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Black Hills Corp. Reports Second Quarter Results and Announces Quarterly Dividend

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RAPID CITY, S.D., Aug. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced second quarter 2011 financial results. Adjusted net income was $12.9 million, or $0.32 per share, compared to $7.5 million, or $0.19 per share, for the same period in 2010 (this is a non-GAAP measure, and an accompanying schedule for the GAAP to non-GAAP adjustment reconciliation is provided). On a GAAP basis, the company reported net income of $7.8 million, or $0.19 per share, for second quarter 2011, compared to a net loss of $8.7 million, or $0.22 per share, for the same period in 2010.

For the six months ended June 30, 2011, adjusted net income was $36.2 million, or $0.91 per share, compared to $39.3 million, or $1.01 per share, for the same period in 2010 (this is a non-GAAP measure, and an accompanying schedule for the GAAP to non-GAAP adjustment reconciliation is provided). On a GAAP basis, the company reported net income of $34.7 million, or $0.87 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to $22.8 million, or $0.58 per share, for the same period in 2010.

"We are pleased with our financial and operational results and the continued successful execution of our strategic plan in the second quarter," said David R. Emery, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Black Hills Corp. "Our electric and natural gas utilities are performing well, reflecting 2010 customer rate adjustments in five of our utility jurisdictions and appropriate returns on our recent capital investments.

"Our two ongoing generation construction projects in Pueblo, Colo., with estimated total capital expenditures of $487 million, are within budget and on schedule to begin commercial operation on Jan. 1, 2012. On Aug.1, we announced another utility growth project and filed a request with the Wyoming Public Service Commission to construct 120 megawatts of new generation for $158 million to serve our Cheyenne Light customers beginning in 2014. This brings the total amount of our 2011 announced growth projects to $303 million. The proposed new facilities would begin operation in the 2012 to 2014 time frame.

"In our non-regulated group, power generation performed as expected, and energy marketing diversification efforts gained traction with increased volumes and positive gross margins across all commodities. Our coal mining segment reported higher revenues resulting from contract price adjustments tempered by lower tonnage sold. Progress on cost initiatives was offset by weather-related operational issues impacting production and mining expenses."

Black Hills Corp. highlights for second quarter 2011, recent regulatory filings and other events include:

    --  Construction of Colorado Electric's 180 megawatt power plant in Pueblo,
        Colo., is on schedule and under budget with estimated total capital
        expenditures of $227 million.
    --  Construction of Colorado IPP's 200 megawatt power plant in Pueblo,
        Colo., is on schedule and on budget with estimated total capital
        expenditures of $260 million.
    --  On April 28, 2011, Colorado Electric filed a rate request with the
        Colorado Public Utilities Commission seeking a $40.2 million, or an 18.8
        percent, increase in annual revenues, with proposed new rates effective
        Jan. 1, 2012, the projected start date of commercial operations at the
        facilities.
    --  A settlement has been reached for Colorado Electric's proposal to rate
        base the utility's 50 percent ownership of a 29 megawatt wind turbine
        project. A decision by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission is
        expected during a hearing on Aug. 8. The project will require a net
        capital investment by the utility of $27 million and will be operational
        no later than Dec. 31, 2012.
    --  On Aug. 1, 2011, Cheyenne Light filed an integrated resource plan with
        the Wyoming Public Service Commission and a request for a certificate of
        public convenience and necessity to construct and operate a new $158
        million, 120 megawatt electric generation facility. The facility will
        include three 40 megawatt, simple-cycle, natural gas-fired turbines, and
        is expected to commence operation in 2014.
    --  The energy marketing segment continued to execute its diversified
        commodity strategy and grow its origination business. Volumes were up
        across all commodities, and overall gross margin improved by $3.6
        million or 40 percent.
    --  The oil and gas segment reported flat earnings reflecting restricted
        capital expenditures and reduced net average received prices. The Mancos
        horizontal test drilling program advanced in the San Juan and Piceance
        Basins. The San Juan well has been drilled, cased and cemented and is
        currently being fracture stimulated. The first Piceance well has also
        been drilled, cased and cemented and is awaiting completion and fracture
        stimulation. The permit to drill a second Piceance well was received,
        the location is constructed, and a drilling rig is being moved to the
        site. Results for all three Mancos test wells are expected by year-end.
    --  A $150 million, one-year, unsecured term loan with a cost of borrowing
        of 125 basis points over LIBOR was closed during the quarter. This term
        loan reduced revolver borrowings and will result in interest savings of
        approximately $700,000 in 2011.

                      BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
                  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS
                            (unaudited)
          (Minor differences may result due to rounding)

                             Three Months              Six Months
                            Ended June 30,           Ended June 30,
                              --------------        --------------
    (in millions)             2011             2010       2011          2010
                              ----             ----       ----          ----
    Net income (loss):
    Utilities:
    Electric               $8.6             $7.2      $18.9         $17.0
    Gas                     4.4             (0.9)      23.7          18.6
                            ---             ----       ----          ----
    Total Utilities Group  13.0              6.3       42.6          35.7
                           ----              ---       ----          ----

    Non-regulated Energy:
    Power generation        0.5             (0.4)       1.7           0.7
    Coal mining            (0.4)             3.1       (1.7)          4.4
    Oil and gas            (0.1)             0.2       (0.8)          2.6
    Energy marketing        3.7              1.3        1.0           3.6
                            ---              ---        ---           ---
    Total Non-regulated
     Energy Group           3.8              4.2        0.3          11.2
                            ---              ---        ---          ----

    Corporate*             (9.1)           (19.2)      (8.2)        (24.1)

    GAAP Net income (loss) $7.8            $(8.7)     $34.7         $22.8
                           ====            =====      =====         =====


    *    Includes $5.1 million and $1.5 million net non-cash after-tax
     mark-to-market unrealized loss for the three and six months ended
     June 30, 2011 and $16.2 million and $18.2 million net non-cash after-
     tax mark-to-market unrealized loss for the three and six months
     ended June 30, 2010, respectively.  These unrealized losses are
     related to certain de-designated interest rate swaps.


