ONEOK Announces Second-quarter 2017 Financial Results

TULSA, Okla., Aug. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) today announced second-quarter 2017 financial results and 2017 financial guidance to reflect the ONEOK and ONEOK Partners merger transaction. ONEOK's second-quarter 2017 results benefited from higher revenues from natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) volume growth in the Williston Basin and STACK and SCOOP areas, higher average fee rates in the natural gas gathering and processing segment and higher fee-based transportation services in the natural gas pipelines segment.

SUMMARY

    --  Second-quarter 2017 net income attributable to ONEOK and adjusted
        earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (adjusted
        EBITDA) totaled approximately $71.7 million and $462.3 million,
        respectively;
    --  In July 2017, ONEOK declared a dividend of 74.5 cents per share, or
        $2.98 per share on an annualized basis, a 21 percent increase compared
        with the first quarter 2017;
    --  Second-quarter 2017 dividend coverage ratio was 1.50;
    --  Second-quarter results include approximately $43 million, or 12 cents
        per diluted share and 0.18 times dividend coverage, in one-time and
        transaction-related charges;
    --  The natural gas gathering and processing segment's average fee rate
        increased to 87 cents per Million British thermal units (MMBtu) in the
        second quarter 2017, compared with 76 cents per MMBtu in the second
        quarter 2016;
    --  Second-quarter 2017 natural gas volumes processed increased 6 percent
        compared with the second quarter 2016; and
    --  The natural gas liquids segment connected two new third-party natural
        gas processing plants to its NGL system in the second quarter 2017.

SECOND-QUARTER 2017 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS


                   Three Months Ended                         Six Months Ended

                        June 30,                                  June 30,

                  2017                 2016                   2017                2016
                  ----                 ----                   ----                ----

                       (Millions of dollars, except per share and coverage ratio
                                                amounts)

    Net income
     attributable
     to ONEOK (a)          $71.7                                      $85.9            $159.1  $169.4

    Net income
     per diluted
     share (a)             $0.33                                      $0.40             $0.74   $0.80

    Adjusted
     EBITDA (b)           $462.3                                     $460.2            $921.9  $906.2

    DCF (b)               $330.1                                     $345.4            $654.2  $672.5

    Dividend
     coverage
     ratio (b)    1.50                           1.62                            1.48     1.55
    ----------    ----                           ----                            ----     ----


    (a) The three- and six-month
     periods ending June 30, 2017,
     include nonrecurring pretax cash
     and noncash charges of
     approximately $43 million, or 12
     cents per diluted share, and
     approximately $50 million, or 15
     cents per diluted share,
     respectively.



    (b) Adjusted EBITDA; distributable
     cash flow (DCF); and dividend
     coverage ratio are non-GAAP
     measures. Three- and six-month
     2017 amounts include transaction-
     related pretax cash costs of
     approximately $23 million, or 0.18
     times dividend coverage, and
     approximately $30 million, or 0.11
     times dividend coverage,
     respectively. Reconciliations to
     relevant GAAP measures are included
     in this news release.

"Solid second-quarter financial results were led by strong volume growth in our natural gas gathering and processing segment in both the Williston Basin and the STACK and SCOOP areas," said Terry K. Spencer, ONEOK president and chief executive officer. "Producer activity remains strong in the STACK and SCOOP and in the core areas of the Permian and Williston basins.

"We continue to expect to benefit from ethane recovery in the second half of 2017 and into 2018 as large petrochemical facilities are completed and increase the demand for ethane," Spencer added.

"Following the recently completed merger transaction, ONEOK is in an even stronger position to execute on our ongoing organic growth strategy," said Spencer. "We are confident that ONEOK will continue growing as one of the nation's largest midstream service providers while enhancing value for our customers and investors."

SECOND-QUARTER 2017 PERFORMANCE


                      Three Months Ended                        Six Months Ended

                           June 30,                                 June 30,

                     2017                2016                   2017             2016
                     ----                ----                   ----             ----

                                           (Millions of dollars)

    Operating income         $316.7                                    $315.3         $631.2 $626.7

    Operating costs          $217.9                                    $191.9         $409.6 $368.9

    Depreciation and
     amortization            $100.8                                     $99.2         $200.3 $193.7

    Equity in net
     earnings from
     investments              $39.4                                     $32.4          $78.9  $65.3

    Adjusted EBITDA          $462.3                                    $460.2         $921.9 $906.2

    Capital
     expenditures             $82.5                                    $136.8         $195.2 $333.3
    -------------             -----                                    ------         ------ ------

ONEOK's operating income for the three- and six-month periods in 2017 increased compared with the same periods in 2016, but higher operating results were offset partially by transaction-related charges.

