WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., May 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Fuel Gas Company ("National Fuel" or the "Company") (NYSE:NFG) today announced consolidated results for the second quarter of its 2021 fiscal year and for the six months ended March 31, 2021.

FISCAL 2021 SECOND QUARTER SUMMARY

GAAP net income of $112.4 million, or $1.23 per share, compared to GAAP net loss of $106.1 million, or $1.23 per share, in the prior year.
Adjusted operating results of $123.2 million, or $1.34 per share, compared to $84.2 million, or $0.97 per share, in the prior year (see non-GAAP reconciliation on page 2).
Adjusted EBITDA of $298.4 million, an increase of 29%, compared to $231.1 million in the prior year (see non-GAAP reconciliation on page 23).
Pipeline & Storage segment Adjusted EBITDA of $58.6 million, an increase of 19% from the prior year.
Gathering segment Adjusted EBITDA of $41.4 million, an increase of 40% from the prior year.
E&P segment Adjusted EBITDA of $127.1 million, an increase of 59% from the prior year.
E&P segment net production of 85.2 Bcfe, an increase of 25.5 Bcfe, or 43%, from the prior year.
E&P segment cash operating costs (combined G&A expenses, LOE expense, other operation and maintenance expense, and property, franchise, and other taxes), of $1.09 per Mcfe, a 14% decrease from the prior year.
Average realized natural gas prices of $2.28 per Mcf, an increase $0.16 per Mcf from the prior year.
Average realized oil prices of $57.11 per Bbl, a decrease of $1.12 per Bbl from the prior year.
Utility segment announced greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for its delivery system of 75% by 2030, and 90% by 2050, from 1990 levels.
Company is increasing its fiscal 2021 earnings guidance to a range of $3.85 to $4.05 per share, an increase of $0.15 at the midpoint, excluding items impacting comparability (see Guidance Summary on page 7).

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

David P. Bauer, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Fuel Gas Company, stated: "National Fuel had an excellent second quarter, with significant earnings growth resulting from the ongoing expansion of our interstate pipeline systems and the continued positive impact of our Appalachian upstream and gathering acquisition completed last summer. In light of these strong operating results, we are increasing our earnings guidance for fiscal 2021 to $3.85 to $4.05 per share, representing a 35% increase from the prior year at the midpoint of the updated range.

"During the quarter, our Pipeline and Storage business commenced construction of our FM100 expansion and modernization project, which remains on track for a late calendar 2021 in-service date. In addition to contributing $50 million in annual revenues to our FERC-regulated pipeline operations, this project, along with the companion Transco Leidy South expansion, is expected to provide additional access to premium markets in the Mid-Atlantic for Seneca's growing production base. Additionally, we continued to make significant strides on our sustainability-focused initiatives, with our Utility business announcing substantial greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in March, driven by ongoing investments in the modernization of our natural gas distribution network. Evidencing our commitment to the continued reduction of National Fuel's carbon footprint, we are working towards emissions reduction targets for the Company's midstream and upstream segments, maintaining our focus on climate-risk and the energy transition, as well as National Fuel's long-term role in the energy complex."


RECONCILIATION OF GAAP EARNINGS TO ADJUSTED OPERATING RESULTS

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 31,						March 31,
(in thousands except per share amounts)	2021			2020			2021			2020
Reported GAAP Earnings	$	112,436		$	(106,068	)	$	190,210		$	(19,477	)
Items impacting comparability:
Impairment of oil and gas properties (E&P)	—			177,761			76,152			177,761
Tax impact of impairment of oil and gas properties	—			(48,503		)	(20,980		)	(48,503		)
Gain on sale of timber properties (Corporate / All Other)	—			—			(51,066		)	—
Tax impact of gain on sale of timber properties	—			—			14,069			—
Premium paid on early redemption of debt	15,715			—			15,715			—
Tax impact of premium paid on early redemption of debt	(4,321		)	—			(4,321		)	—
Deferred tax valuation allowance	—			56,770			—			56,770
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments (Corporate / All Other)	(848		)	5,414			450			6,433
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments	178			(1,137		)	(94		)	(1,351		)
Adjusted Operating Results	$	123,160		$	84,237		$	220,135		$	171,633

Reported GAAP Earnings Per Share	$	1.23		$	(1.23	)	$	2.08		$	(0.23	)
Items impacting comparability:
Impairment of oil and gas properties, net of tax (E&P)	—			1.49			0.60			1.49
Gain on sale of timber properties, net of tax (Corporate / All Other)	—			—			(0.40		)	—
Premium paid on early redemption of debt, net of tax	0.12			—			0.12			—
Deferred tax valuation allowance	—			0.66			—			0.66
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax (Corporate / All Other)	(0.01		)	0.05			—			0.06
Adjusted Operating Results Per Share	$	1.34		$	0.97		$	2.40		$	1.98

FISCAL 2021 GUIDANCE UPDATE

National Fuel is revising its fiscal 2021 earnings guidance to reflect the results of the second fiscal quarter, along with updated commodity price and operating unit cost assumptions for the balance of the year. The Company is now projecting that earnings, excluding items impacting comparability, will be within the range of $3.85 to $4.05 per share, an increase of $0.15 per share from the midpoint of the Company's prior guidance range.