                         Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                               June 30,           June 30,
                          ------------------ ----------------
                              2011             2010      2011       2010
                              ----             ----      ----       ----
    Operating Revenues
     (a)  (in millions):
    Utilities            $239.5           $223.4    $618.0     $615.4
    Non-regulated Energy   54.6             49.3      98.1      100.8
    Corporate and
     Intercompany
     eliminations         (21.0)           (16.3)    (39.7)     (33.4)
                         $273.1           $256.3    $676.4     $682.8
                         ======           ======    ======     ======

    Weighted average
     common shares
     outstanding (in
     thousands):
    Basic                39,109           38,902    39,084     38,875
    Diluted              39,823           38,902    39,793     39,042

    Earnings (loss) per
     share:
    Basic                 $0.20           $(0.22)    $0.89      $0.59
                          =====           ======     =====      =====

    Diluted               $0.19           $(0.22)    $0.87      $0.58
                          =====           ======     =====      =====


    (a)  Operating revenues for the three and six months ended June 30,
     2010 have been restated to eliminate intercompany transactions with
     our rate regulated operations; these transactions were previously
     not eliminated.  There was no impact on total gross margin or net
     income.

2011 EARNINGS GUIDANCE

The company reaffirms its expected 2011 adjusted net income to be in the range of $1.70 to $1.95 per share, as previously announced on May 10, 2011.

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

As noted in this news release, in addition to presenting its earnings information in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the company has provided non-GAAP earnings data reflecting adjustments for special items as specified in the GAAP to Non-GAAP adjustment reconciliation table below. Adjusted net income is defined as net income, adjusted for expenses and gains that are unusual, non-routine, non-recurring or special in a way that does not reflect the company's core operating performance. The company believes that non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because the items excluded are not indicative of the company's continuing operating results. Also, the company's management uses these non-GAAP financial measures as an indicator for planning and forecasting future periods. Adjusted net income has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Our presentation of adjusted net income should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by other income and expenses that are unusual, non-routine or non-recurring.


    GAAP TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTMENT RECONCILIATION


                           Three Months Ended June 30,
    (In millions,
     except per
     share amounts)                     2011                         2010
                                        ----                         ----
    (after-tax)     Income          EPS          Income     EPS
                                                 ------     ---
    Net income
     (loss) (GAAP)   $7.8           $0.19            $(8.7)     $(0.22)
                      ---           -----            -----      ------
    Adjustments for
     special items:
    Unrealized
     (gain) loss on
     interest rate
     swaps            5.1            0.13             16.2        0.41
    Gain on sale of
     Elkhorn, NE
     assets            -              -               -          -
    Rounding           -              -               -          -
                     ---            ---             ---        ---
    Total
     adjustment for
     special items    5.1            0.13             16.2        0.41


    Adjusted net
     income (loss)
     (Non-GAAP)     $12.9           $0.32             $7.5       $0.19
                    =====           =====             ====       =====



                               Six Months Ended June 30,
    (In millions,
     except per share
     amounts)                              2011                      2010
                                           ----                      ----
    (after-tax)         Income         EPS          Income    EPS
                        ------         ---          ------    ---
    Net income (loss)
     (GAAP)             $34.7          $0.87            $22.8    $0.58
                        -----          -----            -----    -----
    Adjustments for
     special items:
    Unrealized (gain)
     loss on interest
     rate swaps           1.5           0.04             18.2     0.46
    Gain on sale of
     Elkhorn, NE assets    -             -             (1.7)   (0.04)
    Rounding               -             -               -     0.01
                         ---           ---             ---     ----
    Total adjustment
     for special items    1.5           0.04             16.5     0.43


    Adjusted net income
     (loss) (Non-GAAP)  $36.2          $0.91            $39.3    $1.01
                        =====          =====            =====    =====

DIVIDENDS

On July 27, 2011, our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend on common stock. Common shareholders of record at the close of business on Aug. 18, 2011, will receive $0.365 cents per share, equivalent to an annual dividend rate of $1.46, payable on Sept. 1, 2011.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

The company will host a live conference call and webcast at 11 a.m. EDT on Friday, Aug. 5, 2011, to discuss the company's financial and operating performance.

Those interested in listening to the live broadcast from within the United States can call 800-599-9829. International callers can call 617-847-8703. All callers need to enter the pass code 91989978 when prompted. To access the live webcast and download a copy of the investor presentation, go to the Black Hills website at www.blackhillscorp.com and click "Webcast" in the "Investor Relations" section. The presentation will be posted on the website before the webcast. Listeners should allow at least five minutes for registering and accessing the presentation.

For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available on the company's website or by telephone through Monday, Aug. 15, 2011, at 888-286-8010 in the United States and at 617-801-6888 for international callers. The replay pass code is 51664168.

BUSINESS UNIT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Utilities Group - Second Quarter 2011

Net income from the Utilities Group for the three months ending June 30, 2011, was $13.0 million, compared to $6.3 million in 2010.