Operating costs increased in the three- and six-month periods in 2017 compared with the same periods in 2016, due to one-time charges associated with the ONEOK and ONEOK Partners merger transaction, the timing of routine maintenance projects in the natural gas liquids and natural gas pipelines segments and higher employee-related costs. Nonrecurring and transaction-related charges totaled approximately $43 million, or 12 cents per diluted share, in the second quarter 2017, and approximately $50 million, or 15 cents per diluted share, through the first half of 2017.

Capital expenditures decreased in the three- and six-month periods in 2017, compared with the same periods in 2016, due primarily to capital-growth projects placed in service in 2016.

EARNINGS PRESENTATION AND KEY STATISTICS:

Additional financial and operating information that will be discussed on the second-quarter 2017 conference call is accessible on ONEOK's website, www.oneok.com, or from the links below.

> View earnings presentation

> View earnings tables

HIGHLIGHTS:

    --  Announcing on June 30, 2017, the closing of the ONEOK and ONEOK Partners
        merger transaction;
    --  Receiving in July 2017 credit rating upgrades to investment grade from
        Standard & Poors (S&P) Global Ratings and Moody's Investors Service to
        BBB and Baa3, respectively, both with stable outlooks;
    --  Announcing NGL and natural gas-related expansion projects totaling
        approximately $330 million to accommodate growth in the STACK area of
        Oklahoma, including:
        --  A 60,000 barrel per day (bpd) expansion of the Sterling III NGL
            pipeline, increasing its capacity to 250,000 bpd, and additional NGL
            gathering system expansions in the area, which are all backed by a
            long-term contract with a third party and expected to be completed
            by the end of 2018;
        --  An expansion of ONEOK's Canadian Valley natural gas processing
            facility to 400 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) from 200 MMcf/d,
            which is supported by more than 200,000 acres of dedication,
            primarily fee-based contracts and minimum volume commitments. The
            expansion is expected to add approximately 20,000 bpd of additional
            volumes to ONEOK's NGL gathering system and be completed by the end
            of 2018; and
        --  Construction of a 30-mile natural gas gathering pipeline and related
            infrastructure to connect with an existing third-party natural gas
            processing plant in Oklahoma, providing ONEOK access to 200 MMcf/d
            of additional processing capacity. The project is expected to be
            completed by the end of 2017;
    --  Completing in July 2017 a $1.2 billion public offering of senior notes,
        consisting of $500 million of 10-year senior notes at a coupon of 4.0
        percent and $700 million of 30-year senior notes at a coupon of 4.95
        percent, generating net proceeds of approximately $1.18 billion;
    --  Repaying in July 2017 $500 million of the $1.0 billion term loan
        agreement due 2019;
    --  Redeeming in July 2017 ONEOK's 6.5 percent senior notes due 2028 for
        approximately $87 million; and
    --  Having $332.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and approximately
        $1.2 billion of borrowing capacity available under its credit agreement
        as of June 30, 2017.

BUSINESS-SEGMENT RESULTS:

Key financial and operating statistics are listed in the tables.

Natural Gas Liquids Segment

The natural gas liquids segment benefited from increased NGL volumes gathered from the Williston Basin and STACK and SCOOP areas, which were offset by decreased volumes in the Granite Wash and Barnett Shale.

The segment connected two new third-party natural gas processing plants in the STACK and SCOOP areas to its system during the second quarter 2017, in addition to the three third-party plant connections in the first quarter 2017.

Ethane rejection levels on ONEOK's NGL system remained relatively unchanged in the second quarter 2017, averaging more than 150,000 bpd.


