UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

 X

XANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

2008.

OR

__ 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   001-13643


ONEOK, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Oklahoma73-1520922
Oklahoma73-1520922

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
100 West Fifth Street, Tulsa, OK74103
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)


Registrant’s telephone number, including area code   (918) 588-7000


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common stock, par value of $0.01New York Stock Exchange
(Title of Each Class)(Name of Each Exchange on which Registered)


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YesX  No.

No__.


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes __  No X.


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.  YesX  No __


Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Registration S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.X


Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one)

Large accelerated filerX                                                                Accelerated filer __                                           Non-accelerated filer __


Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YesYes__ NoX.


Aggregate market value of registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates based on the closing trade price on June 30, 2007,2008, was $5.2$5.1 billion.


On February 20, 2008,18, 2009, the Company had 104,060,539 105,239,496shares of common stock outstanding.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Portions of the definitive proxy statement to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 15, 2008,21, 2009, are incorporated by reference in Part III.




ONEOK, Inc.

2007

2008 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

Part I. Page No.
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
5-14
Item 1A.
15-23
Item 1B.
23
5-17
17-29
29
Item 2.23-2429-30
Item 3.
24-25
31-32
Item 4.
32
Part II.
 25
Part II.
Item 5.
26-28
32-34
Item 6.29
35
Item 7.
29-54
35-62
Item 7A.55-58
63-66
Item 8.59-109
67-117
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
109
Item 9A.
109-110
Item 9B.
117
117-118
118
Part III.
 110
Part III.
Item 10.110-111
118-119
Item 11.111
119
Item 12.
111
119
Item 13.111
120
Item 14.
120
Part IV.
 111
Part IV.
Item 15.
120-125
 111-118
Signatures119
126

In


As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to “we,” “our” or “us” referrefers to ONEOK, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation, and its predecessors and subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.



GLOSSARY


The abbreviations, acronyms and industry terminology and certain other terms used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are defined as follows:


AFUDC

 

AFUDC

Allowance for funds used during construction

APB Opinion

 

APB Opinion

Accounting Principles Board Opinion

ARB

 

ARB

Accounting Research Bulletin

Bbl

 

Bbl

Barrels, 1 barrel is equivalent to 42 United States gallons

Bbl/d

 

Bbl/d

Barrels per day

BBtu/d

 

BBtu/d

Billion British thermal units per day

Bcf

 

Bcf

Billion cubic feet

Bcf/d

 

Bcf/d

Billion cubic feet per day

Black Mesa Pipeline

Black Mesa Pipeline, Inc.

Btu

 

Btu

British thermal units, a measure of the amount of heat required to raise
    the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit

Bushton Plant

 

Bushton Plant

Bushton Gas Processing Plant

EITF

 

EBITDA

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
EITFEmerging Issues Task Force

EPA

 

EPA

United States Environmental Protection Agency

Exchange Act

 

Exchange Act

Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

FASB

 

FASB

Financial Accounting Standards Board

FERC

 

FERC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FIN

 

FIN

FASB Interpretation

Fort Union Gas Gathering

Fort Union Gas Gathering, L.L.C.

GAAP

 

GAAP

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States

Guardian Pipeline

 

Guardian Pipeline

Guardian Pipeline, L.L.C.

Heartland

 

Heartland

Heartland Pipeline Company

Intermediate Partnership

 

IRS

Internal Revenue Service
KCCKansas Corporation Commission
KDHEKansas Department of Health and Environment
LDCsLocal Distribution Companies
LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate
MBblThousand barrels
MBbl/dThousand barrels per day
McfThousand cubic feet
Midwestern Gas TransmissionMidwestern Gas Transmission Company
MMBblMillion barrels
MMBtuMillion British thermal units
MMBtu/dMillion British thermal units per day
MMcfMillion cubic feet
MMcf/dMillion cubic feet per day
Moody’sMoody’s Investors Service, Inc.
NGL(s)Natural gas liquid(s)
Northern Border PipelineNorthern Border Pipeline Company
NYMEXNew York Mercantile Exchange
NYSENew York Stock Exchange
OBPIONEOK Bushton Processing Inc.
OCCOklahoma Corporation Commission
ONEOKONEOK, Inc.
ONEOK Leasing CompanyONEOK Leasing Company, L.L.C.
ONEOK PartnersONEOK Partners, Intermediate Limited Partnership, formerly known as Northern Border Intermediate Limited Partnership,L.P.
ONEOK Partners GP
ONEOK Partners GP, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK Partners, L.P.

IRS

Internal Revenue Service

KCC

Kansas Corporation Commission

KDHE

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

LDCs

Local Distribution Companies

LIBOR

London Interbank Offered Rate

MBbl

Thousand barrels

MBbl/d

Thousand barrels per day

Mcf

Thousand cubic feet

Midwestern Gas Transmission

Midwestern Gas Transmission Company

MMBtu

Million British thermal units

MMcf

Million cubic feet

MMcf/d

Million cubic feet per day

Moody’s

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

NGL(s)

Natural gas liquid(s)

Northern Border Pipeline

Northern Border Pipeline Company

Northern Plains

Northern Plains Natural Gas Company, LLC, now known as ONEOK Partners GP, L.L.C.

NYMEX

New York Mercantile Exchange

NYSE

New York Stock Exchange

OBPI

ONEOK Bushton Processing Inc.

OCC

Oklahoma Corporation Commission

ONEOK

ONEOK, Inc.

ONEOK Leasing Company

ONEOK Leasing Company, L.L.C.

ONEOK Partners

ONEOK Partners, L.P., formerly known as Northern Border Partners, L.P.

ONEOK Partners GP

ONEOK Partners GP, L.L.C., formerly known as Northern Plains Natural Gas Company, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc.

    and the sole general partner of ONEOK Partners L.P.

OPISOil Price Information Service
Overland Pass Pipeline Company

Overland Pass Pipeline Company LLC

POP

 Percent of Proceeds

RRC

RRC

Texas Railroad Commission

S&P

 

S&P

Standard & Poor’s Rating Group

SEC

 

SEC

Securities and Exchange Commission

Statement

 

Statement

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards


- 3 - -


TC PipeLines

 

TC PipeLines

TC PipeLines Intermediate Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of TC
    PipeLines, LP

TransCanada

 

TransCanada

TransCanada Corporation

Viking Gas Transmission

Viking Gas Transmission Company


The statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K  that are not historical information, including statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations, economic performance or related assumptions, are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “should,” “goal,” “forecast”“forecast,” “could,” “may,” “continue,” “might,” “potential,” “scheduled”  and other words and terms of similar meaning.  Although we believe that our expectations regarding future events are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our goalssuch expectations and assumptions will be achieved.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are described under Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, and Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Forward-LookingOperation and “Forward-Looking Statements,  in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.2008.




PART I.I

GENERAL

ONEOK, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation, was organized on May 16, 1997. On November 26, 1997, we acquired the natural gas business of Westar Energy, Inc. (Westar), formerly Western Resources, Inc., and merged with ONEOK Inc., a Delaware corporation organized in 1933.


We are thea diversified energy company and successor to the company founded in 1906 known as Oklahoma Natural Gas Company.

  Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol “OKE.”  We purchase, transport, storeare the sole general partner and distributeown 47.7 percent of ONEOK Partners, L.P. (NYSE: OKS), one of the largest publicly traded master limited partnerships.  ONEOK Partners is a leader in the gathering, processing, storage and transportation of natural gas.gas in the United States.  In addition, ONEOK Partners owns one of the nation’s premier natural gas liquids systems, connecting NGL supply in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions with key market centers.  We are the largest natural gas distributor in Oklahoma and Kansas and the third largest natural gas distributor in Texas, providing service as a regulated public utility to wholesale and retail customers.  Our largest distribution markets are Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; Kansas City, Wichita, and Topeka, Kansas; and Austin and El Paso, Texas.  Our energy services operation is engaged in providing premium natural gas marketing services to wholesale and retail natural gas and trading activities and provides services to customers in many states and Canada. We are the sole general partner and own 45.7 percent of ONEOK Partners, L.P. (NYSE: OKS), a publicly traded limited partnership. ONEOK Partners gathers, processes, stores and transports natural gas inacross the United States and owns natural gas liquids systems that connect much of the natural gas and NGL supply in the Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast regions with key market centers in Conway, Kansas, Mont Belvieu, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois.

Canada.


DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS SEGMENTS


We report operations in the following reportable business segments:

ONEOK Partners

Distribution

·  ONEOK Partners

Energy Services

·  Distribution

Other

·  Energy Services

·  Other

For financial and statistical information regarding our business units by segment,segments, see below in the “Segment Financial Information” section, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation. SeeOperation and Note M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K10-K.

Business Strategy

Our primary business strategy is to deliver consistent growth and sustainable earnings, while focusing on safe, reliable, environmentally sound and legally compliant operations for a discussion of sales to unaffiliatedour customers, operating incomeemployees, contractors and total assets by business segment.

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN 2007 AND EARLY 2008

In February 2008, ONEOK Partners announced plans to construct a 78-mile natural gas liquids gathering pipeline to connect two natural gas processing plants in the Woodford Shale area in southeast Oklahoma at a cost of approximately $25 million, excluding AFUDC. The project is currently scheduled for completion inpublic through the second quarter of 2008. These two plants are expected to produce approximately 25 MBbl/d of unfractionated NGLs. Until the Arbuckle Pipeline project is completed, the natural gas liquids production will be transported by ONEOK Partners’ existing Mid-Continent natural gas liquids pipelines. Upon completion of the Arbuckle Pipeline project, the Woodford Shale natural gas liquids production is expected to be transported to ONEOK Partners’ Mont Belvieu, Texas, fractionation facility.

In October 2007, ONEOK Partners completed the acquisition of an interstate natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products pipeline system and related assets from a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. (Kinder Morgan) for approximately $300 million, before working capital adjustments. The system extends from Bushton and Conway, Kansas, to Chicago, Illinois, and transports, stores and delivers a full range of NGL and refined petroleum products. The FERC-regulated system spans 1,627 miles and has a capacity to transport up to 134 MBbl/d. The transaction includes approximately 978 MBbl of owned storage capacity, eight NGL terminals and a 50 percent ownership of Heartland.

In September 2007, ONEOK Partners completed an underwritten public debt offering of $600 million to finance the assets acquired from Kinder Morgan and to repay outstanding debt under its revolving credit facility agreement (ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement), which was incurred to fund ONEOK Partners’ internal growth capital projects.

During 2007, ONEOK Partners began construction on the Overland Pass Pipeline Company joint-venture project with a subsidiary of The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams). Overland Pass Pipeline Company is building a 760-mile natural gas liquids pipeline from Opal, Wyoming, to the Mid-Continent natural gas liquids market center in Conway, Kansas. The pipeline is designed to transport approximately 110 MBbl/d of unfractionated NGLs, which can be increased to approximately 150 MBbl/d with additional pump facilities. This project has received the required approvals of various state

and federal regulatory authorities, and ONEOK Partners is constructing the pipeline with start-up currently scheduled for the second quarter 2008.

In March 2007, ONEOK Partners announced that Overland Pass Pipeline Company also plans to construct a 150-mile lateral pipeline with capacity to transport as much as 100 MBbl/d of unfractionated NGLs from the Piceance Basin in Colorado to the Overland Pass Pipeline. Williams announced that it intends to construct a new natural gas processing plant in the Piceance Basin and will dedicate its NGL production from that plant and an existing plant to be transported by the lateral pipeline. This project requires the approval of various state and federal regulatory authorities. Assuming Overland Pass Pipeline Company obtains the required state and federal regulatory approvals, construction of this lateral pipeline is currently expected to begin in late 2008 and be completed during the second quarter of 2009.

In March 2007, ONEOK Partners announced plans to build the 440-mile Arbuckle Pipeline, a natural gas liquids pipeline from southern Oklahoma through northern Texas and continuing on to the Texas Gulf Coast. The Arbuckle Pipeline will have the capacity to transport 160 MBbl/d of unfractionated natural gas liquids and will connect ONEOK Partners’ existing Mid-Continent infrastructure and its fractionation facility in Mont Belvieu, Texas, and other Gulf Coast region fractionators. Construction of the pipeline will require permits from various federal, state and local regulatory bodies. Construction is currently expected to begin in mid-2008 and be completed by early 2009.

In March 2007, ONEOK Partners announced the expansion of its Grasslands natural gas processing facility in North Dakota. The Grasslands facility is ONEOK Partners’ largest natural gas processing plant in the Williston Basin. The expansion increases processing capacity to approximately 100 MMcf/d from its current capacity of 63 MMcf/d and increases fractionation capacity to approximately 12 MBbl/d from 8 MBbl/d. The expansion project is expected to come on-line in phases, with the final phase currently expected to be on-line in the third quarter of 2008.

In January 2007, Fort Union Gas Gathering announced that it will double its existing gathering pipeline capacity by adding 148 miles of new gathering lines, resulting in approximately 649 MMcf/d of additional capacity in the Powder River basin of Wyoming. ONEOK Partners owns approximately 37 percent of Fort Union Gas Gathering. The expansion will occur in two phases. Phase 1 was placed in service during the fourth quarter of 2007. Phase 2 is currently expected to be in service during the second quarter of 2008.

following:

·  developing and executing internally generated growth projects within our ONEOK Partners segment;
·  increasing the level of sustainable earnings in our Distribution segment;
·  continuing our focus on physical activities in our Energy Services segment;
·  executing strategic acquisitions that utilize our core competencies; and
·  managing our balance sheet over the long term to maintain our credit ratings at or above their current investment-grade levels.

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

ONEOK Partners

We own approximately 37.0 million common and Class B limited partner units, and the entire 2 percent general partner interest, which, together, represents a 45.7 percent interest in ONEOK Partners. We receive distributions from ONEOK Partners on our common and Class B units, and our 2 percent general partner interest. See Note R of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion of our incentive distribution rights.

Business Strategy - ONEOK Partners’ primary business objectives are to generate cash flow sufficient to pay quarterly cash distributions to its unitholders and to increase its quarterly cash distributions over time.  ONEOK Partners’ ability to maintain and grow its distributions to unitholders depends on, among other things, the growth of its existing businesses and strategic acquisitions.  ONEOK Partners focuses on safe, environmentally soundWe plan to continue pursuing internal growth opportunities and compliant operations for its employees, contractors, customers and the public.

ONEOK Partners’ focus is on expanding and acquiring assets in the United Statesstrategic acquisitions related to energy transportation, gathering, processing, fractionation, storagefractionating, transporting, storing and marketing natural gas and NGLs that will utilize itsour core competencies, minimize commodity price risk and provide long-term, sustainable and stable cash flow.flows.  Our strategy focuses on maintaining stable cash flows through predominantly fee-based income, equity earnings derived primarily from fee-based earnings, and by managing commodity and spread risk.


Distribution - Our integrated strategy for our LDCs incorporates a rates and regulatory plan that includes positive relationships with regulators, consistent strategies and synchronized rate case filings.  We focus on growth of our customer count and rate base through efficient investment in our system while emphasizing safety and cost control.  We provide customer choice programs designed to reduce volumetric sensitivity and create value for our customers.

Energy Services - Our Energy Services segment creates value by providing premium services to our customers by delivering physical and risk management products and services to our customers through our network of contracted gas supply and leased transportation and storage assets.  We optimize our storage and transportation capacity through the daily application of market knowledge and effective risk management.


Outlook for 2009

We expect continued deteriorating economic conditions in 2009, with downward pressures, relative to 2008, on commodity prices for natural gas, NGLs and crude oil.  We anticipate that lower commodity prices will result in reduced drilling activity and economic conditions will result in reduced petrochemical demand.  We also expect continued volatility and disruption in the financial markets which could result in an increased cost of capital.  We expect depressed commodity prices and tighter capital markets to also result in the sale or consolidation of underperforming assets in the industry, which may present opportunities for us.

ONEOK Partners - ONEOK Partners financesintends to pursue continued growth in its acquisitionsnatural gas businesses through well-connects, contract renegotiations and capital expenditures with a mixexpansions and extensions of operating cash flows, debtits existing systems and equity.

Segment Description - Effective January 1, 2006, we were required to consolidate ONEOK Partners’ operations in our consolidated financial statements under EITF 04-5, “Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights,” and we elected to use the prospective method. In April 2006, we sold certain assets comprising our former gathering and processing,plants.  For its natural gas liquids businesses, ONEOK Partners will continue to focus on adding new supply connections and pipelinesoptimizing existing assets, as well as completing the growth projects currently under construction.  Capital expenditures in 2009 are expected to be significantly lower than in 2008 when ONEOK Partners spent approximately $1.3 billion.  ONEOK Partners plans to spend approximately $425 million on capital expenditures in 2009, of which approximately $355 million is for growth projects.  ONEOK Partners also plans to pursue strategic acquisitions related to gathering, processing, fractionating, storing, transporting and marketing natural gas and NGLs.


Distribution - In our Distribution segment, we plan to grow our asset base through efficient capital investment in infrastructure and technology and increase the level of sustainable earnings.

Energy Services - In our Energy Services segment, we expect higher natural gas basis differentials.  We plan to manage our current portfolio of supply and leased assets, reduce storage segmentscapacity utilization as compared with 2008, continue to offer premium products and services, and draw on the competitive position of our assets to extract incremental value through daily optimization of storage and transportation assets.  Additionally, we plan to grow our asset management agreements with LDCs, use hedging to establish base margins and capture incremental margins related to location and seasonal differences, and continue to achieve high customer satisfaction.

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN 2008

Capital Projects - ONEOK Partners placed the following projects in-service during 2008:
·  January - Midwestern Gas Transmission’s eastern extension pipeline;
·  July - final phase of Fort Union Gas Gathering expansion project;
·  September - Woodford Shale natural gas liquids pipeline extension;
·  October - Bushton Fractionation expansion;
·  November - Overland Pass Pipeline from Opal, Wyoming to Conway, Kansas; and
·  December - partial operations of the Guardian Pipeline extension with interruptible service from Ixonia, Wisconsin, to Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Equity Issuance - In March 2008, we purchased from ONEOK Partners, in a private placement, an additional 5.4 million of ONEOK Partners’ common units for a total purchase price of approximately $303.2 million.  In addition, ONEOK Partners completed a public offering of 2.5 million common units at $58.10 per common unit and received net proceeds of $140.4 million after deducting underwriting discounts but before offering expenses.  In conjunction with ONEOK Partners’ private placement and public offering of common units, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $9.4 million to ONEOK Partners in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest.

In April 2008, ONEOK Partners sold an additional 128,873 common units at $58.10 per common unit to the underwriters of the public offering upon the partial exercise of their option to purchase additional common units to cover over-allotments.  ONEOK Partners received net proceeds of approximately $7.2 million from the sale of these common units after deducting underwriting discounts but before offering expenses.  In conjunction with the partial exercise by the underwriters, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $0.2 million to ONEOK Partners in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest.  Following these transactions, our ownership interest in ONEOK Partners is 47.7 percent.



SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Operating Income - The following table sets forth operating income by segment, as a percentage of our consolidated total, excluding any gain or (loss) on sale of assets, for the periods indicated.
 Years Ended December 31,
Operating Income200820072006
ONEOK Partners70%  54%  53%  
Distribution21%  21%  16%  
Energy Services8%  25%  31%  
Other and Eliminations1%  *  *  
Total100%  100%  100%  
          
* Represents a value of less than 1 percent.        

Customers and Total Assets - See Note M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion of revenues from external customers under “Customers” and disclosure of total assets by segment within the “Operating Segment Information” table.

Intersegment Revenues - The following table sets forth the percentage of intersegment revenues to total revenue, by segment, for the periods indicated.
 Years Ended December 31,
Intersegment Revenues2008  2007  2006  
ONEOK Partners10%  11%  13%  
Distribution*  *  *  
Energy Services8%  7%  8%  
          
* Represents a value of less than 1 percent.        

See Note M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information about intersegment revenues.

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

ONEOK Partners

Ownership - We own approximately $3 billion, including $1.35 billion in cash before adjustments,42.4 million common and approximately 36.5 million Class B limited partner units, and the entire 2 percent general partner interest, which, together, represents a 47.7 percent ownership interest in ONEOK Partners.  These former segments are now included in ourWe receive distributions from ONEOK Partners segmenton our common and Class B units and our 2 percent general partner interest.  See Note Q of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for all periods presented. We own an aggregate 45.7 percentdiscussion of our incentive distribution rights.

Business Strategy - ONEOK Partners; the remaining interest inPartners’ primary business objectives are to generate cash flow sufficient to pay quarterly cash distributions to its unitholders and to increase its quarterly cash distributions over time.  ONEOK Partners is reflected as minority interest in incomeplans to accomplish these objectives while focusing on safe, environmentally sound and legally compliant operations for its customers, employees, contractors and the public through the following:
·  developing and executing internally generated growth projects;
·  executing strategic acquisitions related to gathering, processing, fractionating, storing, transporting and marketing natural gas and NGLs that utilize its core competencies; and
·  managing its balance sheet over the long-term to maintain its investment-grade credit ratings at or above their current levels.
Description of consolidated subsidiaries on our Consolidated Statements of Income.Business

- Our ONEOK Partners segment is engaged in the gathering and processing of rawunprocessed natural gas and fractionation of NGLs, primarily in the Mid-Continent, and Rocky Mountain regions covering Oklahoma, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.  These operations include the gathering of rawunprocessed natural gas productionproduced from crude oil and natural gas wells.  Through gathering systems, these volumes areunprocessed natural gas is aggregated and treated or processed for removal of water vapor, solids and other contaminants, and to extract NGLs in order to provide marketable natural gas, commonly referred to as residue gas.  When the liquidsNGLs are separated from the rawunprocessed natural gas at the processing plants, the liquidsNGLs are generally in the form of a mixed, unfractionated NGL stream.  This stream is then separated by a distillation process, referred to as fractionation, into marketable product components such as ethane, ethane/propane (EP),



propane, iso-butane, normal butane and natural gasoline (collectively, NGL products).  These NGL products can then be stored, transported and marketed to a diverse customer base of end-users. Operating revenue

Revenue from the gathering and processing business is primarily derived from the following three types of contracts:

Percent of Proceeds (POP) - ONEOK Partners retains a percentage of the NGLs and/or a percentage of the residue gas as payment for gathering, compressing and processing the producer’s raw natural gas.

Fee - ONEOK Partners is paid a fee for the services provided such as Btus gathered, compressed and/or processed.

·  Percent of Proceeds - ONEOK Partners retains a percentage of the NGLs and/or a percentage of the residue gas as payment for gathering, compressing and processing the producer’s unprocessed natural gas.  For 2008, this type of contract represented approximately 34 percent of contracted volumes.

Keep-Whole - ONEOK Partners extracts NGLs from raw natural gas and returns to the producer volumes of residue gas containing the same amount of Btus as the raw natural gas that was originally delivered.

·  Fee - ONEOK Partners is paid a fee for the services provided based on Btus gathered, compressed and/or processed.  For 2008, this type of contract represented approximately 58 percent of contracted volumes.

·  Keep-Whole - ONEOK Partners extracts NGLs from unprocessed natural gas and returns to the producer volumes of residue gas containing the same amount of Btus as the unprocessed natural gas that was originally delivered.  For 2008, this type of contract represented approximately 8 percent of contracted volumes, with approximately 89 percent of that contracted volume containing language that effectively converts these contracts into fee contracts when the gross processing spread is negative.

ONEOK Partners also gathers, treats, fractionates, transports and stores NGLs.  ItsONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids gathering pipelines deliver unfractionated NGLs gathered from natural gas processing plants located in Oklahoma, Kansas, the Texas panhandle and Texasthe Rocky Mountain region to its fractionation facilitiesfractionators it owns in Medford, Oklahoma, Hutchinson and Conway, Kansas, and Mont Belvieu, Texas.  The NGLs are then separated through the fractionation process into the individual NGL products that realize the greater economic value of the NGL components.  The individual NGL products are then stored or distributed to petrochemical manufacturers, heating fuel users, refineries and propane distributors through ONEOK Partners’ distribution pipelines that move NGL products from Oklahoma and Kansas to the market centers in Conway, Kansas, and Mont Belvieu, Texas, as well as the Midwest markets near Chicago, Illinois.

Operating revenue


Revenue for the natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation businessbusinesses is primarily derived from the following types of services:

Exchange services - ONEOK Partners gathers and transports unfractionated NGLs to its fractionators, separating them into marketable products and redelivering the purity NGL products to its customers for a fee.

Optimization and marketing - ONEOK Partners uses its asset base, portfolio of contracts and market knowledge to capture location and seasonal price spreads through transactions that optimize the flow of its NGL products between the major market centers in Conway, Kansas, and Mont Belvieu, Texas.

·  Exchange services - ONEOK Partners gathers and transports unfractionated NGLs to its fractionators, separating them into marketable products and redelivering the NGL products to its customers for a fee;

Isomerization - ONEOK Partners converts normal butane to the more valuable iso-butane used by the refining industry to upgrade the octane of motor gasoline.

·  Optimization and marketing - ONEOK Partners uses its asset base, portfolio of contracts and market knowledge to capture location and seasonal price differentials through transactions that optimize the flow of its NGL products between the major market centers in Conway, Kansas, and Mont Belvieu, Texas, as well as markets near Chicago, Illinois;

Storage services - ONEOK Partners stores NGLs.

·  Isomerization - ONEOK Partners converts normal butane to the more valuable iso-butane used by the refining industry to increase the octane of motor gasoline;

Transportation - ONEOK Partners transports NGLs under its FERC-regulated tariffs.

·  Storage services - ONEOK Partners stores NGLs for a fee; and

·  Transportation - ONEOK Partners transports NGLs under its FERC-regulated tariffs.

ONEOK Partners operates interstate and intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines, natural gas storage facilities and non-processable natural gas gathering facilities.  ONEOK Partners also provides natural gas transportation and storage services in accordance with Section 311(a) of the Natural Gas Policy Act.  ONEOK Partners’ interstate assets transport natural gas through FERC-regulated interstate natural gas pipelines.pipelines that access supply from Canada and from the Mid-Continent, Rocky Mountain and Gulf Coast regions.  ONEOK Partners’ pipelines include Midwestern Gas Transmission, Guardian Pipeline, Viking Gas Transmission Company, OkTex Pipeline Company L.L.C. and a 50 percent ownership interest in Northern Border Pipeline.


ONEOK Partners’ intrastate natural gas pipeline assets in Oklahoma have access to the major natural gas producing areas and transport natural gas throughout the state.  ONEOK Partners also has access to the major natural gas producing area in south central Kansas.  In Texas, its intrastate natural gas pipelines are connected to the major natural gas producing areas in the Texas panhandle and the Permian Basin, and transport natural gas to the Waha Hub, where other pipelines may be accessed for transportation east to the Houston Ship Channel market, north into the Mid-Continent market and west to the California market.  ONEOK Partners owns or reservesleases storage capacity in underground natural gas storage facilities in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.

  ONEOK Partners’ natural gas pipeline assets primarily serve LDCs, large industrial companies, municipalities, irrigation customers, power generation facilities and marketing companies.


ONEOK Partners’ revenues from its natural gas pipelines are typically derived from fee services under the following types of contracts:

·  Firm service - Customers can reserve a fixed quantity of pipeline or storage capacity for the terms of their contracts.  Under this type of contract, the customer pays a fixed fee for a specified quantity regardless of their actual usage, and is generally guaranteed access to the capacity they reserve; and



·  Interruptible service - Customers with interruptible service transportation and storage agreements may utilize available capacity after firm service requests are satisfied or on an as available basis.  Under the interruptible service contract, the customer is not guaranteed use of our pipelines and storage facilities unless excess capacity is available.

Interruptible service - Customers with interruptible service transportation and storage agreements may utilize available capacity after firm service requests are satisfied or on an as available basis. Under the interruptible service contract, the customer is not guaranteed use of our pipelines and storage facilities unless excess capacity is available.


Operating income from our

The main factors that affect ONEOK Partners segment was 54 percent, 53 percent and 49 percent of our consolidated operating income from continuing operations excluding the gain on sale of assets in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Our ONEOK Partners segment had no single external customer from which it received 10 percent or more of consolidated revenues. Intersegment sales accounted for 11 percent, 13 percent and 19 percent of our ONEOK Partners segment’s revenues in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Partners’ margins are:

·  NGL transportation and fractionation volumes and associated fees;
·  natural gas transportation and storage volumes;
·  weather impacts on demand and operations;
·  fees charged for processing services and storage services;
·  the Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain natural gas price, crude oil price and the daily average OPIS price for its products sold, as well as the relative value on a Btu basis of each of the components to each other;
·  the relative value of ethane to natural gas; and
·  regional and seasonal natural gas and NGL product price differentials.

Market Conditions and Seasonality - Supply - ONEOK Partners’ business is affected by the economy, commodity price volatility, and weather.  The strength of the economy has a direct relationship on manufacturing and industrial companies’ demand for natural gas and NGL products.  Volatility in the commodity markets impacts the decisions of ONEOK Partners’ customers’ decisionscustomers relating to the output of the gas processing plants, and the storage activity for natural gas and natural gas liquids.liquids, and demand for the various NGL products.  In addition, its intrastate natural gas pipelines and natural gas liquids pipelines and fractionation facilities are affected by operational or market-driven changes in the output of the gas processing plants to which they are connected.  Natural gas and NGL output from gas processing plants may increase or decrease affecting the volumequality of natural gas and volume of NGLs transported through the systems as a result of the gross processing spread, which is the difference between the relative value of the composite price of NGLs to the price of natural gas, primarily ethane to natural gas.  In addition, volume delivered through the system may increase or decrease as a result of the relative NGL price between the Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast regions.  Natural gas transportation throughput fluctuates due to rainfall that impacts irrigation demand, hot temperatures that affect power generation demand and cold temperatures that affect heating demand.


Natural gas and NGL supply is affected by rig availability, operating capability and producer drilling activity, which is sensitive to commodity prices, exploration success, available capital and regulatory control.  Relatively high natural gas and crude oil prices, resulted in increased drilling for most of 2008 in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions, which are our primary supply regions.  Significant price declines and reduced drilling activity starting in the fourth quarter of 2008 are now creating less favorable near-term supply projections.

Demand - Demand for gathering and processing services is typically aligned with the supply of natural gas, which generally flows from a producing area at a relatively steady but gradually declining pace over time unless new reserves are added.  ONEOK Partners’ plant operations can be adjusted to respond to market conditions, such as demand for ethane.  By changing operating parameters at certain plants, ONEOK Partners can produce more of the specific commodity that has the most favorable price or price spread.

Demand for natural gas pipeline transportation service and natural gas storage is directly related to demand for natural gas in the markets that the natural gas pipelines and storage facilities serve, and is affected by weather, the economy, and natural gas price volatility.  The effect of weather on ONEOK Partners’ natural gas assets primarily serve LDCs, largepipelines operations is discussed below under “Seasonality.”  The strength of the economy directly impacts manufacturing and industrial companies municipalities, irrigation customers, power generation facilities and marketing companies. ONEOK Partners’that rely on natural gas.  Commodity price volatility can influence customers’ decisions related to the usage of natural gas versus alternative fuels and natural gas liquids pipelines compete directly with other intrastatestorage injection and interstate pipeline companies. Additionally, ONEOK Partners competes directly with other storage facilities. Competitionwithdrawal activity.

Demand for NGLs and the ability of natural gas processors to successfully and economically sustain their operations impacts the volume of unfractionated NGLs produced by natural gas processing plants, thereby affecting the demand for natural gas transportation services continues to increase as the FERCliquids gathering, fractionation and state regulatory bodies continue to encourage more competition in the natural gas markets. Factors that affect competition for both naturaldistribution services.  Natural gas and NGL servicespropane are location, market access, currentsubject to weather-related seasonal demand.
Other products are affected by economic conditions and forwardthe demand associated with the various industries that utilize the commodity, such as butanes and natural gasgasoline, which are used by the refining industry as blending stocks for motor fuel.  Ethane and NGL prices, fees for servicesEP are used by the petrochemical industry to produce chemical products, such as plastic, rubber and quality of services provided. ONEOK Partners believes that its pipelines and storage assets enable it to compete effectively.

synthetic fiber.


Commodity Prices - During 2007,2008, both crude oil and natural gas prices were volatile, with NYMEX crude oil settlement prices ranging from $51.13$49.62 to $95.10$134.62 per Bbl and NYMEX natural gas settlement prices ranging from $5.43$6.47 to $7.59$13.11 per MMBtu.

ONEOK Partners is affected by producer drilling activity, which is sensitive to geological success, as well as availability



location of natural gas processing plants relative to its gathering pipelines,

location of its gathering pipelines relative to its competitors,

location of its fractionation facilities relative to its competitors,

efficiency, reliability and costs of operations, including fuel and power consumption,

available fractionation, pipeline and storage capacity, and

delivery capabilities to move natural gas and NGL products to its highest value locations.

Despite significant consolidation in the recent past, the United States midstream industry remains relatively fragmented, and ONEOK Partners faces competition from a variety of companies, including major integrated oil companies, major pipeline companies and their affiliated marketing companies, and national and local natural gas gatherers, processors and marketers.

The factors that typically affect ONEOK Partners’ ability to compete for obtaining natural gas supplies for gathering and processing operations are:

producer drilling activity,

petrochemical industry’s level of capacity utilization and its specific feedstock requirements,

fees charged under the contract,

pressures maintained on the gathering systems,

location of its gathering systems relative to its competitors,

location of its gathering systems relative to drilling activity,

efficiency and reliability of the operations, and

delivery capabilities that exist in each system and plant location.

ONEOK Partners has responded to these industry conditions by making capital investments to improve plant processing and fractionation flexibility and reduce operating costs, selling assets in non-core operating areas and renegotiating unprofitable contracts. The principal goal of the contract renegotiation effort is to eliminate unprofitable contracts and improve margins, primarily during periods when the gross processing spread is negative.

Seasonality - Some of ONEOK Partners’ products, such as natural gas and propane used for heating, are subject to seasonality, resulting in more demand during the months of November through March.  As a result, prices of these products are typically higher during that time period.  Demand has also increased for natural gas in the summer periods as more electric generation is now dependent upon natural gas for fuel.  Other products, such as ethane and EP, are tied to the petrochemical industry, while normal butane, iso-butane and natural gasoline are used by the refining industry as blending stocks.  As a result, the prices of these products are affected by the economic conditions and demand associated with these various industries.

The main factors that affect


Competition - ONEOK Partners’ margins are:

natural gas liquid transportation and fractionation volumesnatural gas liquids pipelines compete directly with other intrastate and associated fees,

interstate pipeline companies and other storage facilities for natural gas and NGLs.  Competition for natural gas transportation services continues to increase as the FERC and state regulatory bodies continue to encourage more competition in the natural gas markets.  Competition among pipelines and storage volumes,

weather, both temperaturefacilities is based primarily on fees for services, quality of services provided, current and precipitation,

fees charged for processing servicesforward natural gas prices and proximity to supply areas and markets.  ONEOK Partners believes that its pipelines and storage services,assets enable it to effectively compete.


ONEOK Partners’ natural gas gathering and

processing business competes for natural gas supplies with major integrated exploration and production companies, pipeline companies and their affiliated marketing companies, national and local natural gas gatherers and processors, and marketers in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions.  ONEOK Partners’ gathering and fractionation business competes with other fractionators, storage providers and gatherers for NGL supplies in the Rocky Mountain, Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast regions.  The factors that typically affect ONEOK Partners’ ability to compete for natural gas price, crude oil price and the daily average Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) price for its NGL products sold, as well as the relative value on a Btu basissupplies are:

·  producer drilling activity;
·  the petrochemical industry’s level of capacity utilization and feedstock requirements;
·  fees charged under our contracts;
·  pressures maintained on our gathering systems;
·  location of our gathering systems relative to our competitors;
·  location of our gathering systems relative to drilling activity;
·  efficiency and reliability of our operations; and
·  delivery capabilities that exist in each system, plant and storage location.

ONEOK Partners is responding to these industry conditions by making capital investments to access new supplies, increase gathering and fractionation capacity, increase storage capabilities, improve plant processing flexibility and reduce operating costs, evaluating consolidation opportunities to maximize earnings, selling assets in non-core operating areas and renegotiating unprofitable contracts.  The principal goal of the componentscontract renegotiation effort is to each other.

eliminate unprofitable contracts and improve margins, primarily during periods when the gross processing spread is negative.


Government Regulation - The FERC has traditionally maintained that a processing plant is not a facility for the transportation or sale for resale of natural gas in interstate commerce and, therefore, is not subject to jurisdiction under the Natural Gas Act.  Although the FERC has made no specific declaration as to the jurisdictional status of ONEOK Partners’ natural gas processing operations or facilities, ONEOK Partners’ natural gas processing plants are primarily involved in removing NGLs and, therefore, ONEOK Partners believes, its natural gas processing plants are exempt from FERC jurisdiction.  The Natural Gas Act also exempts natural gas gathering facilities from the jurisdiction of the FERC.  Interstate transmission facilities remain subject to FERC jurisdiction.  The FERC has historically distinguished between these two types of facilities, either interstate or intrastate, on a fact-specific basis.  ONEOK Partners believes its gathering facilities and operations meet the criteria used by the FERC for non-jurisdictional gathering facility status.  ONEOK Partners can transport residue gas from its plants to interstate pipelines in accordance with Section 311(a) of the Natural Gas Policy Act.


Oklahoma and Kansas also have statutes regulating, in various degrees, the gathering of natural gas in those states.  In each state, regulation is applied on a case-by-case basis if a complaint is filed against the gatherer with the appropriate state regulatory agency.


ONEOK Partners’ interstate natural gas pipelines are regulated under the Natural Gas Act and Natural Gas Policy Act, which give the FERC jurisdiction to regulate virtually all aspects of the pipeline activities.  ONEOK Partners’ intrastate natural gas transportation assets in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas are regulated by the OCC, KCC and RRC, respectively.  ONEOK Partners has flexibility in establishing natural gas transportation rates with customers.  However, there is aare maximum raterates that ONEOK Partners can charge its customers in Oklahoma and Kansas.


ONEOK Partners’ proprietary natural gas liquids gathering pipelines in both Oklahoma and Kansas are not regulated by the FERC or the states’ respective corporation commissions.  ONEOK Partners’ remaining natural gas liquids gathering and


distribution pipelines are interstate pipelines regulated by the FERC and by the United States Department of Transportation’s Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS).FERC.  ONEOK Partners transports unfractionated NGLs and purity NGL products pursuant to filed tariffs.


Additionally, the operations of our assets are regulated by various state and federal government agencies.  See further discussion in the “Environmental and Safety Matters” section.

Unconsolidated Affiliates - Our ONEOK Partners segment has the following unconsolidated affiliates:
·  50 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline, which transports natural gas from the Montana-Saskatchewan border near Port Morgan, Montana, to a terminus near North Hayden, Indiana;
·  49 percent ownership interest in Bighorn Gas Gathering, L.L.C., which operates a major coalbed methane gathering system serving a broad production area in northeast Wyoming;
·  37 percent ownership interest in Fort Union Gas Gathering, which gathers coalbed methane gas produced in the Powder River Basin and delivers natural gas into the interstate pipeline grid;
·  35 percent ownership interest in Lost Creek Gathering Company, L.L.C., which gathers natural gas produced from conventional wells in the Wind River Basin of central Wyoming and delivers natural gas into the interstate pipeline grid;
·  10 percent ownership interest in Venice Energy Services Co., LLC, a gas processing complex near Venice, Louisiana;
·  50 percent ownership interest in Chisholm Pipeline Company which operates an interstate natural gas liquids pipeline system extending approximately 184 miles from origin points in Oklahoma and Kansas;
·  48 percent ownership interest in Sycamore Gas System, which is a gathering system with compression located in south central Oklahoma; and
·  50 percent ownership interest in the Heartland joint venture, which operates a terminal and pipeline systems that transport refined petroleum products in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa.

See Note O of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion of unconsolidated affiliates.

Distribution


Business Strategy- Our Distribution segment focuses on increasing the level of sustainable earnings through safe, reliable, environmentally sound and legally compliant operations for its employees, contractors, customers and the public. Ourdistribution operations.

The integrated strategy for our LDCs incorporates:
·  a rates and regulatory strategy that includes fostering positive relationships with regulators, consistent strategies and synchronized rate case filings;
·  a focus on the growth of our customer count and rate base through efficient investment in our system while emphasizing safety and cost control; and
·  providing customer choice programs designed to reduce volumetric sensitivity and create value for our customers.

Our regulatory strategy incorporates a ratesrate features that provide strategies for earnings lag, margin protection and regulatory planrisk mitigation.  These strategies include capital recovery mechanisms in Oklahoma, Kansas and portions of Texas.  In Texas, we also have cost of service adjustments that includes positive relationships with regulators, consistentaddress investments in rate base and changes in expense.  Margin protection strategies include increased customer fixed charges in all three states.  Risk mitigation strategies include fuel related bad-debt recovery mechanisms in Oklahoma, Kansas and synchronized rate case filings. We focus on growthportions of our rate and customer base through prudent investment in our system while emphasizing cost control. We provide customer choice programs that reduce volumetric sensitivity and create value for our customers.Texas.

