MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Commodity Margin SaskEnergy sells natural gas to its distribution customers at a commodity rate approved by Provincial Cabinet based on the recommendations of the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel (SRRP). The commodity rate, which is reviewed April 1 and November 1 of each year, is determined based on rate-setting principles and is designed to recover the realized costs associated with the sale of natural gas to distribution customers. Regulatory principles require that utilities do not earn a profit or realize losses on the sale of gas to customers over the long term. Consequently, SaskEnergy accumulates differences between the commodity revenue earned and the cost of natural gas sold in a Gas Cost Variance Account (GCVA). The balance in the GCVA, which is not included in SaskEnergy’s financial statements, is either recovered from, or refunded to, customers as part of future commodity rates. Consequently, lower commodity margins in one year are often followed by higher commodity margins in the subsequent year. For financial reporting purposes, the Corporation prepares its financial statements on a consolidated basis while applying IFRS. Consequently, the amounts determined for rate-setting purposes are different than those reported within its consolidated financial statements. The most notable differences are the elimination of intercompany transportation costs in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and how derivative instrument settlements are recognized in the cost of gas. Natural Gas Sales and Purchases Included within natural gas sales and purchases are rate-regulated commodity sales to distribution customers and non-regulated gas marketing activities. IFRS requires these activities to be presented together within the consolidated financial statements; however, the Corporation manages these activities as distinct and separate businesses and, as such, the MD&A addresses these natural gas sales and purchases separately. With the exception of those contracts entered into for an entity’s own usage, IFRS requires derivative instruments
A gain or loss reported in the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements may not indicate a similar adjustment to the GCVA. SaskEnergy’s natural gas price risk management program has two objectives: to reduce the impact of natural gas price volatility on the cost of gas and to support rates that are competitive with other utilities. The two objectives direct activities that naturally oppose each other. Reducing the impact of price volatility requires establishing certainty in the cost of gas, while supporting competitive rates often means allowing purchase prices to follow market prices. As a result, the balance between the two objectives may change depending on current market conditions. In order to ensure a secure supply of natural gas, SaskEnergy contracts for the physical delivery of natural gas using non-financial derivatives, referred to as forward or physical natural gas contracts. The purchase price contained in these forward contracts may be fixed, or it may be based on a variable index price. While fixed price contracts reduce the impact of natural gas price volatility, variable or market prices can assist in offering competitive rates depending on the pricing environment. SaskEnergy may use financial derivatives and physical swaps to manage the future purchase price of natural gas. The commodity margin on sales to customers, as reported in the consolidated financial statements, was as follows: such as natural gas purchase and sales contracts to be recorded at fair value until their settlement date. Changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments, driven by changes in future natural gas prices, are recorded in net income through natural gas sales or natural gas purchases depending on the specific contract. Upon settlement of the natural gas contract, the amount paid or received by SaskEnergy becomes realized and is recorded in natural gas sales or purchases.
(millions)
March 31, 2018
March 31, 2017
Change
$
225 184
Commodity sales Commodity purchases
$
217 192
$
8 8
41
Realized margin on commodity sales Impact of fair value adjustments
25 65
16 (67) (51)
(2)
$
39 $
Margin on commodity sales
90 $
27
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator