10-Q/A 1 w55487e10-qa.txt AMENDED FORM 10-Q FOR COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 10-Q/A [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [ ] For the Quarterly period ended SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 ------------------ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Transition period from to ------ ------ Commission file number 1-1098 ------ COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP --------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Delaware 13-1594808 --------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 801 East 86th Avenue, Merrillville, IN 46410 --------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (877) 647-5990 -------------- Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]. As of November 1, 2000, all shares of the registrant's Common Shares, $.01 par value, were issued and outstanding, all held beneficially and of record by NiSource Inc. The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format. COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES FORM 10-Q/A QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 REASON FOR AMENDMENT On November 1, 2000 NiSource acquired all the outstanding common stock of Columbia Energy Group. Such acquisition was accounted for pursuant to purchase accounting. Prior to the acquisition of Columbia, NiSource initiated a study to identify and quantify potential contingent liabilities of Columbia that were acquired, but for which additional information was required in order to estimate such liabilities. In late October 2001, after the release of the Company's earnings for the third quarter of 2001, but prior to the filing of its third quarter 2001 Form 10-Q, this study was essentially completed and approved by management. It identified probable liabilities that existed at the time of the acquisition related primarily to environmental, regulatory and litigation issues. Columbia initially intended to record the effects of the study during the fourth quarter of 2001 in connection with its October 2001 monthly close. However, upon further review of the information and the time of its availability, it was concluded that it was more appropriate to record these liabilities in the company's financial statements for the third quarter of 2001. Consequently, Columbia's September 30, 2001 Form 10-Q has been amended to reflect this change.

2 COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES FORM 10-Q/A QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 PART I ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME (unaudited)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements. 4 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements. 5 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements. 6 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements. *The Corporation considers all highly liquid short-term investments to be cash equivalents. 7 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMMON STOCK EQUITY

COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements. 8 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES 1. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for Columbia Energy Group (Columbia) reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are necessary, in the opinion of management, to present fairly the results of operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Columbia's Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. Income for interim periods may not be indicative of results for the calendar year due to weather variations and other factors. Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2000 financial statements to conform to the 2001 presentation. As discussed in Note 5, the 2000 financial statements have been reclassified to report several energy marketing operations as discontinued operations. 2. ACQUISITION On November 1, 2000, NiSource Inc. completed its acquisition of Columbia for an aggregate consideration of approximately $6 billion, consisting of $3,888 million in cash, 72.4 million shares of common stock valued at $1,761 million, and SAILSSM (units consisting of a zero coupon debt security coupled with a forward equity contract in NiSource shares) valued at $114 million. NiSource also assumed approximately $2 billion in Columbia debt. NiSource accounted for the acquisition in accordance with the purchase method of accounting, but did not "push-down" the purchase accounting adjustments to the financial statements of Columbia. 3. RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES As discussed in the Form 10-K, Columbia implemented a plan to restructure its operations as a result of its acquisition by NiSource, discussed above. As a result of the restructuring plan, it is estimated that approximately 781 management, professional, administrative and technical positions have been or will be eliminated. The restructuring plan included a severance program, a transition plan to implement operational efficiency throughout NiSource's operations and a voluntary early retirement program. As of September 30, 2001, approximately 625 employees had been terminated as a result of the restructuring plan. Approximately 90 and 337 terminations occurred for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2001, respectively. At September 30, 2001, the consolidated balance sheet reflected an accrual of $33.8 million related to the restructuring plan. This is a $5.8 million decrease in the accrual from the previous quarter ended June 30, 2001 and $27.9 million decrease year-to-date. 4. PRESENTATION OF SEGMENT INFORMATION Columbia revised its presentation of its primary business segment information beginning with the reporting of second quarter 2000 results. Columbia manages its operations in four primary segments: 1) transmission and storage, 2) distribution, 3) exploration and production, and 4) other products and services. The following table provides information concerning these major business segments. Revenues include intersegment sales to affiliated subsidiaries, which are eliminated when consolidated. Affiliated sales are recognized on the basis of prevailing market or regulated prices. Operating income is derived from revenues and expenses directly associated with each segment. 9 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES

5. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE On August 21, 2001, Columbia sold the stock and assets of Columbia Propane Corporation (Columbia Propane) to AmeriGas Partners L.P. (AmeriGas) for approximately $196.0 million, consisting of $152.0 million in cash and $44.0 million of AmeriGas partnership common units. The loss on the sale of Columbia Propane amounted to $49.5 million, including an additional accrual for increased litigation exposure. Columbia has also sold substantially all the assets of Columbia Petroleum Corporation, a diversified petroleum distribution company. Columbia Propane and Columbia Petroleum are reported as discontinued operations and therefore the financial statements for prior periods have been reclassified accordingly. The revenues from discontinued operations are provided in the following table:

10 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES The loss from discontinued operations and the estimated loss on disposal information are provided in the following table:

The net assets of the discontinued operations were as follows:

6. TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK (TRANSCOM) Management has held discussions with investment banking firms seeking strategic options for the assets of Columbia Transmission Communications Corporation (Transcom), a fiber optics telecommunications network. Prior to the second quarter of 2001, significant uncertainties existed surrounding the estimated costs to complete the fiber optic network, time to market in a competitive environment, and delays due to construction deficiencies and environmental issues. During the second quarter of 2001, the Company received subsequent information pertaining to the estimated construction costs and delays. Consequently, management concluded that the carrying value of the telecommunication assets at June 30, 2001 exceeded the realizable value by approximately $89.2 million. The Company recorded a charge of $89.2 million to Operating Income in the second quarter of 2001. During the third quarter of 2001, Transcom commenced operations and the Company developed a business plan to realize the value of such assets. Management will continue to evaluate market conditions and the related operations of the Transcom operations. 7. ACCOUNTING CHANGE Effective January 1, 2001, Columbia adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", as subsequently amended by SFAS No. 137 and SFAS No. 138 (collectively referred to as SFAS No. 133). These statements establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities. SFAS No. 133 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction, or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative and resulting designation. 11 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES The adoption of this statement on January 1, 2001, resulted in a cumulative after-tax increase to net income of approximately $4 million and an after-tax reduction to other comprehensive income (OCI) of $33.6 million. The adoption also resulted in the recognition of $160.2 million of assets and $193.8 million of liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, the adoption resulted in the reduction of the carrying value of certain long-term debt by $3.8 million. During the third quarter of 2001, $4.4 million of the net gains included in the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle component of OCI were reclassified into earnings. During the nine months ended September 30, 2001, $14.7 million of the net losses included in the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle component of OCI were reclassified into earnings. Further detail of the assets and liabilities recorded on the consolidated financial statements for the adoption of SFAS No. 133 is as follows:

As stated above, the initial recording of the cumulative effect of this accounting change included unrealized holding losses of $33.6 million. However, the activity for the third quarter of 2001 and the nine months ended September 30, 2001 resulted in unrealized gains on qualifying derivatives of approximately $4.3 and $73.7 million, respectively, as reported in the Statements of Consolidated Shareholder's Equity. The activity for the periods included:

12 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES NiSource's senior management takes an active role in the risk management process and has developed policies and procedures that require specific administrative and business functions to assist in the identification, assessment and control of various risks. In recognition of the increasingly varied and complex nature of the energy business, NiSource's risk management policies and procedures continue to evolve and are subject to ongoing review and modification. Following is additional information regarding the impact of SFAS No. 133 by segment. Distribution For regulatory incentive purposes, the Columbia Distribution subsidiaries enter into contracts that allow counterparties the option to sell gas to Distribution at specified prices during specified periods of time. Distribution charges the counterparties a fee for this option. The changes in the fair value of the options are primarily due to the difference between the cost of gas during the