AltaGas Announces Third Quarter Results and Framework for Balanced Funding Plan to Build Long-term Shareholder Value

Highlights
(all financial figures are unaudited and in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted)

Delivered $226 million in Normalized EBITDA¹ and Advancing Midstream Business

• Closed the $9 billion acquisition of WGL Holdings, Inc. (WGL), creating a North American leader in the clean energy economy
• Strengthened Northeast B.C. Gas franchise by connecting Montney producers to Asian energy exports
• Recorded third quarter 2018 normalized Funds from Operations¹ of $117 million
• Exceeded the company’s initial target of planned asset sales related to the repayment of the bridge facility, achieving approximately $2.4 billion² in announced assets sales – $400 million greater than the initial target
• Made significant progress on the repayment of the bridge facility associated with the acquisition of WGL. With the completed and announced asset sales, the balance of the bridge facility – US $1.2 billion – is expected to be repaid by year end

Strengthening Financial Position and Framework for Balanced Funding Plan

• AltaGas’ significant growth opportunities in Gas and U.S. Utilities will be balanced with a prudent funding plan and a commitment to an investment grade credit rating
• To fund capital projects as well as align the underlying assets of the business to its strategic focus on Gas and U.S. Utilities, AltaGas will undertake further asset sales of $1.5 to $2.0 billion in the near term. The asset sales are expected to include the monetization of an additional interest in the Northwest Hydro Facilities
• As part of AltaGas’ plan to optimize cost of capital, the Premium Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“PDRIP”) will be suspended at year end
• AltaGas plans to provide an update on its 2019 outlook to balance prudent financial management with investment in opportunities in Gas and U.S. Utilities prior to year end

AltaGas Ltd. (AltaGas) (TSX:ALA) today reported third quarter results and discussed its framework for a balanced financial strategy to take advantage of the capital investment and growth opportunities in Gas and U.S. Utilities; surface the value of its asset base; and improve its credit metrics.  AltaGas plans to provide a further update later in the fourth quarter on its business, operational and financial outlook, capital plan and overall funding plan for 2019.

“AltaGas has tremendous assets and a strong pipeline of opportunities in Gas and U.S. Utilities,” stated David Cornhill, Chairman and interim co-CEO of AltaGas.  “As we complete our funding plan for the acquisition of WGL in the fourth quarter, we look to 2019 and beyond, and plan to take the necessary steps to ensure long-term value creation for all stakeholders.

“AltaGas has gone through significant transformation over the past 18 months. As we sharpen our focus on opportunities in Gas and U.S. Utilities, we are also refining our funding plan, which includes additional asset sales, and evaluating our future capital programs. We are committed to optimizing per share cash flow and earnings growth,” continued Mr. Cornhill.

Financial & Operational Results
With normalized EBITDA of $226 million, and normalized Funds from Operations of $117 million, AltaGas remains well positioned to fund its 2018 capital program through internally generated cash flow, its dividend reinvestment program, and normal course borrowings under its credit facilities. AltaGas’ net loss applicable to common shares for the quarter was $726 million ($2.78 per share), mainly due to provisions for assets.  Normalized net loss for the third quarter was $17 million or $0.07 per share.

As previously disclosed, commencing in the third quarter of 2018, and effective as of the close of the WGL Acquisition, WGL’s activities will continue to be carried out through three business segments: Gas, Power, and Utilities, and will be reflected in each of AltaGas’ segments, respectively.

In the third quarter of 2018, WGL generated $32 million in normalized EBITDA – $8 million in the Gas segment, $32 million in the Power segment, and a loss of $7 million in the Utilities segment.  This was lower than the Company’s previous expectations as a result of timing and seasonality of WGL earnings, higher WGL utility leak remediation expenses, and delays to the Central Penn Pipeline in-service date.  EBITDA contribution from WGL is expected to increase in the fourth quarter of 2018 as compared to the third quarter, following the completion of Central Penn Pipeline and seasonally colder weather at the utilities.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY REPORTING SEGMENT

In the third quarter of 2018, AltaGas’ Gas segment recorded normalized EBITDA of $65 million, an increase of 27 percent over the same period last year.  The increase was driven by contributions from WGL for the period after the transaction close on July 6, 2018, contributions from AltaGas’ Townsend 2A and North Pine facilities which came into service in the fourth quarter of 2017, higher revenues at Harmattan due to increased NGL activities, as well as higher realized frac spreads and frac exposed volumes, partially offset by the impact of reduced ownership at Younger.