                      Three Months Ended                        Six Months Ended

                           June 30,                                 June 30,

    Natural Gas
     Liquids Segment 2017                2016                   2017             2016
    ---------------- ----                ----                   ----             ----

                                           (Millions of dollars)

    Adjusted EBITDA          $273.3                                    $276.6         $551.5 $546.8

    Capital
     expenditures             $12.3                                     $20.8          $32.8  $55.0
    -------------             -----                                     -----          -----  -----

The decrease in second-quarter 2017 adjusted EBITDA, compared with the second quarter 2016, primarily reflects:

    --  An $8.8 million increase in exchange services due to increased volumes
        in the Williston Basin and the STACK and SCOOP areas from recently
        connected natural gas processing plants, offset partially by lower
        volumes in the Granite Wash and Barnett Shale;
    --  A $1.6 million increase in transportation and storage services due to
        higher NGL distribution pipeline volumes and higher storage and
        terminaling revenue in the Gulf Coast region; and
    --  A $1.2 million increase in equity in net earnings from investments due
        primarily to higher volumes delivered to the Overland Pass Pipeline from
        the Bakken NGL Pipeline; offset by
    --  An $11.0 million decrease in optimization and marketing due primarily to
        narrower product price differentials; and
    --  A $3.5 million increase in operating costs due primarily to the timing
        of routine maintenance projects.

The increase in adjusted EBITDA for the six-month 2017 period, compared with the same period last year, primarily reflects:

    --  A $12.4 million increase in exchange services due to increased volumes
        in the Williston Basin and STACK and SCOOP areas from recently connected
        natural gas processing plants, offset partially by lower volumes in the
        Granite Wash and Barnett Shale;
    --  A $5.5 million increase in transportation and storage services due to
        higher NGL distribution pipeline volumes and higher storage and
        terminaling revenue in the Gulf Coast region; and
    --  A $1.5 million increase in equity in net earnings from investments due
        primarily to higher volumes delivered to the Overland Pass Pipeline from
        the Bakken NGL Pipeline; offset partially by
    --  A $5.8 million decrease in optimization and marketing due primarily to
        narrower product price differentials, offset partially by higher
        optimization volumes; and
    --  A $9.0 million increase in operating costs due primarily to higher
        property taxes, employee-related costs and timing of routine maintenance
        projects.

Natural Gas Gathering and Processing Segment

The natural gas gathering and processing segment's adjusted EBITDA increased 16 percent in the second quarter 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, due primarily to increased producer activity in the Williston Basin and STACK and SCOOP areas, and higher fee-based revenues from restructured contracts. Second-quarter 2017 natural gas volumes gathered increased 7 percent and natural gas volumes processed increased 6 percent, compared with the second quarter 2016.

The segment's average fee rate for the second quarter 2017 was 87 cents per MMBtu, compared with 76 cents per MMBtu in the second quarter 2016, a 14 percent increase.


                     Three Months Ended                      Six Months Ended

                          June 30,                               June 30,

    Natural Gas
     Gathering and
     Processing
     Segment        2017                 2016                2017             2016
    --------------  ----                 ----                ----             ----

                                       (Millions of dollars)

    Adjusted EBITDA         $128.3                                  $110.3         $232.2 $210.3

    Capital
     expenditures            $37.0                                   $84.7         $100.2 $226.2
    -------------            -----                                   -----         ------ ------

Second-quarter 2017 adjusted EBITDA increased, compared with the second quarter 2016, which primarily reflects:

    --  An $11.9 million increase due primarily to natural gas volume growth in
        the Williston Basin and the STACK and SCOOP areas, offset partially by
        natural production declines;
    --  A $10.2 million increase due primarily to restructured contracts
        resulting in higher average fee rates, offset partially by a lower
        percentage of proceeds (POP) retained from the sale of commodities
        purchased under POP with fee contracts; offset partially by
    --  A $3.8 million increase in operating costs due primarily to increased
        labor and employee-related costs, partially offset by lower outside
        service expenses; and
    --  A $2.0 million decrease due primarily to lower realized condensate and
        natural gas prices.

The increase in adjusted EBITDA for the six-month 2017 period, compared with the same period last year, primarily reflects:

    --  A $30.0 million increase due primarily to restructured contracts
        resulting in higher average fee rates, offset partially by a lower POP
        retained from the sale of commodities purchased under POP with fee
        contracts;
    --  A $1.7 million increase due primarily to natural gas volume growth in
        the Williston Basin and the STACK and SCOOP areas, offset partially by
        natural production declines and the impact of severe winter weather in
        the first quarter 2017; offset partially by
    --  A $6.0 million increase in operating costs due primarily to increased
        labor and employee-related costs, partially offset by lower outside
        service expenses; and
    --  A $4.4 million decrease due primarily to lower realized natural gas and
        condensate prices.