contracted delivery period and the market price of gas during that same period. Distribution defers a portion of the change in the fair value of the options as either a regulatory asset or liability in accordance with SFAS No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation." The remaining change is recognized currently in earnings. Exploration and Production In conjunction with certain fixed price gas delivery commitments, Columbia Energy Resources, Inc. (Columbia Resources) has purchased financial basis swaps to transfer basis risk from the counterparty back to Columbia Resources. Because these transactions by definition are derivatives and do not qualify for hedge accounting, the mark to fair value of these swaps will directly impact earnings. Additionally, Columbia Resources has engaged in commodity and basis swaps to hedge the anticipated future sale of natural gas. These contracts are derivatives and are designated as cash flow hedges of anticipated future sales. The fair value of these derivatives is recorded in OCI until the related sale occurs. Any ineffectiveness is charged to earnings. It is anticipated that during the next 12 months, expiration of forward swap contracts will result in income recognition for amounts currently classified in OCI of approximately $28.6 million, net of tax, which will be included in net income. Columbia Resources has forward derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges through December 2002. Columbia Resources reclassified $2.4 million of certain cash flow hedges into earnings due to the probability that the forecasted transaction would not occur. Other Columbia Energy Services, Inc. (Columbia Energy Services) has fixed price gas delivery commitments to three municipalities in the U.S. Columbia Energy Services entered into a forward purchase agreement with a gas supplier, wherein the supplier will fulfill the delivery obligation requirements at a slight premium to index. In order to hedge this anticipated future purchase of gas from the gas supplier, Columbia Energy Services entered into pay fixed/receive floating swaps priced at those locations designated for physical delivery. These swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of the anticipated purchases. Any impacts of changes in the swaps' fair values are included in OCI until the sales are completed. Columbia Energy Services has no net gain or loss recognized in earnings due to ineffectiveness. It is anticipated that during the next 12 months, expiration of forward swap contracts will result in income recognition of amounts currently classified in OCI of approximately $3.1 million, net of tax, which will be included in net income. Columbia Energy Services has forward swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges through December 2008. At this time, Columbia Energy Services expects to continue its cash flow hedges due to the probability that the forecasted transaction will occur. Gas Transmission and Storage The adoption and application of SFAS 133 had no impact on this segment. 13 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES Interest Rate Swaps Columbia utilizes fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements to modify the interest characteristics of a portion of its outstanding long-term debt. As a result of these transactions, $300 million of Columbia's long-term debt is now subject to fluctuations in interest rates. Columbia has no net gain or loss recognized in earnings due to ineffectiveness in this reporting period. Columbia would recognize approximately $0.7 million in earnings over the remaining life of the corresponding long-term debt if the hedging relationship was to be discontinued. 8. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS On July 20, 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141, "Business Combinations," and SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." The key concepts from the two interrelated Statements include mandatory use of the purchase method in accounting for business combinations, discontinuance of goodwill amortization, a revised framework for testing for goodwill impairment at a "reporting unit" level, and new criteria for the identification and potential amortization of other intangible assets. Other changes to existing accounting standards involve the amount of goodwill to be used in determining the gain or loss on the disposal of assets and a requirement to test goodwill for impairment at least annually under the revised framework. The Business Combinations Statement is generally effective for combinations that are initiated after June 30, 2001. The Statement on Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, however, for business combinations consummated after June 30, 2001, the requirements to discontinue goodwill amortization are effective upon issuance of the Statements. The first part of the annual impairment test is to be performed within six months of adopting the Statement on Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Columbia adopted the provisions of the Business Combinations Statement on July 1, 2001, and will adopt the Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Statement on January 1, 2002. Although Columbia is currently evaluating the effects of the Statements, the Company does not expect the adoption of the Statements to have a material impact on its results of operations. In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." The Statement requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. When the liability is initially recorded, the entity capitalizes a cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its then present value, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, an entity either settles the obligation for its recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss upon settlement. The Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002, with earlier application encouraged. Columbia is currently evaluating the impact that the Statement will have on its results of operations. On October 3, 2001 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." The Statement replaces SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," although it retains the impairment testing methodology used in SFAS No. 121. The accounting and reporting provisions of Accounting Principals Board Opinion (APBO) No. 30, "Reporting the Results of Operations - Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions," are superceded by SFAS No. 144, except that the Statement preserves the requirement of APBO No. 30 to report discontinued operations separately from continuing operations. The Statement covers a variety of implementation issues inherent in SFAS No. 121, unifies the framework used in accounting for assets to be disposed of and discontinued operations, and broadens the reporting of discontinued operations to include all components of an entity with operations that can be distinguished from the rest of the entity and that will be eliminated from the ongoing operations of the entity in a disposal transaction. The Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. Columbia will adopt SFAS No. 144 on January 1, 2002. The Company does not expect the adoption of the Statement to have a material impact on its results of operations. 14 ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES 9. LITIGATION MATTERS The company is subject to various legal proceedings (see page 20 "Legal Proceedings") and provides a reserve when it is determined that a liability is probable. During the third quarter of 2001, an additional liability was recorded in connection with certain ongoing litigation. 10. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS Several subsidiaries are a "potentially responsible parties" (PRPs) at waste disposal sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) (commonly known as Superfund); and similar state laws, including at former manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites which such subsidiaries, or their corporate predecessors, own or owned and operated. These subsidiaries are likely to be required to share in the cost of clean up of such sites. A program has been instituted to identify and investigate former MGP sites where Columbia subsidiaries or predecessors are the current or former owner. As site investigations proceed, waste disposal site liability is reviewed periodically and adjusted as additional information becomes available. In October 2001, various site studies were completed regarding probable liabilities at certain of these former MGP sites. Accordingly, during the quarter ended September 30, 2001, an additional liability of approximately $49.2 million was recorded. Columbia intends to continue to evaluate its facilities and properties with respect to environmental laws and regulations and take appropriate corrective action. It is likely that additional liabilities will be recorded as more information becomes available. 15 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES Columbia meets the conditions specified in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) to Form 10-Q and is permitted to use the reduced disclosure format for wholly-owned subsidiaries of companies, such as NiSource, that are reporting companies under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, this Columbia Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations is included in this report, and Columbia has omitted from this report the information called for by Part I. Item 2 (Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations). Forward Looking Statements The Management's Narrative Analysis, including statements regarding market risk sensitive instruments, contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Investors and prospective investors should understand that many factors govern whether any forward-looking statement contained herein will be or can be achieved. Any one of those factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning Columbia's plans, proposed dispositions, objectives, expected performance, expenditures and recovery of expenditures through rates, stated on either a consolidated or segment basis, and any and all underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical fact. From time to time, Columbia may publish or otherwise make available forward-looking statements of this nature. All such subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of Columbia, are also expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable; however, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially. Realization of Columbia's objectives and expected performance is subject to a wide range of risks and can be adversely affected by, among other things, increased competition in deregulated energy markets, weather, fluctuations in supply and demand for energy commodities, successful consummation of proposed acquisitions and dispositions, growth opportunities for Columbia's regulated and nonregulated businesses, dealings with third parties over whom Columbia has no control, actual operating experience of acquired assets, Columbia's ability to integrate acquired operations into its operations, the regulatory process, regulatory and legislative changes, changes in general economic, capital and commodity market conditions and counter-party credit risk, many of which are beyond the control of Columbia. The following Management's Narrative Analysis should be read in conjunction with the Columbia Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. THIRD QUARTER 2001 CONSOLIDATED