Description of Business

Segment Description- Our Distribution segment provides natural gas distribution services to overmore than two million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas through Oklahoma Natural Gas, Kansas Gas Service and Texas Gas Service, respectively.respectively, each a division of ONEOK.  We serve residential, commercial, industrial and transportation customers in all three states.  In addition, our distribution companies in Oklahoma and Kansas serve wholesale customers, and in Texas we serve public authority customers, such as cities, governmental agencies and schools.


Our operating results are primarily affected by the number of customers, usage and the ability to establishcollect delivery rates that provide an authorizeda reasonable rate of return on our investment and recovery of our cost of service.  Natural gas costs are passed through to our customers based on the actual cost of gas purchased by the respective distribution companies.  Substantial fluctuations in natural gas sales can occur from year to year without significantlymaterially or adversely impacting our grossnet margin, since the fluctuations in natural gas costs affect natural gas sales and cost of gas by an equivalent amount.  Higher natural gas costs may cause customers to conserve or, in the case of industrial customers, to use alternative energy sources.  Higher natural gas costs may also adversely impact our accounts receivable collections, resulting in higher bad-debt expense.


The rate structure for Oklahoma Natural Gas includes two service rate options for residential gas sales customers.  Certain high usage customers pay a higher monthly service charge and a lower per dekatherm delivery charge, while lower usage customers pay a lower monthly service charge coupled with a higher per dekatherm delivery charge.  Customers can elect to residential and commercial customers are seasonal, as a substantial portion of natural gas is used principally for heating. Accordingly, the volume of natural gas sales is normally higher during the heating season (November through March) than in other months of the year.

Operating income from our Distribution segment was 21 percent, 16 percent and 21 percent of our consolidated operating income from continuing operations excluding the gain on sale of assets in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Our Distribution segment had no single external customer from which it received 10 percent or more of consolidated revenues. Intersegment sales accounted for less than one percent of our Distribution segment’s revenues in 2007 and 2006, and there were none in 2005.

Natural Gas Supply - The majority of our distribution segment’s natural gas supply is provided under contracts from a number of suppliers. These contracts are awarded through a competitive bid process. The remainder of our distribution segment’s natural gas supply is purchased from a combination of direct wellhead production, natural gas processing plants, natural gas marketers and production companies.

There is an adequate supply of natural gas availablechange service rate options to our utility systems, and we do not anticipate problems with securing additional natural gas supply as needed for our customers. However, if supply shortages occur, Oklahoma Natural Gas’ rate schedule “Order of Curtailment” and Kansas Gas Service’s rate order “Priority of Service” provide for first reducing or totally discontinuing gas service to large industrial users and then requesting that residential and commercial customers reduce their gas requirements to an amount essential for public health and safety. Texas Gas Service’s gas transportation contracts with interruption provisions require large volume users to purchase their natural gas with the understandingensure that they may be forced to shut down or switch to alternate sources of energy at times whenare billed under the gasalternative that best fits their individual usage, but they must remain on the selected option for a full year after the change is needed for higher priority customers. In addition, during times of special supply problems, curtailments of deliveries to customers with firm contracts may be made in accordance with guidelines established by appropriate federal, state and local regulatory agencies.

Market Conditions and Seasonality - made.


Oklahoma Natural Gas, Kansas Gas Service and Texas Gas Service distribute natural gas as public utilities to approximately 87 percent, 70 percent and 14 percent of the distribution markets for Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas, respectively.  Natural gas sold to residential and commercial customers which is used primarily for heating, accounts for approximately 79 and 20 percent of natural gas sales, respectively, in Oklahoma; 7174 and 19 percent of natural gas sales, respectively, in Kansas; and 6866 and 2426 percent of natural gas sales, respectively, in Texas.


A franchise, although nonexclusive, is a utility’s right to use the municipal streets, alleys and other public ways for a defined period of time in exchange for a fee.  In management’s opinion, our franchises contain no unduly burdensome restrictions and are sufficient for the transaction of business in the manner in which it is now conducted.

Under


Market Conditions and Seasonality - Supply - In 2008, our transportation tariffs, qualifyingDistribution segment purchased 182 Bcf of natural gas supply.  Our gas supply portfolio consists of long-term, seasonal and short-term contracts from a diverse group of suppliers.  These contracts are awarded through competitive bid processes to ensure reliable and competitively priced gas supply.  Our Distribution segment’s natural gas supply is purchased from a combination of direct wellhead production, natural gas processing plants, natural gas marketers and production companies.

We are responsible for acquiring sufficient natural gas supplies, interstate and intrastate pipeline capacity and storage capacity to meet customer requirements.  As such, we must contract for both reliable and adequate supplies and delivery capacity to our distribution system, while considering: (i) the dynamics of the interstate and intrastate pipeline and storage capacity market; (ii) our peaking facilities and storage and contractual commitments; and (iii) the demand characteristics of our customer base.

An objective of our supply sourcing strategy is to diversify our supply among multiple production areas and suppliers.  This strategy is designed to protect receipt of supply from being curtailed by physical interruption, possible financial difficulties of a single supplier, natural disasters and other unforeseen force majeure events.

There is an adequate supply of natural gas available to our utility systems, and we do not anticipate problems with securing additional natural gas supply as needed for our customers.  However, if supply shortages occur, each of our LDCs has curtailment tariff provisions in place that provide for: (i) reducing or discontinuing gas service to large industrial users; and (ii) requesting that residential and commercial customers reduce their gas requirements to an amount essential for public health and safety.  In addition, during times of critical supply problems, curtailments of deliveries to customers with firm contracts may be made in accordance with guidelines established by appropriate federal, state and local regulatory agencies.

Natural gas supply requirements are able to purchaseaffected by changes in the natural gas from the supplierconsumption pattern of our customers that are driven by factors other than weather.  Natural gas usage per customer may decline as customers change their choiceconsumption patterns in response to: (i) more volatile and higher natural gas prices, as discussed above; (ii) customers’ replacement of older, less efficient gas appliances with more efficient appliances; (iii) more energy-efficient construction; and (iv) fuel switching.  In each jurisdiction in which we operate, changes in customer usage profiles have it transported for a fee bybeen reflected in recent rate case proceedings where rates have been adjusted to reflect current customer usage.

In December 2007, Oklahoma Natural Gas was authorized by the OCC to implement a natural gas hedging program as a three-year pilot program, with up to $10 million per year in hedge costs to be recovered from customers.  Kansas Gas Service or Texas Gas Service. Because of increased competition for the transportation ofhas a natural gas hedging program in place, subject to commercial and industrial customers, some of these customers may be lostannual KCC approval, which is designed to affiliated or unaffiliated transporters. If our ONEOK Partners segment gained somereduce volatility in the natural gas price paid by consumers.  The costs of this business, it would result in a shift of some revenues from our Distribution segment to our ONEOK Partners segment.

The natural gas industry is expected to remain highly competitive, resulting from initiatives being pursuedprogram are borne by the industry and regulatory agencies that allow industrial and commercial customers increased options for energy supplies and service. We believe that we must maintain a competitive advantage in order to retain our customers and, accordingly, we focus on providing reliable, efficient service and reducing costs.

The Distribution segment is subject to competition from other pipelines for our existing industrial load. Oklahoma Natural Gas, Kansas Gas Service andcustomers.  Texas Gas Service competealso has a natural gas hedging program for servicecertain of its jurisdictions.


In managing our gas supply portfolios, we partially mitigate gas price volatility using a combination of financial derivatives, the triggering of forward prices on certain gas supply contracts, and injecting gas into leased storage capacity.  Our Distribution segment does not utilize financial derivatives for speculative purposes, nor does it have trading operations.  To further mitigate gas price volatility, we utilize 38.3 Bcf of leased storage capacity, which allows gas to be purchased during the large industrialoff-peak season and commercial customers,stored for use in the winter periods.

Demand - See discussion below under “Seasonality” and competition continues to impact margins. A portion“Competition” for factors affecting demand.


Seasonality - Natural gas sales to residential and commercial customers are seasonal, as a substantial portion of their natural gas is used principally for space heating.  Accordingly, the volume of natural gas sales is normally higher during the heating season (November through March) than in other months of the year.  Tariff rates for Oklahoma Natural Gas, Kansas Gas Service and certain jurisdictions in Texas include a temperatureThe sales effect resulting from weather that is above or below normal is substantially offset through weather normalization adjustment clause duringadjustments (WNA), which are now approved by the heating season, which mitigates the effect of fluctuations in weather. The rate structure for Oklahoma Natural Gas includes billing optionsregulatory authorities for all of our Oklahoma and Kansas service territories.  WNA allows us to increase customer billing to offset lower gas sales customers. Under this rate structure, certain high volume customers pay ausage when weather is warmer than normal and decrease customer billing to offset higher monthly service charge and a lower per dekatherm delivery charge, while lowergas usage customers pay a lower monthly service charge coupled with a higher per dekatherm delivery charge. Customers can elect to change billing options to ensure that they are billed under the alternative that best fits their individual usage, but they must remain on the selected option for a full year after the changewhen weather is made. Additionally, with prior KCC approval, Kansas Gas Service has a natural gas hedging program in place to reduce volatility in the natural gas price paid by consumers. The costs of this program are borne by the Kansas Gas Service customers. Oklahoma Natural Gas was recently authorized by the OCC to implement a natural gas hedge program as a three-year pilot program, with up to $10 million per year in hedge costs to be recovered from customers. Texas Gas Service also has a natural gas hedging program for certain of its jurisdictions. colder than normal.

Approximately 9094 percent of Texas Gas Service’s revenues, including Austin and Galveston, are protected from abnormal weather due to a higher customer charge or weather normalization adjustmentWNA clauses. Texas Gas Service’s weather normalization adjustment clause applies to 96 Texas towns and cities, including Austin and Galveston, to stabilize earnings and neutralize the impact of unusual weather on customers.  A higher customer charge is included in the authorized rate design for the jurisdictions of El Paso, north Texas, Rio Grande Valley and Port Arthur to protect customers from abnormal rate fluctuation due to weather.


Competition - We can face competition based on customers’ preference for natural gas compared with other energy products, and the comparative prices of those products.  The most significant product competition occurs between natural gas and electricity in the residential and small commercial markets.  We compete for space heating, water heating, cooking and other general energy needs.  Customers and builders typically make the decision for the type of equipment to install at initial installation and use the chosen energy source for the life of the equipment.  The markets in our service territories have become increasingly competitive.  Changes in the competitive position of natural gas relative to electricity and other energy products have the potential of causing a decline in the number of future natural gas customers.

We believe that we must maintain a competitive advantage in order to retain our customers, and, accordingly, we focus on providing safe, reliable, efficient service and controlling costs.  Our Distribution segment is subject to competition from other pipelines for our existing industrial load.  Oklahoma Natural Gas, Kansas Gas Service and Texas Gas Service compete for service to large industrial and commercial customers, and competition has and may continue to impact margins.

Under our transportation tariffs, qualifying industrial and commercial customers are able to purchase their natural gas commodity from the supplier of their choice and have us transport it for a fee.  A portion of transportation services provided is at negotiated rates that are generally below the maximum approved transportation tariff rates.  Reduced rate transportation service may be negotiated when a competitive pipeline is in proximity or another viable energy option is available.  Increased competition could potentially lower these rates.  Texas Gas Service files all negotiated transportation service contracts under a separate, confidential tariff at the RRC.

Government Regulation - Rates charged by our Distribution segment for natural gas services are established by the OCC for Oklahoma Natural Gas and by the KCC for Kansas Gas Service.  Texas Gas Service is subject to regulatory oversight by the various municipalities that it serves, which have primary jurisdiction in their respective areas.  Rates in unincorporated areas adjacent to the various municipalities and all appellate matters are subject to regulatory oversight by the RRC.  Natural gas purchase costs are included in the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) clause rate that is billed to customers.  Our distribution companies do not make a profit on the cost of gas.  Other changes in costs must be recovered through periodic rate adjustments approved by the OCC, KCC, RRC and various municipalities in Texas.  See page 4349 for a detailed description of our various regulatory initiatives.


Oklahoma Natural Gas has settled all known claims arising out of long-term gas supply contracts containing “take-or-pay” provisions that purport to require us to pay for volumes of natural gas contracted for but not taken.  The OCC has previously authorized recovery of the accumulated settlement costs over a 20-year period expiring in 2014, or approximately $7.0 million annually, through a combination of a surcharge from customers, revenue from transportation under Section 311(a) of the Natural Gas Policy Act and other intrastate transportation revenues.


Additionally, the operations of our assets are regulated by various state and federal government agencies.  See further discussion in the “Environmental and Safety Matters” section.



Energy Services


Business Strategy- Our Energy Services segment creates value by providing premium services to our customers by delivering physical and risk-management products and services throughutilizes our network of contracted gas supply and leased transportation and storage assets. assets to provide premium services to our customers.  The asset positions afford us the flexibility to develop innovative, customer-specific demand delivery services for those we serve, at a competitive cost.  With these services and a focus on customer relationships, we expect to attract new customers and retain existing customers that generate recurring margins.

We optimizefollow a strategy of optimizing our storage and cross-regional transportation capacity through the daily application of market knowledge and effective risk management.  We maximize value by actively hedging the time and locational spread risks that are inherent to storage and transportation contracts and will pursue hedging strategies that effectively mitigate these risks.  At the same time, we capitalize on opportunities created by market volatility, weather-related events, supply-demand imbalances and market liquidity inefficiency, which allows us to capture additional margin.  Using market information, we manage these asset-based positions and seek to provide incremental margin in our trading portfolio.

Through our wholesale marketing and risk management capabilities, we are able to be a full-service provider in our retail operations.  We are able to offer a broad range of products and are expanding our markets.  We plan to grow our retail business through internal growth initiatives, as well as expansion into areas that allow retail unbundling.  We manage the commodity price and volumetric risk in these operations through a variety of risk management and hedging activities.