The Company is now assuming that WTI oil prices will average $60.00 per Bbl for the remainder of the year, a $7.50 increase from the $52.50 per Bbl assumed in the previous guidance. For guidance purposes, the Company's projections approximate the current NYMEX forward markets and consider the impact of local sales point differentials and new physical firm sales, transportation, and financial hedge contracts.

Seneca currently has firm sales contracts in place for 142 Bcf, or approximately 95% of its projected remaining fiscal 2021 Appalachian production, limiting its exposure to in-basin markets. Approximately 132 Bcf of those sales, or 88% of Seneca's expected remaining Appalachian production, are either matched by a financial hedge, including a combination of swaps and no-cost collars, or were entered into at a fixed price. Additionally, Seneca has financial hedges in place for 786 Mbbl, or approximately 72%, of its expected remaining oil production for the fiscal year.

The Company's other guidance assumptions remain largely unchanged from the previous guidance. Additional details on the Company's updated forecast assumptions and business segment guidance for fiscal 2021 are outlined in the table on page 7.

DISCUSSION OF SECOND QUARTER RESULTS BY SEGMENT

The following earnings discussion of each operating segment for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 is summarized in a tabular form on pages 8 and 9 of this report (earnings drivers for the six months ended March 31, 2021 are summarized on pages 10 and 11). It may be helpful to refer to those tables while reviewing this discussion.

Note that management defines Adjusted Operating Results as reported GAAP earnings adjusted for items impacting comparability, and Adjusted EBITDA as reported GAAP earnings before the following items: interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, other income and deductions, impairments, and other items reflected in operating income that impact comparability.

Upstream Business

Exploration and Production Segment

The Exploration and Production segment operations are carried out by Seneca Resources Company, LLC ("Seneca"). Seneca explores for, develops and produces natural gas and oil reserves, primarily in Pennsylvania and California.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020			Variance
GAAP Earnings	$	36,822	$	(175,275	)	$	212,097
Premium paid on early redemption of debt, net of tax	10,710		—			10,710
Impairment of oil and gas properties, net of tax	—		129,258			(129,258		)
Deferred tax valuation allowance	—		60,463			(60,463		)
Adjusted Operating Results	$	47,532	$	14,446		$	33,086

Adjusted EBITDA	$	127,146	$	79,846		$	47,300

Seneca's second quarter GAAP earnings increased $212.1 million versus the prior year. This was primarily attributable to the non-recurrence of two items from the prior year's second quarter, including a non-cash ceiling test impairment charge of $129.3 million (after-tax) as well as a $60.5 million state income tax valuation allowance. Excluding these items noted above, as well as a loss of $14.8 million ($10.7 million after-tax) recognized on the early redemption of long-term debt for Seneca's share of a premium paid by the Company to redeem $500 million of the Company's 4.9% notes that were scheduled to mature in December 2021, Seneca's second quarter earnings increased $33.1 million.

Seneca produced 85.2 Bcfe during the second quarter, an increase of 25.5 Bcfe, or 43%, from the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by higher natural gas production from the Company's fourth quarter fiscal 2020 acquisition of Appalachian upstream assets, as well as production growth from Seneca's other core development areas. Net production increased 21.2 Bcf to 50.2 Bcf in the Eastern Development Area ("EDA"), primarily due to higher production from the acquisition. Net production increased 4.6 Bcf to 31.3 Bcf in Seneca's Western Development Area ("WDA"), primarily due to the ongoing development program in the region. Oil production for the second quarter decreased 44,000 Bbls, or 7%, from the prior year primarily due to natural production declines in Seneca's Midway Sunset, Lost Hills and Pioneer development areas as a result of lower activity in response to decreased crude oil prices. These declines were partially offset by new production brought on-line in Seneca's Coalinga and 17N development areas.

Seneca's average realized natural gas price, after the impact of hedging and transportation costs, was $2.28 per Mcf, an increase of $0.16 per Mcf from the prior year. This increase was primarily due to higher NYMEX prices and higher spot prices at local sales points in Pennsylvania. Seneca's average realized oil price, after the impact of hedging, was $57.11 per Bbl, a decrease of $1.12 per Bbl compared to the prior year.

Lease operating and transportation ("LOE") expense increased $15.3 million primarily due to higher transportation costs in Appalachia from increased production. LOE expense includes $49.6 million in intercompany expense for gathering and compression services used to connect Seneca's Marcellus and Utica production to sales points along interstate pipelines. DD&A expense increased $1.0 million due largely to higher natural gas production, partially offset by the impact of ceiling test impairments recorded during fiscal 2020.

On a unit of production basis, Seneca's combined general and administrative ("G&A"), LOE, other operation and maintenance ("O&M") expense, and Property, Franchise, and Other Taxes decreased $0.18 per Mcfe, or 14%, during the quarter.

Excluding the premium paid on the early redemption of long-term debt noted above, interest expense increased by $1.3 million from the prior year, primarily driven by additional long-term borrowings from the Company's long-term debt issuance in June 2020 that was used to fund a portion of the Company's Appalachian acquisition. The increase in Seneca's effective income tax rate was largely driven by an increase to a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets that was initially established in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

Midstream Businesses

Pipeline and Storage Segment

The Pipeline and Storage segment's operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation ("Supply Corporation") and Empire Pipeline, Inc. ("Empire"). The Pipeline and Storage segment provides natural gas transportation and storage services to affiliated and non-affiliated companies through an integrated system of pipelines and underground natural gas storage fields in western New York and Pennsylvania.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		Variance
GAAP Earnings	$	24,928	$	22,087	$	2,841

Adjusted EBITDA	$	58,570	$	49,102	$	9,468

The Pipeline and Storage segment's second quarter GAAP earnings increased $2.8 million versus the prior year primarily due to higher operating revenues and lower O&M expense, partially offset by higher DD&A expense and higher interest expense. The increase in operating revenues of $7.5 million, or 9%, was largely due to new demand charges for transportation service from the Company's Empire North expansion project, which was placed in service near the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, coupled with an increase in Supply Corporation's transportation and storage rates effective February 1, 2020, in accordance with Supply Corporation's rate case settlement. Additionally, the Company recognized increased revenue from a surcharge mechanism for power costs related to electric motor drive compression on the Empire North project, for which offsetting O&M expense was recognized during the quarter. O&M expense decreased $2.3 million primarily due to a decrease in the reserve for preliminary project costs, which was partially offset by an increase in operating costs, largely the aforementioned Empire power costs. The increase in DD&A expense of $2.4 million was primarily attributable to incremental depreciation from the Empire North expansion project combined with an increase in Supply Corporation's depreciation rates associated with its rate case settlement. The increase in interest expense of $3.4 million was primarily driven by additional long-term borrowings from the Company's long-term debt issuance in June 2020.

Gathering Segment

The Gathering segment's operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Midstream Company, LLC's limited liability companies. The Gathering segment constructs, owns and operates natural gas gathering pipelines and compression facilities in the Appalachian region, which primarily delivers Seneca's gross Appalachian production to the interstate pipeline system.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020			Variance
GAAP Earnings	$	20,700	$	19,898		$	802
Premium paid on early redemption of debt, net of tax	684		—			684
Deferred tax valuation allowance	—		(3,769		)	3,769
Adjusted Operating Results	$	21,384	$	16,129		$	5,255

Adjusted EBITDA	$	41,424	$	29,541		$	11,883

The Gathering segment's second quarter GAAP earnings increased $0.8 million versus the prior year. Excluding a $3.8 million income tax benefit that was recorded as an offset to the valuation allowance recognized by the Exploration and Production segment during the prior year second quarter that did not recur in the current quarter, as well as a $0.7 million after-tax loss recognized on the early redemption of long-term debt for Midstream Company's share of a premium paid by the Company to redeem $500 million of the Company's 4.9% notes that were scheduled to mature in December 2021, the Gathering segment's earnings increased $5.3 million.

The Gathering segment's earnings increase was primarily driven by higher operating revenues, which was partially offset by higher DD&A expense, higher O&M expenses and higher interest expense. Operating revenues increased $15.0 million, or 43%, primarily due to increased gathering throughput resulting from the Company's Appalachian acquisition in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 and from new Marcellus and Utica wells that were brought on-line. The increase in DD&A expense of $2.8 million was primarily attributable to incremental depreciation expense related to the Company's Appalachian acquisition, as well as higher average depreciable plant in service compared to the prior year. Compression leasing expenses, as well as higher facility and personnel costs, all associated with the Appalachian acquisition, were primarily responsible for the $3.1 million increase in O&M expense. Excluding the premium paid on the early redemption of long-term debt noted above, interest expense increased by $2.1 million from the prior year, primarily driven by additional long-term borrowings from the Company's long-term debt issuance in June 2020 that was used to fund a portion of the Appalachian acquisition.

Downstream Businesses

Utility Segment

The Utility segment operations are carried out by National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation ("Distribution"), which sells or transports natural gas to customers located in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in thousands)	2021		2020		Variance
GAAP Earnings	$	32,044	$	31,499	$	545

Adjusted EBITDA	$	73,885	$	73,192	$	693

The Utility segment's second quarter GAAP earnings increased $0.5 million versus the prior year primarily due to higher customer margins (operating revenues less purchased gas sold), partially offset by higher O&M expense. The increase in customer margin was due primarily to higher revenues earned through the Company's system modernization tracking mechanism in its New York service territory and colder weather in Distribution's Pennsylvania service territory that resulted in an increase in customer usage. These positive items were partially offset by the impact of adjustments recorded in the prior year for certain regulatory revenue and cost recovery mechanisms that did not occur in the current year. Weather in Distribution's Pennsylvania service territory was 8% colder on average than last year. The impact of weather variations on earnings in Distribution's New York service territory is largely mitigated by that jurisdiction's weather normalization clause. The $1.8 million increase in O&M expense was primarily attributable to incremental expense recorded to increase the allowance for uncollectible accounts due to the potential for higher customer non-payment resulting from the current economic backdrop brought on by COVID-19, as well as higher personnel costs.

Corporate and All Other

The Company's operations that are included in Corporate and All Other generated a combined net loss of $2.1 million in the current year second quarter, which was $2.2 million lower than the combined loss of $4.3 million in the prior-year second quarter. The reduction in net loss was primarily driven by unrealized gains on investment securities recognized in the current quarter compared to unrealized losses on investment securities in the prior year second quarter.

EARNINGS TELECONFERENCE

The Company will host a conference call on Friday, May 7, 2021, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss this announcement. Pre-registration is required to access the teleconference by phone in a listen-only mode by following this link: http://www.directeventreg.com/registration/event/2524688. To access the webcast, visit the Events Calendar under the News & Events page on the NFG Investor Relations website at investor.nationalfuelgas.com. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours following the teleconference at the same website link and by phone (toll-free) at 800-585-8367 using conference ID number "2524688". Both the webcast and conference call replay will be available until the close of business on Friday, May 14, 2021.

National Fuel is an integrated energy company reporting financial results for four operating segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, and Utility. Additional information about National Fuel is available at www.nationalfuelgas.com.

Analyst Contact:	Kenneth E. Webster	716-857-7067
Media Contact:	Karen L. Merkel	716-857-7654

Certain statements contained herein, including statements identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "believes," "seeks," "will," "may" and similar expressions, and statements which are other than statements of historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The Company's expectations, beliefs and projections contained herein are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that such expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished. In addition to other factors, the following are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements: the length and severity of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, including its impacts across our businesses on demand, operations, global supply chains and liquidity; changes in economic conditions, including global, national or regional recessions, and their effect on the demand for, and customers' ability to pay for, the Company's products and services; changes in the price of natural gas or oil; impairments under the SEC's full cost ceiling test for natural gas and oil reserves; the creditworthiness or performance of the Company's key suppliers, customers and counterparties; financial and economic conditions, including the availability of credit, and occurrences affecting the Company's ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms for working capital, capital expenditures and other investments, including any downgrades in the Company's credit ratings and changes in interest rates and other capital market conditions; changes in laws, regulations or judicial interpretations to which the Company is subject, including those involving derivatives, taxes, safety, employment, climate change, other environmental matters, real property, and exploration and production activities such as hydraulic fracturing; the Company's ability to estimate accurately the time and resources necessary to meet emissions targets; disallowance by applicable regulatory bodies of appropriate rate recovery for system modernization; moves to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas; delays or changes in costs or plans with respect to Company projects or related projects of other companies, including disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as difficulties or delays in obtaining necessary governmental approvals, permits or orders or in obtaining the cooperation of interconnecting facility operators; the Company's ability to complete planned strategic transactions; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets and achieve expected cost synergies; governmental/regulatory actions, initiatives and proceedings, including those involving rate cases (which address, among other things, target rates of return, rate design and retained natural gas), environmental/safety requirements, affiliate relationships, industry structure, and franchise renewal; changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas or oil sold at different geographic locations, and the effect of such changes on commodity production, revenues and demand for pipeline transportation capacity to or from such locations; the impact of information technology disruptions, cybersecurity or data security breaches; factors affecting the Company's ability to successfully identify, drill for and produce economically viable natural gas and oil reserves, including among others geology, lease availability, title disputes, weather conditions, shortages, delays or unavailability of equipment and services required in drilling operations, insufficient gathering, processing and transportation capacity, the need to obtain governmental approvals and permits, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations; increasing health care costs and the resulting effect on health insurance premiums and on the obligation to provide other post-retirement benefits; other changes in price differentials between similar quantities of natural gas or oil having different quality, heating value, hydrocarbon mix or delivery date; the cost and effects of legal and administrative claims against the Company or activist shareholder campaigns to effect changes at the Company; uncertainty of oil and gas reserve estimates; significant differences between the Company's projected and actual production levels for natural gas or oil; changes in demographic patterns and weather conditions; changes in the availability, price or accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments; changes in laws, actuarial assumptions, the interest rate environment and the return on plan/trust assets related to the Company's pension and other post-retirement benefits, which can affect future funding obligations and costs and plan liabilities; economic disruptions or uninsured losses resulting from major accidents, fires, severe weather, natural disasters, terrorist activities or acts of war; significant differences between the Company's projected and actual capital expenditures and operating expenses; or increasing costs of insurance, changes in coverage and the ability to obtain insurance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY

AND SUBSIDIARIES

GUIDANCE SUMMARY

As discussed on page 2, the Company is revising its earnings guidance for fiscal 2021. Additional details on the Company's forecast assumptions and business segment guidance are outlined in the table below.

The revised earnings guidance range does not include the impact of certain items that impacted the comparability of earnings during the six months ended March 31, 2021, including: (1) the after-tax impairment of oil and gas properties, which reduced earnings by $0.60 per share; (2) the after-tax gain on sale of timber properties, which increased earnings by $0.40 per share; and (3) the after-tax premium paid on early redemption of debt, which reduced earnings by $0.12 per share. While the Company expects to record certain adjustments to unrealized gain or loss on investments during the six months ending September 30, 2021, the amounts of these and other potential adjustments are not reasonably determinable at this time. As such, the Company is unable to provide earnings guidance other than on a non-GAAP basis.