RESULTS Income from Continuing Operations Columbia reported a net loss from continuing operations for the third quarter 2001 of $35.4 million, a decrease of $54.9 million from the third quarter of 2000, primarily due to environmental and litigation contingencies. Including discontinued operations, Columbia reported a net loss of $96.5 million for the third quarter of 2001 compared to a net loss of $63.8 for the same period in 2000. Net Revenues Third quarter 2001 consolidated net revenues (operating revenues less associated products purchased costs) were $356.3 million, a $2.3 million increase over the same period last year. Higher revenue in the exploration and production segment was the primary reason for this increase. Distribution net revenues also slightly increased. Net revenues decreased in the transmission segment, due to decreased throughput and a provision for certain cost determined to be non-recoverable from customers. Decreases in the other segment occurred due to the elimination of the revenues of Cove Point LNG and Columbia Electric, which were sold in 2000. Expenses Operating expenses for the third quarter of 2001 were $369.1 million, an increase of $88.7 million over the same period last year. The increase was largely due to $49.2 million environmental and $12.6 million litigation contingencies, and a charge of $6.8 million due to a change in the Millennium Pipeline project scope. Depreciation and depletion expenses increased by $8.8 million, primarily due to increased depletion expense in Columbia Energy Resources. 16 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES Other Income (Deductions) Other Income (Deductions) reduced pre-tax income by $37.7 million for the third quarter of 2001 compared to a reduction of $42.6 million in the same period last year. This change is primarily due to reduced interest expense on long term debentures and reduced short-term debt. Interest income and other, net for the third quarter of 2001 of $2.7 million was down $3.0 million, as a result of reduced short-term investments. Income Taxes Income tax benefit of $15.1 million resulted from a pre-tax loss in the third quarter of 2001. Income tax expense of $11.5 million was reported in the same period last year. Discontinued Operations Discontinued operations, which reflect Columbia's propane operations that were sold on August 21, 2001, incurred an after-tax loss on disposal of $61.1 million for the third quarter of 2001, which includes a litigation contingency. In the third quarter of 2000, Columbia's discontinued operations, which included petroleum as well as propane operations, recorded an after-tax loss on disposal of $83.3 million. NINE-MONTH CONSOLIDATED RESULTS Income from Continuing Operations Columbia's income from continuing operations for the first nine months of 2001 was $133.4 million, a decrease of $112.4 million from the corresponding 2000 period. The decrease was largely due to environmental and litigation of $39.5 million after-tax in the third quarter of 2001 and a one-time charge of $89.2 million ($52.0 million after-tax) for the asset impairment relating to the fiber optics telecommunications network in the second quarter of 2001. In addition, the earlier period had been favorably impacted by a $59.0 million after-tax gain on the sale of Cove Point LNG. Also contributing to this decrease is an increase in depletion expense and a decrease in interest income. Tempering these decreases were increased revenues, primarily in transmission and distribution. Reduced operation and maintenance costs, mainly labor and benefits, as a result of restructuring initiatives implemented during 2000, also helped offset the above-mentioned decreases. Including discontinued operations, net income for the nine months was $75.3 million in 2001 compared to $133.6 million in the same period of 2000. Net Revenues For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, net revenues of $1,409.5 million increased $49.5 million over the same period in 2000. The improvement was primarily a result of colder weather in the first half of 2001 (6% colder than the first six months of 2000), which increased net revenues in distribution and transmission. Transmission revenues also increased due to contracts signed in the first quarter when the colder weather increased demand. Exploration and production net revenues increased due to higher gas prices in the first nine months of the year when compared to the 2000 period. Offsetting the increase is a decrease in net revenue due to the sale of Cove Point LNG and Columbia Electric Corp. Expenses Operating expenses for the first nine months of 2001 were $1,067.7 million, an increase of $134.5 million over the same period last year. The increased expense was primarily due to $49.2 million of environmental and $12.6 million of litigation contingencies and the $89.2 million expense provision recorded for the asset impairment relating to the fiber optics telecommunications network. Depreciation and depletion expenses increased $12.4 million, due in part to a ceiling test write-down in Columbia Resources' Canadian region and higher depletion expense. Tempering these increases was a voluntary incentive retirement program implemented in 2000, which reduced payroll and benefit costs, and restructuring initiatives, which improved operating efficiencies and contributed to expense reductions. Other taxes decreased $12.8 million as a result of lower property taxes, though partially offset by increased gross receipts taxes. 