Net income attributable to non-controlling interests increased by $10 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 primarily due to the acquisition of Columbia which included a non-controlling interest in CPPL. On February 17, 2017, we acquired all outstanding publicly held common units of CPPL.
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Preferred share dividends
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Preferred share dividends (41) (22) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Preferred share dividends increased by $19 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 primarily due to the issuance of Series 13 and Series 15 preferred shares in April 2016 and November 2016, respectively.
Recent developments
CANADIAN NATURAL GAS PIPELINES
NGTL System
The NGTL System currently has a $5.1 billion near-term capital program for completion to 2020. This includes the recently filed application to amend approvals for the North Montney project, with a revised $1.4 billion capital cost estimate, and the recently approved Towerbirch Expansion project.
North Montney
On March 20, 2017, we filed an application with the NEB for a variance to the existing approvals for North Montney to remove the condition that the project could only proceed once a positive FID is made for the Pacific Northwest LNG project. North Montney is now underpinned by restructured, 20-year commercial contracts with shippers and is not dependent on, but still accommodates, the LNG project proceeding. On April 19, 2017, the NEB granted an interim extension of the sunset clause that was due to expire June 10, 2017 to March 31, 2018. In-service dates are planned for April 2019 and April 2020, subject to regulatory approval.
Towerbirch Expansion
On March 10, 2017, the Government of Canada approved the $0.4 billion Towerbirch Expansion project. The project consists of 55 km (34 miles) of 36-inch loop to the Groundbirch Mainline plus 32 km (20 miles) of new 30-inch pipe and four new meter stations. In February 2017, the B.C. Government approved the environmental assessment with conditions that have since been met.
Canadian Mainline Tolling Option Open Season
On March 13, 2017, we announced the successful conclusion of the long-term fixed-price open season on the Canadian Mainline for service from the Empress receipt point in Alberta to the Dawn hub in Southern Ontario. The open season resulted in binding, long-term contracts from WCSB gas producers to transport 1.5 PJ/d of natural gas at a simplified toll of $0.77/GJ. The term of each contract is 10 years and includes early termination rights that can be exercised following the initial five years of service and upon payment of an increased toll for the final two years of the contract. The application to the NEB for approval of the service was filed on April 26, 2017 and included the request to implement the service starting November 1, 2017.
U.S. NATURAL GAS PIPELINES
Sale of Iroquois and PNGTS to TC PipeLines, LP
On May 4, 2017, we announced agreements to sell a 49.3 per cent interest in Iroquois Gas Transmission System, LP (Iroquois), together with our remaining 11.8 per cent interest in Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS), to our master limited partnership, TC PipeLines, LP for US$765 million. The transaction is comprised of US$597 million in cash and the assumption of US$168 million in proportionate debt at Iroquois and PNGTS. The transaction is expected to close mid-2017.
Leach XPress and Rayne XPress
FERC approvals and Notices to Proceed were received in first quarter 2017 for both the Leach XPress and Rayne XPress projects allowing construction activities to begin. The US$1.4 billion Leach XPress project and the US$0.4 billion Rayne XPress project are expected to be in service in November 2017.
WB XPress
We received our Environmental Assessment on March 24, 2017 for the WB XPress project and expect to receive our FERC order later this summer after additional FERC Commissioners are appointed and a quorum is re-established. The US$0.8 billion project remains on schedule with Phase I expected to be in-service in June 2018 and Phase II in November 2018.
Great Lakes Rate Case
Great Lakes is required to file a new section 4 rate case with rates effective no later than January 1, 2018 as part of the settlement agreement with shippers approved November 2013. On March 31, 2017, Great Lakes submitted a General Section 4 Rate Filing and Tariff Changes with the FERC. The rates proposed in the filing will be effective on October 1, 2017, subject to refund, if alternate resolution to the proceeding is not reached prior to that date. Great Lakes has initiated customer discussions regarding the details of the filing and will seek to achieve a mutually beneficial resolution through settlement with its customers.
Columbia Pipeline Partners LP
On February 17, 2017, we completed the acquisition, for cash, of all outstanding publicly held common units of CPPL at a price of US$17.00 and a stub period distribution payment of US$0.10 per common unit for an aggregate transaction value of US$921 million.
LIQUIDS PIPELINES
Energy East Pipeline
In January 2017, the NEB appointed three new panel members to undertake the review of the Energy East and Eastern Mainline projects. The new NEB panel members voided all decisions made by the previous hearing panel and will decide how to move forward with the hearing. We are not required to refile the application and parties will not be required to reapply for intervener status, however, all other proceedings and associated deadlines are no longer applicable. If the new panel members determine that the project application is complete, the 21-month NEB review period will commence.
On March 29, 2017, the NEB issued its decision to hear the Energy East and Eastern Mainline projects together, however, a hearing date has not yet been announced by the NEB.