	Updated FY 2021 Guidance	Previous FY 2021 Guidance
Consolidated Earnings per Share, excluding items
impacting comparability	$3.85 to $4.05	$3.65 to $3.95
Consolidated Effective Tax Rate	~ 26%	~ 26%

Capital Expenditures (Millions)
Exploration and Production	$350 - $390	$350 - $390
Pipeline and Storage	$250 - $300	$250 - $300
Gathering	$30 - $40	$30 - $40
Utility	$90 - $100	$90 - $100
Consolidated Capital Expenditures	$720 - $830	$720 - $830

Exploration & Production Segment Guidance*

Commodity Price Assumptions
NYMEX natural gas price	$2.75 /MMBtu	$2.75 /MMBtu
Appalachian basin spot price	$1.90 /MMBtu	$2.05 /MMBtu
NYMEX (WTI) crude oil price	$60.00 /Bbl	$52.50 /Bbl
California oil price premium (% of WTI)	96%	96%

Production (Bcfe)
East Division - Appalachia	300 to 315	295 to 320
West Division - California	~ 15	~ 15
Total Production	315 to 330	310 to 335

E&P Operating Costs ($/Mcfe)
LOE	$0.82 - $0.84	$0.83 - $0.85
G&A	$0.20 - $0.22	$0.20 - $0.22
DD&A	$0.57 - $0.60	$0.58 - $0.62

Other Business Segment Guidance (Millions)
Gathering Segment Revenues	$185 - $200	$185 - $200
Pipeline and Storage Segment Revenues	$335 - $345	$330 - $340

* Commodity price assumptions are for the remaining 6 months of the fiscal year.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2021
(Unaudited)

	Upstream			Midstream						Downstream

	Exploration &			Pipeline &									Corporate /
(Thousands of Dollars)	Production			Storage			Gathering			Utility			All Other			Consolidated*

Second quarter 2020 GAAP earnings	$	(175,275	)	$	22,087		$	19,898		$	31,499		$	(4,277	)	$	(106,068	)

Items impacting comparability:
Impairment of oil and gas properties	177,761															177,761
Tax impact of impairment of oil and gas properties	(48,503		)													(48,503		)
Deferred tax valuation allowance	60,463						(3,769		)				76			56,770
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments													5,414			5,414
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments													(1,137		)	(1,137		)
Second quarter 2020 adjusted operating results	14,446			22,087			16,129			31,499			76			84,237

Drivers of adjusted operating results**

Upstream Revenues
Higher (lower) natural gas production	43,199															43,199
Higher (lower) crude oil production	(2,058		)													(2,058		)
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging	10,040															10,040
Higher (lower) realized crude oil prices, after hedging	(498		)													(498		)

Midstream and All Other Revenues
Higher (lower) operating revenues				5,893			11,846						(670		)	17,069

Downstream Margins***
Impact of usage and weather										1,484						1,484
System modernization tracker revenues										1,562						1,562
Regulatory revenue adjustments										(1,226		)				(1,226		)
Higher (lower) energy marketing margins													(2,328		)	(2,328		)

Operating Expenses
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses	(12,070		)													(12,070		)
Lower (higher) operating expenses	(711		)	1,814			(2,473		)	(1,357		)	1,352			(1,375		)
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes	(907		)													(907		)
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion	(792		)	(1,875		)	(2,225		)							(4,892		)

Other Income (Expense)
(Higher) lower other deductions				(377		)							359			(18		)
(Higher) lower interest expense	(1,017		)	(2,686		)	(1,629		)				(720		)	(6,052		)

Income Taxes
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate	(2,447		)	157			(217		)	191			(1,074		)	(3,390		)

All other / rounding	347			(85		)	(47		)	(109		)	277			383
Second quarter 2021 adjusted operating results	47,532			24,928			21,384			32,044			(2,728		)	123,160

Items impacting comparability:
Premium paid on early redemption of debt	(14,772		)				(943		)							(15,715		)
Tax impact of premium paid on early redemption of debt	4,062						259									4,321
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments													848			848
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on other investments													(178		)	(178		)
Second quarter 2021 GAAP earnings	$	36,822		$	24,928		$	20,700		$	32,044		$	(2,058	)	$	112,436

* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations.
** Drivers of operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2021
(Unaudited)

	Upstream			Midstream						Downstream

	Exploration &			Pipeline &									Corporate /
	Production			Storage			Gathering			Utility			All Other			Consolidated*

Second quarter 2020 GAAP earnings per share	$	(2.03	)	$	0.26		$	0.23		$	0.36		$	(0.05	)	$	(1.23	)
Items impacting comparability:
Impairment of oil and gas properties, net of tax	1.49															1.49
Deferred tax valuation allowance	0.70						(0.04		)				—			0.66
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax													0.05			0.05
Earnings per share impact of diluted shares	0.01			(0.01		)										—
Second quarter 2020 adjusted operating results per share	0.17			0.25			0.19			0.36			—			0.97

Drivers of adjusted operating results**

Upstream Revenues
Higher (lower) natural gas production	0.47															0.47
Higher (lower) crude oil production	(0.02		)													(0.02		)
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging	0.11															0.11
Higher (lower) realized crude oil prices, after hedging	(0.01		)													(0.01		)

Midstream and All Other Revenues
Higher (lower) operating revenues				0.06			0.13						(0.01		)	0.18

Downstream Margins***
Impact of usage and weather										0.02						0.02
System modernization tracker revenues										0.02						0.02
Regulatory revenue adjustments										(0.01		)				(0.01		)
Higher (lower) energy marketing margins													(0.03		)	(0.03		)