    Electric Utilities

                                                    Increase
                        Three Months Ended                       (Decrease)
                             June 30,
                                                  2011 vs.
                           2011                       2010      2010
                             ----            ----     ---------
                                 (in millions)

    Gross margin         $69.8           $66.9           $2.9
                         -----           -----            ---

    Operations and
     maintenance          34.2            36.0           (1.8)
    Depreciation and
     amortization         13.0            11.9            1.1
                          ----            ----            ---
    Operating income      22.6            19.0            3.6

    Interest expense,
     net                 (10.1)           (8.4)          (1.7)
    Other income (loss)   (0.1)            0.3           (0.4)
    Income tax
     (expense)            (3.9)           (3.7)          (0.2)
    Net income (loss)     $8.6            $7.2           $1.4
                          ====            ====           ====


                                                  Increase
                         Six Months Ended                      (Decrease)
                             June 30,
                                                2011 vs.
                           2011                   2010        2010
                             ----          ----     ---------
                                (in millions)

    Gross margin        $144.0        $131.0          $13.0
                        ------        ------          -----

    Operations and
     maintenance          71.3          68.7            2.6
    Depreciation and
     amortization         25.8          23.1            2.7
                          ----          ----            ---
    Operating income      46.9          39.2            7.7

    Interest expense,
     net                 (20.1)        (16.7)          (3.4)
    Other income (loss)    0.4           2.4           (2.0)
    Income tax
     (expense)            (8.3)         (7.9)          (0.4)
                          ----          ----
    Net income (loss)    $18.9         $17.0           $1.9
                         =====         =====           ====


                                      Three Months Ended
                                           June 30,
    Operating Statistics:               2011          2010
    ---------------------               ----          ----
    Retail sales - MWh          1,077,980     1,073,529
    Contracted wholesale sales
     -MWh (a)                      82,253       120,258
    Off-system sales - MWh (b)    452,772       436,572
                                  -------       -------
                                1,613,005     1,630,359
                                ---------     ---------

    Total gas sales -Cheyenne
     Light -Dth                   939,928     1,022,729
                                  -------     ---------

    Regulated power plant
     availability:
    ---------------------
    Coal-fired plants (c)            88.6%         90.0%
    Other plants (d)                 89.9%         97.4%
    Total availability               89.0%         92.6%
    ------------------               ----          ----


                                      Six Months Ended
                                          June 30,
    Operating Statistics:                2011          2010
    ---------------------                ----          ----
    Retail sales - MWh           2,224,162     2,227,384
    Contracted wholesale sales
     -MWh (a)                      172,212       288,723
    Off-system sales - MWh (b)     857,616       911,661
                                   -------       -------
                                 3,253,990     3,427,768
                                 ---------     ---------

    Total gas sales -Cheyenne
     Light -Dth                  2,888,633     3,065,565
                                 ---------     ---------

    Regulated power plant
     availability:
    ---------------------
    Coal-fired plants (c)             89.9%         91.3%
    Other plants (d)                  94.3%         98.6%
    Total availability                91.5%         93.9%
    ------------------                ----          ----


    (a)    Decrease in MWh sold reflects the termination of wholesale
     contracts when a previous wholesale power customer purchased an
     ownership interest in the Wygen III facility.
    (b)     Includes 94,945 MWh and 173,448 MWh sold at Colorado Electric
     for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.
     Pursuant to a rate case order with the Colorado PUC, the margins
     associated with these sales have been deferred until settlement of a
     sharing mechanism is finalized.
    (c)    Availability for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011
     was impacted by planned major overhauls and an extended outage at the
     PacifiCorp-operated Wyodak plant.   Availability for the same
     periods in 2010 was impacted by unplanned maintenance at the same
     plant.
    (d) Availability for the three months ended June 30, 2011 was impacted
     by a planned major overhaul at Neil Simpson CT.

Gross margin increased primarily due to the recently approved rate adjustments that include a return on significant capital investments, partially offset by lower margins resulting from the termination of power sales contracts upon a customer's purchase of an ownership interest in Wygen III in 2010.

Operations and maintenance decreased primarily due to unplanned maintenance expenditures at the PacifiCorp-operated Wyodak plant in 2010, partially offset by increased allocation of corporate costs in 2011.

Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to a higher asset base.

Interest expense, net increased primarily due to higher debt balances associated with recent capital investments.


    Gas Utilities

                                                       Increase
                           Three Months Ended                       (Decrease)
                                June 30,
                                                     2011 vs.
                              2011                      2010       2010
                                ----            ----     ---------
                                     (in millions)
    Gross margin            $46.8           $44.0            $2.8
                            -----           -----             ---

    Operations and
     maintenance             28.2            32.1            (3.8)
    Gain on sale of
     operating asset           -              -              -
    Depreciation and
     amortization             5.9             6.8            (0.8)
                              ---             ---            ----
    Operating income         12.6             5.2             7.4

    Interest expense, net    (6.3)           (6.8)            0.5
    Other income (expense)    0.1             0.3            (0.1)
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)               (2.0)            0.5            (2.5)
                             ----             ---
    Net income (loss)        $4.4           $(0.9)           $5.3
                             ====           =====            ====


                                                      Increase
                            Six Months Ended                       (Decrease)
                                June 30,
                                                    2011 vs.
                              2011                    2010        2010
                                ----           ----     ---------
                                    (in millions)
    Gross margin           $123.9         $119.8            $4.2
                           ------         ------             ---

    Operations and
     maintenance             62.8           66.4            (3.6)
    Gain on sale of
     operating asset           -           (2.7)            2.7
    Depreciation and
     amortization            12.0           13.8            (1.9)
                             ----           ----            ----
    Operating income         49.2           42.2             7.0

    Interest expense, net   (13.3)         (13.0)           (0.3)
    Other income (expense)    0.1             -             0.1
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)              (12.3)         (10.6)           (1.7)
                            -----          -----            ----
    Net income (loss)       $23.7          $18.6            $5.1
                            =====          =====            ====


                          Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended June
                               June 30,                         30,
    Operating
     statistics:             2011           2010          2011           2010
    ------------             ----           ----          ----           ----
    Total gas sales
     -Dth            9,216,956      7,575,755    34,204,826     33,717,145
    Total transport
     volumes -Dth   13,838,502     12,771,600    30,125,054     30,583,347
    --------------- ----------     ----------    ----------     ----------

Gross margin increased primarily due to recently approved rate adjustments and cooler weather compared to the same period in the prior year.