In the third quarter of 2018, AltaGas’ Power segment achieved normalized EBITDA of $128 million, an increase of $22 million as compared to the third quarter of 2017, primarily a result of the addition of WGL, partially offset by lower generation at the Northwest Hydro Facilities due to unseasonably cool, dry weather and the expiry of the Ripon PPA on May 30, 2018.  The Power segment did benefit from the new Resource Adequacy contract at Ripon which began in the second quarter of 2018 and is in place until the end of the year.

The Utilities segment achieved normalized EBITDA of $32 million in the third quarter of 2018, a decrease of approximately $6 million compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease was mainly due to the impact of the WGL Acquisition for the period after transaction close, and the 2018 revenue impact related to the federal tax reduction at the U.S. Utilities, partially offset by higher rates and colder weather in Alberta.

The Power and Utility segments were also positively impacted by a stronger U.S. dollar.

AltaGas’ 2018 capital expenditure plan is expected to be near the high end of the revised $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion target range. In 2018, approximately 45 to 50 percent of the total capital is expected to be spent in AltaGas’ Gas segment, on key projects including RIPET, Townsend 2B, Black Swan and the Central Penn and Mountain Valley Pipelines.  Approximately 45 to 50 percent is expected to be spent in the Utilities segment on approved system betterment across AltaGas’ utilities, accelerated pipe replacement programs in Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C, as well as new customer additions. There is also some initial capital being spent to advance the Marquette Connector Pipeline in Michigan. Power will account for the remainder of the capital primarily driven by selected smaller investments in distributed generation projects across the United States.

Asset Monetizations and Funding Strategy for WGL
Consistent with its previously articulated plans, AltaGas has been rapidly repaying its bridge facility and expects to have the bridge facility retired in the fourth quarter of 2018. At the end of the third quarter, AltaGas had approximately US $2.3 billion outstanding on the bridge facility.

During the third quarter, AltaGas announced the final steps in its current asset monetization process with respect to the WGL Acquisition, including the sales of non-core Gas and Power assets expected to close in the fourth quarter, and the IPO of AltaGas Canada Inc. which closed on October 25, 2018.  After taking into effect the completed and announced asset sales, the balance of the bridge facility is US $1.2 billion.

Disciplined Approach to Funding Plan and Focus on Total Shareholder Return
AltaGas, as part of its 2019 planning process, is reviewing its current funding requirements to maintain the strength and competitiveness of AltaGas’ key businesses for the long term, while improving AltaGas’ balance sheet and financial flexibility. AltaGas’ significant growth opportunities will be balanced with capital allocation discipline and a commitment to an investment grade credit rating.

“We believe that strengthening our balance sheet and ensuring an investment grade credit rating, combined with disciplined capital allocation and appropriate and sustainable dividend levels, positions us for greater flexibility and growth in the future,” said Tim Watson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  “In the near-term, we intend to sell $1.5 to $2 billion of additional assets to fund capital projects as well as align the underlying assets of the business to our strategic focus on Gas and U.S. Utilities.”

Suspension of the Premium Dividend Reinvestment Plan
AltaGas’ Board of Directors has suspended the Premium Dividend™ Component (the PDRIP) of the Premium Dividend™, Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Cash Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) effective December 18, 2018, until further notice.   Accordingly, the November 2018 dividend payable on December 17, 2018 to the holders of common shares will be the last dividend payment eligible for reinvestment by participating shareholders under PDRIP. The other components of the Plan including the Dividend Reinvestment Component (DRIP) of the Plan will remain in effect and unchanged.  AltaGas expects the overall DRIP participation rate to materially drop from current levels of approximately 66 percent as a result of the suspension of the PDRIP.