Natural Gas Pipelines Segment

The natural gas pipelines segment's adjusted EBITDA increased 18 percent in the second quarter 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. Increased results were primarily driven by higher fee-based earnings from increased firm demand charge transportation services, and increased equity in net earnings from investments due to higher revenues on ONEOK's joint venture Roadrunner Gas Transmission Pipeline (Roadrunner).

The segment's contracted transportation capacity and fee-based earnings have increased since the October 2016 completion of the WesTex Transmission Pipeline expansion, which increased capacity on the pipeline by 260 MMcf/d.


                    Three Months Ended                            Six Months Ended

                         June 30,                                     June 30,

    Natural Gas
     Pipelines
     Segment        2017               2016                   2017                2016
    -----------     ----               ----                   ----                ----

                                         (Millions of dollars)

    Adjusted EBITDA         $80.7                                    $68.5             $163.6 $142.9

    Capital
     expenditures           $26.8                                    $29.3              $51.9  $47.2
    -------------           -----                                    -----              -----  -----

Second-quarter 2017 adjusted EBITDA increased, compared with the second quarter 2016, which primarily reflects:

    --  A $6.1 million increase from higher transportation services due
        primarily to increased firm demand charge capacity contracted;
    --  A $4.6 million increase in equity in net earnings from investments due
        primarily to higher firm transportation revenues on Roadrunner; and
    --  A $1.9 million increase from higher net retained fuel due primarily to
        higher natural gas prices; offset partially by
    --  A $1.7 million increase in operating costs due primarily to the timing
        of routine maintenance projects.

The increase in adjusted EBITDA for the six-month 2017 period, compared with the same period last year, primarily reflects:

    --  A $16.0 million increase from higher transportation services due
        primarily to increased firm demand charge capacity contracted;
    --  An $11.1 million increase in equity in net earnings from investments due
        primarily to higher firm transportation revenues on Roadrunner; and
    --  A $2.4 million increase from higher net retained fuel due primarily to
        higher natural gas prices and higher equity gas sales, offset partially
        by lower natural gas volumes retained; offset partially by
    --  A $5.9 million increase in operating costs due primarily to the timing
        of routine maintenance projects and higher employee-related costs; and
    --  A $3.0 million decrease due to gains on sales of excess natural gas in
        storage in the first quarter 2016.

UPDATED 2017 GUIDANCE

ONEOK's full-year 2017 net income is expected to be in the range of $635 million to $795 million, compared with its previously announced range of $575 million to $755 million. The updated guidance reflects the completed merger transaction with ONEOK Partners and nonrecurring and transaction-related charges, which were not included in ONEOK's financial guidance provided on Feb. 1, 2017.

ONEOK narrowed its adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $1.89 billion to $2.06 billion, compared with its previously announced range of $1.87 billion to $2.13 billion.

The natural gas liquids segment expects full-year 2017 adjusted EBITDA of $1.14 billion to $1.24 billion, compared with the previously announced range of $1.11 billion to $1.31 billion. NGLs gathered are expected to average 800,000 to 850,000 bpd, compared with the previously announced range of 800,000 to 900,000 bpd, and NGLs fractionated remain unchanged from the previously announced range of 575,000 to 635,000 bpd. These volume updates primarily reflect the timing of expected volume increases from recently connected third-party natural gas processing plants.

The natural gas gathering and processing segment increased its full-year 2017 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $460 million to $500 million, compared with the previously announced range of $445 million to $485 million. The increase in the segment's financial guidance is primarily due to higher than expected volumes in the Williston Basin and STACK and SCOOP areas, and continued strong producer activity expected through the second half of the year. Natural gas processed is expected to average 1,475 to 1,580 MMcf/d, compared with the previously announced range of 1,400 to 1,550 MMcf/d, and natural gas gathered is expected to average 1,575 to 1,680 MMcf/d, compared to the previously announced range of 1,500 to 1,650 MMcf/d.

The natural gas pipelines segment increased its full-year 2017 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $330 million to $350 million, compared with the previously announced range of $320 million to $340 million. The increase primarily reflects the expectation for continued fee-based earnings growth from increased firm demand charge transportation services.

Growth capital expenditures are expected to range from $450 million to $550 million, compared with the previously announced range of $380 million to $480 million. Maintenance capital expenditures are expected to range from $130 million to $150 million, compared with the previously announced range of $140 million to $160 million.