Operations and maintenance decreased primarily due to lower property tax expense including an $0.8 million credit from a recent settlement on assessments from prior tax years, and lower allocation of corporate costs.

Depreciation and amortization decreased primarily due to a shift in corporate allocations as a result of higher asset deployment at the Electric Utilities.

Interest expense, net decreased primarily due to increased interest income on intercompany lending.

Income tax: The effective tax rate for 2011 was impacted by a favorable adjustment related to a state net operating loss true-up.

Non-regulated Energy Group - Second Quarter 2011

Net income from the Non-regulated Energy group for the three months ended June 30, 2011, was $3.8 million, compared to net income of $4.2 million for the same period in 2010. Business segment results were as follows:


    Power Generation

                           Three Months           Increase
                               Ended             (Decrease)
                             June 30,
                                                2011 vs.
                           2011                   2010        2010
                             ----          ----     ---------
                                 (in millions)

    Revenue               $7.8          $6.7           $1.1
    Operations and
     maintenance           4.1           5.2           (1.1)
    Depreciation and
     amortization          1.0           1.3           (0.3)
                           ---           ---           ----
    Operating income       2.6           0.2            2.5

    Interest expense, net (1.8)         (2.0)           0.2
    Other income
     (expense)              -           1.2           (1.2)
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)            (0.3)          0.2           (0.5)
                          ----           ---
    Net income (loss)     $0.5         $(0.4)          $1.0
                          ====         =====           ====


                                                   Increase
                          Six Months Ended                      (Decrease)
                              June 30,
                                                 2011 vs.
                            2011                 2010          2010
                              ----          ----     ---------
                                  (in millions)

    Revenue               $15.4         $14.7           $0.7
    Operations and
     maintenance            8.3           8.6           (0.3)
    Depreciation and
     amortization           2.1           2.3           (0.2)
                            ---           ---           ----
    Operating income        5.0           3.9            1.2

    Interest expense, net  (3.6)         (4.0)           0.4
    Other income
     (expense)              1.2           1.2            0.1
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)             (0.9)         (0.4)          (0.5)
                           ----          ----           ----
    Net income (loss)      $1.7          $0.7           $1.1
                           ====          ====           ====


                            Three Months Ended June    Six Months Ended June
                                       30,                     30,
    Operating Statistics:        2011           2010     2011           2010
    ---------------------        ----           ----     ----           ----
    Contracted fleet power
     plant availability -
    Coal-fired plant          99.5%          98.9%    99.8%          99.5%
    Natural gas-fired plant  100.0%         100.0%   100.0%         100.0%
    Total availability        99.7%          99.3%    99.8%          99.7%
    ------------------        ----           ----     ----           ----

Revenue increased primarily due to increased sales from Wygen I, which incurred a forced outage and a major overhaul in the same period in the prior year.

Operations and maintenance decreased as higher costs were incurred in the same period in the prior year related to the forced outage and major overhaul of Wygen I.

Other income (expense) decreased due to lower earnings from partnership investments.



                            Three Months          Increase
                               Ended             (Decrease)
                             June 30,
                                                2011 vs.
                           2011                   2010        2010
                                  (in millions)

    Revenue              $15.5          $15.0           $0.5
    Operations and
     maintenance          13.0            9.1            4.0
    Depreciation and
     amortization          4.6            3.3            1.3
                           ---            ---            ---
    Operating income
     (loss)               (2.1)           2.7           (4.7)

    Interest income, net   0.9            0.8            0.1
    Other income
     (expense)             0.5            0.5             -
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)             0.2           (0.9)           1.1
                           ---           ----
    Net income (loss)    $(0.4)          $3.1          $(3.5)
                         =====           ====          =====


                                                 Increase
                         Six Months Ended                   (Decrease)
                             June 30,
                                               2011 vs.
                           2011                 2010       2010
                                 (in millions)

    Revenue              $31.0          $29.0        $2.0
    Operations and
     maintenance          27.6           19.3         8.3
    Depreciation and
     amortization          9.2            6.2         3.0
                           ---            ---         ---
    Operating income
     (loss)               (5.8)           3.5        (9.3)

    Interest income, net   1.9            1.1         0.8
    Other income
     (expense)             1.1            1.1          -
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)             1.1           (1.3)        2.4
                           ---           ----         ---
    Net income (loss)    $(1.7)          $4.4       $(6.1)
                         =====           ====       =====


                 Three Months Ended
                      June 30,                  Six Months Ended June 30,
    Operating
     Statistics:     2011        2010                 2011              2010
    ------------     ----        ----                 ----              ----
                                      (in thousands)
    Tons of
     coal sold   1,235          1,459                2,605             2,851
    Cubic
     yards of
     overburden
     moved       2,933          3,752                6,388             7,323
    -----------  -----          -----                -----             -----

Revenue increased primarily due to a 22 percent increase in average sales price per ton. The higher average sales price reflects the impact of price escalators and adjustments in certain of our sales contracts where we are able to pass at least a portion of higher mining costs to our customers. Approximately 40 percent of our coal production is sold under these regulated sales contracts where the sales price escalates based on actual mining cost increases. Most of our remaining production is sold under contracts where the sales price may escalate with published indices, which may not necessarily represent changes in actual mining costs. Revenue was also impacted during the current quarter by a 15 percent decrease in coal volumes sold, primarily due to customer plant outages, plant closures and weather conditions which restricted our ability to mine coal.

