2017 with two methods in which the amendment can be applied:
(1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application. Early application is not
permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU and have not yet determined the effect on our consolidated financial statements.
88 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures
year ended December 31 (millions of $) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
EBITDA | 5,542 | 4,958 | 4,204 | ||||
Cancarb gain on sale | (108) | - | - | ||||
Niska contract termination | 43 | - | - | ||||
Gas Pacifico/ INNERGY gain on sale | (9) | - | - | ||||
NEB 2013 Decision 2012 | - | (55) | - | ||||
Sundance A PPA arbitration decision 2011 | - | - | 20 | ||||
Non-comparable risk management activities | 53 | (44) | 21 | ||||
Comparable EBITDA | 5,521 | 4,859 | 4,245 | ||||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (1,611) | (1,472) | (1,375) | ||||
Comparable EBIT | 3,910 | 3,387 | 2,870 | ||||
Other income statement items |
|||||||
Comparable interest expense | (1,235) | (1,045) | (1,037) | ||||
Comparable interest income and other | 149 | 80 | 126 | ||||
Comparable income taxes | (858) | (656) | (472) | ||||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | (151) | (105) | (96) | ||||
Preferred share dividends | (2) | (20) | (22) | ||||
Comparable earnings | 1,813 | 1,641 | 1,369 | ||||
Specific items (net of tax) | |||||||
Cancarb gain on sale | 99 | - | - | ||||
Niska contract termination | (32) | - | - | ||||
Gas Pacifico/ INNERGY gain on sale | 8 | - | - | ||||
NEB 2013 Decision 2012 | - | 84 | - | ||||
Part VI.I income tax adjustment | - | 25 | - | ||||
Sundance A PPA arbitration decision 2011 | - | - | (15) | ||||
Risk management activities1 | (47) | 19 | (16) | ||||
Net income attributable to common shares | 1,841 | 1,769 | 1,338 | ||||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (1,611) | (1,472) | (1,375) | ||||
Specific item: | |||||||
NEB 2013 Decision 2012 | - | (13) | - | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | (1,611) | (1,485) | (1,375) | ||||
Comparable interest expense | (1,235) | (1,045) | (1,037) | ||||
Specific items: | |||||||
NEB 2013 Decision 2012 | - | (1) | - | ||||
Interest expense | (1,235) | (1,046) | (1,037) | ||||
Comparable interest income and other | 149 | 80 | 126 | ||||
Specific items: | |||||||
NEB 2013 Decision 2012 | - | 1 | - | ||||
Risk management activities1 | (21) | (9) | (1) | ||||
Interest income and other | 128 | 72 | 125 | ||||
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 89
Comparable income tax expense | (858) | (656) | (472) | ||||
Specific items: | |||||||
Cancarb gain on sale | (9) | - | - | ||||
Niska contract termination | 11 | - | - | ||||
Gas Pacifico/INNERGY gain on sale | (1) | - | - | ||||
NEB 2013 Decision 2012 | - | 42 | - | ||||
Part VI.I income tax adjustment | - | 25 | - | ||||
Sundance A PPA arbitration decision 2011 | - | - | 5 | ||||
Risk management activities1 | 27 | (16) | 6 | ||||
Income tax expense | (830) | (605) | (461) | ||||
year ended December 31 (millions of $) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Canadian Power | (11) | (4) | 4 | |||
U.S. Power | (55) | 50 | (1) | |||
Natural Gas Storage | 13 | (2) | (24) | |||
Foreign exchange | (21) | (9) | (1) | |||
Income taxes attributable to risk management activities | 27 | (16) | 6 | |||
Total (losses)/gains from risk management activities | (47) | 19 | (16) | |||
Comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT by business segment
year ended December 31, 2014 (millions of $) |
Natural Gas Pipelines |
Liquids Pipelines |
Energy | Corporate | Total | |||||
EBITDA | 3,250 | 1,059 | 1,360 | (127) | 5,542 | |||||
Cancarb gain on sale | - | - | (108) | - | (108) | |||||
Niska contract termination | - | - | 43 | - | 43 | |||||
Gas Pacifico/INNERGY gain on sale | (9) | - | - | - | (9) | |||||
Non-comparable risk management activities | - | - | 53 | - | 53 | |||||
Comparable EBITDA | 3,241 | 1,059 | 1,348 | (127) | 5,521 | |||||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (1,063) | (216) | (309) | (23) | (1,611) | |||||
Comparable EBIT | 2,178 | 843 | 1,039 | (150) | 3,910 | |||||
year ended December 31, 2013 (millions of $) |
Natural Gas Pipelines |
Liquids Pipelines |
Energy | Corporate | Total | |||||
EBITDA | 2,907 | 752 | 1,407 | (108) | 4,958 | |||||
NEB 2013 Decision 2012 | (55) | - | - | - | (55) | |||||
Non-comparable risk management activities | - | - | (44) | - | (44) | |||||
Comparable EBITDA | 2,852 | 752 | 1,363 | (108) | 4,859 | |||||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (1,013) | (149) | (294) | (16) | (1,472) | |||||
Comparable EBIT | 1,839 | 603 | 1,069 | (124) | 3,387 | |||||
90 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
year ended December 31, 2012 (millions of $) |
Natural Gas Pipelines |
Liquids Pipelines |
Energy | Corporate | Total | |||||
EBITDA | 2,741 | 698 | 862 | (97) | 4,204 | |||||
Sundance A PPA arbitration decision 2011 | - | - | 20 | - | 20 | |||||
Non-comparable risk management activities | - | - | 21 | - | 21 | |||||
Comparable EBITDA | 2,741 | 698 | 903 | (97) | 4,245 | |||||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (933) | (145) | (283) | (14) | (1,375) | |||||
Comparable EBIT | 1,808 | 553 | 620 | (111) | 2,870 | |||||
QUARTERLY RESULTS
Selected quarterly consolidated financial data
(unaudited, millions of $, except per share amounts)
2014 | Fourth | Third | Second | First | |||||
Revenues | 2,616 | 2,451 | 2,234 | 2,884 | |||||
Net income attributable to common shares | 485 | 481 | 443 | 432 | |||||
Comparable earnings | 538 | 474 | 359 | 442 | |||||
Share statistics | |||||||||
Net income per share basic and diluted | $0.62 | $0.62 | $0.57 | $0.57 | |||||
2013 | Fourth | Third | Second | First | |||||
Revenues | 2,332 | 2,204 | 2,009 | 2,252 | |||||
Net income attributable to common shares | 436 | 494 | 381 | 458 | |||||
Comparable earnings | 426 | 460 | 373 | 382 | |||||
Share statistics | |||||||||
Net income per share basic and diluted | $0.58 | $0.66 | $0.51 | $0.62 | |||||
Factors affecting quarterly financial information by business segment
Quarter-over-quarter revenues and net income fluctuate for reasons that vary across our business
segments.
In
Natural Gas Pipelines, except for seasonal fluctuations in short-term throughput volumes on U.S. pipelines, quarter-over-quarter revenues and net income generally remain relatively stable
during any fiscal year. Over the long term, however, they fluctuate because of:
In
Liquids Pipelines, annual revenues and net income are based on contracted crude oil transportation and uncommitted spot transportation. Quarter-over-quarter revenues and net income are
affected by:
In
Energy, quarter-over-quarter revenues and net income are affected by:
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 91
Factors affecting financial information by quarter
We calculate comparable measures by adjusting certain GAAP and non-GAAP measures for
specific items we believe are significant but not reflective of our underlying operations
in the period.
Comparable earnings exclude the unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of certain derivatives used to reduce our exposure to certain financial and commodity price risks. These derivatives provide effective economic hedges, but do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting. As a result, the changes in fair value are recorded in net income. As these amounts do not accurately reflect the gains and losses that will be realized at settlement, we do not consider them part of our underlying operations.
In fourth quarter 2014, comparable earnings excluded an $8 million after-tax gain on the sale of Gas Pacifico/INNERGY.
In second quarter 2014, comparable earnings excluded a $99 million after-tax gain on the sale of Cancarb Limited and a $32 million after-tax loss related to the termination of the Niska Gas Storage contract.
In second quarter 2013, comparable earnings excluded a $25 million favourable income tax adjustment due to the enactment of Canadian Federal tax legislation relating to Part VI.I tax in June 2013.
In first quarter 2013, comparable earnings excluded $84 million of net income in 2013 related to 2012 from the NEB 2013 Decision.
FOURTH QUARTER 2014 HIGHLIGHTS
Consolidated results
three months ended December 31 (millions of $, except per share amounts) |
2014 | 2013 | ||
Natural gas pipelines | 621 | 498 | ||
Liquids pipelines | 230 | 160 | ||
Energy | 219 | 301 | ||
Corporate | (43) | (35) | ||
Total segmented earnings | 1,027 | 924 | ||
Interest expense | (332) | (254) | ||
Interest income and other | 39 | 10 | ||
Income before income taxes | 734 | 680 | ||
Income tax expense | (206) | (206) | ||
Net income | 528 | 474 | ||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | (43) | (35) | ||
Net income attributable to controlling interests | 485 | 439 | ||
Preferred share dividends | - | (3) | ||
Net income attributable to common shares | 485 | 436 | ||
Net income per common share basic and diluted | $0.62 | $0.58 | ||
92 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Net income attributable to common shares increased by $49 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Net income included a gain on the sale of Gas Pacifico/INNERGY of $8 million after tax and unrealized gains and losses from changes in certain risk management activities. Excluding the impact of these items, comparable earnings in the three months ended December 31, 2014 increased over the same period in 2013, as discussed below in Comparable earnings.
The items discussed above were excluded from comparable earnings for the relevant periods. Certain unrealized fair value adjustments relating to certain risk management activities are also excluded from comparable earnings. The remainder of net income is equivalent to comparable earnings. A reconciliation of net income attributable to common shares to comparable earnings is shown in the following table.
Reconciliation of net income to comparable earnings
three months ended December 31 (millions of $) |
2014 | 2013 | |||
Net income attributable to common shares | 485 | 436 | |||
Specific items (net of tax): | |||||
Risk management activities1 | 61 | (10) | |||
Gas Pacifico/INNERGY gain on sale | (8) | - | |||
Comparable earnings | 538 | 426 | |||
three months ended December 31 (millions of $) |
2014 | 2013 | ||
Canadian Power | (11) | (2) | ||
U.S. Power | (85) | 36 | ||
Natural Gas Storage | 9 | (5) | ||
Foreign exchange | (12) | (9) | ||
Income tax attributable to risk management activities | 38 | (10) | ||
Total (losses)/gains from risk management activities | (61) | 10 | ||
Comparable EBITDA and comparable EBIT by business segment
three months ended December 31, 2014 (millions of $) |
Natural Gas Pipelines |
Liquids Pipelines | Energy | Corporate | Total | ||||||
Comparable EBITDA | 884 | 288 | 385 | (36 | ) | 1,521 | |||||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (272 | ) | (58 | ) | (79 | ) | (7 | ) | (416 | ) | |
Comparable EBIT | 612 | 230 | 306 | (43 | ) | 1,105 | |||||
three months ended December 31, 2013 (millions of $) |
Natural Gas Pipelines |
Liquids Pipelines | Energy | Corporate | Total | ||||||
Comparable EBITDA | 778 | 198 | 346 | (31 | ) | 1,291 | |||||
Comparable depreciation and amortization | (280 | ) | (38 | ) | (74 | ) | (4 | ) | (396 | ) | |
Comparable EBIT | 498 | 160 | 272 | (35 | ) | 895 | |||||
Comparable earnings
Comparable earnings in fourth quarter 2014
increased by $112 million compared to the same period in 2013. This was primarily the net effect of:
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 93
The stronger U.S. dollar this quarter compared to the same period in 2013 positively impacted the translated results of our U.S. businesses, however this impact was mostly offset by a corresponding increase in interest expense on U.S. dollar-denominated debt as well as realized losses on foreign exchange hedges used to manage our net exposure through our hedging program.
Highlights by business segment
Natural Gas Pipelines
Natural Gas Pipelines segmented
earnings increased by $123 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 and included a
$9 million pre-tax gain related to the sale of Gas Pacifico/INNERGY in November 2014. This amount has been excluded in our calculation of comparable EBIT. The remainder of the Natural
Gas Pipelines segmented earnings are equivalent to comparable EBIT and comparable EBITDA.
Comparable depreciation and amortization decreased by $8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 as fourth quarter 2013 included the annual impact of the 2013-2014 NGTL Settlement approved by the NEB in November 2013. This settlement increased depreciation for 2013 and 2014. This decrease compared to 2013 was partially offset by depreciation on the Tamazunchale Extension for the period in 2014.
Canadian Pipelines
Net income and comparable
earnings for the Canadian Mainline increased by $39 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in
2013 because of higher incentive earnings recorded in fourth quarter partially offset by higher carrying charges owed to shippers on the positive TSA balance. Results for both periods reflect an ROE
of 11.50 per cent on deemed common equity of 40 per cent.
Net income for the NGTL System decreased by $13 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. The decrease was due to increased OM&A costs at risk under the terms of the 2013-2014 NGTL Settlement approved by the NEB in November 2013, partially offset by a higher average investment base in 2014. Additionally, results for the three months ended December 31, 2013 reflect the annual impact of the 2013-2014 NGTL Settlement, which included an ROE of 10.10 per cent on deemed common equity of 40 per cent and annual fixed amounts for certain OM&A costs.
U.S. and International Pipelines
Comparable EBITDA for the
U.S. and international pipelines increased by US$35 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in
2013. This was due to:
A stronger U.S. dollar had a positive impact on the Canadian dollar equivalent comparable earnings from our U.S. and International operations.
Liquids Pipelines
Liquids Pipelines segmented
earnings increased by $70 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, and are equivalent
to comparable EBIT, which along with comparable EBITDA are discussed below.
Comparable
EBITDA for the Keystone Pipeline System increased by $94 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. This increase was primarily
due to:
Comparable depreciation and amortization increased by $20 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 due to the Keystone Gulf Coast extension being placed in service.
94 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Energy
Energy segmented earnings
decreased by $82 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.
Energy segmented earnings for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 included unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of certain derivatives used to reduce our exposure to certain commodity price risks as follows:
three months ended December 31 |
|||||
Risk management activities (millions of $, pre-tax) | 2014 | 2013 | |||
Canadian Power | (11 | ) | (2 | ) | |
U.S. Power | (85 | ) | 36 | ||
Natural Gas Storage | 9 | (5 | ) | ||
Total (losses)/gains from risk management activities | (87 | ) | 29 | ||
The quarterly variances in these unrealized gains and losses reflect the impact of changes in forward natural gas and power prices and the volume of our position for these particular derivatives over a certain period of time however; they do not accurately reflect the gains and losses that will be realized on settlement, or the offsetting impact of other derivative and non-derivative transactions that make up our business as a whole. As a result, we do not consider them part of our underlying operations and exclude them in our calculation of Comparable EBIT.
Comparable
EBITDA for Energy increased by $39 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 due to the net effect of:
A stronger U.S. dollar had a positive impact on the Canadian dollar equivalent comparable earnings from our U.S. operations.
Comparable EBITDA for Eastern Power increased by $20 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 because of higher Bécancour contractual earnings and incremental earnings from solar facilities acquired in December 2013 and in the second half of 2014.
Equity income from Bruce A increased by $30 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 mainly due to higher generation levels and lower operating expenses. Fourth quarter 2014 results also include the impact of a deemed generation adjustment related to a prior quarter.
Equity income from Bruce B decreased $30 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 mainly due to lower volumes and higher operating costs resulting from higher planned outage days.
Comparable
EBITDA for U.S. Power increased US$20 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. The increase was the net
effect of:
Comparable EBITDA for Natural Gas Storage and Other decreased $15 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 mainly due to lower realized natural gas storage spreads and lower volumes of third party sales.
TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014 95
Glossary
Units of measure
Bbl/d | Barrel(s) per day | |
Bcf | Billion cubic feet | |
Bcf/d | Billion cubic feet per day | |
GWh | Gigawatt hours | |
KW-M | Kilowatt month | |
MMcf/d | Million cubic feet per day | |
MW | Megawatt(s) | |
MWh | Megawatt hours |
General terms and terms related to our operations
bitumen | A thick, heavy oil that must be diluted to flow (also see: diluent). One of the components of the oil sands, along with sand, water and clay | |
Canadian Restructuring Proposal | Canadian Mainline business and services restructuring proposal and 2012 and 2013 Mainline final tolls application | |
cogeneration facilities | Facilities that produce both electricity and useful heat at the same time | |
diluent | A thinning agent made up of organic compounds. Used to dilute bitumen so it can be transported through pipelines | |
Eastern Triangle | Canadian Mainline region between North Bay, Toronto and Montréal | |
FIT | Feed-in tariff | |
force majeure | Unforeseeable circumstances that prevent a party to a contract from fulfilling it | |
fracking | Hydraulic fracturing. A method of extracting natural gas from shale rock | |
GHG | Greenhouse gas | |
HSE | Health, safety and environment | |
investment base | Includes annual average assets in rate base as well as assets under construction | |
LNG | Liquefied natural gas | |
OM&A | Operating, maintenance and administration | |
PJM Interconnection area (PJM) | A regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia | |
PPA | Power purchase arrangement | |
rate base | Our investment in assets used to provide transportation services on our natural gas pipelines | |
WCSB | Western Canada Sedimentary Basin |
Accounting terms
AFUDC | Allowance for funds used during construction | |
AOCI | Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income | |
ARO | Asset retirement obligations | |
ASU | Accounting Standards Update | |
DRP | Dividend reinvestment plan | |
EBIT | Earnings before interest and taxes | |
EBITDA | Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization | |
FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board (U.S.) | |
OCI | Other comprehensive (loss)/income | |
RRA | Rate-regulated accounting | |
ROE | Rate of return on common equity | |
GAAP | U.S. generally accepted accounting principles |
Government and regulatory bodies terms
CFE | Comisión Federal de Electricidad (Mexico) | |
CRE | Comisión Reguladora de Energia, or Energy Regulatory Commission (Mexico) | |
DOS | Department of State (U.S.) | |
EPA | Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.) | |
FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (U.S.) | |
IEA | International Energy Agency | |
IESO | Independent Electricity System Operator | |
ISO | Independent System Operator | |
LMCI | Land Matters Consultation Initiative (Canada) | |
NEB | National Energy Board (Canada) | |
OPA | Ontario Power Authority (Canada) | |
RGGI | Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (northeastern U.S.) | |
SEC | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |
96 TCPL Management's discussion and analysis 2014
Management's report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) included in this Annual Report are the responsibility of the management of TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TCPL or the Company) and have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and include amounts that are based on estimates and judgments. The MD&A is based on the Company's financial results. It compares the Company's financial and operating performance in 2014 to that in 2013, and highlights significant changes between 2013 and 2012. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Financial information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report is consistent with the consolidated financial statements.
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Management has designed and maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting, including a program of internal audits to carry out its responsibility. Management believes these controls provide reasonable assurance that financial records are reliable and form a proper basis for the preparation of financial statements. The internal control over financial reporting include management's communication to employees of policies that govern ethical business conduct.
Under the supervision and with the participation of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management concluded, based on its evaluation, that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes.
The Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing and approving the financial statements and MD&A and ensuring that management fulfills its responsibilities for financial reporting and internal control. The Board of Directors carries out these responsibilities primarily through the Audit Committee, which consists of independent, non-management directors. The Audit Committee meets with management at least five times a year and meets independently with internal and external auditors and as a group to review any significant accounting, internal control and auditing matters in accordance with the terms of the Charter of the Audit Committee, which is set out in the Annual Information Form. The Audit Committee's responsibilities include overseeing management's performance in carrying out its financial reporting responsibilities and reviewing the Annual Report, including the consolidated financial statements and MD&A, before these documents are submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. The internal and independent external auditors have access to the Audit Committee without the requirement to obtain prior management approval.
The Audit Committee approves the terms of engagement of the independent external auditors and reviews the annual audit plan, the Auditors' Report and the results of the audit. It also recommends to the Board of Directors the firm of external auditors to be appointed by the shareholder.
The shareholder has appointed KPMG LLP as independent external auditors to express an opinion as to whether the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with GAAP. The report of KPMG LLP outlines the scope of its examination and its opinion on the consolidated financial statements.
Russell K. Girling | Donald R. Marchand | |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
February 12, 2015 |
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 97
Independent Auditors' Report
TO THE SHAREHOLDER OF TRANSCANADA PIPELINES LIMITED
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial
statements of TransCanada PipeLines Limited, which comprise the consolidated balance sheets
as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the consolidated statements of income, cash flows, comprehensive income, and equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 2014, and notes, comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.
MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
AUDITORS' RESPONSIBILITY
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance
with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on our judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, we consider internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
OPINION
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of TransCanada
PipeLines Limited as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and its consolidated results of operations and its consolidated cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 2014 in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Chartered Accountants
Calgary, Canada
February 12, 2015
98 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
Consolidated statement of income
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Revenues | |||||||
Natural Gas Pipelines | 4,913 | 4,497 | 4,264 | ||||
Liquids Pipelines | 1,547 | 1,124 | 1,039 | ||||
Energy | 3,725 | 3,176 | 2,704 | ||||
10,185 | 8,797 | 8,007 | |||||
Income from Equity Investments (Note 8) | 522 | 597 | 257 | ||||
Operating and Other Expenses | |||||||
Plant operating costs and other | 2,973 | 2,674 | 2,577 | ||||
Commodity purchases resold | 1,836 | 1,317 | 1,049 | ||||
Property taxes | 473 | 445 | 434 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,611 | 1,485 | 1,375 | ||||
6,893 | 5,921 | 5,435 | |||||
Gain on Sale of Assets (Note 25) | 117 | | | ||||
Financial Charges/(Income) | |||||||
Interest expense (Note 15) | 1,235 | 1,046 | 1,037 | ||||
Interest income and other | (128 | ) | (72 | ) | (125 | ) | |
1,107 | 974 | 912 | |||||
Income before Income Taxes | 2,824 | 2,499 | 1,917 | ||||
Income Tax Expense (Note 16) | |||||||
Current | 146 | 43 | 185 | ||||
Deferred | 684 | 562 | 276 | ||||
830 | 605 | 461 | |||||
Net Income | 1,994 | 1,894 | 1,456 | ||||
Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests (Note 18) | 151 | 105 | 96 | ||||
Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interests | 1,843 | 1,789 | 1,360 | ||||
Preferred Share Dividends (Note 20) | 2 | 20 | 22 | ||||
Net Income Attributable to Common Shares | 1,841 | 1,769 | 1,338 | ||||
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 99
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Net Income | 1,994 | 1,894 | 1,456 | ||||
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), Net of Income Taxes | |||||||
Foreign currency translation gains and losses on net investments in foreign operations | 517 | 383 | (129 | ) | |||
Change in fair value of net investment hedges | (276 | ) | (239 | ) | 44 | ||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges | (69 | ) | 71 | 48 | |||
Reclassification to Net Income of gains and losses on cash flow hedges | (55 | ) | 41 | 138 | |||
Unrealized actuarial gains and losses on pension and other post-retirement benefit plans | (102 | ) | 67 | (73 | ) | ||
Reclassification to Net Income of actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs on pension and other post-retirement benefit plans | 18 | 23 | 22 | ||||
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) on equity investments | (204 | ) | 234 | (70 | ) | ||
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (Note 21) | (171 | ) | 580 | (20 | ) | ||
Comprehensive Income | 1,823 | 2,474 | 1,436 | ||||
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests | 281 | 171 | 75 | ||||
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Controlling Interests | 1,542 | 2,303 | 1,361 | ||||
Preferred Share Dividends | 2 | 20 | 22 | ||||
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Common Shares | 1,540 | 2,283 | 1,339 | ||||
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
100 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
Consolidated statement of cash flows
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Cash Generated from Operations | |||||||
Net income | 1,994 | 1,894 | 1,456 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,611 | 1,485 | 1,375 | ||||
Deferred income taxes (Note 16) | 684 | 562 | 276 | ||||
Income from equity investments (Note 8) | (522 | ) | (597 | ) | (257 | ) | |
Distributed earnings received from equity investments (Note 8) | 579 | 605 | 376 | ||||
Employee post-retirement benefits expense, net of funding (Note 22) | 37 | 50 | 9 | ||||
Gain on sale of assets (Note 25) | (117 | ) | | | |||
Equity AFUDC (Note 9) | (95 | ) | (19 | ) | (15 | ) | |
Unrealized losses/(gains) on financial instruments | 74 | (35 | ) | 22 | |||
Other | 22 | 32 | 17 | ||||
(Increase)/decrease in operating working capital (Note 24) | (189 | ) | (334 | ) | 287 | ||
Net cash provided by operations | 4,078 | 3,643 | 3,546 | ||||
Investing Activities | |||||||
Capital expenditures (Note 4) | (3,550 | ) | (4,264 | ) | (2,595 | ) | |
Capital projects under development (Note 4) | (807 | ) | (488 | ) | (3 | ) | |
Equity investments | (256 | ) | (163 | ) | (652 | ) | |
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (Note 25) | (241 | ) | (216 | ) | (214 | ) | |
Proceeds from sale of assets, net of transaction costs (Note 25) | 196 | | | ||||
Deferred amounts and other | 514 | 11 | 208 | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (4,144 | ) | (5,120 | ) | (3,256 | ) | |
Financing Activities | |||||||
Dividends on common shares (Note 19) | (1,345 | ) | (1,286 | ) | (1,226 | ) | |
Dividends on preferred shares (Note 20) | (4 | ) | (22 | ) | (22 | ) | |
Distributions paid to non-controlling interests | (174 | ) | (146 | ) | (113 | ) | |
Advances to affiliates, net | (694 | ) | (297 | ) | (235 | ) | |
Notes payable issued/(repaid), net | 544 | (492 | ) | 449 | |||
Long-term debt issued, net of issue costs | 1,403 | 4,253 | 1,491 | ||||
Repayment of long-term debt | (1,069 | ) | (1,286 | ) | (980 | ) | |
Common shares issued | 1,115 | 899 | 269 | ||||
Partnership units of subsidiary issued, net of issue costs | 79 | 384 | | ||||
Preferred shares redeemed (Note 20) | (200 | ) | (200 | ) | | ||
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities | (345 | ) | 1,807 | (367 | ) | ||
Effect of Foreign Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents | | 28 | (15 | ) | |||
(Decrease)/Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents | (411 | ) | 358 | (92 | ) | ||
Cash and Cash Equivalents | |||||||
Beginning of year | 895 | 537 | 629 | ||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents | |||||||
End of year | 484 | 895 | 537 | ||||
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 101
Consolidated balance sheet
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | ||||
ASSETS | ||||||
Current Assets | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 484 | 895 | ||||
Accounts receivable | 1,372 | 1,165 | ||||
Due from affiliates (Note 27) | 2,842 | 2,721 | ||||
Inventories | 292 | 251 | ||||
Other (Note 5) | 1,445 | 845 | ||||
6,435 | 5,877 | |||||
Plant, Property and Equipment (Note 7) | 41,774 | 37,606 | ||||
Equity Investments (Note 8) | 5,598 | 5,759 | ||||
Regulatory Assets (Note 9) | 1,297 | 1,735 | ||||
Goodwill (Note 10) | 4,034 | 3,696 | ||||
Intangible and Other Assets (Note 11) | 2,700 | 1,953 | ||||
61,838 | 56,626 | |||||
LIABILITIES | ||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||
Notes payable (Note 12) | 2,467 | 1,842 | ||||
Accounts payable and other (Note 13) | 2,895 | 2,141 | ||||
Due to affiliates (Note 27) | 866 | 1,439 | ||||
Accrued interest | 425 | 389 | ||||
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 15) | 1,797 | 973 | ||||
8,450 | 6,784 | |||||
Regulatory Liabilities (Note 9) | 263 | 229 | ||||
Other Long-Term Liabilities (Note 14) | 1,052 | 656 | ||||
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities (Note 16) | 5,275 | 4,564 | ||||
Long-Term Debt (Note 15) | 22,960 | 21,892 | ||||
Junior Subordinated Notes (Note 17) | 1,160 | 1,063 | ||||
39,160 | 35,188 | |||||
EQUITY | ||||||
Common shares, no par value (Note 19) | 16,320 | 15,205 | ||||
Issued and outstanding: December 31, 2014 779 million shares |
||||||
December 31, 2013 757 million shares | ||||||
Preferred shares (Note 20) | | 194 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital | 404 | 431 | ||||
Retained earnings | 5,606 | 5,125 | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 21) | (1,235 | ) | (934 | ) | ||
Controlling interests | 21,095 | 20,021 | ||||
Non-controlling interests (Note 18) | 1,583 | 1,417 | ||||
22,678 | 21,438 | |||||
61,838 | 56,626 | |||||
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees (Note 26)
Subsequent Events (Note 28)
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
On behalf of the Board:
Russell K. Girling Director |
Kevin E. Benson Director |
102 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
Consolidated statement of equity
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||
Common Shares | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of year | 15,205 | 14,306 | 14,037 | |||||
Proceeds from shares issued (Note 19) | 1,115 | 899 | 269 | |||||
Balance at end of year | 16,320 | 15,205 | 14,306 | |||||
Preferred Shares | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of year | 194 | 389 | 389 | |||||
Redemption of preferred shares | (194 | ) | (195 | ) | | |||
Balance at end of year | | 194 | 389 | |||||
Additional Paid-In Capital | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of year | 431 | 400 | 394 | |||||
Dilution impact from TC PipeLines, LP units issued (Note 25) | 9 | 29 | | |||||
Redemption of preferred shares | (6 | ) | (5 | ) | | |||
Impact of asset drop downs to TC Pipelines, LP (Note 25) | (37 | ) | | | ||||
Other | 7 | 7 | 6 | |||||
Balance at end of year | 404 | 431 | 400 | |||||
Retained Earnings | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of year | 5,125 | 4,657 | 4,561 | |||||
Net income attributable to controlling interests | 1,843 | 1,789 | 1,360 | |||||
Common share dividends | (1,360 | ) | (1,301 | ) | (1,242 | ) | ||
Preferred share dividends | (2 | ) | (20 | ) | (22 | ) | ||
Balance at end of year | 5,606 | 5,125 | 4,657 | |||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of year | (934 | ) | (1,448 | ) | (1,449 | ) | ||
Other comprehensive (loss)/income | (301 | ) | 514 | 1 | ||||
Balance at end of year | (1,235 | ) | (934 | ) | (1,448 | ) | ||
Equity Attributable to Controlling Interests | 21,095 | 20,021 | 18,304 | |||||
Equity Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of year | 1,417 | 1,036 | 1,076 | |||||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | ||||||||
TC PipeLines, LP | 136 | 93 | 91 | |||||
Portland | 15 | 12 | 5 | |||||
Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | 130 | 66 | (21 | ) | ||||
Issuance of TC PipeLines, LP units | ||||||||
Proceeds, net of issue costs | 79 | 384 | | |||||
Decrease in TCPL's ownership of TC PipeLines, LP | (14 | ) | (47 | ) | | |||
Distributions declared to non-controlling interests | (180 | ) | (146 | ) | (113 | ) | ||
Foreign exchange and other | | 19 | (2 | ) | ||||
Balance at end of year | 1,583 | 1,417 | 1,036 | |||||
Total Equity | 22,678 | 21,438 | 19,340 | |||||
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 103
Notes to consolidated financial statements
1. DESCRIPTION OF TCPL'S BUSINESS
TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TCPL or the Company) is a leading North American energy infrastructure company which operates in three business segments, Natural Gas Pipelines, Liquids Pipelines and Energy, each of which offers different products and services. The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of TransCanada Corporation (TransCanada).
Natural Gas Pipelines
The Natural Gas Pipelines segment consists of the Company's
investments in 68,000 km (42,000 miles) of regulated natural gas pipelines
and 400 Bcf of regulated natural gas storage facilities. These assets are located in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Liquids Pipelines
The Liquids Pipelines segment consists of 4,250 km
(2,600 miles) of wholly owned and operated crude oil pipeline systems which connect
Alberta and U.S. crude oil supplies to U.S. refining markets in Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas.
Energy
The Energy segment primarily consists of the Company's
investments in 19 electrical power generation plants and 2 non-regulated natural
gas storage facilities. These include Canadian plants in Alberta, Ontario, Québec and New Brunswick and U.S. plants in New York, New England
and Arizona.
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Amounts are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of TCPL and its subsidiaries. The Company consolidates its interest in entities over which
it is able to exercise control. To the extent there are interests owned by other parties, these interests are included in Non-Controlling Interests. TCPL uses the equity method of accounting for joint
ventures in which the Company is able to exercise joint control and for investments in which the Company is able to exercise significant influence. TCPL records its proportionate share of undivided
interests in certain assets. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
Use of Estimates and Judgments
In preparing these financial statements, TCPL is required to
make estimates and assumptions that affect both the amount and timing of recording
assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses since the determination of these items may be dependent on future events. The Company uses the most current information available and exercises careful
judgment in making these estimates and assumptions. Significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to:
104 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Regulation
In Canada, regulated natural gas pipelines and liquids
pipelines are subject to the authority of the National Energy Board (NEB) of Canada. In the
U.S., natural gas pipelines, liquids pipelines and regulated natural gas storage assets are subject to the authority of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In Mexico, natural
gas pipelines are subject to the authority of the Energy Regulatory Commission of Mexico (CRE). The Company's Canadian, U.S. and Mexican natural gas transmission operations are regulated with respect
to construction, operations and the determination of tolls. Rate-regulated accounting (RRA) standards may impact the timing of the recognition of certain revenues and expenses in TCPL's
rate-regulated businesses which may differ from that otherwise expected in non-rate-regulated businesses to appropriately reflect the economic impact of the regulators' decisions regarding revenues
and tolls. TCPL's businesses that apply RRA currently include Canadian, U.S. and Mexican natural gas pipelines, regulated U.S. natural gas storage and certain of our liquids
pipelines projects. RRA is not applicable to the Keystone Pipeline System and, as a result, the regulators' decisions regarding operations and tolls on that system generally do not have an impact on
timing of recognition of revenues and expenses.
Revenue Recognition
Natural Gas and Liquids Pipelines
Revenues from the
Company's natural gas and liquids pipelines, with the exception of Canadian natural gas pipelines which are subject to RRA, are
generated from contractual arrangements for committed capacity and from the transportation of natural gas or crude oil. Revenues earned from firm contracted capacity arrangements are recognized
ratably over the contract period regardless of the amount of natural gas or crude oil that is transported. Transportation revenues for interruptible or volumetric-based services are recognized when
physical deliveries of natural gas or crude oil are made. The U.S. natural gas pipelines are subject to FERC regulations and, as a result, revenues collected may be subject to refund during a
rate proceeding. Allowances for these potential refunds are recognized at the time of the regulatory decision.
Revenues from Canadian natural gas pipelines subject to RRA are recognized in accordance with decisions made by the NEB. The Company's Canadian natural gas pipeline rates are based on revenue requirements designed to recover the costs of providing natural gas transportation services, which include a return of and return on capital, as approved by the NEB. The Company's Canadian natural gas pipelines are not subject to risks related to variances in revenues and most costs. These variances are generally subject to deferral treatment and are recovered or refunded in future rates. The Company's Canadian natural gas pipelines are periodically subject to incentive mechanisms, as negotiated with shippers and approved by the NEB. These mechanisms can result in the Company recognizing more or less revenue than required to recover the costs that are subject to incentives. Revenues are recognized on firm contracted capacity ratably over the contract period. Revenues from interruptible or volumetric-based services are recorded when physical delivery is made. Revenues recognized prior to an NEB decision on rates for that period reflect the NEB's last approved rate of return on common equity (ROE) assumptions. Adjustments to revenue are recorded when the NEB decision is received.