Keystone XL
In February 2017, we filed an application with the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking approval for the Keystone XL pipeline route through that state. A hearing on the application is scheduled in August 2017 and a final decision on the proposed route is expected by the end of November 2017.
In March 2017, the U.S. Department of State issued a U.S. Presidential Permit authorizing construction of the U.S./Canada border crossing facilities of the Keystone XL pipeline. We discontinued our claim under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement and have also withdrawn the U.S. Constitutional challenge. With the receipt of the U.S. Presidential Permit, we will continue to work through the Nebraska PSC process.
Given the passage of time since the Keystone XL Presidential Permit application was previously denied in November 2015, we are updating the shipping contracts and anticipate the core contract shipper group will be modified with the introduction of new shippers and reductions in volume commitments by other shippers. We expect this transition to be complete within a few months and would anticipate commercial support for the project to be substantially similar to that which existed when we first applied for Keystone XL.
ENERGY
U.S. Power
Ravenswood
In late March 2017, the 972 MW Unit 30 at the Ravenswood Generating Station experienced an unplanned outage as a result of a problem on the generator associated with the low pressure turbine. Repairs to the unit are underway and the unit is expected to be returned to service in second quarter 2017. The incident is not expected to materially affect the sale process for Ravenswood.
Monetization of U.S. Northeast power business
The sale of TC Hydro to Great River Hydro, LLC closed on April 19, 2017 for proceeds of US$1.065 billion resulting in a gain of approximately $710 million ($440 million after tax) before post-closing adjustments which will be recorded in second quarter 2017. The proceeds received were used to reduce the Columbia acquisition bridge credit facility.
The sale of Ravenswood, Ironwood, Ocean State Power and Kibby to Helix Generation, LLC is expected to close in second quarter 2017.
Financial condition
We strive to maintain strong financial capacity and flexibility in all parts of the economic cycle. We rely on our operating cash flow to sustain our business, pay dividends and fund a portion of our growth. In addition, we access capital markets to meet our financing needs, manage our capital structure and to preserve our credit ratings.
We believe we have the financial capacity to fund our existing capital program through our predictable and growing cash flow from operations, access to capital markets (including through the establishment of an at-the-market equity issuance program, if applicable), our DRP, portfolio management including proceeds from the anticipated drop down of natural gas pipeline assets to TC PipeLines, LP, cash on hand and substantial committed credit facilities.
At March 31, 2017, our current assets were $8.0 billion and current liabilities were $9.1 billion, leaving us with a working capital deficit of $1.1 billion compared to a surplus of $0.4 billion at December 31, 2016. Our working capital deficiency is considered to be in the normal course of business and is managed through:
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-- our ability to generate cash flow from operations
-- our access to capital markets
-- approximately $9.1 billion of unutilized, unsecured committed credit
facilities.
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
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three months ended March 31 ------------------------------ (unaudited - millions of $, except per share amounts) 2017 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operations 1,302 1,081 Increase in operating working capital 155 132 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Funds generated from operations(1) 1,457 1,213 Specific items: Acquisition related costs - Columbia 32 26 Keystone XL asset costs 8 10 U.S. Northeast power monetization 11 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comparable funds generated from operations(1) 1,508 1,249 Dividends on preferred shares (39) (23) Distributions paid to non-controlling interests (80) (62) Maintenance capital expenditures including equity investments (167) (190) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comparable distributable cash flow(1) 1,222 974 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comparable distributable cash flow per common share $1.41 $1.39 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) See the non-GAAP measures section in this MD&A for further discussion of funds generated from operations, comparable funds generated from operations and comparable distributable cash flow./T/
COMPARABLE FUNDS GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS
Comparable funds generated from operations increased $259 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 primarily due to the increase in comparable earnings.
COMPARABLE DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FLOW
Comparable distributable cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, helps us assess the cash available to common shareholders before capital allocation. The increase from first quarter 2016 to 2017 was driven by an increase in comparable funds generated from operations and lower maintenance capital expenditures, primarily at Bruce Power, partially offset by higher dividends on preferred shares and distributions paid to non-controlling interests. Comparable distributable cash flow per share in 2017 included the dilutive effect of issuing 161 million common shares in 2016.
Although we deduct maintenance capital expenditures in determining comparable distributable cash flow, in certain of our rate-regulated businesses maintenance capital expenditures are included in their respective rate bases on which we earn a regulated return and recover depreciation through future tolls.
The following provides a breakdown of maintenance capital expenditures:
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three months ended March 31 ------------------------------ (unaudited - millions of $) 2017 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines 49 55 U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines 70 71 Other 48 64 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maintenance capital expenditures including equity investments 167 190 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
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Capital expenditures in 2017 were primarily related to:
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-- expansion of Columbia pipelines
-- expansion of the NGTL System
-- construction of Mexico pipelines
-- expansion of the Canadian Mainline
-- expansion of the ANR pipeline
-- construction of the Napanee power generating facility.
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