Operations and maintenance increases are reflective of the current phase of our mine where we have longer haul distances and higher overburden stripping costs. Additionally, we experienced higher costs associated with drilling and blasting, equipment maintenance, fuel, staffing levels for our train load-out facility and weather conditions. As noted above, over half of our production is sold under contracts which have price escalators based on published indices. These escalators have not kept up with actual mining cost increases, reducing coal mine operating income, which is expected to continue to negatively impact 2011 results. Previous periods also include the capitalization of certain costs associated with mine infrastructure, including our in-pit conveyor system that is used to transport coal to mine-mouth generation facilities.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased primarily due to higher depreciation on reclamation related costs and mining equipment.

Income tax benefit (expense): The effective tax rate in 2010 was impacted by the tax benefit generated by percentage depletion.


    Energy Marketing

                               Three Months           Increase
                                  Ended              (Decrease)
                                June 30,
                                                    2011 vs.
                              2011                    2010        2010
                                ----           ----     ---------
                                     (in millions)

    Gross margin            $12.5           $8.9            $3.6
                            -----            ---             ---

    Operating expenses        6.6            6.0             0.5
    Depreciation and
     amortization             0.1            0.1              -
                              ---            ---            ---
    Operating income (loss)   5.8            2.7             3.0

    Interest expense, net    (0.2)          (0.8)            0.6
    Other income (expense)     -            0.2            (0.2)
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)               (1.9)          (0.8)           (1.1)
                             ----           ----
    Net income (loss)        $3.7           $1.3            $2.4
                             ====           ====            ====


                                                      Increase
                            Six Months Ended                       (Decrease)
                                June 30,
                                                    2011 vs.
                              2011                   2010         2010
                                ----           ----     ---------
                                    (in millions)

    Gross margin            $14.9          $18.7          $(3.7)
                            -----          -----          -----

    Operating expenses       12.3           11.5            0.9
    Depreciation and
     amortization             0.3            0.3             -
                              ---            ---           ---
    Operating income (loss)   2.3            7.0           (4.6)

    Interest expense, net    (0.7)          (1.6)           0.9
    Other income (expense)     -            0.2           (0.2)
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)               (0.6)          (2.0)           1.4
                             ----           ----            ---
    Net income (loss)        $1.1           $3.5          $(2.5)
                             ====           ====          =====


                              Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended June
                                   June 30,                      30,
    Operating Statistics:          2011         2010         2011         2010
    ---------------------          ----         ----         ----         ----
    Average daily
     quantities -
    Natural gas physical -
     MMBtus                1,524,897    1,348,887    1,626,973    1,549,913
    Crude oil physical -
     barrels                  23,257       20,935       22,255       17,203
    Coal - tons (a)           33,693       27,972       35,105       27,972
    Power - MWHs (b)             104            -           52            -
    ----------------             ---          ---          ---          ---


        (a)  Represents activity from the coal marketing business acquired on
         June 1, 2010.
        (b)  Power marketing began late in the third quarter of 2010.

Revenue and gross margin increased primarily due to higher unrealized marketing gains of $5.0 million. This increase was driven by timing of natural gas settlements of $4.7 million and increased gains of $2.9 million from the company's portfolio of power marketing contracts partially offset by decreased unrealized margins from the coal portfolio of $2.5 million. The unrealized marketing gains were partially offset by lower realized marketing gross margins of $1.5 million. A less favorable natural gas market contributed to this variance.

Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher compensation and benefit expense relating to additional staff marketing new commodities in new geographic regions and a higher provision for compensation expense related to increased margins.

Interest expense, net decreased primarily due to changes in affiliate borrowings and decreased costs related to the committed Enserco Credit Facility.


    Oil and Gas

                                  Three Months           Increase
                                     Ended              (Decrease)
                                   June 30,
                                                       2011 vs.
                                 2011                    2010        2010
                                   ----           ----     ---------
                                        (in millions)

    Revenue                    $18.8          $18.7           $0.2
    Operations and maintenance  10.2           10.5           (0.3)
    Depreciation and
     amortization                7.6            6.8            0.8
                                 ---            ---            ---
    Operating income             1.0            1.3           (0.3)

    Interest expense, net       (1.4)          (1.4)            -
    Other income (expense)       0.1            0.2           (0.2)
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)                   0.2            0.1            0.1
                                 ---            ---
    Net income (loss)          $(0.1)          $0.2          $(0.3)
                               =====           ====          =====


                                                      Increase
                               Six Months Ended                    (Decrease)
                                 June 30,
                                                     2011 vs.
                                 2011                 2010        2010
                                   ----           ----   ---------
                                       (in millions)

    Revenue                    $36.7          $38.4        $(1.7)
    Operations and maintenance  20.8           20.2          0.5
    Depreciation and
     amortization               14.9           13.0          2.0
                                ----           ----          ---
    Operating income             1.1            5.2         (4.1)