17 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS'S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES Other Income (Deductions) Other Income (Deductions) reduced income by $119.8 million for the first nine months of 2001, compared to a reduction to income of $35.4 million in the same period last year. Interest income and other, net of $6.1 million, decreased $97.7 million. The earlier period had been favorably impacted by a $90.6 million pre-tax gain on the sale of Cove Point LNG. Interest expense and related charges decreased $13.3 million in the first nine months of 2001 when compared to the 2000 period, due to a reduction in short-term borrowings related to the 2000 stock repurchase program. Income Taxes Income tax expense of $88.6 million in the first nine months of 2001 decreased $57.0 million from the same period last year, primarily from tax benefits resulting from the effect of reduced earnings. Income tax expense was higher in the prior period due, in part, to the gain on the sale of Cove Point LNG. Discontinued Operations Discontinued operations, which reflect Columbia's propane operations that were sold on August 21, 2001, incurred an after-tax loss on disposal of $62.1 million for the first nine months of 2001. In the first nine months of 2000, Columbia's discontinued operations, which included petroleum as well as propane operations, recorded loss from operations of $1.5 million and an after-tax loss on disposal of $110.7 million. Change in Accounting Principle On January 1, 2001, Columbia adopted SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". This change in accounting, net of taxes, contributed $4.0 million to net income. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES A significant portion of Columbia's operations is subject to seasonal fluctuations in cash flow. During the heating season, which is primarily from November through March, cash receipts from sales and transportation services typically exceed cash requirements. Conversely, during the remainder of the year, cash on hand, together with external short-term and long-term financing, as needed, is used to purchase gas to place in storage for heating season deliveries, perform necessary maintenance of facilities, make capital improvements in plant and expand service. Net cash from continuing operations for the first nine months of 2001 was $554.7 million, a decrease of $199.9 million from the same period in 2000. This decrease was primarily due to reduced deferred revenue due to forward sale contracts obtained in 2000. Offsetting the decrease were increases due to timing differences associated with exchange gas activity and other working capital items, including underrecovered gas costs. Columbia satisfies its liquidity requirements primarily through internally generated funds and through intercompany borrowings from NiSource Finance Corp. (NFC), NiSource's financing subsidiary. NFC actively borrows funds in the commercial paper market and maintains a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks for back-up liquidity purposes. The credit facility is guaranteed by NiSource. As of September 30, 2001, Columbia had $148.8 million of intercompany short-term borrowings with NiSource Finance Corp. outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 3.52%. In addition, at September 30, 2001, Columbia had letters of credit issued and outstanding of $47.7 million. In 1998, Columbia entered into several fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements to modify the interest characteristics of $300 million of its outstanding long-term debt. As a result of these transactions, that portion of Columbia's long-term debt is now subject to fluctuations in interest rates. This allows Columbia to benefit from a lower interest rate environment. In order to maintain a balance between fixed and floating interest rates, Columbia is targeting average annual floating rate debt exposure for 10 to 20% of its outstanding long-term debt. Management believes that its sources of funding are sufficient to meet the short-term and long-term liquidity needs of Columbia. 18 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS'S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES Accounting Change Effective January 1, 2001, Columbia adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", as subsequently amended by SFAS No. 137 and SFAS No. 138 (collectively referred to as SFAS No. 133). These statements establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities. SFAS No. 133 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction, or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative and resulting designation. The adoption of this statement on January 1, 2001, resulted in a cumulative after-tax increase to net income of approximately $4 million and an after-tax reduction to other comprehensive income (OCI) of $33.6 million. The adoption also resulted in the recognition of $160.2 million of assets and $193.8 million of liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, the adoption resulted in the reduction of the carrying value of certain long-term debt by $3.8 million. During the third quarter of 2001, $4.4 million of the net gains included in the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle component of OCI were reclassified into earnings. During the nine months ended September 30, 2001, $14.7 million of the net losses included in the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle component of OCI were reclassified into earnings. NiSource's senior management takes an active role in the risk management process and has developed policies and procedures that require specific administrative and business functions to assist in the identification, assessment and control of various risks. In recognition of the increasingly varied and complex nature of the energy business, NiSource's risk management policies and procedures continue to evolve and are subject to ongoing review and modification. See Note 6., "Accounting Change" on page 11 for additional information. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Omitted pursuant to General Instruction H(2)(c). 19 PART II ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES 1. CANADA SOUTHERN PETROLEUM LTD. V. COLUMBIA GAS DEVELOPMENT OF CANADA LTD. This action was originally filed March 7, 1990. The plaintiffs asserted, among other things, that the defendant working interest owners, including Columbia Gas Development of Canada Ltd. (Columbia Canada) and various Amoco affiliates, breached an alleged fiduciary duty to ensure the earliest feasible marketing of gas from the Kotaneelee field (Yukon Territory, Canada). The plaintiffs sought, among other remedies, the return of the defendants' interests in the Kotaneelee field to the plaintiffs, a declaration that such interests are held in trust for the plaintiffs and an order requiring the defendants to promptly market Kotaneelee gas or assessing damages. In November 1993, the plaintiffs amended their Amended Statement of Claim to include allegations that the balance in the Carried Interest Account (an account for operating costs, which are recoverable, by working interest owners), which is in excess of the balance as of November 1988, should be reduced to zero. Columbia, on behalf of Columbia Canada, consented to the amendment in consideration of the plaintiffs' acknowledgment that approximately $63 million was properly charged to the account. Pursuant to an Indemnification Agreement regarding the Kotaneelee Litigation entered into when Columbia Canada was sold to Anderson, Columbia agreed to indemnify and hold Anderson harmless for losses due to this litigation arising out of actions occurring prior to December 31, 1991. An escrow account provides security for the indemnification obligation and is funded by a letter of credit with a face amount of approximately $35,835,000 (Cdn). A trial commenced in the third quarter of 1996 in the Court of Queen's Bench and judgment was issued in September 2001. The court has finalized a judgment dismissing most of the plaintiffs' claims, including the fiduciary duty claim, but did order a reduction of the Carried Interest Account in the amount of $5.3 million (Cdn.) and ordered that the defendants were not entitled to charge the plaintiffs processing fees. The monetary value of these two items has not been determined. The plaintiffs have publicly announced their intention to appeal. 2. TRANSCOM. On March 17, April 11 and April 21, 2000, one of Columbia's subsidiaries, Transcom received directives from the Philadelphia District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Philadelphia District) and an administrative order from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) addressing alleged violations of federal and state laws resulting from construction activities associated with Transcom's laying fiber optic cable along portions of a route between Washington, D.C. and New York City. The order and directives required Transcom to largely cease construction activities. On September 18, 2000, Transcom entered into a voluntary settlement agreement with the Philadelphia District under which Transcom contributed $1.2 million to the Pennsylvania chapter of the Nature Conservancy and the Philadelphia District lifted its directives. As a result of the voluntary agreement with the Philadelphia District and communications with the PA DEP, the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Baltimore District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, work in Pennsylvania and Maryland was allowed to continue and has been completed. On October 25, 2001, the Company entered into a Consent Order and Agreement with the PA DEP in settlement of its enforcement action under which the Company is obligated to pay $80,633 in penalties and to fund six community environmental projects totaling $223,567 through the Green Valleys Association. 3. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA EX REL. JACK J. GRYNBERG V COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORP. ET. AL. The plaintiff filed a complaint under the False Claims Act, on behalf of the United States of America, against approximately seventy pipelines, including Columbia Gulf. The plaintiff claimed that the defendants had submitted false royalty reports to the government (or caused others to do so) by mismeasuring the volume and heating content of natural gas produced on Federal land and Indian lands. Plaintiff's original complaint was dismissed without prejudice for misjoinder of parties and for failing to plead fraud with specificity. In 1997, the 20 ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES plaintiff then filed over sixty-five new False Claims Act complaints against over 330 defendants in numerous Federal courts. One of those complaints was filed in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Columbia and thirteen affiliated entities. Plaintiff's second complaint repeats the mismeasurement claims previously made and adds valuation claims alleging that the defendants have undervalued natural gas for royalty purposes in various ways, including by making sales to affiliated entities at artificially low prices. Most of the Grynberg cases were transferred to Federal court in Wyoming in 1999. In December 1999, the Columbia defendants filed a motion to dismiss plaintiff's second complaint primarily based on a failure to plead fraud with specificity. In May 2001, the Court denied the Columbia defendants' motion to dismiss. The Columbia defendants joined together with numerous other defendants and have filed a motion requesting the district court to amend its order to include a certification so that the defendants could request permission from the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit to appeal a controlling question of law. That motion was denied on July 2, 2001. 