Operating Expenses
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses	(0.13		)													(0.13		)
Lower (higher) operating expenses	(0.01		)	0.02			(0.03		)	(0.01		)	0.01			(0.02		)
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes	(0.01		)													(0.01		)
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion	(0.01		)	(0.02		)	(0.02		)							(0.05		)

Other Income (Expense)
(Higher) lower other deductions				—									—			—
(Higher) lower interest expense	(0.01		)	(0.03		)	(0.02		)				(0.01		)	(0.07		)

Income Taxes
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate	(0.03		)	—			—			—			(0.01		)	(0.04		)

Impact of additional shares	(0.01		)	(0.01		)	(0.01		)	(0.02		)	—			(0.05		)
All other / rounding	0.01			—			(0.01		)	(0.01		)	0.02			0.01
Second quarter 2021 adjusted operating results per share	0.52			0.27			0.23			0.35			(0.03		)	1.34

Items impacting comparability:
Premium paid on early redemption of debt, net of tax	(0.12		)				—									(0.12		)
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments, net of tax													0.01			0.01
Second quarter 2021 GAAP earnings per share	$	0.40		$	0.27		$	0.23		$	0.35		$	(0.02	)	$	1.23

* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations.
** Drivers of operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021
(Unaudited)

	Upstream			Midstream						Downstream

	Exploration &			Pipeline &									Corporate /
(Thousands of Dollars)	Production			Storage			Gathering			Utility			All Other			Consolidated*

Six months ended March 31, 2020 GAAP earnings	$	(151,299	)	$	40,192		$	35,842		$	58,082		$	(2,294	)	$	(19,477	)

Items impacting comparability:
Impairment of oil and gas properties	177,761															177,761
Tax impact of impairment of oil and gas properties	(48,503		)													(48,503		)
Deferred tax valuation allowance	60,463						(3,769		)				76			56,770
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments													6,433			6,433
Tax impact of unrealized (gain) loss on other investments													(1,351		)	(1,351		)
Six months ended March 31, 2020 adjusted operating results	38,422			40,192			32,073			58,082			2,864			171,633

Drivers of adjusted operating results**

Upstream Revenues
Higher (lower) natural gas production	82,667															82,667
Higher (lower) crude oil production	(3,955		)													(3,955		)
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging	(1,564		)													(1,564		)
Higher (lower) realized crude oil prices, after hedging	(6,277		)													(6,277		)

Midstream and All Other Revenues
Higher (lower) operating revenues				18,173			21,500						(1,123		)	38,550

Downstream Margins***
Impact of usage and weather										321						321
System modernization tracker revenues										2,481						2,481
Regulatory revenue adjustments										(1,018		)				(1,018		)
Higher (lower) energy marketing margins													(4,668		)	(4,668		)

Operating Expenses
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses	(23,745		)													(23,745		)
Lower (higher) operating expenses	(2,519		)	1,623			(3,943		)	(3,313		)	2,129			(6,023		)
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes	(706		)													(706		)
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion	(1,728		)	(4,927		)	(4,411		)	(729		)				(11,795		)

Other Income (Expense)
(Higher) lower other deductions				(888		)							1,572			684
(Higher) lower interest expense	(2,149		)	(5,545		)	(3,123		)				(1,067		)	(11,884		)

Income Taxes
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate	(5,609		)	457			(235		)	(1,167		)	1,233			(5,321		)

All other / rounding	244			27			73			424			(13		)	755
Six months ended March 31, 2021 adjusted operating results	73,081			49,112			41,934			55,081			927			220,135

Items impacting comparability:
Impairment of oil and gas properties	(76,152		)													(76,152		)
Tax impact of impairment of oil and gas properties	20,980															20,980
Gain on sale of timber properties													51,066			51,066
Tax impact of gain on sale of timber properties													(14,069		)	(14,069		)
Premium paid on early redemption of debt	(14,772		)				(943		)							(15,715		)
Tax impact of premium paid on early redemption of debt	4,062						259									4,321
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments													(450		)	(450		)
Tax impact of unrealized gain (loss) on other investments													94			94
Six months ended March 31, 2021 GAAP earnings	$	7,199		$	49,112		$	41,250		$	55,081		$	37,568		$	190,210

* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations.
** Operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
RECONCILIATION OF CURRENT AND PRIOR YEAR GAAP EARNINGS PER SHARE
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021
(Unaudited)

	Upstream			Midstream						Downstream

	Exploration &			Pipeline &									Corporate /
	Production			Storage			Gathering			Utility			All Other			Consolidated*
Six months ended March 31, 2020 GAAP earnings per share	$	(1.75	)	$	0.46		$	0.42		$	0.67		$	(0.03	)	$	(0.23	)
Items impacting comparability:
Impairment of oil and gas properties, net of tax	1.49															1.49
Deferred tax valuation allowance	0.70						(0.04		)				—			0.66
Unrealized (gain) loss on other investments, net of tax													0.06			0.06
Earnings per share impact of diluted shares							(0.01		)				0.01			—
Six months ended March 31, 2020 adjusted operating results per share	0.44			0.46			0.37			0.67			0.04			1.98