    Interest expense, net       (2.8)          (2.2)        (0.6)
    Other income (expense)      (0.1)           0.5         (0.6)
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)                   1.0           (1.0)         2.0
                                 ---           ----          ---
    Net income (loss)          $(0.8)          $2.6        $(3.4)
                               =====           ====        =====


                           Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                June 30,             June 30,
    Operating Statistics:         2011      2010         2011         2010
    ---------------------         ----      ----         ----         ----
    Mcf equivalent sales  2,852,787    2,863,236 5,608,745    5,521,758

    Average price
     received:
    Gas/Mcf                   $4.29        $4.85     $4.47        $5.36
    Oil/Bbl                  $79.53       $89.98    $73.10       $82.19
    -------                  ------       ------    ------       ------

Revenue increased primarily due to a 20 percent increase in oil volumes largely related to production in our ongoing Bakken oil drilling program partially offset by a 12 percent lower average hedged price received. The decrease in crude oil price was influenced by fixed price swaps previously entered into at prices significantly below current oil market prices. Natural gas volumes, exclusive of gas liquids, were 4 percent lower than the prior period and the natural gas average hedged price decreased 12 percent.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased due to a higher depletion rate, resulting primarily from higher finding and development costs on a per Mcfe basis for our Bakken oil drilling program.

Income tax (expense) benefit: The effective tax rate in the second quarter of 2011 was impacted by the tax benefit generated by depletion rates.

Corporate - Second Quarter 2011

Loss for the three months ended June 30, 2011, was $9.1 million compared to loss of $19.2 million for the same period in 2010. Results for the second quarter of 2011 reflect a $5.1 million unrealized mark-to-market non-cash after-tax loss related to interest rate swaps no longer designated as hedges for accounting purposes compared to the second quarter of 2010, which included a $16.2 million unrealized mark-to-market non-cash loss related to these interest rate swaps.

ABOUT BLACK HILLS CORP.

Black Hills Corp. - a diversified energy company with a tradition of exemplary service and a vision to be the energy partner of choice - is based in Rapid City, S.D., with corporate offices in Denver and Papillion, Neb. The company serves 762,000 natural gas and electric utility customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. The company's non-regulated businesses generate wholesale electricity, produce natural gas, oil and coal, and market energy. Black Hills employees partner to produce results that improve life with energy.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which we believe are reasonable based on current expectations and projections about future events and industry conditions and trends affecting our business. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that, among other things, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, the risk factors described in Item 1A of Part I of our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and other reports that we file with the SEC from time to time, and the following:

    --  Our ability to obtain adequate cost recovery for our utility operations
        through regulatory proceedings and receive favorable rulings in periodic
        applications to recover costs for fuel, transmission and purchased power
        in our regulated utilities and the timing in which the new rates would
        go into effect;
    --  Our ability to receive regulatory approval to recover in rate base our
        expenditures for new generation facilities or other utility
        infrastructure;
    --  Our ability to complete the construction, start up and operation of
        power generation facilities in a cost-effective and timely manner;
    --  The accounting treatment and earnings impact associated with interest
        rate swaps and other derivatives;
    --  Capital market conditions and market uncertainties related to interest
        rates, which may affect our ability to raise capital on favorable terms;
    --  The timing, volatility and extent of changes in energy and commodity
        prices, supply or volume, the cost and availability of transportation of
        commodities, changes in interest rates or foreign exchange rates and the
        demand for our services, any of which can affect our earnings, financial
        liquidity and the underlying value of our assets, including the
        possibility that we may be required to take future impairment charges
        under the SEC's full cost ceiling test for natural gas and oil reserves;
    --  Our ability to successfully integrate and profitably operate any future
        acquisitions;
    --  The timing and extent of scheduled and unscheduled outages of our power
        generating facilities;
    --  Our ability to successfully complete labor negotiations with labor
        unions with whom we have collective bargaining agreements and for which
        we are currently in, or soon to be in, contract renewal negotiations;
    --  Our ability to provide accurate estimates of proved oil and gas reserves
        and future production and associated costs;
    --  The extent of our success in connecting natural gas supplies to
        gathering, processing and pipeline systems;
    --  Changes in or compliance with laws and regulations, particularly those
        related to financial reform legislation, taxation, power generation,
        safety, protection of the environment and energy marketing;
    --  Weather and other natural phenomena;
    --  The effect of accounting policies issued periodically by accounting
        standard-setting agencies;
    --  Macro- and micro-economic changes in the economy and energy industry,
        including the impact of (i) consolidation and changes in competition and
        (ii) general economic and political conditions, including tax rates or
        policies and inflation rates; and
    --  Other factors discussed from time to time in our filings with the SEC.

New factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements emerge from time-to-time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, or the extent to which any such factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We assume no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



     Consolidating Income Statement

    Three Months Ended    Electric        Gas         Power
     June 30, 2011        Utilities   Utilities    Generation
    ------------------    ---------   ---------  ----------
                                  (in millions)
    Operating revenue       $139.5        $99.9          $7.8
    Fuel, purchased
     power and cost of
     gas sold                 69.7         53.1              -
                              ----         ----            ---
    Gross Margin              69.8         46.8           7.8
                              ----         ----           ---

    Operations and
     maintenance              34.2         28.2           4.1
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization             13.0          5.9           1.0
    Operating income          22.6         12.6           2.6
                              ----         ----           ---

    Interest expense,
     net                     (10.1)        (6.3)         (1.8)
    Interest rate swaps
     -unrealized
     (loss) gain                -           -            -
    Other income
     (expense)                (0.1)         0.1            -
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)                (3.9)        (2.0)         (0.3)
    Net income (loss)         $8.6         $4.4          $0.5
                              ====         ====          ====