Additional guidance information can be found in the tables.

EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST:

ONEOK executive management will conduct a conference call at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (10 a.m. Central Daylight Time) on Aug. 2, 2017. The call also will be carried live on ONEOK's website.

To participate in the telephone conference call, dial 800-449-5865, pass code 2669312, or log on to www.oneok.com.

If you are unable to participate in the conference call or the webcast, the replay will be available on ONEOK's website, www.oneok.com, for 30 days. A recording will be available by phone for seven days. The playback call may be accessed at 888-203-1112, pass code 2669312.

LINKS TO EARNINGS TABLES AND PRESENTATION:

Tables:
http://ir.oneok.com/~/media/Files/O/OneOK-IR/financial-reports/2017/q2-1aug2017-earnings-results-financial-news.pdf

Presentation:
http://ir.oneok.com/~/media/Files/O/OneOK-IR/financial-reports/2017/q2-1aug2017-earnings-results-presentation.pdf

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

ONEOK has disclosed in this news release adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and dividend coverage ratio, which are non-GAAP financial metrics, used to measure the company's financial performance and are defined as follows:

    --  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income from continuing operations
        adjusted for interest expense, depreciation and amortization, noncash
        impairment charges, income taxes, noncash compensation expense,
        allowance for equity funds used during construction (equity AFUDC), and
        other noncash items;
    --  Distributable cash flow is defined as adjusted EBITDA, computed as
        described above, less interest expense, maintenance capital expenditures
        and equity earnings from investments, excluding noncash impairment
        charges, adjusted for cash distributions received from unconsolidated
        affiliates and certain other items; and
    --  Dividend coverage ratio is defined as ONEOK's distributable cash flow to
        ONEOK shareholders divided by the dividends paid for the period.

These non-GAAP financial measures described above are useful to investors because they, and similar measures, are used by many companies in the industry as a measurement of financial performance and are commonly employed by financial analysts and others to evaluate our financial performance and to compare our financial performance with the performance of other companies within our industry. Adjusted EBITDA, ONEOK distributable cash flow and coverage ratio should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP.

These non-GAAP financial measures exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income. Additionally, these calculations may not be comparable with similarly titled measures of other companies. Reconciliations of net income to adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and coverage ratio are included in the tables.

ONEOK, Inc. (pronounced ONE-OAK) (NYSE: OKE) is one of the largest energy midstream service providers in the US., connecting prolific supply basins with key market centers. It owns and operates one of the nation's premier natural gas liquids (NGL) systems and is a leader in the gathering, processing, storage and transportation of natural gas. ONEOK's operations include a 38,000-mile integrated network of NGL and natural gas pipelines, processing plants, fractionators and storage facilities in the Mid-Continent, Williston, Permian and Rocky Mountain regions.

ONEOK is a FORTUNE 500 company and is included in Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 index.

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

For the latest news about ONEOK, find us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter @ONEOKNews.