Revenues from the Company's regulated natural gas storage services are recognized ratably over the contract period for firm committed capacity regardless of the amount of natural gas that is stored and when gas is
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 105
injected or withdrawn for interruptible or volumetric-based services. The Company does not take ownership of the gas or oil that it transports or stores for others.
Energy
Power
Revenues from the Company's Energy business are primarily
derived from the sale of electricity and from the sale of unutilized natural gas fuel,
which are recorded at the time of delivery. Revenues also include capacity payments and ancillary services, as well as gains and losses resulting from the use of commodity derivative contracts. The
accounting for derivative contracts is described in the Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities section of this note.
Natural Gas Storage
Revenues earned from providing non-regulated natural gas
storage services are recognized in accordance with the terms of the natural gas storage
contracts, which is generally over the term of the contract. Revenues earned on the sale of proprietary natural gas are recorded in the month of delivery. Derivative contracts for the purchase or sale
of natural gas are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in Revenues.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company's Cash and Cash Equivalents consist of cash and
highly liquid short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less and
are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
Inventories
Inventories primarily consist of materials and supplies,
including spare parts and fuel, and natural gas inventory in storage, and are carried at the
lower of weighted average cost or market.
Plant, Property and Equipment
Natural Gas Pipelines
Plant, property and
equipment for natural gas pipelines are carried at cost. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis once the assets are
ready for their intended use. Pipeline and compression equipment are depreciated at annual rates ranging from one per cent to six per cent, and metering and other plant equipment are
depreciated at various rates, reflecting their estimated useful lives. The cost of major overhauls of equipment is capitalized and depreciated over the estimated service lives of the overhauls. The
cost of regulated natural gas pipelines includes an allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) consisting of a debt component and an equity component based on the rate of return on rate base
approved by regulators. AFUDC is reflected as an increase in the cost of the assets in plant, property and equipment and the equity component of AFUDC is a non-cash expenditure with a corresponding
credit recognized in Interest Income and Other. Interest is capitalized during construction of non-regulated natural gas pipelines.
When regulated natural gas pipelines retire plant, property and equipment from service, the original book cost is removed from the gross plant amount and recorded as a reduction to accumulated depreciation. Costs incurred to remove a plant from service, net of any salvage proceeds, are also recorded in accumulated depreciation.
Liquids Pipelines
Plant, property and
equipment for liquids pipelines are carried at cost. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis once the assets are
ready for their intended use. Pipeline and pumping equipment are depreciated at annual rates ranging from two per cent to 2.5 per cent, and other plant and equipment are
depreciated at various rates. The cost of these assets includes interest capitalized during construction for non-regulated liquids pipelines and AFUDC for regulated pipelines. When liquids pipelines
retire plant, property and equipment from service, the original book cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are derecognized and any gain or loss is recorded in earnings.
106 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
Energy
Power generation and
natural gas storage plant, equipment and structures are recorded at cost and, once the assets are ready for their intended use,
depreciated by major component on a straight-line basis over their estimated service lives at average annual rates ranging from two per cent to 20 per cent. Other equipment is
depreciated at various rates. The cost of major overhauls of equipment is capitalized and depreciated over the estimated service lives of the overhauls. Interest is capitalized on facilities under
construction. When these assets are retired from plant, property and equipment, the original book cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are derecognized and any gain or loss is
recorded in earnings.
Corporate
Corporate plant, property
and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives at average
annual rates ranging from three per cent to 20 per cent.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets, such as plant,
property and equipment, and intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the total of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the assets, an impairment loss is
recognized for the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of the assets.
Acquisitions and Goodwill
The Company accounts for business acquisitions using the
acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the
acquired entities are primarily measured at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The annual review for goodwill impairment is performed at the reporting unit level which is one level below the Company's
operating segments. The Company initially assesses qualitative factors to determine whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that the goodwill might be impaired. If TCPL concludes that it
is not more likely than not that fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying value, the first step of the two-step impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of the
reporting unit to its book value, which includes goodwill. If the fair value is less than book value, an impairment is indicated and a second step is performed to measure the amount of the impairment.
In the second step, the implied fair value of goodwill is calculated by deducting the recognized amounts of all tangible and intangible net assets of the reporting unit from the fair value determined
in the initial assessment. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the calculated implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded in an amount equal to the difference.
Power Purchase Arrangements
A PPA is a long-term contract for the purchase or sale of
power on a predetermined basis. Substantially all PPAs under which TCPL buys power are
accounted for as operating leases. Initial payments for these PPAs were recognized in Intangible and Other Assets and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contracts, which expire in
2017 and 2020. A portion of these PPAs has been subleased to third parties under terms and conditions similar to the PPAs. The subleases are accounted for as operating leases and TCPL records the
margin earned from the subleases as a component of Revenues.
Income Taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method of
accounting for income taxes. This method requires the recognition of deferred income tax assets
and liabilities for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred
income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates at the balance sheet date that are anticipated to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are
expected to be reversed or settled. Changes to these balances are recognized in income in the period during which they
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 107
occur except for changes in balances related to the Canadian Mainline, NGTL System and Foothills, which are deferred until they are refunded or recovered in tolls, as permitted by the NEB.
Canadian income taxes are not provided on the unremitted earnings of foreign investments that the Company does not intend to repatriate in the foreseeable future.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company recognizes the fair value of a liability for
asset retirement obligations (ARO) in the period in which it is incurred, when a legal
obligation exists and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset and the liability is accreted through charges to operating
expenses.
Recorded ARO relates to the non-regulated natural gas storage operations and certain power generation facilities. The scope and timing of asset retirements related to natural gas pipelines, liquids pipelines and hydroelectric power plants is indeterminable. As a result, the Company has not recorded an amount for ARO related to these assets, with the exception of certain abandoned facilities.
Environmental Liabilities
The Company records liabilities on an undiscounted basis for
environmental remediation efforts that are likely to occur and where the cost can be
reasonably estimated. The estimates, including associated legal costs, are based on available information using existing technology and enacted laws and regulations. The estimates are subject to
revision in future periods based on actual costs incurred or new circumstances. Amounts expected to be recovered from other parties, including insurers, are recorded as an asset separate from the
associated liability.
Emission allowances or credits purchased for compliance are recorded on the Balance Sheet at historical cost and expensed when they are utilized. Compliance costs are expensed when incurred. Allowances granted to or internally generated by TCPL are not attributed a value for accounting purposes. When required, TCPL accrues emission liabilities on the Balance Sheet upon the generation or sale of power using the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation. Allowances and credits not used for compliance are sold and any gain or loss is recorded in Revenues.
Stock Options and Other Compensation Programs
The Stock Option Plan permits options for the purchase of
TransCanada common shares to be awarded to certain employees, including officers. Stock
options granted are recorded using the fair value method. Under this method, compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value as calculated using a binomial model and is
recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, with an offset to Additional Paid-In Capital.
The Company has medium-term incentive plans, under which payments are made to eligible employees. The expense related to these incentive plans is accounted for on an accrual basis. Under these plans, benefits vest when certain conditions are met, including the employees' continued employment during a specified period and achievement of specified corporate performance targets.
Employee Post-Retirement Benefits
The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans
(DB Plans), defined contribution plans (DC Plans), a savings plan and other
post-retirement benefit plans. Contributions made by the Company to the DC Plans and savings plan are expensed in the period in which contributions are made. The cost of the DB Plans and other
post-retirement benefits received by employees is actuarially determined using the projected benefit method pro-rated based on service and management's best estimate of expected plan investment
performance, salary escalation, retirement age of employees and expected health care costs.
The DB Plans' assets are measured at fair value at December 31 of each year. The expected return on the DB Plans' assets is determined using market-related values based on a five-year moving average value for all of
108 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
the DB Plans' assets. Past service costs are amortized over the expected average remaining service life of the employees. Adjustments arising from plan amendments are amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service life of employees active at the date of amendment. The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of its DB Plans as an asset or liability, respectively, on its Balance Sheet and recognizes changes in that funded status through Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) in the year in which the change occurs. The excess of net actuarial gains or losses over 10 per cent of the greater of the benefit obligation and the market-related value of the DB Plans' assets, if any, is amortized out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (AOCI) over the average remaining service life of the active employees. When the restructuring of a benefit plan gives rise to both a curtailment and a settlement, the curtailment is accounted for prior to the settlement.
For certain regulated operations, post-retirement benefit amounts are recoverable through tolls as benefits are funded. The Company records any unrecognized gains or losses or changes in actuarial assumptions related to these post-retirement benefit plans as either regulatory assets or liabilities. The regulatory assets or liabilities are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected average remaining service life of active employees.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation
Foreign currency transactions are those transactions whose
terms are denominated in a currency other than the currency of the primary economic
environment in which the company or reporting subsidiary operates, referred to as the functional currency. Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency
using the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency using the rate of
exchange in effect at the balance sheet date whereas non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the historical rate of exchange in effect on the date of the transaction. Exchange gains and
losses resulting from translation of monetary assets and liabilities are recorded in income except for exchange gains and losses of the foreign currency debt related to Canadian regulated natural gas
pipelines, which are deferred until they are refunded or recovered in tolls, as permitted by the NEB.
Gains and losses arising from translation of foreign operations' functional currencies to the Company's Canadian dollar reporting currency are reflected in OCI. Asset and liability accounts are translated at the period-end exchange rates while revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transaction. The Company's U.S. dollar-denominated debt has been designated as a hedge of the net investment in foreign subsidiaries and, as a result, the unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses on the U.S. dollar denominated debt are also reflected in OCI.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
All derivative instruments are recorded on the balance sheet
at fair value, unless they qualify for and are designated under a normal purchase and
normal sales exemption, or are considered to meet other permitted exemptions.
The Company applies hedge accounting to arrangements that qualify and are designated for hedge accounting treatment, which includes fair value and cash flow hedges, and hedges of foreign currency exposures of net investments in foreign operations. Hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively if the hedging relationship ceases to be effective or the hedging or hedged items cease to exist as a result of maturity, expiry, sale, termination, cancellation or exercise.
In a fair value hedging relationship, the carrying value of the hedged item is adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the hedged risk and these changes are recognized in Net Income. Changes in the fair value of the hedged item, to the extent that the hedging relationship is effective, are offset by changes in the fair value of the hedging item, which are also recorded in Net Income. Changes in the fair value of foreign exchange and interest rate fair value hedges are recorded in Interest Income and Other and Interest Expense, respectively. If hedge accounting is discontinued, the carrying value of the hedged item is no longer adjusted
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 109
and the cumulative fair value adjustments to the carrying value of the hedged item are amortized to Net Income over the remaining term of the original hedging relationship.
In a cash flow hedging relationship, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the hedging derivative is initially recognized in OCI, while any ineffective portion is recognized in Net Income in the same financial statement category as the underlying transaction. When hedge accounting is discontinued, the amounts recognized previously in AOCI are reclassified to Revenues, Interest Expense and Interest Income and Other, as appropriate, during the periods when the variability in cash flows of the hedged item affects Net Income or as the original hedged item settles. Gains and losses on derivatives are reclassified immediately to Net Income from AOCI when the hedged item is sold or terminated early, or when it becomes probable that the anticipated transaction will not occur.
In hedging the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, the effective portion of foreign exchange gains and losses on the hedging instruments is recognized in OCI and the ineffective portion is recognized in Net Income. The amounts recognized previously in AOCI are reclassified to Net Income in the event the Company reduces its net investment in a foreign operation.
In some cases, derivatives do not meet the specific criteria for hedge accounting treatment. In these instances, the changes in fair value are recorded in Net Income in the period of change.
The recognition of gains and losses on derivatives for Canadian natural gas regulated pipelines exposures is determined through the regulatory process. Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives accounted for as part of RRA, including those that qualify for hedge accounting treatment, can be recovered through the tolls charged by the Company. As a result, these gains and losses are deferred as Regulatory Assets or Regulatory Liabilities and are refunded to or collected from the ratepayers, in subsequent years when the derivative settles.
Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or contracts (host instrument) are recorded as separate derivatives. Embedded derivatives are measured at fair value if their economic characteristics are not clearly and closely related to those of the host instrument, their terms are the same as those of a stand-alone derivative and the total contract is not held for trading or accounted for at fair value. When changes in the fair value of embedded derivatives are measured separately, they are included in Net Income.
Long-Term Debt Transaction Costs
The Company records Long-Term Debt transaction costs as
other assets and amortizes these costs using the effective interest method for all costs
except those related to the Canadian natural gas regulated pipelines, which continue to be amortized on a straight-line basis in accordance with the provisions of regulatory tolling mechanisms.
Guarantees
Upon issuance, the Company records the fair value of certain
guarantees entered into by the Company or partially owned entities for which contingent
payments may be made. The fair value of these guarantees is estimated by discounting the cash flows that would be incurred by the Company if letters of credit were used in place of the guarantees as
appropriate in the circumstances. Guarantees are recorded as an increase to Equity Investments, Plant, Property and Equipment, or a charge to Net Income, and a corresponding liability is recorded in
Other Long-Term Liabilities.
110 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
Changes in Accounting Policies for 2014
Obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements
In February 2013, the
FASB issued guidance for recognizing, measuring, and disclosing obligations resulting from joint and several liability
arrangements when the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. Debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, and settled litigation and judicial rulings are examples of these
obligations. This new guidance was effective January 1, 2014 and there was no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements as a result of applying this
new standard.
Foreign currency matters cumulative translation adjustment
In March 2013, the FASB issued amended
guidance related to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent
either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business. This new guidance was
applied prospectively from January 1, 2014 and there was no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements as a result of applying this new standard.
Unrecognized tax benefit
In July 2013, the
FASB issued amended guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating
loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This new guidance was effective January 1, 2014. There was no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial
statements as a result of applying this new standard.
Future Accounting Changes
Reporting discontinued operations
In April 2014, the
FASB issued amended guidance on the reporting of discontinued operations. The criteria of what will qualify as a
discontinued operation has changed and there are expanded disclosures required. This new guidance is effective from January 1, 2015 and will be applied prospectively. The Company does not
expect the adoption of this new standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Revenue from contracts with customers
In May 2014, the FASB
issued new guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. This guidance supersedes the current revenue recognition
requirements and most industry-specific guidance. This new guidance requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that
reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This new guidance is effective from January 1, 2017 with two methods in which the
amendment can be applied: (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application.
Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU and has not yet determined the effect on its consolidated financial statements.
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 111
4. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
year ended December 31, 2014 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Natural Gas Pipelines |
Liquids Pipelines |
Energy | Corporate | Total | ||||||
Revenues | 4,913 | 1,547 | 3,725 | | 10,185 | ||||||
Income from Equity Investments | 163 | | 359 | | 522 | ||||||
Plant Operating Costs and Other | (1,501 | ) | (426 | ) | (919 | ) | (127 | ) | (2,973 | ) | |
Commodity Purchases Resold | | | (1,836 | ) | | (1,836 | ) | ||||
Property Taxes | (334 | ) | (62 | ) | (77 | ) | | (473 | ) | ||
Depreciation and Amortization | (1,063 | ) | (216 | ) | (309 | ) | (23 | ) | (1,611 | ) | |
Gain on Sale of Assets | 9 | | 108 | | 117 | ||||||
Segment earnings | 2,187 | 843 | 1,051 | (150 | ) | 3,931 | |||||
Interest Expense | (1,235 | ) | |||||||||
Interest Income and Other | 128 | ||||||||||
Income before Income Taxes | 2,824 | ||||||||||
Income Tax Expense | (830 | ) | |||||||||
Net Income | 1,994 | ||||||||||
Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests | (151 | ) | |||||||||
Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interests | 1,843 | ||||||||||
Preferred Share Dividends | (2 | ) | |||||||||
Net Income Attributable to Common Shares | 1,841 | ||||||||||
Capital Spending | |||||||||||
Capital Expenditures | 1,768 | 1,530 | 206 | 46 | 3,550 | ||||||
Projects Under Development | 368 | 439 | | | 807 | ||||||
2,136 | 1,969 | 206 | 46 | 4,357 | |||||||
at December 31, 2014 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
|||||||||||
Total Assets |
27,103 |
16,116 |
14,197 |
4,422 |
61,838 |
||||||
112 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
year ended December 31, 2013 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Natural Gas Pipelines |
Liquids Pipelines |
Energy | Corporate | Total | ||||||
Revenues | 4,497 | 1,124 | 3,176 | | 8,797 | ||||||
Income from Equity Investments | 145 | | 452 | | 597 | ||||||
Plant Operating Costs and Other | (1,405 | ) | (328 | ) | (833 | ) | (108 | ) | (2,674 | ) | |
Commodity Purchases Resold | | | (1,317 | ) | | (1,317 | ) | ||||
Property Taxes | (329 | ) | (44 | ) | (72 | ) | | (445 | ) | ||
Depreciation and Amortization | (1,027 | ) | (149 | ) | (293 | ) | (16 | ) | (1,485 | ) | |
Segment earnings | 1,881 | 603 | 1,113 | (124 | ) | 3,473 | |||||
Interest Expense | (1,046 | ) | |||||||||
Interest Income and Other | 72 | ||||||||||
Income before Income Taxes | 2,499 | ||||||||||
Income Tax Expense | (605 | ) | |||||||||
Net Income | 1,894 | ||||||||||
Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests | (105 | ) | |||||||||
Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interests | 1,789 | ||||||||||
Preferred Share Dividends | (20 | ) | |||||||||
Net Income Attributable to Common Shares | 1,769 | ||||||||||
Capital Spending | |||||||||||
Capital Expenditures | 1,776 | 2,286 | 152 | 50 | 4,264 | ||||||
Projects Under Development | 245 | 243 | | | 488 | ||||||
2,021 | 2,529 | 152 | 50 | 4,752 | |||||||
at December 31, 2013 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
|||||||||||
Total Assets |
25,165 |
13,253 |
13,747 |
4,461 |
56,626 |
||||||
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 113
year ended December 31, 2012 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Natural Gas Pipelines |
Liquids Pipelines |
Energy | Corporate | Total | ||||||
Revenues | 4,264 | 1,039 | 2,704 | | 8,007 | ||||||
Income from Equity Investments | 157 | | 100 | | 257 | ||||||
Plant Operating Costs and Other | (1,365 | ) | (296 | ) | (819 | ) | (97 | ) | (2,577 | ) | |
Commodity Purchases Resold | | | (1,049 | ) | | (1,049 | ) | ||||
Property Taxes | (315 | ) | (45 | ) | (74 | ) | | (434 | ) | ||
Depreciation and Amortization | (933 | ) | (145 | ) | (283 | ) | (14 | ) | (1,375 | ) | |
Segment earnings | 1,808 | 553 | 579 | (111 | ) | 2,829 | |||||
Interest Expense | (1,037 | ) | |||||||||
Interest Income and Other | 125 | ||||||||||
Income before Income Taxes | 1,917 | ||||||||||
Income Tax Expense | (461 | ) | |||||||||
Net Income | 1,456 | ||||||||||
Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests | (96 | ) | |||||||||
Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interests | 1,360 | ||||||||||
Preferred Share Dividends | (22 | ) | |||||||||
Net Income Attributable to Common Shares | 1,338 | ||||||||||
Capital Spending | |||||||||||
Capital Expenditures | 1,389 | 1,145 | 24 | 37 | 2,595 | ||||||
Projects Under Development | | 3 | | | 3 | ||||||
1,389 | 1,148 | 24 | 37 | 2,598 | |||||||
at December 31, 2012 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
|||||||||||
Total Assets |
23,210 |
10,485 |
13,157 |
2,483 |
49,335 |
||||||
114 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
Geographic Information
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Revenues | ||||||
Canada domestic | 4,021 | 4,659 | 3,527 | |||
Canada export | 1,314 | 997 | 1,121 | |||
United States | 4,653 | 3,029 | 3,252 | |||
Mexico | 197 | 112 | 107 | |||
10,185 | 8,797 | 8,007 | ||||
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | ||
Plant, Property and Equipment | ||||
Canada | 19,191 | 18,462 | ||
United States | 20,098 | 17,570 | ||
Mexico | 2,485 | 1,574 | ||
41,774 | 37,606 | |||
5. OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | ||
Deferred income tax assets (Note 16) | 427 | 117 | ||
Cash held as collateral | 423 | 42 | ||
Fair value of derivative contracts (Note 23) | 409 | 395 | ||
Other | 170 | 164 | ||
Regulatory Assets (Note 9) | 16 | 42 | ||
Assets held for sale (Note 6) | | 85 | ||
1,445 | 845 | |||
6. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2013 | |
Assets Held for Sale | ||
Cash and Cash Equivalents | 1 | |
Accounts Receivable | 12 | |
Inventories | 11 | |
Plant, Property and Equipment | 61 | |
Total Assets Held for Sale (included in Other Current Assets, Note 5) | 85 | |
Liabilities Related to Assets Held for Sale | ||
Accounts Payable and Other | 4 | |
Other Long-Term Liabilities | 1 | |
Total Liabilities Related to Assets Held for Sale (included in Accounts Payable and Other, Note 13) | 5 | |
The Company classifies assets as held for sale when management approves and commits to a formal plan to actively market an asset for sale and expects the sale to close within the next twelve months. Upon classifying an asset as held for sale, an asset is recorded at the lower of its carrying amount or its estimated fair value, reduced for selling costs, and depreciation expense is no longer recorded for that asset.