                                                   Oil
    Three Months Ended   Coal        Energy        and
     June 30, 2011      Mining                Marketing     Gas
    ------------------   ------    ---------       ---
                              (in millions)
    Operating revenue    $15.5         $12.5         $18.8
    Fuel, purchased
     power and cost of
     gas sold               -              -            -
                          ---            ---          ---
    Gross Margin          15.5          12.5          18.8
                          ----          ----          ----

    Operations and
     maintenance          13.0           6.6          10.2
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization          4.6           0.1           7.6
    Operating income      (2.1)          5.8           1.0
                          ----           ---           ---

    Interest expense,
     net                   0.9          (0.2)         (1.4)
    Interest rate swaps
     -unrealized
     (loss) gain            -            -            -
    Other income
     (expense)             0.5            -           0.1
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)             0.2          (1.9)          0.2
    Net income (loss)    $(0.4)         $3.7         $(0.1)
                         =====          ====         =====


    Three Months Ended                 Intercompany
     June 30, 2011        Corporate               Eliminations      Total
    ------------------    ---------    ------------    -----
                                   (in millions)
    Operating revenue        $46.2          $(67.2)       $273.1
    Fuel, purchased
     power and cost of
     gas sold                    -           (19.0)        103.8
                               ---           -----         -----
    Gross Margin              46.2           (48.2)        169.3
                              ----           -----         -----

    Operations and
     maintenance              40.1           (42.1)         94.3
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization              2.5            (2.5)         32.3
    Operating income           3.5            (3.6)         42.6
                               ---            ----          ----

    Interest expense,
     net                      (7.5)            3.7         (22.7)
    Interest rate swaps
     -unrealized
     (loss) gain              (7.8)             -          (7.8)
    Other income
     (expense)                 7.5            (7.5)          0.7
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)                 2.6              -          (5.0)
    Net income (loss)        $(1.6)          $(7.4)         $7.8
                             =====           =====          ====


                        Consolidating Income Statement
                        ------------------------------
    Six Months Ended     Electric        Gas         Power
     June 30, 2011       Utilities   Utilities    Generation
    ----------------     ---------   ----------   -----------
                                 (in millions)
    Operating revenue      $287.8        $330.2         $15.4
    Fuel, purchased
     power and cost of
     gas sold               143.8         206.2              -
    Gross Margin            144.0         123.9          15.4
                            -----         -----          ----

    Operations and
     maintenance             71.3          62.8           8.3
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization            25.8          12.0           2.1
    Operating income         46.9          49.2           5.0
                             ----          ----           ---

    Interest expense,
     net                    (20.1)        (13.3)         (3.6)
    Interest rate
     swaps -
     unrealized (loss)
     gain                      -            -            -
    Other income
     (expense)                0.4           0.1           1.2
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)               (8.3)        (12.3)         (0.9)
    Net income (loss)       $18.9         $23.7          $1.7
                            =====         =====          ====


                       Consolidating Income Statement
                       ------------------------------
                                                     Oil
    Six Months Ended       Coal        Energy        and
     June 30, 2011        Mining                Marketing     Gas
    ----------------     -------    ----------      ----
                                (in millions)
    Operating revenue      $31.0         $14.9         $36.7
    Fuel, purchased
     power and cost of
     gas sold                 -              -            -
                            ---          ---          ---
    Gross Margin            31.0          14.9          36.7
                            ----          ----          ----

    Operations and
     maintenance            27.6          12.3          20.8
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization            9.2           0.3          14.9
                             ---           ---          ----
    Operating income        (5.8)          2.3           1.1
                            ----           ---           ---

    Interest expense,
     net                     1.9          (0.7)         (2.8)
    Interest rate
     swaps -
     unrealized (loss)
     gain                     -            -            -
    Other income
     (expense)               1.1            -          (0.1)
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)               1.1          (0.6)          1.0

    Net income (loss)      $(1.7)         $1.1         $(0.8)
                           =====          ====         =====


                          Consolidating Income Statement
                          ------------------------------
    Six Months Ended                   Intercompany
     June 30, 2011        Corporate               Eliminations      Total
    ----------------      ---------    -------------     -----
                                   (in millions)
    Operating revenue       $95.9         $(135.6)       $676.3
    Fuel, purchased
     power and cost of
     gas sold                    -           (35.7)        314.3
                               ---           -----         -----
    Gross Margin             95.9           (99.8)        362.0
                             ----           -----         -----

    Operations and
     maintenance             83.4           (87.0)        199.5
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization             5.3            (5.3)         64.3
                              ---            ----          ----
    Operating income          7.1            (7.5)         98.3
                              ---            ----          ----

    Interest expense,
     net                    (15.2)            7.6         (46.2)
    Interest rate
     swaps -
     unrealized (loss)
     gain                    (2.4)             -          (2.4)
    Other income
     (expense)               29.9           (29.9)          2.7
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)                2.1              -         (17.9)

    Net income (loss)       $21.6          $(29.8)        $34.7
                            =====          ======         =====


                                          Consolidating Income Statement
                                          ------------------------------

    Three Months Ended   Electric        Gas         Power
     June 30, 2010       Utilities   Utilities    Generation
    ------------------   ---------   ---------   ----------
                                 (in millions)
    Operating revenue      $136.3         $87.1          $6.7
    Fuel, purchased
     power and cost of
     gas sold                69.4          43.1              -
    Gross Margin             66.9          44.0           6.7
                             ----          ----           ---