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

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

    --  the risk that cost savings, tax benefits and any other synergies from
        the Merger transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to
        realize than expected;
    --  the impact and outcome of pending and future litigation, including
        litigation relating to the Merger transaction;
    --  the effects of weather and other natural phenomena, including climate
        change, on our operations, demand for our services and energy prices;
    --  competition from other United States and foreign energy suppliers and
        transporters, as well as alternative forms of energy, including, but not
        limited to, solar power, wind power, geothermal energy and biofuels such
        as ethanol and biodiesel;
    --  the capital intensive nature of our businesses;
    --  the profitability of assets or businesses acquired or constructed by us;
    --  our ability to make cost-saving changes in operations;
    --  risks of marketing, trading and hedging activities, including the risks
        of changes in energy prices or the financial condition of our
        counterparties;
    --  the uncertainty of estimates, including accruals and costs of
        environmental remediation;
    --  the timing and extent of changes in energy commodity prices;
    --  the effects of changes in governmental policies and regulatory actions,
        including changes with respect to income and other taxes, pipeline
        safety, environmental compliance, climate change initiatives and
        authorized rates of recovery of natural gas and natural gas
        transportation costs;
    --  the impact on drilling and production by factors beyond our control,
        including the demand for natural gas and crude oil; producers' desire
        and ability to obtain necessary permits; reserve performance; and
        capacity constraints on the pipelines that transport crude oil, natural
        gas and NGLs from producing areas and our facilities;
    --  difficulties or delays experienced by trucks, railroads or pipelines in
        delivering products to or from our terminals or pipelines;
    --  changes in demand for the use of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil because
        of market conditions caused by concerns about climate change;
    --  the impact of unforeseen changes in interest rates, debt and equity
        markets, inflation rates, economic recession and other external factors
        over which we have no control, including the effect on pension and
        postretirement expense and funding resulting from changes in equity and
        bond market returns;
    --  our indebtedness and guarantee obligations could make us vulnerable to
        general adverse economic and industry conditions, limit our ability to
        borrow additional funds and/or place us at competitive disadvantages
        compared with our competitors that have less debt, or have other adverse
        consequences;
    --  actions by rating agencies concerning our credit ratings;
    --  the results of administrative proceedings and litigation, regulatory
        actions, rule changes and receipt of expected clearances involving any
        local, state or federal regulatory body, including the Federal Energy
        Regulatory Commission (FERC), the National Transportation Safety Board,
        the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the
        U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Commodity
        Futures Trading Commission (CFTC);
    --  our ability to access capital at competitive rates or on terms
        acceptable to us;
    --  risks associated with adequate supply to our gathering, processing,
        fractionation and pipeline facilities, including production declines
        that outpace new drilling or extended periods of ethane rejection;
    --  the risk that material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our
        internal controls over financial reporting could emerge or that minor
        problems could become significant;
    --  the impact and outcome of pending and future litigation
    --  the ability to market pipeline capacity on favorable terms, including
        the effects of:
        --  future demand for and prices of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil;
        --  competitive conditions in the overall energy market;
        --  availability of supplies of Canadian and United States natural gas
            and crude oil; and
        --  availability of additional storage capacity;
    --  performance of contractual obligations by our customers, service
        providers, contractors and shippers;
    --  the timely receipt of approval by applicable governmental entities for
        construction and operation of our pipeline and other projects and
        required regulatory clearances;
    --  our ability to acquire all necessary permits, consents or other
        approvals in a timely manner, to promptly obtain all necessary materials
        and supplies required for construction, and to construct gathering,
        processing, storage, fractionation and transportation facilities without
        labor or contractor problems;
    --  the mechanical integrity of facilities operated;
    --  demand for our services in the proximity of our facilities;
    --  our ability to control operating costs;
    --  acts of nature, sabotage, terrorism or other similar acts that cause
        damage to our facilities or our suppliers' or shippers' facilities;
    --  economic climate and growth in the geographic areas in which we do
        business;
    --  the risk of a prolonged slowdown in growth or decline in the United
        States or international economies, including liquidity risks in United
        States or foreign credit markets;
    --  the impact of recently issued and future accounting updates and other
        changes in accounting policies;
    --  the possibility of future terrorist attacks or the possibility or
        occurrence of an outbreak of, or changes in, hostilities or changes in
        the political conditions in the Middle East and elsewhere;
    --  the risk of increased costs for insurance premiums, security or other
        items as a consequence of terrorist attacks;
    --  risks associated with pending or possible acquisitions and dispositions,
        including our ability to finance or integrate any such acquisitions and
        any regulatory delay or conditions imposed by regulatory bodies in
        connection with any such acquisitions and dispositions;
    --  the impact of uncontracted capacity in our assets being greater or less
        than expected;
    --  the ability to recover operating costs and amounts equivalent to income
        taxes, costs of property, plant and equipment and regulatory assets in
        our state and FERC-regulated rates;
    --  the composition and quality of the natural gas and NGLs we gather and
        process in our plants and transport on our pipelines;
    --  the efficiency of our plants in processing natural gas and extracting
        and fractionating NGLs;
    --  the impact of potential impairment charges;
    --  the risk inherent in the use of information systems in our respective
        businesses, implementation of new software and hardware, and the impact
        on the timeliness of information for financial reporting;
    --  our ability to control construction costs and completion schedules of
        our pipelines and other projects; and
    --  the risk factors listed in the reports ONEOK and ONEOK Partners have
        filed and may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
        "SEC"), which are incorporated by reference.

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

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


    Analyst Contact:             Megan Patterson

                                 918-561-5325

    Media Contact:               Stephanie Higgins

                                 918-591-5026

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SOURCE ONEOK, Inc.