At December 31, 2013, the Company classified Cancarb Limited and its related power generation facility as assets held for sale in the Energy segment. The assets were recorded at their carrying amount at December 31, 2013.
On April 15, 2014, the Company sold these assets for aggregate gross proceeds of $190 million and recognized a gain of $108 million ($99 million after tax).
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 115
7. PLANT, PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
2014 |
2013 |
||||||||||||
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Cost | Accumulated Depreciation |
Net Book Value |
Cost | Accumulated Depreciation |
Net Book Value |
|||||||
Natural Gas Pipelines | |||||||||||||
Canadian Mainline | |||||||||||||
Pipeline | 9,045 | 5,712 | 3,333 | 8,970 | 5,457 | 3,513 | |||||||
Compression | 3,423 | 2,100 | 1,323 | 3,392 | 1,961 | 1,431 | |||||||
Metering and other | 458 | 180 | 278 | 409 | 174 | 235 | |||||||
12,926 | 7,992 | 4,934 | 12,771 | 7,592 | 5,179 | ||||||||
Under construction | 135 | | 135 | 85 | | 85 | |||||||
13,061 | 7,992 | 5,069 | 12,856 | 7,592 | 5,264 | ||||||||
NGTL System | |||||||||||||
Pipeline | 8,185 | 3,619 | 4,566 | 7,813 | 3,410 | 4,403 | |||||||
Compression | 2,055 | 1,318 | 737 | 2,038 | 1,253 | 785 | |||||||
Metering and other | 1,032 | 446 | 586 | 947 | 418 | 529 | |||||||
11,272 | 5,383 | 5,889 | 10,798 | 5,081 | 5,717 | ||||||||
Under construction | 413 | | 413 | 290 | | 290 | |||||||
11,685 | 5,383 | 6,302 | 11,088 | 5,081 | 6,007 | ||||||||
ANR | |||||||||||||
Pipeline | 1,087 | 85 | 1,002 | 922 | 59 | 863 | |||||||
Compression | 741 | 102 | 639 | 635 | 81 | 554 | |||||||
Metering and other | 617 | 110 | 507 | 535 | 91 | 444 | |||||||
2,445 | 297 | 2,148 | 2,092 | 231 | 1,861 | ||||||||
Under construction | 115 | | 115 | 67 | | 67 | |||||||
2,560 | 297 | 2,263 | 2,159 | 231 | 1,928 | ||||||||
Other Natural Gas Pipelines | |||||||||||||
GTN | 1,842 | 588 | 1,254 | 1,685 | 488 | 1,197 | |||||||
Great Lakes | 1,807 | 939 | 868 | 1,650 | 833 | 817 | |||||||
Foothills | 1,671 | 1,180 | 491 | 1,649 | 1,120 | 529 | |||||||
Mexico | 1,518 | 130 | 1,388 | 641 | 90 | 551 | |||||||
Other1 | 1,800 | 363 | 1,437 | 1,652 | 288 | 1,364 | |||||||
8,638 | 3,200 | 5,438 | 7,277 | 2,819 | 4,458 | ||||||||
Under construction | 1,132 | | 1,132 | 1,047 | | 1,047 | |||||||
9,770 | 3,200 | 6,570 | 8,324 | 2,819 | 5,505 | ||||||||
37,076 | 16,872 | 20,204 | 34,427 | 15,723 | 18,704 | ||||||||
Liquids Pipelines | |||||||||||||
Keystone | |||||||||||||
Pipeline | 7,931 | 463 | 7,468 | 5,079 | 286 | 4,793 | |||||||
Pumping equipment | 964 | 80 | 884 | 1,118 | 82 | 1,036 | |||||||
Tanks and other | 2,282 | 144 | 2,138 | 962 | 71 | 891 | |||||||
11,177 | 687 | 10,490 | 7,159 | 439 | 6,720 | ||||||||
Under construction2 | 4,438 | | 4,438 | 6,020 | | 6,020 | |||||||
15,615 | 687 | 14,928 | 13,179 | 439 | 12,740 | ||||||||
Energy | |||||||||||||
Natural Gas Ravenswood | 2,140 | 476 | 1,664 | 1,966 | 377 | 1,589 | |||||||
Natural Gas Other3,4 | 3,214 | 971 | 2,243 | 3,061 | 846 | 2,215 | |||||||
Hydro | 736 | 156 | 580 | 673 | 126 | 547 | |||||||
Wind | 970 | 190 | 780 | 946 | 155 | 791 | |||||||
Natural Gas Storage | 653 | 99 | 554 | 677 | 92 | 585 | |||||||
Solar5 | 488 | 13 | 475 | 226 | 2 | 224 | |||||||
Other | 64 | 19 | 45 | 57 | 30 | 27 | |||||||
8,265 | 1,924 | 6,341 | 7,606 | 1,628 | 5,978 | ||||||||
Under construction | 149 | | 149 | 54 | | 54 | |||||||
8,414 | 1,924 | 6,490 | 7,660 | 1,628 | 6,032 | ||||||||
Corporate | 232 | 80 | 152 | 191 | 61 | 130 | |||||||
61,337 | 19,563 | 41,774 | 55,457 | 17,851 | 37,606 | ||||||||
116 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
8. EQUITY INVESTMENTS
Income/(Loss) from Equity Investments |
Equity Investments |
|||||||||||
Ownership Interest at |
year ended December 31 |
at December 31 |
||||||||||
(millions of Canadian dollars) | December 31, 2014 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Natural Gas Pipelines | ||||||||||||
Northern Border1,2 | 76 | 66 | 72 | 587 | 557 | |||||||
Iroquois | 44.5% | 43 | 41 | 41 | 210 | 188 | ||||||
TQM | 50.0% | 12 | 13 | 16 | 73 | 76 | ||||||
Other | Various | 32 | 25 | 28 | 68 | 62 | ||||||
Energy |
||||||||||||
Bruce A3 | 48.9% | 209 | 202 | (149 | ) | 3,944 | 3,988 | |||||
Bruce B3 | 31.6% | 105 | 108 | 163 | 51 | 377 | ||||||
ASTC Power Partnership | 50.0% | 8 | 110 | 40 | 29 | 41 | ||||||
Portlands Energy | 50.0% | 36 | 31 | 28 | 335 | 343 | ||||||
Other4 | Various | 1 | 1 | 18 | 61 | 57 | ||||||
Liquids Pipelines |
||||||||||||
Grand Rapids | 50.0% | | | | 240 | 70 | ||||||
522 | 597 | 257 | 5,598 | 5,759 | ||||||||
Distributions received from equity investments for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $726 million (2013 $725 million; 2012 $436 million) of which $147 million (2013 $120 million; 2012 $60 million) were returns of capital and are included in Deferred Amounts and Other in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The undistributed earnings from equity investments as at December 31, 2014 were $551 million (2013 $754 million; 2012 $883 million).
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 117
Summarized Financial Information of Equity Investments
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Income | |||||||
Revenues | 4,814 | 4,989 | 3,860 | ||||
Operating and Other Expenses | (3,489 | ) | (3,536 | ) | (3,090 | ) | |
Net Income | 1,264 | 1,390 | 717 | ||||
Net Income attributable to TCPL | 522 | 597 | 257 | ||||
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | |||
Balance Sheet | |||||
Current assets | 1,412 | 1,500 | |||
Non current assets | 12,260 | 12,158 | |||
Current liabilities | (1,067 | ) | (1,117 | ) | |
Non current liabilities | (3,255 | ) | (2,507 | ) | |
9. RATE-REGULATED BUSINESSES
TCPL's businesses that apply RRA currently include Canadian, U.S. and Mexican natural gas pipelines, regulated U.S. natural gas storage and certain Canadian liquids pipelines currently under development. Regulatory assets and liabilities represent future revenues that are expected to be recovered from or refunded to customers based on decisions and approvals by the applicable regulatory authorities.
Canadian Regulated Operations
The Canadian Mainline, NGTL System, Foothills and TQM
pipelines are regulated by the NEB under the National Energy Board
Act (Canada). The NEB regulates the construction and operation of facilities, and the terms and conditions of services, including rates, for the Company's Canadian regulated
natural gas transmission systems.
TCPL's Canadian natural gas transmission services are supplied under natural gas transportation tariffs that provide for cost recovery, including return of and return on capital as approved by the NEB. Rates charged for these services are typically set through a process that involves filing an application with the regulator wherein forecasted operating costs, including a return of and on capital, determine the revenue requirement for the upcoming year or multiple years. To the extent that actual costs and revenues are more or less than the forecasted costs and revenues, the regulators generally allow the difference to be deferred to a future period and recovered or refunded in rates at that time. Differences between actual and forecasted costs that the regulator does not allow to be deferred are included in the determination of net income in the year they occur.
Canadian Mainline
On November 28, 2014,
the NEB released its decision on TCPL's 2015-2030 Tolls Application (the NEB
2014 Decision). The NEB 2014 Decision acknowledged that an off-ramp had been reached on the NEB 2013 Decision (discussed below) and approved fixed tolls for 2015 to 2020 as well
as certain parameters for a toll setting methodology to 2030. Features of the settlement reached with shippers as approved in the NEB 2014 Decision include an ROE of 10.1 per cent
on a deemed common equity of 40 per cent, an incentive mechanism that has both upside and downside risk and a $20 million after-tax annual TCPL contribution to reduce the revenue
requirement. Toll stabilization is achieved through the continued use of deferral accounts, namely the Long Term Adjustment Account (LTAA) and the Bridging Amortization Account, to capture the surplus
or the shortfall between the Company's revenues and cost of service for each year over the six-year
118 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
fixed toll term of the NEB 2014 Decision. TCPL is required to file a compliance filing with the NEB in first quarter 2015 and a toll review for the 2018 to 2020 period prior to December 31, 2017.
In March 2013, TCPL received a decision from the NEB which set tolls for 2013 through 2017 at competitive levels, fixing tolls for some services and providing unlimited pricing discretion for others (the NEB 2013 Decision). The decision established an ROE of 11.5 per cent on a deemed common equity of 40 per cent and included mechanisms to achieve the fixed tolls through the use of a LTAA as well as the establishment of a Tolls Stabilization Account (TSA) to capture the surplus or the shortfall between our revenues and our cost of service for each year over the five-year term of the decision. In addition, the decision provided an opportunity to generate incentive earnings by increasing revenues and reducing costs. The NEB also identified certain circumstances that would require a new tolls application prior to the end of the five-year term. One of those circumstances occurred in 2013 when the TSA balance became positive. In December 2013, TCPL filed the 2015-2030 Tolls Application with the NEB that addressed tolls moving forward including tolls for 2014.
The Canadian Mainline's 2012 results reflect an ROE of 8.08 per cent on a deemed common equity of 40 per cent and excluded incentive earnings.
NGTL System
In November 2013, the
NEB approved the NGTL System's 2013-2014 Revenue Requirement Settlement Application. This settlement is structured
similar to the previous multi-year settlement with fixed annual operating, maintenance and administration (OM&A) costs and a 10.1 per cent ROE on a deemed common equity of
40 per cent. Any variance between fixed OM&A costs in the settlement and actual costs accrue to TCPL. The Settlement also establishes an increase in the composite depreciation rates to
3.05 per cent in 2013 and 3.12 per cent in 2014.
The NGTL System's 2012 results reflected a 9.70 per cent ROE on a deemed common equity of 40 per cent and fixed certain annual OM&A costs. Any variances between actual costs and those agreed to in the settlement then in effect accrued to TCPL. All other costs were treated on a flow-through basis.
Energy East
Energy East is currently
in the development stage, awaiting regulatory approval from the NEB. Tolls will be designed to provide for cost recovery
including return of and on capital as approved by the NEB.
Other Canadian Pipelines
The Foothills operating
model for 2012 through 2014 provides for recovery of all revenue requirement components on a flow-through basis. TQM operates
under a model consisting of fixed and flow-through revenue requirement components for 2012 through 2016. Any variances between actual costs and those included in the fixed component accrue
to TQM.
U.S. Regulated Operations
TCPL's U.S. natural gas pipelines are "natural gas
companies" operating under the provisions of the Natural Gas Act of 1938, the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (NGA) and the Energy
Policy Act of 2005, and are subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC. The NGA grants the FERC authority over the construction and operation of pipelines and related facilities.
The FERC also has authority to regulate rates for natural gas transportation in interstate commerce. The Company's significant regulated U.S. natural gas pipelines are described below.
ANR
ANR's natural gas
transportation and storage services are provided under tariffs regulated by the FERC. These tariffs include maximum and minimum
rates for services and allow ANR to discount or negotiate rates on a non-discriminatory basis. ANR Pipeline Company rates were established pursuant to a settlement approved by the FERC that was
effective for all periods presented, beginning in 1997. ANR Pipeline Company is not required to conduct a review of currently effective rates with the FERC at any time in the future, but is not
prohibited from filing for new rates if necessary.
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 119
ANR Storage Company rates were established pursuant to a settlement approved by the FERC in August 2012. ANR Storage Company is required to file a NGA Section 4 general rate case no later than July 1, 2016.
TC Offshore LLC, another ANR-related regulated entity, began operating under FERC approved tariff rates on November 1, 2012. TC Offshore LLC is required to file a cost and revenue study to justify its existing approved cost-based rates after its first three years of operation.
Great Lakes
Great Lakes is regulated
by the FERC and operates in accordance with a FERC-approved tariff that establishes maximum and minimum rates for its
various services and permits Great Lakes to discount or negotiate rates on a non-discriminatory basis. Great Lakes operated under a July 2010 FERC approved rate settlement through
October 2013. Effective November 1, 2013, Great Lakes operates under rates established pursuant to a settlement approved by the FERC in November 2013. The settlement provides for
a moratorium between November 2013 and March 2015 during which Great Lakes and the settling parties are prohibited from taking certain actions under the NGA, including filing to adjust
rates. Great Lakes is required to file for new rates to be effective no later than January 2018.
Other U.S. Pipelines
GTN and Bison are regulated
by the FERC and operate in accordance with FERC-approved tariffs that establish maximum and minimum rates for various
services. Both pipelines are permitted to discount or negotiate these rates on a non-discriminatory basis. GTN's rates were established pursuant to a settlement approved by the FERC in
January 2012. GTN is required to file for new rates to be effective no later than January 2016.
Bison's rates were established pursuant to its initial certificate to construct and operate the pipeline that initiated service in January 2011. Bison filed a cost and revenue study as required by FERC to justify its existing approved cost-based rates after its first three years of operations. This study was filed by Bison on April 10, 2014 and accepted by FERC on May 20, 2014. At this time Bison is not required to conduct a review of currently effective rates with the FERC at any time in the future but is not prohibited from filing for new rates if necessary.
Mexico Regulated Operations
TCPL's Mexican operations are regulated by the CRE and
operate in accordance with CRE-approved tariffs. In 2014, TCPL began using RRA
for all natural gas pipelines in Mexico. The rates were established based on CRE approved negotiated contracts.