Drivers of adjusted operating results**

Upstream Revenues
Higher (lower) natural gas production	0.90															0.90
Higher (lower) crude oil production	(0.04		)													(0.04		)
Higher (lower) realized natural gas prices, after hedging	(0.02		)													(0.02		)
Higher (lower) realized crude oil prices, after hedging	(0.07		)													(0.07		)

Midstream and All Other Revenues
Higher (lower) operating revenues				0.20			0.23						(0.01		)	0.42

Downstream Margins***
Impact of usage and weather										—						—
System modernization tracker revenues										0.03						0.03
Regulatory revenue adjustments										(0.01		)				(0.01		)
Higher (lower) energy marketing margins													(0.05		)	(0.05		)

Operating Expenses
Lower (higher) lease operating and transportation expenses	(0.26		)													(0.26		)
Lower (higher) operating expenses	(0.03		)	0.02			(0.04		)	(0.04		)	0.02			(0.07		)
Lower (higher) property, franchise and other taxes	(0.01		)													(0.01		)
Lower (higher) depreciation / depletion	(0.02		)	(0.05		)	(0.05		)	(0.01		)				(0.13		)

Other Income (Expense)
(Higher) lower other deductions				(0.01		)							0.02			0.01
(Higher) lower interest expense	(0.02		)	(0.06		)	(0.03		)				(0.01		)	(0.12		)

Income Taxes
Lower (higher) income tax expense / effective tax rate	(0.06		)	—			—			(0.01		)	0.01			(0.06		)

Impact of additional shares	(0.02		)	(0.02		)	(0.02		)	(0.04		)	—			(0.10		)
All other / rounding	0.01			—			(0.01		)	0.01			(0.01		)	—
Six months ended March 31, 2021 adjusted operating results per share	0.80			0.54			0.45			0.60			0.01			2.40

Items impacting comparability:
Impairment of oil and gas properties, net of tax	(0.60		)													(0.60		)
Gain on sale of timber properties, net of tax													0.40			0.40
Premium paid on early redemption of debt, net of tax	(0.12		)				—									(0.12		)
Unrealized gain (loss) on other investments, net of tax													—			—
Six months ended March 31, 2021 GAAP earnings per share	$	0.08		$	0.54		$	0.45		$	0.60		$	0.41		$	2.08

* Amounts do not reflect intercompany eliminations.
** Operating results have been calculated using the 21% federal statutory rate.
*** Downstream margin defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense.

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	March 31,						March 31,
	(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS	2021			2020			2021			2020
Operating Revenues:
Utility and Energy Marketing Revenues	$	270,849		$	282,634		$	460,315		$	510,660
Exploration and Production and Other Revenues	220,281			156,542			412,316			323,735
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering Revenues	59,985			51,919			119,644			100,888
	551,115			491,095			992,275			935,283
Operating Expenses:
Purchased Gas	106,661			118,270			158,280			210,542
Operation and Maintenance:
Utility and Energy Marketing	52,058			51,725			96,944			94,981
Exploration and Production and Other	41,895			39,959			83,922			76,652
Pipeline and Storage and Gathering	28,133			27,305			56,231			53,190
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes	23,987			22,743			46,768			45,887
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	84,342			77,912			167,462			152,830
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties	—			177,761			76,152			177,761
	337,076			515,675			685,759			811,843
Gain on Sale of Timber Properties	—			—			51,066			—
Operating Income (Loss)	214,039			(24,580		)	357,582			123,440

Other Income (Expense):
Other Income (Deductions)	(10,875		)	(17,480		)	(13,051		)	(20,520		)
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt	(48,820		)	(25,270		)	(81,076		)	(50,713		)
Other Interest Expense	(1,698		)	(1,892		)	(3,618		)	(3,443		)

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	152,646			(69,222		)	259,837			48,764

Income Tax Expense	40,210			36,846			69,627			68,241

Net Income (Loss) Available for Common Stock	$	112,436		$	(106,068	)	$	190,210		$	(19,477	)

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic	$	1.23		$	(1.23	)	$	2.09		$	(0.23	)
Diluted	$	1.23		$	(1.23	)	$	2.08		$	(0.23	)

Weighted Average Common Shares:
Used in Basic Calculation	91,163,291			86,561,066			91,084,620			86,469,258
Used in Diluted Calculation	91,645,679			86,561,066			91,581,918			86,469,258

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

	March 31,			September 30,
(Thousands of Dollars)	2021			2020

ASSETS
Property, Plant and Equipment	$	12,648,604		$	12,351,852
Less - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization		6,572,534			6,353,785
Net Property, Plant and Equipment		6,076,070			5,998,067
Assets Held for Sale, Net		—			53,424

Current Assets:
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments		80,467			20,541
Receivables - Net		229,479			143,583
Unbilled Revenue		32,685			17,302
Gas Stored Underground		5,745			33,338
Materials, Supplies and Emission Allowances		52,212			51,877
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs		479			—
Other Current Assets		56,117			47,557
Total Current Assets		457,184			314,198

Other Assets:
Recoverable Future Taxes		117,300			118,310
Unamortized Debt Expense		11,443			12,297
Other Regulatory Assets		147,099			156,106
Deferred Charges		60,454			67,131
Other Investments		147,421			154,502
Goodwill		5,476			5,476
Prepaid Post-Retirement Benefit Costs		89,101			76,035
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments		4,104			9,308
Other		—			81
Total Other Assets		582,398			599,246
Total Assets	$	7,115,652		$	6,964,935