It is our intention to minimize the mark-to-market earnings impact that our forward hedges have on current period earnings. When possible, we implement effective hedging strategies using derivative instruments that qualify as hedges under Statement 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” (Statement 133).

Our Energy Services segment requires working capital to purchase natural gas inventory and to meet cash collateral requirements associated with our risk management activities.  Our inventory purchases and hedging strategies are implemented with consideration given to ONEOK’s overall working capital requirements and liquidity.  Restrictions on our access to working capital may impact our inventory purchases and risk management activities, which could impact our results.

We are assessing the ongoing capital requirements of the wholesale energy business, which includes evaluating our contracted storage and transportation.  This review is focused on ensuring our contracted assets continue to be aligned with our key strategy of providing customer-specific premium delivery services that generate recurring demand revenues and margins.

Description of Business

Segment Description- Our Energy Services segment’s primary focus is to create value for our customers by delivering physical natural gas products and risk management services through our network of contracted transportation and storage capacity and natural gas supply.  These services include meeting our customers’ baseload, swing and peaking natural gas commodity requirements on a year-round basis.  To provide these bundled services, we lease storage and transportation

capacity. At December 31, 2007, our total storage capacity under lease was 96 Bcf, with maximum withdrawal capability of 2.4 Bcf/d and maximum injection capability of 1.6 Bcf/d. At December 31, 2007, our transportation capacity was 1.8 Bcf/d. Our contracted storage and transportation capacity connects the major supply and demand centers throughout the United States and into Canada.  With these contracted assets, our ongoing business strategies include identifying, developing and delivering specialized premium products and services and products of value tovalued by our customers, which are primarily LDCs, electric utilities, and commercial and industrial end users.  Our storage and transportation capacity allows us opportunities to optimize these positionsvalue through our application of market knowledge and risk management skills.


We actively manage the commodity price and volatility risks assumed fromassociated with providing energy risk management services to our customers by executing derivative instruments in accordance with the parameters established in our commodity risk management policy.  The derivative instruments consist of over-the-counter financially settled transactions such as forward, swap and option contracts, and NYMEX futures and option contracts.


Numerous risk management opportunities and operational strategies exist that can be implemented through the use of storage facilities and transportation capacity.  We utilize our industry knowledge and expertise in order to capitalize on opportunities that are provided through market volatility.  We utilize our experience to optimize the value of our contracted assets, and we use our risk management and marketing capabilities to both manage risk and to generate additional returns.margins.  We apply a combination of cash flow and fair value hedge accounting when implementing hedging strategies that take advantage of favorable market conditions.  See Note D of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.  Additionally, certain non-trading transactions, which are economic hedges of our accrual transactions, such as our storage and transportation contracts, will not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.  These economic hedges receive mark-to-market accounting treatment, as they are derivative contracts and are not designated as part of a hedge relationship.

  As a result, the underlying risk being hedged receives accrual accounting treatment, while we use



mark-to-market accounting treatment for the economic hedges.  We cannot predict the earnings fluctuations from mark-to-market accounting, and the impact on earnings could be material.

Our working capital requirements related to our inventory in storage were as high as $581.1 million during 2007, butpeaked in August 2008, with 61.0 Bcf valued at $614.6 million; this balance had decreased to $429.5$451.7 million atby December 31, 2007.2008.  During September 2008, we impaired our inventory value; were it not for this impairment, our highest inventory balance would have been in November 2008 with 84.3 Bcf in storage.  In addition, margin requirements can result in increased working capital requirements.  During 2007,2008, our margin requirements with counterparties ranged from zero to $144.8$378 million.

Operating income from our Energy Services segment was 25 percent, 31 percent and 31 percent of our consolidated operating income from continuing operations excluding the gain on sale of assets in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Our Energy Services segment had no single external customer from which it received 10 percent or more of consolidated revenues in 2007, 2006 or 2005. Intersegment sales accounted for 7 percent of our total revenues in 2007, compared with 8 percent in both 2006 and 2005.


Market Conditions and Seasonality - In response to a very competitive marketing environment resulting from deregulationSupply - During periods of high natural gas markets,demand, we utilize storage capacity to supplement natural gas supply volumes to meet our strategypeak day demand obligations or market needs.

Demand - Demand met by our swing and peaking natural gas requirements contracts in our wholesale operation is driven by the extent to concentrate our efforts on providing reliable servicewhich temperatures vary from normal levels.  A significant portion of this business is contracted during peakthe winter period of November through March.  Our retail business’ demand periodsfor natural gas is primarily driven by the use of space heating and capture opportunities createdis significantly impacted by short-term pricing volatility through our leased storage and transportation assets. We focus on building and strengthening supplier and customer relationships to execute our strategy.temperature variations.


Seasonality - Due to seasonality of natural gas consumption, storage withdrawals and demand for our products and services, earnings are normally higher during the winter months than the summer months.  Our Energy Services segment’s margins are subject to fluctuations during the year, primarily due to the impact certain seasonal factors have on sales volumes and the price of natural gas.  Natural gas sales volumes are typically higher in the winter heating months than in the summer months, reflecting increased demand due to greater heating requirements and, typically, higher natural gas prices. During

Competition - The recent market conditions affecting credit and liquidity have impacted competition by causing some of our competitors, including financial institutions, to either exit the business or scale back their operations.  In response to a competitive marketing environment, our strategy is to concentrate our efforts on providing reliable service during peak demand periods and capturing opportunities created by short-term pricing volatility.  We can effectively compete in the market by utilizing our leased storage and transportation assets.  We continue to focus on building and strengthening supplier and customer relationships to execute our strategy and increase our market presence.

Other

Description of high natural gas demand, we utilize storage capacity to supplement natural gas supply volumes to meet peak day demand obligations or market needs.

OtherBusiness

Segment Description- The primary companies in our Other segment include ONEOK Leasing Company and ONEOK Parking Company, L.L.C. Prior to the consolidation of ONEOK Partners as of January 1, 2006, our general partner and limited partner interests held through Northern Plains, now known as ONEOK Partners GP, were included in our Other segment.


Through ONEOK Leasing Company and ONEOK Parking Company, L.L.C., we own a parking garage and lease an office building (ONEOK Plaza) in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, where our headquarters are located.  ONEOK Leasing Company subleasesleases excess office space to others and operates our headquarters office building.  ONEOK Parking Company, L.L.C. owns and operates a parking garage adjacent to our headquarters.


In July 2007, ONEOK Leasing Company gave notice of its intent to exercise its option to purchase ONEOK Plaza on or before the end of the current lease term which isthat was set to expire on September 30, 2009.  In addition,March 2008, ONEOK Leasing Company, has entered into a purchase agreement with the owner ofpurchased ONEOK Plaza that, if certain conditions are met, would accelerate the purchase of the building tofor a date on or before March 31, 2008, for the total purchase price of approximately $48 million.

Northern Plains, now known as ONEOK Partners GP, was acquired in November 2004, and we accountedmillion, which included $17.1 million for our 2.73 percent interest in Northern Border Partners, now known as ONEOK Partners, following the equity method during 2005. Effective January 1, 2006, we were required to consolidate ONEOK Partners. See “Significant Accounting Policies” in Note Apresent value of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-Kremaining lease payments and $30.9 million for additional information.

Our Other segment had no single external customer from which it received 10 percent or more of consolidated revenues.

the base purchase price.


ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY MATTERS


Information about our environmental matters is included in Note K of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Pipeline Safety- We are subject to United States Department of Transportation regulations, including integrity management regulations.  The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act requires pipeline companies to perform integrity assessments on pipeline segments of a pipeline that pass through densely populated areas or near specifically identified sites that are designated as high consequence areas.  To our knowledge, we are substantially in compliance with all material requirements associated with the various pipeline safety regulations.


Air and Water Emissions - The federal Clean Air Act, andthe federal Clean Water Act and analogous state laws impose restrictions and controls regarding the discharge of pollutants into the air and water in the United States.  Under the Clean Air Act, a federalfederally enforceable operating permit is required for sources of significant air emissions.  We may be required to incur certain capital expenditures for air pollution-control equipment in connection with obtaining or maintaining permits and approvals for sources of air emissions.  The Clean Water Act imposes substantial potential liability for the removal of


pollutants discharged to waters of the United States and remediation of pollutants dischargedwaters affected by such discharge.  To our knowledge, we are in compliance with all material requirements associated with the various regulations.

The United States water.Congress is actively considering legislation to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane.  In addition, state and regional initiatives to regulate greenhouse gas emissions are underway.  We are monitoring federal and state legislation to assess the potential impact on our operations.  Our most recent calculation of direct greenhouse gas emissions for ONEOK and ONEOK Partners is estimated to be less than 6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents on an annual basis.  We will continue efforts to quantify our direct greenhouse gas emissions and will report such emissions as required by any mandatory reporting rule, including the rules anticipated to be issued by the EPA in mid-2009.

Superfund

Superfund - The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as CERCLA or Superfund, imposes liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original act, on certain classes of persons who contributed to the release of a hazardous substance into the environment.  These persons include the owner or operator of a facility where the release occurred and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substances found at the facility.  Under CERCLA, these persons may be liable for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances released into the environment, damages to natural resources and the costs of certain health studies.


Chemical Site Security - The United States Department of Homeland Security (Homeland Security) released an interim rule in April 2007 that requires companies to provide reports on sites where certain chemicals, including many hydrocarbon products, are stored.  After receiving these reports,We completed the Homeland Security will identify which sitesassessments and our facilities were subsequently assigned to one of four risk-based tiers ranging from high (Tier 1) to low (Tier 4) risk, or not tiered at all due to low risk.  A majority of our facilities were not tiered.  We are requiredwaiting for Homeland Security’s analysis to implement minimum security measures. Homeland Security is indetermine if any of the initial stages of implementing this rule, and the extent to which the ruletiered facilities will require us to undertake additional expenditures for siteSite Security Plans and possible physical security is uncertain at this point.enhancements.


Climate Change - Our environmental and climate change strategy focuses on taking steps to minimize the impact of our operations on the environment.  These strategies include: (i) developing and maintaining an accurate greenhouse gas emissions inventory, according to rules anticipated to be issued by the EPA in mid-2009; (ii) improving the efficiency of our various pipeline andpipelines, natural gas processing facilities and natural gas liquids fractionation facilities; (iii) following developing technologies for emission control,control; (iv) following developing technologies to capture carbon dioxide to keep it from reaching the atmosphere,atmosphere; and (v) analyzing options for future energy investment.


Currently, operating entities withincertain subsidiaries of ONEOK Partners participate in the gatheringProcessing and processingTransmission sectors and LDCs in our Distribution segment participate in the transmission sectorsDistribution sector of the EPA’s Natural Gas STAR Program to voluntarily reduce methane emissions.  Although they already utilize manyA subsidiary in our ONEOK Partners’ segment was honored in 2008 as the “Natural Gas STAR Gathering and Processing Partner of the identified “best practices,” it is anticipated that our LDCs will soon formally join the STAR Program’s distribution sector.Year” for its efforts to positively address environmental issues through voluntary implementation of emission-reduction opportunities.  In addition, we continue to focus on reducingmaintaining low rates of lost-and-unaccounted-for methane lossgas through expanded implementation of best practices across our operations and analyzing options for additional emission reductions, including (i) closing older facilities and routing products to more efficient facilities, (ii) self-imposing permit limits at facilities where operationally feasible, (iii) utilizing electric motors on select compressor applications, and (iv) utilizing methods to limit the release of methane gas during pipeline and facility maintenance and operations.

  Our most recent calculation of our annual lost-and-unaccounted-for natural gas, for all of our business operations, is less than 1 percent of total throughput.


EMPLOYEES


We employed 4,5554,742 people at January 31, 2008,2009, including 730739 people employed by Kansas Gas Service, who were subject to collective bargaining contracts.  We had no other union employees. Effective January 1, 2007, the employees represented by Gas Workers Metal Trades of the United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada agreed to representation by the United Steelworkers of America. The following table sets forth our contracts with unionscollective bargaining units at January 31, 2008.

2009.


UnionEmployeesContract Expires
UnionEmployeesContract Expires

United Steelworkers of America

414 412 June 30, 2009

International Union of Operating Engineers

13 13 June 30, 2009

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

312 305 June 30, 2010




EXECUTIVE OFFICERS


All executive officers are elected at the annual meeting of our Board of Directors and serve for a period of one year or until successors are duly elected.  Our executive officers listed below include the officers who have been designated by our Board of Directors as our Section 16 executive officers.

Name and PositionAgeAgeBusiness Experience in Past Five Years

David L. Kyle

John W. Gibson
55562007 to presentChairman of the Board of DirectorsChief Executive Officer

Chairman of the Board of Directors

2000 to 2006Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer 
19952006 to presentMember of the Board of Directors

John W. Gibson

552007 to presentChief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

2006 to presentMember of the Board of Directors
and Member of the Board of Directors 2006President and Chief Operating Officer of ONEOK Partners, L.P.
 2005 to 2006President, ONEOK Energy Companies
  2000 to 2005President, Energy

Jim Kneale

56572007 to presentPresident and Chief Operating Officer
President and Chief Operating Officer 

President and Chief Operating Officer

2004 to 2006Executive Vice President - Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
  2001 to 2004Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Curtis L. Dinan

40412007 to presentSenior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Senior Vice President,

 2004 to 2006Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 2004Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
  2002 to 2004Assurance and Business Advisory Partner, Grant Thornton, LLP

John R. Barker

60612004 to presentSenior Vice President and General Counsel

Senior Vice President and

 1994 to 2004Stockholder, President and Director, Gable & Gotwals

General Counsel

   

Caron A. Lawhorn

46472007 to presentSenior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Senior Vice President and 2005 to 2006Senior Vice President, Financial Services and Treasurer
Chief Accounting Officer 2004 to 2005Vice President and Controller
 2003 to 2004Vice President of Audit and Risk Control
1998 to 2003Manager of Audit Services

No family relationships exist between any of the executive officers, nor is there any arrangement or understanding between any executive officer and any other person pursuant to which the officer was selected.