120 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | Remaining Recovery/ Settlement Period (years) |
|||
Regulatory Assets | ||||||
Deferred income taxes1 | 1,001 | 1,149 | n/a | |||
Operating and debt-service regulatory assets2 | 4 | 16 | 1 | |||
Pensions and other post retirement benefits3 | 236 | 190 | n/a | |||
Long Term Adjustment Account4 | | 354 | 31 | |||
Other5 | 72 | 68 | n/a | |||
1,313 | 1,777 | |||||
Less: Current portion included in Other Current Assets (Note 5) | 16 | 42 | ||||
1,297 | 1,735 | |||||
Regulatory Liabilities | ||||||
Foreign exchange on long-term debt6 | 42 | 84 | 1-15 | |||
Operating and debt-service regulatory liabilities2 | 21 | 5 | 1 | |||
ANR-related post-employment and retirement benefits other than pension7 | 117 | 104 | n/a | |||
Long Term Adjustment Account4 | 64 | | 44 | |||
Other5 | 49 | 43 | n/a | |||
293 | 236 | |||||
Less: Current portion included in Accounts Payable and Other (Note 13) | 30 | 7 | ||||
263 | 229 | |||||
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 121
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
The total amount of AFUDC included in the Consolidated Statement of Income
was $95 million in 2014, $19 million in 2013 and
$15 million in 2012.
10. GOODWILL
The Company has recorded the following Goodwill on its acquisitions in the U.S.:
(millions of Canadian dollars) | Natural Gas Pipelines |
Energy | Total | |||
Balance at January 1, 2013 | 2,635 | 823 | 3,458 | |||
Foreign exchange rate changes | 181 | 57 | 238 | |||
Balance at December 31, 2013 | 2,816 | 880 | 3,696 | |||
Foreign exchange rate changes | 258 | 80 | 338 | |||
Balance at December 31, 2014 | 3,074 | 960 | 4,034 | |||
11. INTANGIBLE AND OTHER ASSETS
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | ||
Capital projects under development | 1,286 | 571 | ||
PPAs | 272 | 324 | ||
Deferred income tax assets and charges (Note 16) | 177 | 223 | ||
Loans and advances1 | 167 | 183 | ||
Fair value of derivative contracts (Note 23) | 93 | 112 | ||
Employee post-retirement benefits (Note 22) | 14 | 16 | ||
Other | 691 | 524 | ||
2,700 | 1,953 | |||
122 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
The following amounts related to PPAs are included in Intangible and Other Assets:
2014 |
2013 |
|||||||||||
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Cost | Accumulated Amortization |
Net Book Value |
Cost | Accumulated Amortization |
Net Book Value |
||||||
Sheerness | 585 | 351 | 234 | 585 | 312 | 273 | ||||||
Sundance A | 225 | 187 | 38 | 225 | 174 | 51 | ||||||
810 | 538 | 272 | 810 | 486 | 324 | |||||||
Amortization expense for these PPAs was $52 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 (2013 and 2012 $52 million). The expected annual amortization expense for 2015 to 2017 is $52 million, and $39 million for 2018 and 2019.
12. NOTES PAYABLE
2014 |
2013 |
|||||||
(millions of Canadian dollars) | Outstanding December 31 |
Weighted Average Interest Rate per Annum at December 31 |
Outstanding December 31 |
Weighted Average Interest Rate per Annum at December 31 |
||||
Canadian dollars | 1,540 | 1.2% | 751 | 1.2% | ||||
U.S. dollars (2014 US$800; 2013 US$1,025) | 927 | 0.7% | 1,091 | 0.3% | ||||
2,467 | 1,842 | |||||||
Notes Payable consists of commercial paper issued by TCPL, TransCanada PipeLine USA Ltd. (TCPL USA), TransCanada American Investments Ltd. (TAIL), and TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, LP (TC Keystone) and drawings on credit facilities. The TC Keystone commercial paper program and facility were terminated in November 2013. The TAIL commercial paper program was initiated in November 2013, replacing the TCPL USA program which was terminated in April 2014.
Notes Payable also includes a US$170 million short-term loan, which was issued on October 1, 2014, by TC Pipelines LP.
At December 31, 2014, total committed revolving and demand credit facilities of $6.7 billion (2013 $6.2 billion) were available. When drawn, interest on these lines of credit is charged at prime rates of
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 123
Canadian and U.S. banks, and at other negotiated financial bases. These unsecured credit facilities included the following:
year ended December 31 |
||||||||||||||
at December 31, 2014 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||
Amount | Unused Capacity |
Borrower | For | Matures | Cost to maintain | |||||||||
(millions of Canadian dollars) | ||||||||||||||
$3 billion | $3 billion | TCPL | Committed, syndicated, revolving, extendible TCPL credit facility | December 2019 | 6 | 4 | 4 | |||||||
US$1 billion | US$1 billion | TCPL USA | Committed, syndicated, revolving, extendible TCPL USA credit facility, guaranteed by TCPL | November 2015 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
US$1 billion | US$1 billion | TAIL | Committed, syndicated, revolving, extendible TAIL credit facility, guaranteed by TCPL | November 2015 | 1 | | | |||||||
$1.4 billion | $0.6 billion | TCPL/TCPL USA |
Supports the issuance of letters of credit and provides additional liquidity | Demand | | | | |||||||
13. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND OTHER
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | ||
Trade payables | 1,624 | 866 | ||
Fair value of derivative contracts (Note 23) | 749 | 357 | ||
Dividends payable | 345 | 328 | ||
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities (Note 16) | 4 | 26 | ||
Regulatory Liabilities (Note 9) | 30 | 7 | ||
Liabilities related to assets held for sale (Note 6) | | 5 | ||
Other | 143 | 552 | ||
2,895 | 2,141 | |||
14. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | ||
Employee post-retirement benefit (Note 22) | 444 | 244 | ||
Fair value of derivative contracts (Note 23) | 411 | 255 | ||
Asset retirement obligations | 98 | 83 | ||
Guarantees (Note 26) | 15 | 18 | ||
Other | 84 | 56 | ||
1,052 | 656 | |||
124 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
15. LONG-TERM DEBT
2014 |
2013 |
||||||||||
Outstanding loan amounts (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Maturity Dates | Outstanding December 31 |
Interest Rate1 |
Outstanding December 31 |
Interest Rate1 |
||||||
TRANSCANADA PIPELINES LIMITED | |||||||||||
Debentures | |||||||||||
Canadian dollars | 2015 to 2020 | 749 | 10.9% | 874 | 10.9% | ||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 and 2013 US$400) | 2021 | 464 | 9.9% | 425 | 9.9% | ||||||
Medium-Term Notes | |||||||||||
Canadian dollars | 2016 to 2041 | 4,048 | 5.7% | 4,799 | 5.7% | ||||||
Senior Unsecured Notes | |||||||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 US$13,526; 2013 US$12,276) | 2015 to 2043 | 15,655 | 5.0% | 13,027 | 5.0% | ||||||
20,916 | 19,125 | ||||||||||
NOVA GAS TRANSMISSION LTD. | |||||||||||
Debentures and Notes | |||||||||||
Canadian dollars2 | 2016 to 2024 | 325 | 11.5% | 378 | 11.5% | ||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 and 2013 US$200) | 2023 | 232 | 7.9% | 213 | 7.9% | ||||||
Medium-Term Notes | |||||||||||
Canadian dollars | 2025 to 2030 | 504 | 7.4% | 504 | 7.4% | ||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 and 2013 US$33) | 2026 | 38 | 7.5% | 34 | 7.5% | ||||||
1,099 | 1,129 | ||||||||||
ANR PIPELINE COMPANY | |||||||||||
Senior Unsecured Notes | |||||||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 and 2013 US$432) | 2021 to 2025 | 502 | 8.9% | 459 | 8.9% | ||||||
GAS TRANSMISSION NORTHWEST CORPORATION | |||||||||||
Senior Unsecured Notes | |||||||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 and 2013 US$325) | 2015 to 2035 | 377 | 5.5% | 346 | 5.5% | ||||||
TC PIPELINES, LP | |||||||||||
Unsecured Loan | |||||||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 US$330; 2013 US$380) | 2017 | 383 | 1.4% | 404 | 1.4% | ||||||
Unsecured Term Loan Facility | |||||||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 US$500; 2013 US$500) | 2015 to 2018 | 580 | 1.4% | 532 | 1.4% | ||||||
Senior Unsecured Notes | |||||||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 and 2013 US$350) | 2021 | 405 | 4.7% | 372 | 4.7% | ||||||
1,368 | 1,308 | ||||||||||
GREAT LAKES GAS TRANSMISSION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | |||||||||||
Senior Unsecured Notes | |||||||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 US$316; 2013 US$335) | 2018 to 2030 | 367 | 7.8% | 356 | 7.8% | ||||||
TUSCARORA GAS TRANSMISSION COMPANY | |||||||||||
Senior Secured Notes | |||||||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 US$20; 2013 US$24) | 2017 | 23 | 4.0% | 25 | 4.0% | ||||||
PORTLAND NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION SYSTEM | |||||||||||
Senior Secured Notes3 | |||||||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 US$90; 2013 US$110) | 2018 | 105 | 6.1% | 117 | 6.1% | ||||||
24,757 | 22,865 | ||||||||||
Less: Current Portion of Long-Term Debt | 1,797 | 973 | |||||||||
22,960 | 21,892 | ||||||||||
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 125
Principal Repayments
Principal repayments on the Long-Term Debt of the Company for the next five
years are approximately as follows:
(millions of Canadian dollars) | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |||||
Principal repayments on Long-Term Debt | 1,797 | 2,225 | 846 | 1,766 | 1,007 | |||||
Long-Term Debt Issued
The Company issued Long-Term Debt over the last three years ended
December 31 as follows:
(millions of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) | ||||||||||
Company | Issue date | Type | Maturity date | Amount | Interest Rate | |||||
TRANSCANADA PIPELINES LIMITED | ||||||||||
February 2014 | Senior Unsecured Notes | March 2034 | US 1,250 | 4.63% | ||||||
October 2013 | Senior Unsecured Notes | October 2023 | US 625 | 3.75% | ||||||
October 2013 | Senior Unsecured Notes | October 2043 | US 625 | 5.00% | ||||||
July 2013 | Senior Unsecured Notes | June 2016 | US 500 | Floating | ||||||
July 2013 | Medium-Term Notes | July 2023 | 450 | 3.69% | ||||||
July 2013 | Medium-Term Notes | November 2041 | 300 | 4.55% | ||||||
January 2013 | Senior Unsecured Notes | January 2016 | US 750 | 0.75% | ||||||
August 2012 | Senior Unsecured Notes | August 2022 | US 1,000 | 2.50% | ||||||
March 2012 | Senior Unsecured Notes | March 2015 | US 500 | 0.88% | ||||||
TC PIPELINES, LP | ||||||||||
July 2013 | Unsecured Term Loan Facility | July 2018 | US 500 | Floating | ||||||
Long-Term Debt Retired
The Company retired Long-Term Debt over the last three years ended
December 31 as follows:
(millions of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted) | ||||||||
Company | Retirement date | Type | Amount | Interest Rate | ||||
TRANSCANADA PIPELINES LIMITED | ||||||||
June 2014 | Debentures | 125 | 11.10% | |||||
February 2014 | Medium-Term Notes | 300 | 5.05% | |||||
January 2014 | Medium-Term Notes | 450 | 5.65% | |||||
August 2013 | Senior Unsecured Notes | US 500 | 5.05% | |||||
June 2013 | Senior Unsecured Notes | US 350 | 4.00% | |||||
May 2012 | Senior Unsecured Notes | US 200 | 8.63% | |||||
NOVA GAS TRANSMISSION LTD. | ||||||||
June 2014 | Debentures | 53 | 11.20% | |||||
December 2012 | Debentures | US 175 | 8.50% | |||||
126 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
Interest Expense
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Interest on Long-Term Debt | 1,317 | 1,216 | 1,190 | ||||
Interest on Junior Subordinated Notes (Note 17) | 70 | 65 | 63 | ||||
Interest on short-term debt | 52 | 73 | 77 | ||||
Capitalized interest | (259 | ) | (287 | ) | (300 | ) | |
Amortization and other financial charges1 | 55 | (21 | ) | 7 | |||
1,235 | 1,046 | 1,037 | |||||
The Company made interest payments of $1,160 million in 2014 (2013 $1,047 million; 2012 $1,027 million) on Long-Term Debt and Junior Subordinated Notes, net of interest capitalized.
16. INCOME TAXES
Provision for Income Taxes
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Current | ||||||
Canada | 104 | 27 | 171 | |||
Foreign | 42 | 16 | 14 | |||
146 | 43 | 185 | ||||
Deferred |
||||||
Canada | 307 | 239 | 60 | |||
Foreign | 377 | 323 | 216 | |||
684 | 562 | 276 | ||||
Income Tax Expense | 830 | 605 | 461 | |||
Geographic Components of Income
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Canada | 1,146 | 1,201 | 821 | |||
Foreign | 1,678 | 1,298 | 1,096 | |||
Income before Income Taxes | 2,824 | 2,499 | 1,917 | |||
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 127
Reconciliation of Income Tax Expense
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Income before Income Taxes | 2,824 | 2,499 | 1,917 | ||||
Federal and provincial statutory tax rate | 25.0% | 25.0% | 25.0% | ||||
Expected income tax expense | 706 | 625 | 479 | ||||
Income tax differential related to regulated operations | 129 | (13 | ) | 41 | |||
Higher/(lower) effective foreign tax rates | 25 | 33 | (12 | ) | |||
Income from equity investments and non-controlling interests | (38 | ) | (28 | ) | (27 | ) | |
Tax legislation change | | (25 | ) | | |||
Other | 8 | 13 | (20 | ) | |||
Actual Income Tax Expense | 830 | 605 | 461 | ||||
Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | ||
Deferred Income Tax Assets | ||||
Operating loss carryforwards | 1,266 | 826 | ||
Deferred amounts | 215 | 223 | ||
Unrealized foreign exchange losses on long-term debt | 140 | | ||
Financial Instruments | 104 | | ||
Other | 245 | 124 | ||
1,970 | 1,173 | |||
Less: Valuation allowance1 | 125 | | ||
1,845 | 1,173 | |||
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities |
||||
Difference in accounting and tax bases of plant, property and equipment and PPAs | 5,548 | 4,245 | ||
Equity investments | 648 | 682 | ||
Taxes on future revenue requirement | 253 | 291 | ||
Unrealized foreign exchange gains on long-term debt | | 35 | ||
Other | 71 | 170 | ||
6,520 | 5,423 | |||
Net Deferred Income Tax Liabilities |
4,675 |
4,250 |
||
128 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
The above deferred tax amounts have been classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as follows:
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | ||
Deferred Income Tax Assets | ||||
Other Current Assets (Note 5) | 427 | 117 | ||
Intangible and Other Assets (Note 11) | 177 | 223 | ||
604 | 340 | |||
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities | ||||
Accounts Payable and Other (Note 13) | 4 | 26 | ||
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities | 5,275 | 4,564 | ||
5,279 | 4,590 | |||
Net Deferred Income Tax Liabilities | 4,675 | 4,250 | ||
At December 31, 2014, the Company has recognized the benefit of unused non-capital loss carryforwards of $1,131 million (2013 $1,026 million) for federal and provincial purposes in Canada, which expire from 2015 to 2034.
At December 31, 2014, the Company has recognized the benefit of unused net operating loss carryforwards of US$2,267 million (2013 US$1,432 million) for federal purposes in the U.S., which expire from 2028 to 2034.
Unremitted Earnings of Foreign Investments
Income taxes have not been provided on the unremitted
earnings of foreign investments that the Company does not intend to repatriate in the
foreseeable future. Deferred income tax liabilities would have increased at December 31, 2014 by approximately $236 million
(2013 $182 million) if there had been a provision for these taxes.
Income Tax Payments
Income tax payments of $109 million, net of refunds,
were made in 2014 (2013 payments, net of refunds,
of $206 million; 2012 refunds, net of payments made, of $175 million).
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit
Below is the reconciliation of the annual changes in the
total unrecognized tax benefit:
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year | 19 | 45 | 48 | ||||
Gross increases tax positions in prior years | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||||
Gross decreases tax positions in prior years | (8 | ) | (28 | ) | (6 | ) | |
Gross increases tax positions in current year | 1 | 2 | 9 | ||||
Lapses of statute of limitations | (1 | ) | (3 | ) | (8 | ) | |
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year | 13 | 19 | 45 | ||||
TCPL recognized a favourable income tax adjustment of approximately $25 million due to the enactment of certain Canadian Federal tax legislation in June 2013.
Subject to the results of audit examinations by taxing authorities and other legislative amendments, TCPL does not anticipate further adjustments to the unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months that would have a material impact on its financial statements.
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 129
TCPL and its subsidiaries are subject to either Canadian federal and provincial income tax, U.S. federal, state and local income tax or the relevant income tax in other international jurisdictions. The Company has substantially concluded all Canadian federal and provincial income tax matters for the years through 2009. Substantially all material U.S. federal income tax matters have been concluded for years through 2007 and U.S. state and local income tax matters through 2007.
TCPL's practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax uncertainties in Income Tax Expense. Income Tax Expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 reflects nil for Interest Expense and nil for penalties (2013 nil for Interest Expense and nil for penalties; 2012 $2 million reversal for Interest Expense and nil for penalties). At December 31, 2014, the Company had $5 million accrued for Interest Expense and nil accrued for penalties (December 31, 2013 $5 million accrued for Interest Expense and nil accrued for penalties).
17. JUNIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES
2014 |
2013 |
|||||||||
Outstanding loan amount (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Maturity Date |
Outstanding December 31 |
Effective Interest Rate |
Outstanding December 31 |
Effective Interest Rate |
|||||
TRANSCANADA PIPELINES LIMITED | ||||||||||
U.S. dollars (2014 and 2013 US$1,000) | 2067 | 1,160 | 6.5% | 1,063 | 6.5% | |||||
Junior Subordinated Notes of US$1.0 billion mature in 2067 and bear interest at 6.35 per cent per annum until May 15, 2017, when interest will convert to a floating rate that is reset quarterly to the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate plus 221 basis points. The Company has the option to defer payment of interest for periods of up to 10 years without giving rise to a default or permitting acceleration of payment under the terms of the Junior Subordinated Notes, however, the Company would be prohibited from paying dividends during any such deferral period. The Junior Subordinated Notes are subordinated in right of payment to existing and future senior indebtedness and are effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of TCPL. The Junior Subordinated Notes are callable at the Company's option at any time on or after May 15, 2017 at 100 per cent of the principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. The Junior Subordinated Notes are callable earlier, in whole or in part, upon the occurrence of certain events and at the Company's option at an amount equal to the greater of 100 per cent of the principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption and an amount determined by a specified formula in accordance with the terms of the Junior Subordinated Notes.
18. NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS
The Company's Non-Controlling Interests included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | ||
Non-controlling interest in TC PipeLines, LP | 1,479 | 1,323 | ||
Non-controlling interest in Portland | 104 | 94 | ||
1,583 | 1,417 | |||
130 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
The Company's Non-Controlling Interests included in the Consolidated Statement of Income were as follows:
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Non-controlling interest in TC PipeLines, LP | 136 | 93 | 91 | |||
Non-controlling interest in Portland | 15 | 12 | 5 | |||
151 | 105 | 96 | ||||
During 2014, the non-controlling interest in TC PipeLines, LP increased from 71.1 per cent to 71.7 per cent due to the issuance of common units in TC PipeLines, LP to non-controlling interests. The non-controlling interest in TC PipeLines, LP from May 2013 to August 2014 was 71.1 per cent and from May 2011 to May 2013 was 66.7 per cent.
The non-controlling interest in Portland as at December 31, 2014 represented the 38.3 per cent interest not owned by TCPL (2013 and 2012 38.3 per cent).
In 2014, TCPL received fees of $3 million from TC PipeLines, LP (2013 and 2012 $3 million) and $8 million from Portland (2013 and 2012 $7 million) for services provided.
19. COMMON SHARES
Number of Shares |
Amount | ||||
(thousands) | (millions of Canadian dollars) |
||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2012 | 731,872 | 14,037 | |||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 6,509 | 269 | |||
Outstanding at December 31, 2012 | 738,381 | 14,306 | |||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 18,733 | 899 | |||
Outstanding at December 31, 2013 | 757,114 | 15,205 | |||
Issuance of common shares for cash | 22,365 | 1,115 | |||
Outstanding at December 31, 2014 | 779,479 | 16,320 | |||
Common Shares Issued and Outstanding
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares
without par value.
Restriction on Dividends
Certain terms of the Company's debt instruments can limit
the amount of dividends the Company can pay on preferred and common shares. At
December 31, 2014 these terms limit the company from paying dividends in excess of $8.7 billion (2013 $1.3 billion;
2012 $7.0 billion). Under the agreements, TCPL can adjust this limit throughout the year if required, at is sole discretion, without incurring
significant costs.
Stock Option Plan
Certain key employees, including officers, are granted stock
options from TransCanada to purchase common shares at the market price on the grant
date. Stock options vest equally over three years, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, and expire after seven years. TCPL records the compensation expense associated with these
stock options.
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 131
The Company used a binomial model for determining the fair value of options granted applying the following weighted average assumptions:
year ended December 31 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Expected life (years) | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.9 | |||
Interest rate | 1.8% | 1.7% | 1.6% | |||
Volatility1 | 17% | 18% | 19% | |||
Dividend yield | 3.8% | 3.7% | 4.2% | |||
Forfeiture rate | 5% | 15% | 15% | |||
The amount expensed for stock options, with a corresponding increase in Additional Paid-In Capital, was $9 million in 2014 (2013 $6 million; 2012 $5 million).
The following table summarizes additional stock option information:
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars, unless noted otherwise) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
Total intrinsic value of options exercised | $68 | $25 | $18 | |||
Fair value of options that have vested | $113 | $65 | $49 | |||
Total options vested | 2.0 million | 1.3 million | 1.0 million | |||
As at December 31, 2014, the aggregate intrinsic value of the total options exercisable was $85 million and the total intrinsic value of options outstanding was $118 million.
20. PREFERRED SHARES
In March 2014, TCPL redeemed all of the 4 million outstanding Series Y preferred shares at a redemption price of $50 per share for a gross payment of $200 million.
In October 2013, TCPL redeemed all of the 4 million outstanding Series U preferred shares at a redemption price of $50 per share for a gross payment of $200 million.
21. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Components of OCI including Non-Controlling Interests and the related tax effects are as follows:
year ended December 31, 2014 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Before tax amount |
Income tax recovery/ (expense) |
Net of tax amount |
||||
Foreign currency translation gains on net investments in foreign operations | 462 | 55 | 517 | ||||
Change in fair value of net investment hedges | (373 | ) | 97 | (276 | ) | ||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges | (118 | ) | 49 | (69 | ) | ||
Reclassification to Net Income of gains and losses on cash flow hedges | (95 | ) | 40 | (55 | ) | ||
Unrealized actuarial gains and losses on pension and other post-retirement benefit plans | (146 | ) | 44 | (102 | ) | ||
Reclassification to Net Income of actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs on pension and other post-retirement benefit plans | 25 | (7 | ) | 18 | |||
Other comprehensive loss on Equity Investments | (272 | ) | 68 | (204 | ) | ||
Other comprehensive loss | (517 | ) | 346 | (171 | ) | ||
132 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
year ended December 31, 2013 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Before tax amount |
Income tax recovery/ (expense) |
Net of tax amount |
||||
Foreign currency translation gains on net investments in foreign operations | 269 | 114 | 383 | ||||
Change in fair value of net investment hedges | (323 | ) | 84 | (239 | ) | ||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges | 121 | (50 | ) | 71 | |||
Reclassification to Net Income of gains and losses on cash flow hedges | 60 | (19 | ) | 41 | |||
Unrealized actuarial gains and losses on pension and other post-retirement benefit plans | 96 | (29 | ) | 67 | |||
Reclassification to Net Income of actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs on pension and other post-retirement benefit plans | 34 | (11 | ) | 23 | |||
Other comprehensive income on Equity Investments | 313 | (79 | ) | 234 | |||
Other comprehensive income | 570 | 10 | 580 | ||||
year ended December 31, 2012 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Before tax amount |
Income tax recovery/ (expense) |
Net of tax amount |
||||
Foreign currency translation losses on net investments in foreign operations | (97 | ) | (32 | ) | (129 | ) | |
Change in fair value of net investment hedges | 59 | (15 | ) | 44 | |||
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges | 61 | (13 | ) | 48 | |||
Reclassification to Net Income of gains and losses on cash flow hedges | 219 | (81 | ) | 138 | |||
Unrealized actuarial gains and losses on pension and other post-retirement benefit plans | (104 | ) | 31 | (73 | ) | ||
Reclassification to Net Income of actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs on pension and other post-retirement benefit plans | 22 | | 22 | ||||
Other comprehensive loss on Equity Investments | (93 | ) | 23 | (70 | ) | ||
Other comprehensive income/(loss) | 67 | (87 | ) | (20 | ) | ||
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 133
The changes in AOCI by component is as follows:
Currency translation adjustments |
Cash flow hedges |
Pension and OPEB plan adjustments |
Equity Investments |
Total1 | |||||||
AOCI Balance at January 1, 2012 | (643 | ) | (302 | ) | (236 | ) | (268 | ) | (1,449 | ) | |
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications2 | (64 | ) | 48 | (73 | ) | (67 | ) | (156 | ) | ||
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | 138 | 22 | (3 | ) | 157 | |||||
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)/income | (64 | ) | 186 | (51 | ) | (70 | ) | 1 | |||
AOCI Balance at December 31, 2012 | (707 | ) | (116 | ) | (287 | ) | (338 | ) | (1,448 | ) | |
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications2 | 78 | 71 | 67 | 219 | 435 | ||||||
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | 41 | 23 | 15 | 79 | ||||||
Net current period other comprehensive income | 78 | 112 | 90 | 234 | 514 | ||||||
AOCI Balance at December 31, 2013 | (629 | ) | (4 | ) | (197 | ) | (104 | ) | (934 | ) | |
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications2 | 111 | (69 | ) | (102 | ) | (206 | ) | (266 | ) | ||
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss3 | | (55 | ) | 18 | 2 | (35 | ) | ||||
Net current period other comprehensive income/(loss) | 111 | (124 | ) | (84 | ) | (204 | ) | (301 | ) | ||
AOCI Balance at December 31, 2014 | (518 | ) | (128 | ) | (281 | ) | (308 | ) | (1,235 | ) | |
134 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
Details about reclassifications out of AOCI into the Consolidated Statement of Income are as follows:
year ended December 31 | Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss1 |
Affected line item in the consolidated statement of |
|||||||
(millions of Canadian dollars) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | income | |||||
Cash flow hedges | |||||||||
Power and Natural Gas | 111 | (44 | ) | (201 | ) | Revenue (Energy) | |||
Interest | (16 | ) | (16 | ) | (18 | ) | Interest Expense | ||
95 | (60 | ) | (219 | ) | Total before tax | ||||
(40 | ) | 19 | 81 | Income Tax Expense | |||||
55 | (41 | ) | (138 | ) | Net of tax | ||||
Pension and OPEB plan adjustments | |||||||||
Amortization of actuarial loss and past service cost2 | (25 | ) | (34 | ) | (22 | ) | 2 | ||
7 | 11 | | Income Tax Expense | ||||||
(18 | ) | (23 | ) | (22 | ) | Net of tax | |||
Equity Investments | |||||||||
Equity Income | (2 | ) | (20 | ) | 5 | Income from Equity Investments | |||
| 5 | (2 | ) | Income Tax Expense | |||||
(2 | ) | (15 | ) | 3 | Net of tax | ||||
22. EMPLOYEE POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Company sponsors DB Plans for its employees. Pension benefits provided under the DB Plans are based on years of service and highest average earnings over three consecutive years of employment. Upon commencement of retirement, pension benefits in the Canadian DB Plan increase annually by a portion of the increase in the Consumer Price Index. Past service costs are amortized over the expected average remaining service life of employees, which is approximately nine years (2013 and 2012 nine years).
The Company also provides its employees with a savings plan in Canada, DC Plans consisting of 401(k) Plans in the U.S., and post-employment benefits other than pensions, including termination benefits and life insurance and medical benefits beyond those provided by government-sponsored plans. Past service costs are amortized over the expected average remaining life expectancy of former employees, which was approximately 12 years at December 31, 2014 (2013 11 years; 2012 12 years). In 2014, the Company expensed $37 million (2013 $29 million; 2012 $24 million) for the savings plan and DC Plans.
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 135
Total cash payments for employee post-retirement benefits, consisting of cash contributed by the Company were as follows:
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
DB Plans | 73 | 79 | 83 | |||
Other post-retirement benefit plans | 6 | 6 | 7 | |||
Savings and DC Plans | 37 | 29 | 24 | |||
116 | 114 | 114 | ||||
Current Canadian pension legislation allows for partial funding of solvency requirements over a number of years through letters of credit in lieu of cash contributions, up to certain limits. As such, in addition to the cash contributions noted above, in 2014 the Company provided a $47 million letter of credit to the Canadian DB Plan (2013 $59 million; 2012 $48 million), resulting in a total of $181 million provided to the Canadian DB Plan under letters of credit at December 31, 2014.
The most recent actuarial valuation of the pension plans for funding purposes was as at January 1, 2014 and the next required valuation will be as at January 1, 2015.
at December 31 | Pension Benefit Plans |
Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans |
|||||||
(millions of Canadian dollars) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Change in Benefit Obligation1 | |||||||||
Benefit obligation beginning of year | 2,224 | 2,142 | 191 | 186 | |||||
Service cost | 85 | 84 | 2 | 2 | |||||
Interest cost | 113 | 96 | 10 | 7 | |||||
Employee contributions | 4 | 4 | | | |||||
Benefits paid | (102 | ) | (83 | ) | (7 | ) | (7 | ) | |
Actuarial loss/(gain) | 302 | (39 | ) | 14 | (2 | ) | |||
Foreign exchange rate changes | 32 | 20 | 6 | 5 | |||||
Benefit obligation end of year | 2,658 | 2,224 | 216 | 191 | |||||
Change in Plan Assets |
|||||||||
Plan assets at fair value beginning of year | 2,152 | 1,825 | 35 | 32 | |||||
Actual return on plan assets | 246 | 313 | 2 | 2 | |||||
Employer contributions2 | 73 | 79 | 6 | 6 | |||||
Employee contributions | 4 | 4 | | | |||||
Benefits paid | (102 | ) | (83 | ) | (7 | ) | (7 | ) | |
Foreign exchange rate changes | 25 | 14 | 3 | 2 | |||||
Plan assets at fair value end of year | 2,398 | 2,152 | 39 | 35 | |||||
Funded Status Plan Deficit | (260 | ) | (72 | ) | (177 | ) | (156 | ) | |
136 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
The amounts recognized in the Company's Balance Sheet for its DB Plans and other post-retirement benefits plans are as follows:
at December 31 | Pension Benefit Plans |
Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans |
|||||||
(millions of Canadian dollars) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Intangible and Other Assets (Note 11) | | | 14 | 16 | |||||
Accounts Payable and Other (Note 13) | | | (7 | ) | | ||||
Other Long-Term Liabilities (Note 14) | (260 | ) | (72 | ) | (184 | ) | (172 | ) | |
(260 | ) | (72 | ) | (177 | ) | (156 | ) | ||
Included in the above benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets were the following amounts for plans that are not fully funded:
at December 31 | Pension Benefit Plans |
Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans |
|||||||
(millions of Canadian dollars) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Projected benefit obligation1 | (2,658 | ) | (2,224 | ) | (191 | ) | (172 | ) | |
Plan assets at fair value | 2,398 | 2,152 | | | |||||
Funded Status Deficit | (260 | ) | (72 | ) | (191 | ) | (172 | ) | |
The accumulated benefit obligation for all DB pension plans at December 31, 2014 is $2,437 million (2013 $2,039 million).
The funded status based on the accumulated benefit obligation for all DB Plans is as follows:
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | |||
Accumulated benefit obligation | (2,437 | ) | (2,039 | ) | |
Plan assets at fair value | 2,398 | 2,152 | |||
Funded Status (Deficit)/Surplus | (39 | ) | 113 | ||
Included in the above accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets are the following amounts in respect of plans that are not fully funded.
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | |||
Accumulated benefit obligation | (715 | ) | (569 | ) | |
Plan assets at fair value | 597 | 537 | |||
Funded Status Deficit | (118 | ) | (32 | ) | |
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 137
The Company pension plans' weighted average asset allocations and target allocations by asset category were as follows:
Asset Category
Percentage of Plan Assets |
Target Allocations1 |
|||||
at December 31 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | |||
Debt securities | 31% | 31% | 25% to 35% | |||
Equity securities | 69% | 69% | 50% to 70% | |||
Alternatives | | | 5% to 15% | |||
100% | 100% | |||||
Debt and equity securities include the Company's debt and common shares as follows:
Percentage of Plan Assets |
||||||||
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||
Debt securities | 1 | 2 | 0.1% | 0.1% | ||||
Equity securities | 1 | 2 | 0.1% | 0.1% | ||||
Pension plan assets are managed on a going concern basis, subject to legislative restrictions, and are diversified across asset classes to maximize returns at an acceptable level of risk. Asset mix strategies consider plan demographics and may include traditional equity and debt securities, as well as alternative assets such as infrastructure, private equity, real estate and derivatives to diversify risk. Derivatives are not used for speculative purposes and the use of leveraged derivatives is prohibited.
All investments are measured at fair value using market prices. Where the fair value cannot be readily determined by reference to generally available price quotations, the fair value is determined by considering the discounted cash flows on a risk-adjusted basis and by comparison to similar assets which are publicly traded. In Level I, the fair value of assets is determined by reference to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. In Level II, the fair value of assets is determined using valuation techniques, such as option pricing models and extrapolation using significant inputs, which are observable directly or indirectly. In Level III, the fair value of assets is determined using a market approach based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. For further information on the fair value hierarchy, refer to Note 23.
138 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
The following table presents plan assets for DB Plans and other post-retirement benefits measured at fair value, which have been categorized into the three categories based on a fair value hierarchy.
at December 31 | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level I) |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level II) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level III) |
Total |
Percentage of Total Portfolio |
|||||||||||||||||
(millions of Canadian dollars) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||
Asset Category | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents | 20 | 17 | | | | | 20 | 17 | 1% | 1% | ||||||||||||
Equity Securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Canadian | 361 | 474 | 142 | 170 | | | 503 | 644 | 21% | 29% | ||||||||||||
U.S. | 516 | 423 | 35 | 37 | | | 551 | 460 | 23% | 21% | ||||||||||||
International | 218 | 36 | 147 | 330 | | | 365 | 366 | 15% | 17% | ||||||||||||
Global | | | 141 | 14 | | | 141 | 14 | 6% | 1% | ||||||||||||
Emerging | 7 | | 80 | | | | 87 | | 3% | | ||||||||||||
Fixed Income Securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Canadian Bonds: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal | | | 218 | 190 | | | 218 | 190 | 9% | 9% | ||||||||||||
Provincial | | | 180 | 154 | | | 180 | 154 | 7% | 7% | ||||||||||||
Municipal | | | 7 | 6 | | | 7 | 6 | | | ||||||||||||
Corporate | | | 76 | 77 | | | 76 | 77 | 3% | 3% | ||||||||||||
U.S. Bonds: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
State | | | 47 | 33 | | | 47 | 33 | 2% | 2% | ||||||||||||
Corporate | | | 59 | 48 | | | 59 | 48 | 2% | 2% | ||||||||||||
International: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate | | | 14 | 20 | | | 14 | 20 | 1% | 1% | ||||||||||||
Mortgage Backed | | | 39 | 26 | | | 39 | 26 | 2% | 1% | ||||||||||||
Other Investments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Private Equity Funds | | | | | 13 | 18 | 13 | 18 | | 1% | ||||||||||||
Funds held on deposit | 117 | 114 | | | 117 | 114 | 5% | 5% | ||||||||||||||
1,239 | 1,064 | 1,185 | 1,105 | 13 | 18 | 2,437 | 2,187 | 100% | 100% | |||||||||||||
The following table presents the net change in the Level III fair value category:
(millions of Canadian dollars, pre-tax) | Private Equity Funds |
||
Balance at December 31, 2012 | 19 | ||
Purchases and Sales | (4 | ) | |
Realized and unrealized gains | 3 | ||
Balance at December 31, 2013 | 18 | ||
Purchases and sales | (7 | ) | |
Realized and unrealized gains | 2 | ||
Balance at December 31, 2014 | 13 | ||
The Company's expected funding contributions in 2015 are approximately $70 million for the DB Plans, approximately $7 million for the other post-retirement benefit plans and approximately $36 million for the savings plan and DC Plans. The Company expects to provide an additional estimated $35 million letter of credit to the Canadian DB Plan for the funding of solvency requirements.