“There is no question that we have never had a stronger asset base, and we have never been in a better position to benefit from the multiple growth opportunities in our portfolio. I am confident that as we better delineate the efficiency of capital investment in our Northeast B.C. strategy and integrated value chain, as well as outline the investment opportunities in WGL, their value will be more fully realized in the market,” said Mr. Cornhill.

“At the same time we do understand the need to pace our investment as we strengthen our balance sheet and minimize the need for external equity funding. We look forward to reporting back to you later this quarter with a more fulsome update on our 2019 plans,” concluded Mr. Cornhill.

High Quality Utility Assets
AltaGas’ Utilities segment is expected to grow significantly, reflecting the exposure to higher growth markets with capital expenditures to support customer additions, general system betterment, and accelerated replacement programs.

Combined Midstream Business Provides Producers with Global Market Access
AltaGas continues to execute on its Northeast B.C. and energy export strategies, providing producers a stronger integrated value chain with energy export solutions.  In the quarter, AltaGas further enhanced its integrated value chain in the Montney with multi-faceted announcements that integrate many parts of its platform.  These include the announcement with Kelt Exploration (LNG) Ltd. (Kelt) underpinning an expansion of the Townsend Complex and the acquisition of a 50 percent interest in Black Swan Energy Ltd.’s (Black Swan) Aitken Creek Gas Processing Plants.  Both announcements highlight the strength of AltaGas’ value chain when utilizing the integrated platform including gas processing, liquids handling, field fractionation, and energy export.  As a result of these new projects, the North Pine liquids separation facility is expected to be expanded in 2019.

Construction of RIPET is progressing on-time and on-budget and is slated to come online in the first quarter of 2019, with the first cargo expected early in the second quarter which is aligned with the propane contract year.  With the Kelt and Black Swan agreements, along with other initiatives AltaGas is pursuing, total propane supply for RIPET is expected to achieve the initial 40,000 bbl/d target for start-up. Due to these arrangements and strong commercial support, AltaGas is accelerating its efforts to increase capacity beyond its initial target, and believes the increase can be achieved with minimal capital. Commercial agreements to secure the remaining off-take commitments are currently under negotiation and are expected to be completed by the end of 2018, which when combined with the 50 percent already committed by Astomos, will complete 100 percent of the initial target.

The Gas segment will also benefit from continued growth through investments in the Central Penn Pipeline, which came in service in early October 2018.

AltaGas is now positioned to actively participate in energy export projects on both coasts of North Americaand has a presence in the two most prolific gas plays – the Montney and Marcellus/Utica.  Through RIPET, AltaGas is ideally positioned to move natural gas liquids to premium Asian markets.  In the Marcellus/Utica, AltaGas connects low cost producers with high growth U.S. end-use markets and the Cove Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, which provides access for LNG exports off the east coast.

Generating Clean Energy with Natural Gas and Renewable Resources
AltaGas believes that with a clean power generation footprint that includes gas, hydroelectric, wind, small scale solar, biomass and energy storage, there will be longer-term opportunities for the power generation business throughout North America. AltaGas has identified a portfolio of development projects, which it continues to actively pursue.

Expectations for 2018
The WGL Acquisition closed on July 6, 2018. As a combined entity, AltaGas expects normalized EBITDA to increase by approximately 25 to 30 percent and normalized Funds from Operations to increase by approximately 10 percent compared to 2017.  The decrease in normalized Funds from Operations estimates to approximately 10 percent compared to the estimates of 15 to 20 percent projected in the second quarter of 2018 is primarily due to timing and seasonality of WGL earnings, higher WGL utility leak remediation expenses, lower Northwest Hydro river flows, and delays to the Central Penn Pipeline in-service date. This also includes the impact of certain contemplated asset monetizations and other financing initiatives as part of the long-term financing plan.