AVAILABLE INFORMATION

You can access financial and other information at our website www.oneok.com.


We make available on our website, www.oneok.com, free of charge,Web site copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports filed or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and reports of holdings of our securities filed by our officers and directors under Section 16 of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material electronically or otherwise furnishing it to the SEC.  Copies of our Code of Business Conduct, Corporate Governance Guidelines and Director Independence Guidelines and Board of Directors committee charters, including the charters of our audit, executive, executive compensation and corporate governance committees, are also available on our website,Web site, and we will make available, free of charge, copies of these documents upon request.

  However, our Web site and any contents thereof are not incorporated by reference into this document.


ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

Our investors should consider the following risks that could affect us and our business.  Although we have tried to discuss key factors, our investors need to be aware that other risks may prove to be important in the future.  New risks may emerge at any time, and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial performance.  Investors should carefully consider the following discussion of risks and the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including “Forward-Looking Statements,” which are included in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.

RISK FACTORS INHERENT IN OUR BUSINESS

Current levels of market volatility are unprecedented.

The capital and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption.  During the fourth quarter of 2008, the volatility and disruption reached unprecedented levels.  In many cases, the capital markets have exerted downward pressure on equity prices and reduced the credit capacity for certain companies.  Our ability to grow could be constrained if we do not have regular access to the capital and credit markets.  If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, our access to capital and credit markets could be disrupted, making growth through acquisitions and development projects difficult or impractical to pursue until such time as markets stabilize.


Our operating results may be adversely affected by unfavorable economic and market conditions.

Economic conditions worldwide have from time to time contributed to slowdowns in the oil and gas industry, as well as in the specific segments and markets in which we operate, resulting in reduced demand and increased price competition for our products and services.  Our operating results in one or more geographic regions may also be affected by uncertain or changing economic conditions within that region.  Volatility in commodity prices might have an impact on many of our customers, which, in turn, could have a negative impact on their ability to meet their obligations to us.  If global economic and market conditions (including volatility in commodity markets), or economic conditions in the United States or other key markets, remain uncertain or persist, spread or deteriorate further, we may experience material impacts on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The recent downturn in the credit markets has increased the cost of borrowing and has made financing difficult to obtain, each of which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and business.

Recent events in the financial markets have had an adverse impact on the credit markets.  As a result, credit has become more expensive and difficult to obtain.  Some lenders are imposing more stringent restrictions on the terms of credit and there may be a general reduction in the amount of credit available in the markets in which we conduct business.   The negative impact of the tightening of the credit markets may have a material adverse effect on us resulting from, but not limited to, an inability to obtain credit necessary to expand facilities or finance the acquisition of assets on favorable terms, if at all, increased financing costs or financing with increasingly restrictive covenants.

Our cash flow depends heavily on the earnings and distributions of ONEOK Partners.


Our partnership interest in ONEOK Partners is one of our largest cash-generating assets.  Therefore, our cash flow is heavily dependent upon the ability of ONEOK Partners to make distributions to its partners.  A significant decline in ONEOK Partners’ earnings and/or cash distributions would have a corresponding negative impact on us.  For information on the risk factors inherent in the business of ONEOK Partners, see the section below entitled “Risk Factors Related to ONEOK Partners’ Business” and the ONEOK Partners 20072008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Some of our nonregulated businesses have a higher level of risk than our regulated businesses.

Some of our nonregulated operations, which include ONEOK Partners’ gathering and processing, natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation, and our marketing and tradingenergy services businesses, have a higher level of risk than our regulated operations, which include our utilitydistribution and ONEOK Partners’ natural gas and natural gas liquids transportationpipelines businesses.  We and ONEOK Partners expect to continue investing in natural gas and natural gas liquids projects and other related projects, some or all of which may involve nonregulated businesses or assets.  These projects could involve risks associated with operational factors, such as competition and dependence on certain suppliers and customers, and financial, economic and political factors, such as rapid and significant changes in commodity prices, the cost and availability of capital and counterparty risk, including the inability of a counterparty, customer or supplier to fulfill a contractual obligation.

Our LDCs have recorded certain assets that may not be recoverable from theirour customers.


Accounting policies for our LDCs permit certain assets that result from the regulatory process to be recorded on our balance sheet that could not be recorded under GAAP for nonregulated entities.  We consider factors such as rate orders from regulators, previous rate orders for substantially similar costs, written approval from the regulatorregulators and analysis of recoverability from internal and external legal counsel to determine the probability of future recovery of these assets.  If we determine future recovery is no longer probable, we would be required to write off the regulatory assets at that time.


Terrorist attacks aimed at our facilities could adversely affect our business.

Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the United States government has issued warnings that energy assets, specifically the nation’s pipeline infrastructure, may be future targets of terrorist organizations.  These developments may subject our operations to increased risks.  Any future terrorist attack that may target our facilities, those of our customers and, in some cases, those of other pipelines, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our businesses are subject to market and credit risks.

We are exposed to market and credit risks in all of our operations.  To minimize the risk of commodity price fluctuations, we periodically enter into derivative transactions to hedge anticipated purchases and sales of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, fuel requirements and firm transportation commitments.  Interest-rate swaps are also used to manage interest rateinterest-rate risk.  Currency


swaps are used to mitigate unexpected changes that may occur in anticipated revenue streams of our Canadian natural gas sales and purchases driven by currency rate fluctuations.  However, financial derivative instrument contracts do not eliminate the risks.  Specifically, such risks include commodity price changes, market supply shortages, interest rate changes and counterparty default.  The impact of these variables could result in our inability to fulfill contractual obligations, significantly higher energy or fuel costs relative to corresponding sales contracts, or increased interest expense.

We are subject to the risk of loss resulting from nonpayment and/or nonperformance by customers of our Energy Services segment.  The customers of our Energy Services segment are predominantly LDCs, industrial customers, natural gas producers and marketers that may experience deterioration of their financial condition as a result of changing market conditions or financial difficulties that could impact their credit worthinesscreditworthiness or ability to pay for our services.  Although we attempt to obtain adequate security for these risks, if we fail to adequately assess the credit worthinesscreditworthiness of existing or future customers, unanticipated deterioration in their credit worthinesscreditworthiness and any resulting nonpayment and/or nonperformance could adversely impact results of operations for our Energy Services segment.  In addition, if any of our Energy Services segment’s customers filed for bankruptcy protection, we may not be able to recover amounts owed, which would negatively impact the results of operations for our Energy Services segment.


Increased competition could have a significant adverse financial impact on us.

The natural gas and natural gas liquids industries are expected to remain highly competitive, resulting from deregulation and other initiatives being pursued by the industry and regulatory agencies that allow customers increased options for energy supplies and service.  The demand for natural gas and NGLs is primarily a function of commodity prices, including prices for alternative energy sources, customer usage rates, weather, economic conditions and service costs.  Our ability to compete also depends on a number of other factors, including competition from other pipelines for our existing load, the efficiency, quality and reliability of the services we provide, and competition for throughput for our gathering systems and plants.

We cannot predict when we will be subject to changes in legislation or regulation, nor can we predict the impact of these changes on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Although we believe our businesses are positioned to compete effectively in the energy market, there are no assurances that this will be true in the future.

We may not be able to successfully make additional strategic acquisitions or integrate businesses we acquire into our operations.

Our ability to successfully make strategic acquisitions and investments will depend on: (i) the extent to which acquisitions and investment opportunities become available; (ii) our success in bidding for the opportunities that do become available; (iii) regulatory approval, if required, of the acquisitions on favorable terms; and (iv) our access to capital, including our ability to use our equity in acquisitions or investments, and the terms upon which we obtain capital.  If we are unable to make strategic investments and acquisitions, we may be unable to grow.  If we are unable to successfully integrate new businesses into our operations, we could experience increased costs and losses on our investments.

Acquisitions that appear to be accretive may nevertheless reduce our cash from operations on a per share basis.

Any acquisition involves potential risks that may include, among other things:
·  mistaken assumptions about volumes, revenues and costs, including synergies;
·  an inability to successfully integrate the businesses we acquire;
·  decrease in our liquidity as a result of our using a significant portion of our available cash or borrowing capacity to finance the acquisition;
·  a significant increase in our interest expense or financial leverage if we incur additional debt to finance the acquisition;
·  the assumption of unknown liabilities for which we are not indemnified or for which our indemnity is inadequate;
·  an inability to hire, train or retain qualified personnel to manage and operate the acquired business and assets;
·  limitations on rights to indemnity from the seller;
·  mistaken assumptions about the overall costs of equity or debt;
·  the diversion of management’s and employees’ attention from other business concerns;
·  unforeseen difficulties operating in new product areas or new geographic areas; 
·  increased regulatory burdens;
·  customer or key employee losses at an acquired business; and
·  increased regulatory requirements.


If we consummate any future acquisitions, our capitalization and results of operations may change significantly, and investors will not have the opportunity to evaluate the economic, financial and other relevant information that we will consider in determining the application of these funds and other resources.

Any reduction in our credit ratings could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

Our long-term senior unsecured debt has been assigned an investment gradeinvestment-grade rating by S&P of “BBB” (Stable) and Moody’s of “Baa2” (Stable). We will seek to maintain an investment grade rating through prudent capital management and financing structures.  However, we cannot provide assurance that any of our current ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances in the future so warrant.  Specifically, if S&P or Moody’s were to downgrade our long-term rating, particularly below investment grade, our borrowing costs would increase, which would adversely affect our financial results, and our potential pool of investors and funding sources could decrease.  If S&P or Moody’s were to downgrade the long-term ratings of ONEOK Partners below investment grade, ONEOK Partners would, under certain circumstances, be required to offer to repurchase certain of its senior notes.  Further, if our short-term ratings were to fall below A-2 (capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory) or P-2 (strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations), the current ratings assigned by S&P and Moody’s, respectively, it could significantly limit our access to the commercial paper market.  Any such downgrade of our long- or short-term ratings could increase our cost of capital and reduce the availability of capital and, thus, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.  Ratings from credit agencies are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold our securities.  Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.

A downgrade in our credit ratings below investment grade would negatively affect the operations of our Energy Services segment.  If our credit ratings fall below investment grade, ratings triggers and/or adequate assurance clauses in many of our financial and wholesale physical contracts would be in effect.  A ratings trigger or adequate assurance clause gives a counterparty the right to suspend or terminate the agreement unless margin thresholds are met.  The additional increase in capital required to support our Energy Services segment would negatively impact our ability to compete, as well as our ability to actively manage the risk associated with existing storage and transportation contracts.


Our indebtedness could impair our financial condition and our ability to fulfill our other obligations.

As of December 31, 2008, we had total indebtedness for borrowed money of approximately $3.0 billion, which excludes the debt of ONEOK Partners.  Our indebtedness could have significant consequences.  For example, it could:
·  make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our notes and our other indebtedness due to the increased debt-service obligations, which could in turn result in an event of default on such other indebtedness or our notes;
·  impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or general business purposes;
·  diminish our ability to withstand a downturn in our business or the economy;
·  require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to debt service payments, reducing the availability of cash for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, or general purposes;
·  limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and
·  place us at a competitive disadvantage compared with our competitors that have proportionately less debt.

We are not prohibited under the indentures governing our senior notes from incurring additional indebtedness, but our debt agreements do subject us to certain operational limitations summarized in the next paragraph.  If we incur significant additional indebtedness, it could worsen the negative consequences mentioned above and could adversely affect our ability to repay our other indebtedness.

Our revolving debt agreements with banks contain provisions that restrict our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to expand or pursue our business activities.  For example, certain of these agreements contain provisions that, among other things, limit our ability to make loans or investments, make material changes to the nature of our business, merge, consolidate or engage in asset sales, grant liens, or make negative pledges.  Certain of these agreements also require us to maintain certain financial ratios, which limits the amount of additional indebtedness we can incur.  These restrictions could result in higher costs of borrowing and impair our ability to generate additional cash.  Future financing agreements we may enter into may contain similar or more restrictive covenants.

If we are unable to meet our debt-service obligations, we could be forced to restructure or refinance our indebtedness, seek additional equity capital or sell assets.  We may be unable to obtain financing or sell assets on satisfactory terms, or at all.


We are subject to comprehensive energy regulation by governmental agencies, and the recovery of our costs is dependent on regulatory action.

We are subject to comprehensive regulation by several federal, state and municipal utility regulatory agencies, which significantly influences our operating environment and our ability to recover our costs from utility customers.  The utility regulatory authorities in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas regulate many aspects of our utility operations, including customer service and the rates that we can charge customers.  Federal, state and local agencies also have jurisdiction over many of our other activities, including regulation by the FERC of our storage and interstate pipeline assets.  The profitability of our regulated operations is dependent on our ability to pass costs related to providing energy and other commodities through to our customers.  The regulatory environment applicable to our regulated businesses could impair our ability to recover costs historically absorbed by our customers.

We are unable to predict the impact that the future regulatory activities of these agencies will have on our operating results.  Changes in regulations or the imposition of additional regulations could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business is subject to increased regulatory oversight and potential penalties.


The natural gas industry historically has been heavily regulated; therefore, there is no assurance that a more stringent regulatory approach will not be pursued by the FERC and U.S.United States Congress, especially in light of previous market power abuse by certain companies engaged in interstate commerce.  In response to this issue, U.S.the United States Congress, in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), developed requirements intended to ensure that the energy market is not impacted by the exercise of market power or manipulative conduct.  The FERC then adopted the Market Manipulation Rules to implement the authority granted under EPACT.  These rules are intended to prohibit fraud and manipulation and are subject to broad interpretation.  EPACT also gave the FERC increased penalty authority for violations.

violations of these rules, as well as other FERC rules.