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 139
The following are estimated future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service:
(millions of Canadian dollars) | Pension Benefits |
Other Post- Retirement Benefits |
||
2015 | 102 | 8 | ||
2016 | 108 | 8 | ||
2017 | 114 | 9 | ||
2018 | 120 | 9 | ||
2019 | 127 | 10 | ||
2020 to 2024 | 728 | 51 | ||
The rate used to discount pension and other post-retirement benefit plan obligations was developed based on a yield curve of corporate AA bond yields at December 31, 2014. This yield curve is used to develop spot rates that vary based on the duration of the obligations. The estimated future cash flows for the pension and other post-retirement obligations were matched to the corresponding rates on the spot rate curve to derive a weighted average discount rate.
The significant weighted average actuarial assumptions adopted in measuring the Company's benefit obligations were as follows:
Pension Benefit Plans |
Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans |
|||||||
at December 31 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||
Discount rate | 4.15% | 4.95% | 4.20% | 5.00% | ||||
Rate of compensation increase | 3.15% | 3.15% | | | ||||
The significant weighted average actuarial assumptions adopted in measuring the Company's net benefit plan costs were as follows:
Pension Benefit Plans |
Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans |
|||||||||||
year ended December 31 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||
Discount rate | 4.95% | 4.35% | 5.05% | 5.00% | 4.35% | 5.10% | ||||||
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets | 6.90% | 6.70% | 6.70% | 4.60% | 4.60% | 6.40% | ||||||
Rate of compensation increase | 3.15% | 3.15% | 3.15% | | | | ||||||
The overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on historical and projected rates of return for the portfolio in aggregate and for each asset class in the portfolio. Assumed projected rates of return are selected after analyzing historical experience and estimating future levels and volatility of returns. Asset class benchmark returns, asset mix and anticipated benefit payments from plan assets are also considered in determining the overall expected rate of return. The discount rate is based on market interest rates of high-quality bonds that match the timing and benefits expected to be paid under each plan.
A 7.5 per cent average annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2015 measurement purposes. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to five per cent by
140 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
2020 and remain at this level thereafter. A one per cent change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
(millions of Canadian dollars) | Increase | Decrease | |||
Effect on total of service and interest cost components | 1 | (1 | ) | ||
Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation | 14 | (12 | ) | ||
The Company's net benefit cost is as follows:
at December 31 | Pension Benefit Plans |
Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans |
|||||||||||
(millions of Canadian dollars) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Service cost | 85 | 84 | 66 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||||||
Interest cost | 113 | 96 | 94 | 10 | 7 | 8 | |||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (139 | ) | (120 | ) | (113 | ) | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | |
Amortization of actuarial loss | 21 | 30 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |||||||
Amortization of past service cost | 2 | 2 | 2 | | | 1 | |||||||
Amortization of regulatory asset | 18 | 30 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
Amortization of transitional obligation related to regulated business | | | | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||||||
Net Benefit Cost Recognized | 100 | 122 | 86 | 15 | 12 | 13 | |||||||
Pre-tax amounts recognized in AOCI were as follows:
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
||||||||||
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Pension Benefits |
Other Post- Retirement Benefits |
Pension Benefits |
Other Post- Retirement Benefits |
Pension Benefits |
Other Post- Retirement Benefits |
||||||
Net loss | 354 | 40 | 236 | 32 | 362 | 33 | ||||||
Prior service cost | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | ||||||
356 | 41 | 239 | 33 | 367 | 35 | |||||||
The estimated net loss and prior service cost for the DB Plans that will be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost in 2015 are $27 million and $2 million, respectively. The estimated net loss and prior service cost for the other post-retirement plans that will be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost in 2015 is $2 million and nil, respectively.
Pre-tax amounts recognized in OCI were as follows:
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
|||||||||||
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Pension Benefits |
Other Post- Retirement Benefits |
Pension Benefits |
Other Post- Retirement Benefits |
Pension Benefits |
Other Post- Retirement Benefits |
|||||||
Amortization of net loss from AOCI to OCI | (21 | ) | (2 | ) | (30 | ) | (2 | ) | (19 | ) | (1 | ) | |
Amortization of prior service costs from AOCI to OCI | (2 | ) | | (2 | ) | | (2 | ) | | ||||
Funded status adjustment | 137 | 9 | (96 | ) | | 99 | 5 | ||||||
114 | 7 | (128 | ) | (2 | ) | 78 | 4 | ||||||
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 141
23. RISK MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Risk Management Overview
TCPL has exposure to market risk and counterparty credit
risk, and has strategies, policies and limits in place to manage the impact of these risks
on earnings, cash flow and, ultimately, shareholder value.
Risk management strategies, policies and limits are designed to ensure TCPL's risks and related exposures are in line with the Company's business objectives and risk tolerance. Market risk and counterparty credit risk are managed within limits ultimately established by the Company's Board of Directors, implemented by senior management and monitored by the Company's risk management and internal audit groups. The Board of Directors' Audit Committee oversees how management monitors compliance with market risk and counterparty credit risk management policies and procedures, and oversees management's review of the adequacy of the risk management framework. Internal audit personnel assist the Audit Committee in its oversight role by performing regular and ad-hoc reviews of risk management controls and procedures, the results of which are reported to the Audit Committee.
Market Risk
The Company constructs and invests in energy infrastructure
projects, purchases and sells energy commodities, issues short-term and long-term debt,
including amounts in foreign currencies, and invests in foreign operations. Certain of these activities expose the Company to market risk from changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange rates and
interest rates, which may affect the Company's earnings and the value of the financial instruments it holds.
The
Company uses derivatives as part of its overall risk management strategy to assist in managing the exposure to market risk that results from these activities. These
derivative contracts may consist of the following:
Commodity Price Risk
The Company is exposed to
commodity price movements as part of its normal business operations, particularly in relation to the prices of electricity
and natural gas. A number of strategies are used to manage these exposures, including the following:
142 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
Natural Gas Storage Commodity Price Risk
TCPL manages its exposure
to seasonal natural gas price spreads in its non-regulated Natural Gas Storage business by economically hedging storage
capacity with a portfolio of third-party storage capacity contracts and proprietary natural gas purchases and sales. TCPL simultaneously enters into a forward purchase of natural gas for injection
into storage and an offsetting forward sale of natural gas for withdrawal at a later period, thereby locking in future positive margins and effectively
eliminating exposure to natural gas price movements. Unrealized gains and losses on fair value adjustments recorded each period on these forward contracts are not necessarily representative of the
amounts that will be realized on settlement.
Foreign Exchange and Interest Rate Risk
Foreign exchange and
interest rate risk is created by fluctuations in the fair value or cash flow of financial instruments due to changes in foreign
exchange rates and interest rates.
A portion of TCPL's earnings from its Natural Gas Pipelines, Liquids Pipelines and Energy segments is generated in U.S. dollars and, therefore, fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar can affect TCPL's net income. As the Company's U.S. dollar-denominated operations continue to grow, exposure to changes in currency rates increases; some of this foreign exchange impact is partially offset by interest expense on U.S. dollar-denominated debt and by using foreign exchange derivatives.
The Company uses foreign currency and interest rate derivatives to manage the foreign exchange and interest rate risks related to other U.S. dollar-denominated transactions including those that may arise on some of the Company's regulated assets, in which case certain of the realized gains and losses on these derivatives would be deferred as regulatory assets and liabilities until they are recovered from or paid to the shippers.
TCPL has floating interest rate debt which subjects it to interest rate cash flow risk. The Company uses a combination of interest rate swaps and options to manage its exposure to this risk.
Net Investment in Foreign Operations
The Company hedges its net
investment in foreign operations (on an after-tax basis) with U.S. dollar-denominated debt, cross-currency
interest rate swaps, foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign exchange options.
U.S. Dollar-Denominated Debt Designated as a Net Investment Hedge
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars, unless noted otherwise) |
2014 | 2013 | |||
Carrying value | 17,000 (US 14,700 | ) | 14,200 (US 13,400 | ) | |
Fair value | 19,000 (US 16,400 | ) | 16,000 (US 15,000 | ) | |
Derivatives Designated as a Net Investment Hedge
2014 |
2013 |
|||||||
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars, unless noted otherwise) |
Fair Value1 |
Notional or Principal Amount |
Fair Value1 |
Notional or Principal Amount |
||||
U.S. dollar cross-currency interest rate swaps (maturing 2015 to 2019)2 | (431 | ) | US 2,900 | (201 | ) | US 3,800 | ||
U.S. dollar foreign exchange forward contracts (maturing 2015) | (28 | ) | US 1,400 | (11 | ) | US 850 | ||
(459 | ) | US 4,300 | (212 | ) | US 4,650 | |||
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 143
The balance sheet classification of the fair value of derivatives used to hedge the Company's net investment in foreign operations is as follows:
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | |||
Other Current Assets (Note 5) | 5 | 5 | |||
Intangible and Other Assets (Note 11) | 1 | | |||
Accounts Payable and Other (Note 13) | (155 | ) | (50 | ) | |
Other Long-Term Liabilities (Note 14) | (310 | ) | (167 | ) | |
(459 | ) | (212 | ) | ||
Counterparty Credit Risk
Counterparty credit risk represents the financial loss the Company would
experience if a counterparty to a financial instrument failed to meet its
obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the related contract or agreement with the Company.
The
Company manages its exposure to this potential loss by using recognized credit management techniques, including:
There is no guarantee that these techniques will protect the Company from material losses.
TCPL's maximum counterparty credit exposure with respect to financial instruments at December 31, 2014, without taking into account security held, consisted of accounts receivable, portfolio investments recorded at fair value, the fair value of derivative assets and notes, loans and advances receivable. The Company regularly reviews its accounts receivable and records an allowance for doubtful accounts as necessary using the specific identification method. At December 31, 2014, there were no significant amounts past due or impaired, and there were no significant credit losses during the year. The Company had a credit risk concentration due from a counterparty of $258 million (US$222 million) and $240 million (US$225 million) at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This amount is expected to be fully collectible and is secured by a guarantee from the counterparty's investment grade parent company.
TCPL has significant credit and performance exposures to financial institutions as they hold cash deposits and provide committed credit lines and letters of credit that help manage our exposure to counterparties and provide liquidity in commodity, foreign exchange and interest rate derivative markets.
Financial Instruments
All financial instruments, including both derivative and
non-derivative instruments, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value unless they were
entered into and continue to be held for the purpose of receipt or delivery in accordance with the Company's normal purchase and normal sales exemptions and are documented as such. In addition, fair
value accounting is not required for other financial instruments that qualify for certain accounting exemptions.
Fair Value of Non-Derivative Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company's notes receivable is
calculated by discounting future payments of interest and principal using forward interest rates.
The fair value of Long-Term Debt is estimated using an income approach
144 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
based on quoted market prices for the same or similar debt instruments from external data service providers. The fair value of available for sale assets has been calculated using quoted market prices where available. Credit risk has been taken into consideration when calculating the fair value of non-derivative instruments.
Certain non-derivative financial instruments included in Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accounts Receivable, Due from Affiliates, Intangible and Other Assets, Notes Payable, Accounts Payable and Other, Due to Affiliates, Accrued Interest and Other Long-Term Liabilities have carrying amounts that approximates their fair value due to the nature of the item or the short time to maturity and would be classified in Level II of the fair value hierarchy.
Balance Sheet Presentation of Non-Derivative Financial Instruments
The following table details the fair value of the
non-derivative financial instruments, excluding those where carrying amounts equal fair value, and
would be classified in Level II of the fair value hierarchy:
2014 |
2013 |
||||||||
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Carrying Amount |
Fair Value |
Carrying Amount |
Fair Value |
|||||
Notes receivable and other1 | 213 | 263 | 226 | 269 | |||||
Available for sale assets2 | 62 | 62 | 47 | 47 | |||||
Current and Long-Term Debt3,4 (Note 15) | (24,757 | ) | (28,713 | ) | (22,865 | ) | (26,134 | ) | |
Junior Subordinated Notes (Note 17) | (1,160 | ) | (1,157 | ) | (1,063 | ) | (1,093 | ) | |
(25,642 | ) | (29,545 | ) | (23,655 | ) | (26,911 | ) | ||
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
The fair value of foreign exchange and
interest rate derivatives have been calculated using the income approach which uses year-end market rates and
applies a discounted cash flow valuation model. The fair value of power and natural gas derivatives and available for sale assets has been calculated using quoted market prices where available. In the
absence of quoted market prices, third-party broker quotes or other valuation techniques have been used. Credit risk has been taken into consideration when calculating the fair value of derivative
instruments.
In some cases, even though the derivatives are considered to be effective economic hedges, they do not meet the specific criteria for hedge accounting treatment or are not designated as a hedge and are accounted for at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in Net Income in the period of change. This may expose the Company to increased variability in reported earnings because the fair value of the derivative instruments can fluctuate significantly from period to period.
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 145
Balance Sheet Presentation of Derivative Instruments
The balance sheet
classification of the fair value of the derivative instruments is as follows:
at December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | |||
Other Current Assets (Note 5) | 409 | 395 | |||
Intangible and Other Assets (Note 11) | 93 | 112 | |||
Accounts Payable and Other (Note 13) | (749 | ) | (357 | ) | |
Other Long-Term Liabilities (Note 14) | (411 | ) | (255 | ) | |
(658 | ) | (105 | ) | ||
2014 Derivative Instruments Summary
The following summary does not include hedges of the net investment in
foreign operations.
(millions of Canadian dollars, unless noted otherwise) |
Power | Natural Gas |
Foreign Exchange |
Interest | |||||||
Derivative Instruments Held for Trading1 | |||||||||||
Fair Values2 | |||||||||||
Assets | $362 | $69 | $1 | $4 | |||||||
Liabilities | ($391 | ) | ($103 | ) | ($32 | ) | ($4 | ) | |||
Notional Values | |||||||||||
Volumes3 | |||||||||||
Purchases | 42,097 | 60 | | | |||||||
Sales | 35,452 | 38 | | | |||||||
U.S. dollars | | | US 1,374 | US 100 | |||||||
Net unrealized losses in the year4 | ($5 | ) | ($35 | ) | ($20 | ) | $ | ||||
Net realized (losses)/gains in the year4 | ($39 | ) | $11 | ($28 | ) | $ | |||||
Maturity dates | 2015-2019 | 2015-2020 | 2015 | 2015-2016 | |||||||
Derivative Instruments in Hedging Relationships5,6 |
|||||||||||
Fair Values2 | |||||||||||
Assets | $57 | $ | $ | $3 | |||||||
Liabilities | ($163 | ) | $ | $ | ($2 | ) | |||||
Notional Values | |||||||||||
Volumes3 | |||||||||||
Purchases | 11,120 | | | | |||||||
Sales | 3,977 | | | | |||||||
U.S. dollars | | | | US 550 | |||||||
Net realized gains in the year4 | $130 | $ | $ | $4 | |||||||
Maturity dates | 2015-2019 | | | 2015-2018 | |||||||
146 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
2013 Derivative Instruments Summary
The following summary does not include hedges of the net investment in
foreign operations.