The expected increase to EBITDA and Funds from Operations in 2018 compared to 2017 for the combined entity is mainly as a result of contributions from the WGL Acquisition in all three segments as well as positive contributions from:

• Higher realized frac spreads mainly due to higher hedged price;
• Full year contributions from Townsend 2A and the first train of the North Pine facility; and
• Colder weather and rate base and customer growth at certain of the utilities.

These positive contributions are expected to be partially offset by:

• The impact of the sale of non-core Gas and Power assets;
• The sale of a majority interest in AltaGas Canada Inc.;
• The expiry of the PPA at the Ripon facility in the second quarter of 2018 (partially offset by the new Resource Adequacy (RA) contracts, which began in the second quarter of 2018 until year-end 2018, and is expected to be renewed on a yearly basis thereafter);
• A weaker U.S. dollar on reported results of the U.S. assets; and
• The impact of U.S. tax reform.

Monthly Common Share Dividend and Quarterly Preferred Share Dividends

• The Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.1825 per common share. The dividend will be paid on December 17, 2018, to common shareholders of record on November 26, 2018. The ex‑dividend date is November 23, 2018. This dividend is an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes;
• The Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.21125 per share for the period commencing September 30, 2018 and ending December 30, 2018, on AltaGas’ outstanding Series A Preferred Shares. The dividend will be paid on December 31, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 13, 2018. The ex‑dividend date is December 12, 2018;
• The Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.249530 per share for the period commencing September 30, 2018 and ending December 30, 2018, on AltaGas’ outstanding Series B Preferred Shares. The dividend will be paid on December 31, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 13, 2018. The ex‑dividend date is December 12, 2018;
• The Board of Directors approved a dividend of US$0.330625 per share for the period commencing September 30, 2018 and ending December 30, 2018, on AltaGas’ outstanding Series C Preferred Shares. The dividend will be paid on December 31, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 13, 2018. The ex‑dividend date is December 12, 2018;
• The Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.3125 per share for the period commencing September 30, 2018, and ending December 30, 2018, on AltaGas’ outstanding Series E Preferred Shares. The dividend will be paid on December 31, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 13, 2018. The ex‑dividend date is December 12, 2018;
• The Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.296875 per share for the period commencing September 30, 2018, and ending December 30, 2018, on AltaGas’ outstanding Series G Preferred Shares. The dividend will be paid on December 31, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 13, 2018. The ex-dividend date is December 12, 2018;
• The Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.328125 per share for the period commencing September 30, 2018, and ending December 30, 2018, on AltaGas’ outstanding Series I Preferred Shares. The dividend will be paid on December 31, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 13, 2018. The ex‑dividend date is December 12, 2018; and
• The Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.3125 per share for the period commencing September 30, 2018, and ending December 30, 2018, on AltaGas’ outstanding Series K Preferred Shares. The dividend will be paid on December 31, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 13, 2018. The ex-dividend date is December 12, 2018.

Consolidated Financial Review

Conference Call and Webcast Details

AltaGas will hold a conference call today at 9:00 a.m. MT (11:00 a.m. ET) to discuss 2018 third quarter results, progress on construction projects and other corporate developments.

Members of the investment community and other interested parties may dial 1-647-427-7450 or toll free at 1-888-231-8191. Please note that the conference call will also be webcast. To listen, please go to http://www.altagas.ca/invest/events-and-presentations. The webcast will be archived for one year.

Shortly after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be available commencing at 12:00 p.m. MT (2:00 p.m. ET) on October 30, 2018 by dialing 403-451-9481 or toll free 1-855-859-2056. The passcode is 9177324. The replay will expire at 9:59 p.m. MT (11:59 p.m. ET) on November 6, 2018.

Additional information relating to AltaGas’ results can be found in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis and unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 available through AltaGas’ website at www.altagas.ca  or through SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

AltaGas is an energy infrastructure company with a focus on natural gas, power and regulated utilities. AltaGas creates value by growing and optimizing its energy infrastructure, including a focus on clean energy sources. For more information visit: http://www.altagas.ca/ www.altagas.ca