Demand for services of our Distribution and Energy Services segments and for certain of ONEOK Partners’ products is highly weather sensitive and seasonal.

The demand for natural gas and for certain of ONEOK Partners’ products, such as propane, is weather sensitive and seasonal, with a significant portion of revenues derived from sales to retail marketers for heating during the winter months.  Weather conditions directly influence the volume of, among other things, natural gas and propane delivered to customers.  Deviations in weather from normal levels and the seasonal nature of certain of our segments’ business can create large variations in earnings and short-term cash requirements.

We are subject to environmental regulations that could be difficult and costly to comply with.

We are subject to multiple environmental laws and regulations affecting many aspects of present and future operations, including air emissions, water quality, wastewater discharges, solid and hazardous wastes and hazardous material and substance management.  These laws and regulations generally require us to obtain and comply with a wide variety of environmental registrations, licenses, permits, inspections and other approvals.  Failure to comply with these laws, regulations, permits and licenses may expose us to fines, penalties and/or interruptions in our operations that could be material to the results of operations.  If an accidentala leak or spill of hazardous materialssubstance occurs from our lines or facilities, in the process of transporting natural gas or NGLs, or at any facility that we own, operate or otherwise use, we could be held jointly and severally liable for all resulting liabilities, including investigation and clean-up costs, which could materially affect our results of operations and cash flows.  In addition, emission controls required under the federal Clean Air Act and other similar federal and state laws could require unexpected capital expenditures at our facilities.  We cannot assure that existing environmental regulations will not be revised or that new regulations will not be adopted or become applicable to us.  Revised or additional regulations that result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions, particularly if those costs are not fully recoverable from customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  For further discussion on this topic, see Note K of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


We are subject to risks that could limit our access to capital, thereby increasing our costs and adversely affecting our results of operations.

We have grown rapidly in the last several years as a result of acquisitions.  Further acquisitions may require additional external capital.  If we are not able to access capital at competitive rates, our strategy of enhancing the earnings potential of our existing assets, including through acquisitions of complementary assets or businesses, will be adversely affected.  A


number of factors could adversely affect our ability to access capital, including: (i) general economic conditions; (ii) capital market conditions; (iii) market prices for natural gas, NGLs and other hydrocarbons; (iv) the overall health of the energy and related industries; (v) our ability to maintain our investment-grade credit ratings; and (vi) our capital structure.  Much of our business is capital intensive, and achievement of our long-term growth targets is dependent, at least in part, upon our ability to access capital at rates and on terms we determine to be attractive.  If our ability to access capital becomes significantly constrained, our interest costs will likely increase and our financial condition and future results of operations could be significantly harmed.

Energy efficiency and technological advances may affect the demand for natural gas and adversely affect our operating results.

The national trend toward increased conservation and technological advances, including installation of improved insulation and the development of more efficient furnaces and other heating devices, may decrease the demand for natural gas by retail customers.  More strict conservation measures in the future or technological advances in heating, conservation, energy generation or other devices could adversely affect our operations.

The cost of providing pension and postretirement health care benefits to eligible employees and qualified retirees is subject to changes in pension fund values and changing demographics and may increase.

We have a defined benefit pension plan for certain employees and postretirement welfare plans that provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain employees who retire with at least five years of service.  The cost of providing these benefits to eligible current and former employees is subject to changes in the market value of our pension and postretirement benefit plan assets, changing demographics, including longer life expectancy of plan participants and their beneficiaries and changes in health care costs.

Any sustained declines in equity markets and reductions in bond yields may have a material adverse effect on the value of our pension and postretirement benefit plan assets.  In these circumstances, cash contributions to our pension plans may be required.
Our business could be adversely affected by strikes or work stoppages by our unionized employees.

As of January 31, 2008, 7482009, 739 of our 4,5554,742 employees were represented by labor unionscollective bargaining units under collective bargaining agreements.  We are involved periodically in discussions with labor unionscollective bargaining units representing some of our employees to negotiate or renegotiate labor agreements.  We cannot predict the results of these negotiations, including whether any failure to reach new agreements will have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations or whether we will be able to reach any agreement with the unions.collective bargaining units.  Any failure to reach agreement on new labor contracts might result in a work stoppage.  Any future work stoppage could, depending on the operations and the length of the work stoppage, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of certain operations.

We may face significant costs to comply with the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

Global warming is a significant concern for the energy industry.  Various federal and state legislative proposals have been introduced to regulate the emission of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide and methane, and the United States Supreme Court has ruled that carbon dioxide is a pollutant subject to regulation by the EPA.  In addition, there have been international efforts seeking legally binding reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases.

We believe it is likely that future governmental legislation and/or regulation may require us either to limit greenhouse gas emissions from our operations or to purchase allowances for such emissions.  However, we cannot predict precisely what form these future regulations will take, the stringency of the regulations or when they will become effective.  Several bills have been introduced in the United States Congress that would compel carbon dioxide emission reductions.  Previously considered proposals have included, among other things, limitations on the amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted (so called “caps”) together with systems of emissions allowances.  This type of system could require us to reduce emissions, even though the technology is not currently available for efficient reduction, or to purchase allowances for such emissions.  Emissions also could be taxed independently of limits.

In addition to activities on the federal level, state and regional initiatives could also lead to the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions sooner and/or independent of federal regulation.  These regulations could be more stringent than any federal legislation that is adopted.


Future legislation and/or regulation designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could make some of our activities uneconomic to maintain or operate and could affect future results of operations, cash flows or financial condition if such costs are not recovered through regulated rates.

We continue to monitor legislative and regulatory developments in this area.  Although we expect the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions may have a material impact on our operations and rates, we believe it is premature to attempt to quantify the potential costs of the impacts.
We do not fully hedge against price changes in commodities.  This could result in decreased revenues and increased costs, thereby resulting in lower margins and adversely affecting our results of operations.

Certain of our nonregulated businesses are exposed to market risk and the impact of market price fluctuations of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil.  Market risk refers to the risk of loss of cash flows and future earnings arising from adverse changes in commodity energy prices.  Our Energy Services segment’s primary exposure arisesexposures arise from fixed-price physical purchase or sale agreements that extend for periods of up to five years and natural gas in storage utilized by our Energy Services segment,storage.  Our ONEOK Partners segment’s primary exposures arise from commodity prices with respect to ONEOK Partners’ processing contractsagreements and the differencedifferentials between NGL and natural gas and NGLs, as well as the individual NGL products, prices with respect to natural gas and NGL transportation, fractionation and exchange agreements, as well as the differential between the individual NGL products and the differentials in natural gas and NGLs in storage utilized in our operations.  Our ONEOK Partners and our Energy Services segmentsegments are also exposed to the risk of changing prices or the cost of transportation resulting from purchasing natural gas or NGLs at one location and selling it at another (referred to as basis risk).  To minimize the risk from market price fluctuations of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil, we use commodity derivative instruments such as futures contracts, swaps and options to manage market risk of existing or anticipated purchases and sales of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil.  We adhere to policies and procedures that limitmonitor our exposure to market risk from open positions and that monitor our market risk exposure.positions.  However, we do not fully hedge against commodity price changes, and therefore, we retain some exposure to market risk.  Accordingly, any adverse changes to commodity prices could result in decreased revenue and increased costs.

Our Distribution segment uses storage to minimize the volatility of natural gas costs for our customers by storing natural gas in periods of low demand for consumption in peak demand periods.  In addition, various natural gas supply contracts allow us the option to convert index-based purchases to fixed prices.  Also, we use derivative instruments to hedge the cost of anticipated natural gas purchases during the winter heating months to protect customers from upward volatility in the market price of natural gas. Oklahoma Natural Gas was recently authorized

Federal, state and local jurisdictions may challenge our tax return positions.

The positions taken in our federal and state tax return filings require significant judgments, use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws.  Significant judgment is also required in assessing the timing and amounts of deductible and taxable items.  Despite management’s belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable, certain positions may be successfully challenged by the OCC to implement a natural gas hedge program as a three-year pilot program, with up to $10 million per year in hedge costs to be recovered from customers. Texas Gas Service also has a natural gas hedging program for certain of itsfederal, state and local jurisdictions.


Although we control ONEOK Partners, we may have conflicts of interest with ONEOK Partners which could subject us to claims that we have breached our fiduciary duty to ONEOK Partners and its unitholders.


We are the sole general partner and own 10047.7 percent of the general partner interest and a 43.7 percent limited partner interest in ONEOK Partners.  Conflicts of interest may arise between us and ONEOK Partners and its unitholders.  In resolving these conflicts, we may favor our own interests and the interests of our affiliates over the interests of ONEOK Partners and its unitholders as long as the resolution does not conflict with the ONEOK Partners’ partnership agreement or our fiduciary duties to ONEOK Partners and its unitholders.


We are subject to physical and financial risks associated with climate change.

There is a growing belief that emissions of greenhouse gases may be linked to global climate change.  Climate change creates physical and financial risk.  Our customers’ energy needs vary with weather conditions, primarily temperature and humidity.  For residential customers, heating and cooling represent their largest energy use.  To the extent weather conditions are affected by climate change, customers’ energy use could increase or decrease depending on the duration and magnitude of any changes.  Increased energy use due to weather changes may require us to invest in more pipeline and other infrastructure to serve increased demand.  A decrease in energy use due to weather changes may affect our financial condition, through decreased revenues.  Extreme weather conditions in general require more system backup, adding to costs, and can contribute to increased system stresses, including service interruptions.  Weather conditions outside of our service territory could also have an impact on our revenues.  Severe weather impacts our service territories primarily through hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes and snow or ice storms.  To the extent the frequency of extreme weather events increases, this could increase our cost of providing service.  We may not be able to pass on the higher costs to our customers or recover all the costs related to


mitigating these physical risks.  To the extent financial markets view climate change and emissions of greenhouse gases as a financial risk, this could negatively affect our ability to access capital markets or cause us to receive less favorable terms and conditions in future financings.

We may be subject to legislative and regulatory responses to climate change, with which compliance could be difficult and costly.

Legislative and regulatory responses related to climate change create financial risk.  Increased public awareness and concern may result in more state, regional and/or federal requirements to reduce or mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases.  Numerous states have announced or adopted programs to stabilize and reduce greenhouse gases and federal legislation has been introduced in both houses of the United States Congress.  Our pipelines, natural gas processing facilities and natural gas liquids fractionation facilities will potentially be subject to regulation under climate change policies introduced at either the state or federal level within the next few years.  We may not be able to pass on the higher costs to our customers or recover all costs related to complying with climate change regulatory requirements, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

RISK FACTORS RELATED TO ONEOK PARTNERS’ BUSINESS


The volatility of natural gas, crude oil and NGL prices could adversely affect ONEOK Partners’ cash flow.


A significant portion of ONEOK Partners’ revenues are derived from the sale of commodities received as payment for its natural gas gathering and processing services, for transportation and storage of natural gas and NGLs, and for the fractionation of NGLs.  As a result, ONEOK Partners is sensitive to commodity price fluctuations.  Commodity prices have been volatile and are likely to continue to be volatileso in the future.  HighRecent significant and steep declines in commodity prices and largecompressions in commodity price spreads may not continue anddifferentials could drop precipitously in a short period of time.have material negative impacts on ONEOK Partners’ financial results.  The prices ofONEOK Partners receives for its commodities are subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors beyond ONEOK Partners’ control, including the following:

relatively minor changes in the supply of, and demand for, domestic and foreign energy,

market uncertainty,

·  overall domestic and global economic conditions;

the availability and cost of transportation capacity,

·  relatively minor changes in the supply of, and demand for, domestic and foreign energy;

the level of consumer product demand,

·  market uncertainty;

geopolitical conditions impacting supply and demand for natural gas and crude oil,

·  the availability and cost of transportation capacity;

weather conditions,

·  the level of consumer product demand;

domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes,

·  geopolitical conditions impacting supply and demand for natural gas and crude oil;

the price and availability of alternative fuels,

·  weather conditions;

speculation in the commodity futures markets,

·  domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes;

overall domestic and global economic conditions,

·  the price and availability of alternative fuels;

the price of natural gas, crude oil, NGL and liquefied natural gas imports, and

·  speculation in the commodity futures markets;

the effect of worldwide energy conservation measures.

·  overall domestic and global economic conditions;

·  the price of natural gas, crude oil, NGL and liquefied natural gas imports; and
·  the effect of worldwide energy conservation measures.

These external factors and the volatile nature of the energy markets make it difficult to reliably estimate future prices of commodities and the impact commodity price fluctuations have on our customers and their need for our services.  As commodity prices decline, ONEOK Partners is paid less for its commodities, thereby reducing its cash flow.  In addition, production and related volumes could also decline.

ONEOK Partners does not fully hedge against price changes in commodities. This could result in decreased revenues, increased costs and lower margins, thereby adversely affecting the results of ONEOK Partners’ operations.

The ONEOK Partners businesses are exposed to market risk and the impact of market fluctuations in natural gas, NGLs, and crude oil prices. Market risk refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in commodity energy prices. ONEOK Partners’ primary exposure arises from commodity prices with respect to processing agreements, the difference between NGL and natural gas prices with respect to our natural gas and NGL transportation, fractionation and exchange agreements, and the differential between the individual NGL products and NGLs in storage utilized by its natural gas liquids operations. To manage the risk from market fluctuations in natural gas, NGL and condensate prices, ONEOK Partners uses commodity derivative instruments such as futures contracts, swaps and options. However, it does not fully hedge against commodity price changes, and it therefore retains some exposure to market risk. Accordingly, any adverse changes to commodity prices could result in decreased revenue and increased costs for ONEOK Partners.


ONEOK Partners’ use of financial instruments to hedge market risk may result in reduced income.