    Operations and
     maintenance             36.0          32.1           5.2
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization            11.9           6.8           1.3
    Operating income         19.0           5.2           0.2
                             ----           ---           ---

    Interest expense,
     net                     (8.4)         (6.8)         (2.0)
    Interest rate
     swaps -
     unrealized (loss)
     gain                      -            -            -
    Other income
     (expense)                0.3           0.3           1.2
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)               (3.7)          0.5           0.2
    Net income (loss)        $7.2         $(0.9)        $(0.4)
                             ====         =====         =====


                                                      Oil
    Three Months Ended      Coal        Energy        and
     June 30, 2010         Mining               Marketing                  Gas
    ------------------     ------    ---------       ---
                                 (in millions)
    Operating revenue      $15.0          $8.9        $18.7
    Fuel, purchased
     power and cost of
     gas sold                  -              -            -
    Gross Margin            15.0           8.9         18.7
                            ----           ---         ----

    Operations and
     maintenance             9.1           6.0         10.5
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization            3.3           0.1          6.8
    Operating income         2.7           2.7          1.3
                             ---           ---          ---

    Interest expense,
     net                     0.8          (0.8)        (1.4)
    Interest rate
     swaps -
     unrealized (loss)
     gain                     -            -           -
    Other income
     (expense)               0.5           0.2          0.2
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)              (0.9)         (0.8)         0.1
    Net income (loss)       $3.1          $1.3         $0.2
                            ====          ====         ====


    Three Months Ended                  Intercompany
     June 30, 2010        Corporate                   Eliminations      Total
    ------------------    ---------     ------------    -----
                                   (in millions)
    Operating revenue        $26.3            $(42.6)       $256.3
    Fuel, purchased
     power and cost of
     gas sold                   -             (15.0)         97.5
    Gross Margin              26.3             (27.7)        158.8
                              ----             -----         -----

    Operations and
     maintenance              25.2             (26.3)         97.7
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization              1.7              (1.7)         30.3
    Operating income          (0.6) c            0.3          30.8
                              ----  ---          ---          ----

    Interest expense,
     net                      (3.6)             (0.3)        (22.5)
    Interest rate
     swaps -
     unrealized (loss)
     gain                    (24.9)               -         (24.9)
    Other income
     (expense)                (2.0)              2.1           2.8
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)                 9.8                -           5.1
    Net income (loss)       $(21.3)             $2.1         $(8.7)
                            ======              ====         =====


                                          Consolidating Income Statement
                                          ------------------------------

    Six Months Ended     Electric        Gas         Power
     June 30, 2010       Utilities   Utilities    Generation
    ----------------     ---------   ---------   ----------
                                 (in millions)
    Operating revenue      $285.1        $330.3         $14.7
    Fuel, purchased
     power and cost of
     gas sold               154.1         210.5              -
    Gross Margin            131.0         119.8          14.7
                            -----         -----          ----

    Operations and
     maintenance             68.7          66.4           8.6
    Gain on sale of
     operating assets          -          (2.7)           -
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization            23.1          13.8           2.3
    Operating income         39.2          42.2           3.9
                             ----          ----           ---

    Interest expense,
     net                    (16.7)        (13.0)         (4.0)
    Interest rate
     swaps -
     unrealized (loss)
     gain                      -            -            -
    Other income
     (expense)                2.4            -           1.2
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)               (7.9)        (10.6)         (0.4)
    Net income (loss)       $17.0         $18.6          $0.7
                            =====         =====          ====


                                                      Oil
    Six Months Ended        Coal        Energy        and
     June 30, 2010         Mining               Marketing                  Gas
    ----------------       ------    ---------       ---
                                 (in millions)
    Operating revenue      $29.0         $18.7        $38.4
    Fuel, purchased
     power and cost of
     gas sold                  -              -            -
    Gross Margin            29.0          18.7         38.4
                            ----          ----         ----

    Operations and
     maintenance            19.3          11.5         20.2
    Gain on sale of
     operating assets         -            -           -
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization            6.2           0.3         13.0
    Operating income         3.5           7.0          5.2
                             ---           ---          ---

    Interest expense,
     net                     1.1          (1.6)        (2.2)
    Interest rate
     swaps -
     unrealized (loss)
     gain                     -            -           -
    Other income
     (expense)               1.1           0.2          0.5
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)              (1.3)         (2.0)        (1.0)
    Net income (loss)       $4.4          $3.5         $2.6
                            ====          ====         ====


    Six Months Ended                  Intercompany
     June 30, 2010       Corporate               Eliminations      Total
    ----------------     ---------    ------------    -----
                                  (in millions)
    Operating revenue       $52.6          $(85.9)       $682.8
    Fuel, purchased
     power and cost of
     gas sold                   -           (30.8)        333.8
    Gross Margin             52.5           (55.1)        349.0
                             ----           -----         -----

    Operations and
     maintenance             49.8           (52.1)        192.5
    Gain on sale of
     operating assets          -              -          (2.7)
    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization             3.5            (3.5)         58.7
    Operating income         (0.8)            0.4         100.5
                             ----             ---         -----

    Interest expense,
     net                     (7.4)           (0.3)        (44.1)
    Interest rate
     swaps -
     unrealized (loss)
     gain                   (28.0)             -         (28.0)
    Other income
     (expense)               18.1           (17.9)          5.6
    Income tax benefit
     (expense)               11.8              -         (11.3)
    Net income (loss)       $(6.3)         $(17.8)        $22.8
                            =====          ======         =====

SOURCE Black Hills Corp.



 
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