4. QUINQUE OPERATING CO. ET AL V. GAS PIPELINES ET AL. Plaintiff filed an amended complaint in Stevens County; Kansas state court on September 23, 1999, against over 200 natural gas measurers, mostly natural gas pipelines, including Columbia and fourteen affiliated entities. The allegations in Quinque are similar to those made in Grynberg; however, Quinque broadens the claims to cover all oil and gas leases (other than the Federal and Indian leases that are the subject of Grynberg). Quinque asserts a breach of contract claim, negligent or intentional misrepresentation, civil conspiracy, common carrier liability, conversion, violation of a variety of Kansas statutes and other common law causes of action. Quinque purports to be a nationwide class action filed on behalf of all similarly situated gas producers, royalty owners, overriding royalty owners, working interest owners and certain state taxing authorities. The defendants had previously removed the case to Federal court. On January 12, 2001, the Federal court remanded the case to state court. In June 2001, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed ten of the fourteen Columbia entities. Discovery relating to personal jurisdiction has begun. 5. VIVIAN K. KERSHAW ET AL. V. COLUMBIA NATURAL RESOURCES, INC., ET AL. In February 2000, plaintiff filed a complaint in New York state court against Columbia Resources and Columbia Transmission. The complaint alleges that Kershaw owns an interest in an oil and gas lease in New York and that the defendants have underpaid royalties on those leases by, among other things, failing to base royalties on the price at which natural gas is sold to the end user and by improperly deducting post-production costs. The complaint also seeks class action status on behalf of all royalty owners in oil and gas leases operated by Columbia Resources. Plaintiff seeks the alleged royalty underpayments and punitive damages. Columbia Resources and Columbia Transmission removed the case to Federal court in March 2000. The Federal court has now remanded Kershaw back to New York state court. The Columbia defendants' motion to dismiss was partially granted and partially denied by the New York state court judge on September 24, 2001. 6. ANTHONY GONZALEZ, ET AL. V. NATIONAL PROPANE CORPORATION, ET AL. On December 11, 1997, plaintiffs Anthony Gonzalez, Helen Pieczynski, as Special Administrator of the Estate of Edmund Pieczynski, deceased, Michael Brown and Stephen Pieczynski filed a multiple-count complaint for personal injuries in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois against National Propane Corporation and the Estate of Edmund Pieczynski sounding in strict tort liability and negligence. Plaintiff's complaint arises from an explosion and fire, which occurred in a Wisconsin vacation cottage in 1997. National Propane, L.P. filed a third-party complaint for contribution against Natural Gas Odorizing and Phillips Petroleum Company. Written discovery has been completed and the parties are conducting oral discovery of the fact witnesses. The case has a scheduled trial date of October 17, 2002. 7. COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORP. V. CONSOLIDATION COAL CO., ET AL. On December 21, 1999, Columbia Transmission filed a complaint in Federal court in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania against Consolidation Coal Co. and McElroy Coal Co. (collectively, Consol), seeking declaratory and permanent injunctive relief enjoining Consol from pursuing its current plan to conduct longwall mining through Columbia Transmission's Victory Storage Field (Victory) in northern West Virginia. The complaint was served on April 10, 2000. In October 2001, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle this matter and the related case described below. 21 ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (continued) COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES 8. MCELROY COAL COMPANY V. COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION On February 12, 2001, McElroy Coal Company (McElroy), an affiliate of Consolidation Coal Co., filed a complaint against Columbia Transmission in Federal court in Wheeling, West Virginia. The West Virginia complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief as to McElroy's alleged right to mine coal within Victory, and Columbia Transmission's obligation to take all necessary measures to permit McElroy to longwall mine. The complaint also seeks compensation for the inverse condemnation of any coal that cannot be mined due to Columbia Transmission's Victory operations. Except for the claim of inverse condemnation, McElroy's West Virginia complaint appears to be virtually identical to Consol's original counterclaim to Columbia Transmission's Federal court action in Pennsylvania. On April 10, 2001, the West Virginia case was dismissed without prejudice. In October 2001, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle this matter and the related case described above. ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS Omitted pursuant to General Instruction H.(2)(b) ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES Omitted pursuant to General Instruction H.(2)(b) ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS Omitted pursuant to General Instruction H.(2)(b) ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION None ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS TO FORM 10-Q

22 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. Columbia Energy Group --------------------------------- (Registrant) Date: November __, 2001 By: /s/ Jeffrey W. Grossman --------------------------------- Jeffrey W. Grossman Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer and Duly Authorized Officer) 23

COLUMBIA ENERGY GROUP 10-Q/A