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
Capitalization:
Comprehensive Shareholders' Equity
Common Stock, $1 Par Value Authorized - 200,000,000 Shares; Issued and
Outstanding - 91,163,797 Shares and 90,954,696 Shares, Respectively	$	91,164		$	90,955
Paid in Capital		1,009,075			1,004,158
Earnings Reinvested in the Business		1,100,718			991,630
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		(101,988	)		(114,757	)
Total Comprehensive Shareholders' Equity		2,098,969			1,971,986
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion and Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs		2,627,033			2,629,576
Total Capitalization		4,726,002			4,601,562

Current and Accrued Liabilities:
Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper		—			30,000
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt		—			—
Accounts Payable		107,305			134,126
Amounts Payable to Customers		19,768			10,788
Dividends Payable		40,562			40,475
Interest Payable on Long-Term Debt		17,663			27,521
Customer Advances		—			15,319
Customer Security Deposits		19,503			17,199
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities		176,940			140,176
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments		21,231			43,969
Total Current and Accrued Liabilities		402,972			459,573

Deferred Credits:
Deferred Income Taxes		763,441			696,054
Taxes Refundable to Customers		355,375			357,508
Cost of Removal Regulatory Liability		237,867			230,079
Other Regulatory Liabilities		177,685			161,573
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Liabilities		118,804			127,181
Asset Retirement Obligations		192,127			192,228
Other Deferred Credits		141,379			139,177
Total Deferred Credits		1,986,678			1,903,800
Commitments and Contingencies		—			—
Total Capitalization and Liabilities	$	7,115,652		$	6,964,935

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
	Six Months Ended
	March 31,
(Thousands of Dollars)	2021			2020

Operating Activities:
Net Income (Loss) Available for Common Stock	$	190,210		$	(19,477	)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities:
Gain on Sale of Timber Properties	(51,066		)	—
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties	76,152			177,761
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	167,462			152,830
Deferred Income Taxes	61,408			104,883
Premium Paid on Early Redemption of Debt	15,715			—
Stock-Based Compensation	8,657			7,580
Other	6,742			9,800
Change in:
Receivables and Unbilled Revenue	(101,159		)	(58,248		)
Gas Stored Underground and Materials, Supplies and Emission Allowances	27,258			20,086
Unrecovered Purchased Gas Costs	(479		)	2,246
Other Current Assets	(8,447		)	(3,134		)
Accounts Payable	8,613			(5,465		)
Amounts Payable to Customers	8,980			13,196
Customer Advances	(15,319		)	(12,429		)
Customer Security Deposits	2,304			(1,211		)
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities	9,058			9,076
Other Assets	11,039			(10,359		)
Other Liabilities	5			3,857
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	$	417,133		$	390,992

Investing Activities:
Capital Expenditures	$	(338,867	)	$	(395,486	)
Net Proceeds from Sale of Timber Properties	104,582			—
Other	12,095			4,167
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	$	(222,190	)	$	(391,319	)

Financing Activities:
Changes in Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper	$	(30,000	)	$	174,800
Reduction of Long-Term Debt	(515,715		)	—
Dividends Paid on Common Stock	(81,035		)	(75,197		)
Net Proceeds From Issuance of Long-Term Debt	495,267			—
Net Repurchases of Common Stock	(3,534		)	(4,153		)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	$	(135,017	)	$	95,450

Net Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	59,926			95,123
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	20,541			27,260
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at March 31	$	80,467		$	122,383

NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES

SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS AND STATISTICS
(UNAUDITED)

UPSTREAM BUSINESS


	Three Months Ended									Six Months Ended
(Thousands of Dollars, except per share amounts)	March 31,									March 31,
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SEGMENT	2021			2020			Variance			2021			2020			Variance
Total Operating Revenues	$	220,187		$	155,560		$	64,627		$	411,582		$	321,499		$	90,083

Operating Expenses:
Operation and Maintenance:
General and Administrative Expense	17,899			17,429			470			34,852			32,809			2,043
Lease Operating and Transportation Expense	67,008			51,730			15,278			132,588			102,531			30,057
All Other Operation and Maintenance Expense	3,515			3,084			431			7,187			6,041			1,146
Property, Franchise and Other Taxes	4,619			3,471			1,148			9,065			8,171			894
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	46,139			45,136			1,003			91,471			89,284			2,187
Impairment of Oil and Gas Producing Properties	—			177,761			(177,761		)	76,152			177,761			(101,609		)
	139,180			298,611			(159,431		)	351,315			416,597			(65,282		)

Operating Income (Loss)	81,007				(143,051	)	224,058			60,267				(95,098	)	155,365

Other Income (Expense):
Non-Service Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Costs	(286		)	(395		)	109			(570		)	(790		)	220
Interest and Other Income	67			208			(141		)	158			441			(283		)
Interest Expense on Long-Term Debt	(15,119		)	—			(15,119		)	(15,119		)	—			(15,119		)
Interest Expense	(15,103		)	(14,163		)	(940		)	(30,594		)	(28,220		)	(2,374		)

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	50,566

National Fuel Reports Second Quarter Earnings