(millions of Canadian dollars, unless noted otherwise) |
Power | Natural Gas |
Foreign Exchange |
Interest | |||||||
Derivative Instruments Held for Trading1 | |||||||||||
Fair Values2 | |||||||||||
Assets | $265 | $73 | $ | $8 | |||||||
Liabilities | ($280 | ) | ($72 | ) | ($12 | ) | ($7 | ) | |||
Notional Values | |||||||||||
Volumes3 | |||||||||||
Purchases | 29,301 | 88 | | | |||||||
Sales | 28,534 | 60 | | | |||||||
Canadian dollars | | | | 400 | |||||||
U.S. dollars | | | US 1,015 | US 100 | |||||||
Net unrealized gains/(losses) in the year4 | $19 | $17 | ($10 | ) | $ | ||||||
Net realized losses in the year4 | ($49 | ) | ($13 | ) | ($9 | ) | $ | ||||
Maturity dates | 2014-2017 | 2014-2016 | 2014 | 2014-2016 | |||||||
Derivative Instruments in Hedging Relationships5,6 |
|||||||||||
Fair Values2 | |||||||||||
Assets | $150 | $ | $ | $6 | |||||||
Liabilities | ($22 | ) | $ | ($1 | ) | ($1 | ) | ||||
Notional Values | |||||||||||
Volumes3 | |||||||||||
Purchases | 9,758 | | | | |||||||
Sales | 6,906 | | | | |||||||
U.S. dollars | | | US 16 | US 350 | |||||||
Net realized (losses)/gains in the year4 | ($19 | ) | ($2 | ) | $ | $5 | |||||
Maturity dates | 2014-2018 | | 2014 | 2015-2018 | |||||||
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 147
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
The following table presents the
components of OCI (Note 21) related to derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars, pre-tax) |
2014 | 2013 | ||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments recognized in OCI (effective portion)1 | ||||||
Power | (126 | ) | 117 | |||
Natural Gas | (2 | ) | (1 | ) | ||
Foreign Exchange | 10 | 5 | ||||
(118 | ) | 121 | ||||
Reclassification of (losses)/gains on derivative instruments from AOCI to Net Income (effective portion)1 | ||||||
Power2 | (114 | ) | 40 | |||
Natural Gas2 | 3 | 4 | ||||
Interest3 | 16 | 16 | ||||
(95 | ) | 60 | ||||
(Losses)/gains on derivative instruments recognized in Net Income (ineffective portion) | ||||||
Power | (13 | ) | 8 | |||
(13 | ) | 8 | ||||
Offsetting of Derivative Instruments
The Company enters into derivative
contracts with the right to offset in the normal course of business as well as in the event of default. TCPL has
no master netting agreements, however, similar contracts are entered into containing rights of offset. The Company has elected to present the fair value of derivative instruments with the right to
offset on a gross basis in the balance sheet. The following table shows the impact on the presentation of the fair value of derivative instrument assets and liabilities had the Company elected to
present these contracts on a net basis:
at December 31, 2014 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Gross derivative instruments presented on the balance sheet |
Amounts available for offset1 |
Net amounts | |||||
Derivative Asset | ||||||||
Power | 419 | (330 | ) | 89 | ||||
Natural gas | 69 | (57 | ) | 12 | ||||
Foreign exchange | 7 | (7 | ) | | ||||
Interest | 7 | (1 | ) | 6 | ||||
502 | (395 | ) | 107 | |||||
Derivative Liability | ||||||||
Power | (554 | ) | 330 | (224 | ) | |||
Natural gas | (103 | ) | 57 | (46 | ) | |||
Foreign exchange | (497 | ) | 7 | (490 | ) | |||
Interest | (6 | ) | 1 | (5 | ) | |||
(1,160 | ) | 395 | (765 | ) | ||||
148 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
The following table shows the impact on the presentation of the fair value of derivative instrument assets and liabilities had the Company elected to present these contracts on a net basis as at December 31, 2013:
at December 31, 2013 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Gross derivative instruments presented on the balance sheet |
Amounts available for offset1 |
Net amounts | |||||
Derivative Asset | ||||||||
Power | 415 | (277 | ) | 138 | ||||
Natural gas | 73 | (61 | ) | 12 | ||||
Foreign exchange | 5 | (5 | ) | | ||||
Interest | 14 | (2 | ) | 12 | ||||
507 | (345 | ) | 162 | |||||
Derivative Liability | ||||||||
Power | (302 | ) | 277 | (25 | ) | |||
Natural gas | (72 | ) | 61 | (11 | ) | |||
Foreign exchange | (230 | ) | 5 | (225 | ) | |||
Interest | (8 | ) | 2 | (6 | ) | |||
(612 | ) | 345 | (267 | ) | ||||
With respect to all financial arrangements, including the derivative instruments presented above as at December 31, 2014, the Company had provided cash collateral of $459 million (2013 $67 million) and letters of credit of $26 million (2013 $85 million) to its counterparties. The Company held $1 million (2013 $11 million) in cash collateral and $1 million (2013 $32 million) in letters of credit from counterparties on asset exposures at December 31, 2014.
Credit Risk Related Contingent Features of Derivative Instruments
Derivative contracts entered into to manage market
risk often contain financial assurance provisions that allow parties to the contracts to manage
credit risk. These provisions may require collateral to be provided if a credit-risk-related contingent event occurs, such as a downgrade in the Company's credit rating to non-investment grade.
Based on contracts in place and market prices at December 31, 2014, the aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position was $15 million (2013 $16 million), for which the Company has provided collateral in the normal course of business of nil (2013 nil). If the credit-risk-related contingent features in these agreements were triggered on December 31, 2014, the Company would have been required to provide additional collateral of $15 million (2013 $16 million) to its counterparties. Collateral may also need to be provided should the fair value of derivative instruments exceed pre-defined contractual exposure limit thresholds.
The Company has sufficient liquidity in the form of cash and undrawn committed revolving bank lines to meet these contingent obligations should they arise.
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 149
Fair Value Hierarchy
The Company's financial assets and liabilities
recorded at fair value have been categorized into three categories based on a fair value hierarchy.
Levels | How fair value has been determined | |
Level I | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. | |
Level II | Valuation based on the extrapolation of inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level I, for which all significant inputs are observable directly or indirectly. | |
Inputs include published exchange rates, interest rates, interest rate swap curves, yield curves and broker quotes from external data service providers. | ||
This category includes interest rate and foreign exchange derivative assets and liabilities where fair value is determined using the income approach and power and natural gas commodity derivatives where fair value is determined using the market approach. | ||
Transfers between Level I and Level II would occur when there is a change in market circumstances. | ||
Level III | Valuation of assets and liabilities are measured using a market approach based on extrapolation of inputs that are unobservable or where observable data does not support a significant portion of the derivatives fair value. This category includes long-dated commodity transactions in certain markets where liquidity is low and inputs may include long-term broker quotes. | |
Long-term electricity prices may also be estimated using a third-party modeling tool which takes into account physical operating characteristics of generation facilities in the markets in which the Company operates. Model inputs include market fundamentals such as fuel prices, power supply additions and retirements, power demand, seasonal hydro conditions and transmission constraints. Long-term North American natural gas prices might be estimated on a view of future natural gas supply and demand, as well as exploration and development costs. Significant decreases in fuel prices or demand for electricity or natural gas, or increases in the supply of electricity or natural gas, small number of transactions in markets with lower liquidity are expected to or may result in a lower fair value measurement of contracts included in Level III. | ||
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value can fluctuate between Level II and Level III depending on the proportion of the value of the contract that extends beyond the time frame for which significant inputs are considered to be observable. As contracts near maturity and observable market data becomes available, they are transferred out of Level III and into Level II. | ||
150 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
The fair value of the Company's assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis, including both current and non-current portions for 2014, are categorized as follows:
at December 31, 2014 (millions of Canadian dollars, pre-tax) |
Quoted prices in active markets Level I1 |
Significant other observable inputs Level II1 |
Significant unobservable inputs Level III1 |
Total | ||||||
Derivative Instrument Assets: | ||||||||||
Power commodity contracts | | 417 | 2 | 419 | ||||||
Natural gas commodity contracts | 40 | 24 | 5 | 69 | ||||||
Foreign exchange contracts | | 7 | | 7 | ||||||
Interest rate contracts | | 7 | | 7 | ||||||
Derivative Instrument Liabilities: | ||||||||||
Power commodity contracts | | (551 | ) | (3 | ) | (554 | ) | |||
Natural gas commodity contracts | (86 | ) | (17 | ) | | (103 | ) | |||
Foreign exchange contracts | | (497 | ) | | (497 | ) | ||||
Interest rate contracts | | (6 | ) | | (6 | ) | ||||
Non-Derivative Financial Instruments: | ||||||||||
Available for sale assets | | 62 | | 62 | ||||||
(46 | ) | (554 | ) | 4 | (596 | ) | ||||
The fair value of the Company's assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis, including both current and non-current portions for 2013, are categorized as follows:
at December 31, 2013 (millions of Canadian dollars, pre-tax) |
Quoted prices in active markets Level I1 |
Significant other observable inputs Level II1 |
Significant unobservable inputs Level III1 |
Total | ||||||
Derivative Instrument Assets: | ||||||||||
Power commodity contracts | | 411 | 4 | 415 | ||||||
Natural gas commodity contracts | 48 | 25 | | 73 | ||||||
Foreign exchange contracts | | 5 | | 5 | ||||||
Interest rate contracts | | 14 | | 14 | ||||||
Derivative Instrument Liabilities: | ||||||||||
Power commodity contracts | | (299 | ) | (3 | ) | (302 | ) | |||
Natural gas commodity contracts | (50 | ) | (22 | ) | | (72 | ) | |||
Foreign exchange contracts | | (230 | ) | | (230 | ) | ||||
Interest rate contracts | | (8 | ) | | (8 | ) | ||||
Non-Derivative Financial Instruments: | ||||||||||
Available for sale assets | | 47 | | 47 | ||||||
(2 | ) | (57 | ) | 1 | (58 | ) | ||||
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 151
The following table presents the net change in fair value of derivative assets and liabilities classified as Level III of the fair value hierarchy:
(millions of Canadian dollars, pre-tax) | 2014 | 2013 | |||
Balance at beginning of year | 1 | (2 | ) | ||
Transfers out of Level III | | (2 | ) | ||
Total gains/(losses) included in Net Income | 3 | (1 | ) | ||
Total gains included in OCI | | 6 | |||
Balance at end of year1 | 4 | 1 | |||
A 10 per cent increase or decrease in commodity prices, with all other variables held constant, would result in a $1 million decrease or increase, respectively, in the fair value of outstanding derivative instruments included in Level III as at December 31, 2014.
24. CHANGES IN OPERATING WORKING CAPITAL
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||
(Increase)/decrease in Accounts Receivable | (205 | ) | (60 | ) | 50 | |
(Increase)/decrease in Inventories | (27 | ) | (30 | ) | 27 | |
(Increase)/decrease in Other Current Assets | (386 | ) | 40 | 64 | ||
Increase/(decrease) in Accounts Payable and Other | 393 | (291 | ) | 146 | ||
Increase in Accrued Interest | 36 | 7 | | |||
(Increase)/Decrease in Operating Working Capital | (189 | ) | (334 | ) | 287 | |
25. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
Energy
Ontario Solar
As part of a purchase
agreement with Canadian Solar Solutions Inc. signed in 2011, TCPL completed the acquisition of three Ontario solar
facilities for $181 million in September 2014 and acquired a fourth facility for $60 million in December 2014. In 2013, TCPL completed the acquisition of four solar
facilities for $216 million. TCPL's total investment in the eight solar facilities is $457 million. All power produced by the solar facilities is sold under 20-year PPAs
with the Ontario Power Authority.
Cancarb
On April 15, 2014,
TCPL sold Cancarb Limited and its related power generation for aggregate gross proceeds of $190 million. Please
refer to Note 6 for further information on the sale.
152 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
CrossAlta
In December 2012,
TCPL purchased BP's 40 per cent interest in the assets of the Crossfield Gas Storage facility and BP's
interest in CrossAlta Gas Storage & Services Ltd. (collectively CrossAlta) for $214 million in cash, net of cash acquired, resulting in the Company owning and operating
100 per cent of these operations.
The Company measured the assets and liabilities acquired at fair value and the transaction resulted in no goodwill. Upon completion of the acquisition, TCPL began consolidating CrossAlta. Prior to the acquisition, TCPL applied equity accounting to its 60 per cent ownership interest in CrossAlta.
Natural Gas Pipelines
TC PipeLines, LP
On October 1, 2014, TCPL
completed the sale of its remaining 30 per cent interest in Bison Pipeline LLC
(Bison LLC) to TC PipeLines, LP for an aggregate purchase price of US$215 million.
In July 2013, TCPL completed the sale of a 45 per cent interest in each of GTN LLC and Bison LLC to TC PipeLines, LP for an aggregate purchase price of US$1.05 billion, which included US$146 million of long-term debt for 45 per cent of GTN LLC debt outstanding, plus normal closing adjustments. GTN LLC and Bison LLC own the GTN and Bison natural gas pipelines, respectively.
In May 2013, TC PipeLines, LP completed a public offering of 8,855,000 common units at a price of US$43.85 per unit, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately US$388 million and net proceeds of US$373 million after unit issuance costs. TCPL contributed approximately US$8 million to maintain its two per cent general partnership interest and did not purchase any other units. Upon completion of this offering, TCPL's ownership interest in TC PipeLines, LP decreased from 33.3 per cent to 28.9 per cent and an after-tax dilution gain of $29 million ($47 million pre-tax) was recorded in Additional Paid-In Capital.
Gas Pacifico/INNERGY
On November 26, 2014,
TCPL sold its 30 per cent equity investments in Gas Pacifico and INNERGY for aggregate gross proceeds of
$9 million and recognized a gain of $9 million ($8 million after tax).
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 153
26. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES
Commitments
Operating Leases
Future annual payments,
net of sub-lease receipts, under the Company's operating leases for various premises, services and equipment are
approximately as follows:
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Minimum Lease Payments |
Amounts Recoverable under Sub-leases |
Net Payments |
|||
2015 | 348 | 48 | 300 | |||
2016 | 335 | 47 | 288 | |||
2017 | 335 | 48 | 287 | |||
2018 | 250 | 27 | 223 | |||
2019 | 232 | 23 | 209 | |||
2020 and thereafter | 407 | 20 | 387 | |||
1,907 | 213 | 1,694 | ||||
The operating lease agreements for premises, services and equipment expire at various dates through 2052, with an option to renew certain lease agreements for periods of one year to five years. Net rental expense on operating leases in 2014 was $114 million (2013 $98 million; 2012 $84 million).
TCPL's commitments under the Alberta PPAs are considered to be operating leases and a portion of these PPAs have been subleased to third parties under similar terms and conditions. Fixed payments under these PPAs have been included in the above operating leases table. Variable payments have been excluded as these payments are dependent upon plant availability and other factors. TCPL's share of payments under the PPAs in 2014 was $391 million (2013 $242 million; 2012 $238 million). The generating capacities and expiry dates of the PPAs are as follows:
MW | Expiry Date | |||
Sundance A | 560 | December 31, 2017 | ||
Sheerness | 756 | December 31, 2020 | ||
TCPL and its affiliates have long-term natural gas transportation and natural gas purchase arrangements as well as other purchase obligations, all of which are transacted at market prices and in the normal course of business.
Other Commitments
Capital expenditure
commitments include obligations related to the construction of growth projects and are based on the projects proceeding as
planned. Changes to these projects, including cancellation, would reduce or possibly eliminate these commitments as a result of cost mitigation efforts.
At December 31, 2014, TCPL was committed to Natural Gas Pipelines capital expenditures totaling approximately $0.9 billion (2013 $1.3 billion), primarily related to construction costs related to the Mexican and other natural gas pipeline projects.
At December 31, 2014, the Company was committed to Liquids Pipelines capital expenditures totaling approximately $1.8 billion (2013 $2.5 billion), primarily related to construction costs of Keystone XL, Grand Rapids and Northern Courier.
At December 31, 2014, the Company was committed to Energy capital expenditures totaling approximately $0.2 billion (2013 $0.1 billion), primarily related to capital costs of the Napanee Generating Station.
154 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014
Contingencies
TCPL is subject to laws and regulations governing
environmental quality and pollution control. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had
accrued approximately $31 million (2013 $32 million; 2012 $37 million) related to operating
facilities, which represents the present value of the estimated future amount it expects to expend to remediate the sites. However, additional liabilities may be incurred as assessments occur and
remediation efforts continue.
TCPL and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal proceedings, arbitrations and actions arising in the normal course of business. While the final outcome of such legal proceedings and actions cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of such proceedings and actions will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Guarantees
TCPL and its joint venture partner on Bruce Power, BPC
Generation Infrastructure Trust (BPC), have each severally guaranteed certain contingent
financial obligations of Bruce B related to a lease agreement and contractor and supplier services. In addition, TCPL and BPC have each severally guaranteed one-half of certain contingent financial
obligations of Bruce A related to a sublease agreement and certain other financial obligations. The Company's exposure under certain of these guarantees is unlimited.
In addition to the guarantees for Bruce Power, the Company and its partners in certain other jointly owned entities have either (i) jointly and severally, (ii) jointly or (iii) severally guaranteed the financial performance of these entities related primarily to redelivery of natural gas, PPA payments and the payment of liabilities. For certain of these entities, any payments made by TCPL under these guarantees in excess of its ownership interest are to be reimbursed by its partners.
The carrying value of these guarantees has been included in Other Long-Term Liabilities. Information regarding the Company's guarantees is as follows:
2014 |
2013 |
|||||||||
year ended December 31 (millions of Canadian dollars) |
Term | Potential Exposure1 |
Carrying Value |
Potential Exposure1 |
Carrying Value |
|||||
Bruce Power | Ranging to 2019 | 2 | 634 | 6 | 740 | 8 | ||||
Other jointly owned entities | Ranging to 2040 | 104 | 14 | 51 | 10 | |||||
738 | 20 | 791 | 18 | |||||||
TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014 155
27. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following amounts are included in Due from Affiliates:
2014 |
2013 |
|||||||||
(millions of Canadian $) | Maturity Date |
Outstanding December 31 |
Effective Interest Rate |
Outstanding December 31 |
Effective Interest Rate |
|||||
Discount Notes1 | 2015 | 2,597 | 1.3% | 2,721 | 1.3% | |||||
Credit Facility2 | 245 | 3.0% | | | ||||||
2,842 | 2,721 | |||||||||
In 2014, interest income included $37 million as a result of inter-corporate lending to TransCanada (2013 $38 million; 2012 $41 million).
At December 31, 2014, Accounts Receivable included $59 million due from TransCanada (December 31, 2013 $43 million).
The following amounts are included in Due to Affiliates:
2014 |
2013 |
|||||||||
(millions of Canadian $) | Maturity Date |
Outstanding December 31 |
Effective Interest Rate |
Outstanding December 31 |
Effective Interest Rate |
|||||
Credit Facility1 | 2016 | 866 | 3.8% | 865 | 3.8% | |||||
Credit Facility2 | | | 574 | 3.0% | ||||||
866 | 1,439 | |||||||||
In December 2014, interest expense included $37 million of interest charges as a result of inter-corporate borrowing (2013 $62 million; 2012 $61 million).
At December 31, 2014, Accounts Payable and Other included $16 million due to TransCanada (December 31, 2013 nil)
At December 31, 2014, Accrued Interest included $1 million of interest payable to TransCanada (December 31, 2013 $1 million).
In 2014, the Company made interest payments of $37 million to TransCanada (2013 $62 million; 2012 $62 million).
28. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 12, 2015 TCPL completed its offering of US$500 million 1.88 per cent Senior Notes due January 12, 2018 and US$250 million Floating Rate Senior Notes due January 12, 2018.
156 TCPL Consolidated financial statements 2014