ONEOK Partners utilizes financial instruments to mitigate its exposure to interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.  Hedging instruments that are used to reduce its exposure to interest rate fluctuations could expose it to risk of financial loss where it has contracted for variable-rate swap instruments to hedge fixed-rate instruments and the variable rate exceeds the fixed rate.  In addition, these hedging arrangements may limit the benefit ONEOK Partners would otherwise receive if it has contracted for fixed-rate swap agreements to hedge variable-rate instruments and the variable rate falls below the fixed rate.  Hedging arrangements that are used to reduce ONEOK Partners’ exposure to commodity price fluctuations may limit the benefit ONEOK Partners would otherwise receive if market prices for natural gas and NGLs exceed the stated price in the hedge instrument for these commodities.




ONEOK Partners’ inability to execute growth and development projects and acquire new assets could reduce cash distributions to its unitholders and to ONEOK.

ONEOK Partners’ primary business objectives are to generate cash flow sufficient to pay quarterly cash distributions to unitholders and to increase quarterly cash distributions over time.  ONEOK Partners’ ability to maintain and grow its distributions to unitholders, including ONEOK, depends on the growth of its existing businesses and strategic acquisitions.  Accordingly, if ONEOK Partners is unable to implement business development opportunities and finance such activities on economically acceptable terms, its future growth will be limited, which could adversely impact its and our results of operations and cash flows.

Growing ONEOK Partners’ business by constructing new pipelines and new processing and treating facilitiesplants or making modifications to its existing facilities subjects ONEOK Partners to construction risks and risks that adequate natural gas or NGL supplies will not be available upon completion of the facilities.


One of the ways ONEOK Partners intends to grow its business is through the construction of new pipelines and new gathering, processing, storage and fractionation facilities and through modifications to ONEOK Partners’ existing pipelines and existing gathering, processing, storage and fractionation facilities.  The construction and modification of pipelines and gathering, processing, storage and fractionation facilities requires the expenditure of significant amounts of capital, which may exceed ONEOK Partners’ estimates, and involves numerous regulatory, environmental, political and legal uncertainties.  Construction projects in ONEOK Partners’ industry may increase demand onfor labor, materials and materialrights of way, which, may, in turn, impact ONEOK Partners’ costs and schedule.  If ONEOK Partners undertakes these projects, it may not be able to complete them on schedule or at the budgeted cost.  Additionally, ONEOK Partners’ revenues may not increase immediately upon the expenditure of funds on a particular project.  For instance, if ONEOK Partners builds a new pipeline, the construction will occur over an extended period of time, and ONEOK Partners will not receive any material increases in revenues until after completion of the project.  ONEOK Partners may have only limited natural gas or NGL supplies committed to these facilities prior to their construction.  Additionally, ONEOK Partners may construct facilities to capture anticipated future growth in production in a region in which anticipated production growth does not materialize.  ONEOK Partners may also rely on estimates of proved reserves in ONEOK Partners’ decision to construct new pipelines and facilities, which may prove to be inaccurate because there are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves.  As a result, new facilities may not be able to attract enough natural gas or NGLs to achieve ONEOK Partners’ expected investment return, which could adversely affect ONEOK Partners’ results of operations and financial condition.


ONEOK Partners’ inabilityPartners does not own all of the land on which its pipelines and facilities are located, which could disrupt its operations.

ONEOK Partners does not own all of the land on which certain of its pipelines and facilities are located, and is, therefore, subject to execute growththe risk of increased costs to maintain necessary land use.  ONEOK Partners obtains the rights to construct and development projectsoperate certain of its pipelines and acquire new assets could reduce cash distributions to its unitholders.

ONEOK Partners’ primary business objectives are to generate cash flow sufficient to pay quarterly cash distributions to unitholdersrelated facilities on land owned by third parties and to increase quarterly cash distributions overgovernmental agencies for a specific period of time.  ONEOK Partners’ abilityloss of these rights, through its inability to maintain and grow its distributionsrenew right-of-way contracts, or increased costs to unitholders dependsrenew such rights, could have a material adverse effect on the growth of its existing businesses and strategic acquisitions. Accordingly, if ONEOK Partners is unable to implement business development opportunities and finance such activities on economically acceptable terms, its future growth will be limited, which could adversely impact theour financial condition, results of operations.

operations and cash flows.


ONEOK Partners’ operations are subject to operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions, which could adversely affect its business and for which ONEOK Partners may not be adequately insured.


ONEOK Partners’ operations are subject to all of the risks and hazards typically associated with the operation of natural gas and natural gas liquids gathering and transportation pipelines, storage facilities and processing and fractionation plants.  Operating risks include, but are not limited to, leaks, pipeline ruptures, the breakdown or failure of equipment or processes, and the performance of pipeline facilities below expected levels of capacity and efficiency.  Other operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions include adverse weather conditions, accidents, the collision of equipment with ONEOK Partners’ pipeline facilities (for example, this may occur if a third party were to perform excavation or construction work near ONEOK Partners’ facilities), and catastrophic events such as explosions, fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods or other similar events beyond ONEOK Partners’ control.  It is also possible that ONEOK Partners’ infrastructure facilities could be direct targets or indirect casualties of an act of terrorism. A casualty occurrence might result in injury or loss of life, extensive property damage or environmental damage.  Liabilities incurred and interruptions to the operation of ONEOK Partners’ pipeline caused by such an event could reduce revenues generated by ONEOK Partners and increase expenses, thereby impairing ONEOK Partners’ ability to meet its obligations.  Insurance proceeds may not be adequate to cover all liabilities or expenses incurred or revenues lost.

lost, and ONEOK Partners is not fully insured against all risks inherent to ONEOK Partners’ business. Additionally, in accordance with typical industry practice, ONEOK Partners does not have any property insurance on any of our underground pipeline systems that would cover damage to such systems.



As a result of market conditions, premiums and deductibles for certain insurance policies can increase substantially, and in some instances, certain insurance may become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of coverage.  For example, change in the insurance markets subsequent to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the hurricanes in 2005 and 2008 have made it more difficult for ONEOK Partners to obtain certain types of coverage.  Consequently, ONEOK Partners may not be able to renew existing insurance policies or procure other desirable insurance on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.  If ONEOK Partners was to incur a significant liability for which ONEOK Partners was not fully insured, it could have a material adverse effect on ONEOK Partners’ financial position and results of operations.  Further, the proceeds of any such insurance may not be paid in a timely manner and may be insufficient if such an event were to occur.

If the level of drilling and production in the Mid-Continent, Rocky Mountain, Texas and Gulf Coast regions substantially declines near its assets, ONEOK Partners’ volumes and revenue could decline.


ONEOK Partners’ ability to maintain or expand its businesses depends largely on the level of drilling and production in the Mid-Continent, Texas, Rocky Mountain and Gulf Coast regions.  Drilling and production are impacted by factors beyond ONEOK Partners’ control, including:

demand for natural gas and refinery-grade crude oil;

producers’ desire and ability to obtain necessary permits in a timely and economic manner,

·  demand for natural gas and refinery-grade crude oil;

natural gas field characteristics and production performance;

·  producers’ desire and ability to obtain necessary permits in a timely and economic manner;

surface access and infrastructure issues; and

·  natural gas field characteristics and production performance;

capacity constraints on natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids pipelines from the producing areas and ONEOK Partners’ facilities.

·  surface access and infrastructure issues; and

·  capacity constraints on natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids pipelines from the producing areas and ONEOK Partners’ facilities.

In addition, drilling and production aremay be impacted by environmental regulations governing water discharge.  If the level of drilling and production in any of these regions substantially declines, ONEOK Partners’ volumes and revenue could be reduced.


If production from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin remains flat or declines and demand for natural gas from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin is greater in market areas other than the Midwestern United States, demand for ONEOK Partners’ interstate gas transportation services could significantly decrease.


ONEOK Partners depends on natural gas supply from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin because ONEOK Partners’ interstate pipelines primarily transport Canadian natural gas from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin to the Midwestern U.S. market area.  If demand for natural gas increases in Canada or other markets not served by ONEOK Partners’ interstate pipelines and production remains flat or declines, demand for transportation service on ONEOK Partners’ interstate natural gas pipelines could decrease significantly, which could adversely impact ONEOK Partners’ results of operations.


Pipeline integrity programs and repairs may impose significant costs and liabilities.

In December 2003, the


Pursuant to a United States Department of Transportation issued a final rule, requiring pipeline operators were required to develop integrity management programs for intrastate and interstate natural gas and natural gas liquids pipelines located near high consequence areas, where a leak or rupture could do the most harm.  The final rule also requires operators to perform ongoing assessments of pipeline integrity; identify and characterize applicable threats to pipeline segments that could impact a high consequence area; improve data collection, integration and analysis; repair and remediate the pipeline as necessary; and implement preventive and mitigating actions.  The final rule incorporates the requirements of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 and became effective in January 2004. The results of these testing programs could cause ONEOK Partners to incur significant capital and operating expenditures to make repairs or take remediation, preventive or mitigating actions that are determined to be necessary.


ONEOK Partners’ regulated natural gas pipelines’ transportation rates are subject to review and possible adjustment by federal and state regulators.


ONEOK Partners’ regulated natural gas pipelines are subject to extensive regulation by the FERC and state regulatory agencies, which regulate most aspects of ONEOK Partners’ pipeline business, including ONEOK Partners’ transportation rates.  Under the Natural Gas Act, which is applicable to interstate natural gas pipelines, and the Interstate Commerce Act, which is applicable to crude oil and natural gas liquids pipelines, interstate transportation rates must be just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory. Under Northern Border Pipeline’s 2006 rate case settlement, there is

Action by the FERC or a three-year moratorium preventing Northern Border Pipeline from filing rate cases and the participants from challenging Northern Border Pipeline’sstate regulatory agency could adversely affect ONEOK Partners’ pipeline business’ ability to establish or charge rates andthat would cover future increases in their costs, or even to continue to collect rates that cover current costs, including a requirementreasonable return.  ONEOK Partners cannot assure unitholders that Northern Border Pipeline file a rate case within six years.

its pipeline systems will be able to recover all of its costs through existing or future rates.



ONEOK Partners’ regulated pipeline companies have recorded certain assets that may not be recoverable from its customers.


Accounting policies for FERC-regulated companies permit certain assets that result from the regulated ratemaking process to be recorded on the ONEOK Partners balance sheet that could not be recorded under GAAP for nonregulated entities.  ONEOK Partners considers factors such as regulatory changes and the impact of competition to determine the probability of future recovery of these assets.  If ONEOK Partners determines future recovery is no longer probable, ONEOK Partners would be required to write off the regulatory assets at that time.


ONEOK Partners’ operations are subject to federal and state laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, which may expose it to significant costs and liabilities.


The risk of incurring substantial environmental costs and liabilities is inherent in ONEOK Partners’ business.  ONEOK Partners’ operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into, or otherwise relating to the protection of, the environment.  Examples of these laws include:

the federal Clean Air Act and analogous state laws that impose obligations related to air emissions;

the federal Clean Water Act and analogous state laws that regulate discharge of wastewaters from ONEOK Partners’ facilities to state and federal waters;

·  the federal Clean Air Act and analogous state laws that impose obligations related to air emissions;

the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and analogous state laws that regulate the cleanup of hazardous substances that may have been released at properties currently or previously owned or operated by ONEOK Partners or locations to which ONEOK Partners has sent waste for disposal; and

·  the federal Clean Water Act and analogous state laws that regulate discharge of wastewaters from ONEOK Partners’ facilities to state and federal waters;

the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and analogous state laws that impose requirements for the handling and discharge of solid and hazardous waste from ONEOK Partners’ facilities.

·  the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and analogous state laws that regulate the cleanup of hazardous substances that may have been released at properties currently or previously owned or operated by ONEOK Partners or locations to which ONEOK Partners has sent waste for disposal; and

·  the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and analogous state laws that impose requirements for the handling and discharge of solid and hazardous waste from ONEOK Partners’ facilities.

Various governmental authorities, including the United States EPA, have the power to enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits issued under them.  Violators are subject to administrative, civil and criminal penalties, including civil fines, injunctions or both.  Joint and several, strict liability may be incurred without regard to fault under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and analogous state laws for the remediation of contaminated areas.


There is an inherent risk of incurring environmental costs and liabilities in ONEOK Partners’ business due to its handling of the products it gathers, transports and processes, air emissions related to its operations, historical industry operations and waste disposal practices, some of which may be material.  Private parties, including the owners of properties through which ONEOK Partners’ pipeline systems pass, may have the right to pursue legal actions to enforce compliance as well as to seek damages for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations or for personal injury or property damage arising from ONEOK Partners’ operations.  Some sites ONEOK Partners operates are located near current or former third-party hydrocarbon storage and processing operations, and there is a risk that contamination has migrated from those sites to ONEOK Partners’ sites.  In addition, increasingly strict laws, regulations and enforcement policies could significantly increase ONEOK Partners’ compliance costs and the cost of any remediation that may become necessary, some of which may be material.  Additional information is included under Item 1, Business under “Environmental and Safety Matters” and in Note K of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


ONEOK Partners’ insurance may not cover all environmental risks and costs or may not provide sufficient coverage in the event an environmental claim is made against ONEOK Partners.  ONEOK Partners’ business may be adversely affected by increased costs due to stricter pollution control requirements or liabilities resulting from non-compliance with required operating or other regulatory permits.  New environmental regulations might also adversely affect ONEOK Partners’ products and activities, and federal and state agencies could impose additional safety requirements, all of which could materially affect ONEOK Partners’ profitability.


In the competition for customers, ONEOK Partners may have significant levels of uncontracted or discounted transportation and storage capacity on its natural gas and natural gas liquids pipelines.

pipelines and in its storage assets.


ONEOK Partners’ natural gas and natural gas liquids pipeline businessespipelines and storage assets compete with other pipelines and storage facilities for natural gas and natural gas liquidsNGL supplies delivered to the markets it serves.  As a result of competition, ONEOK Partners may have significant levels of uncontracted or discounted capacity on its pipelines and in its storage assets, which could adverselyhave a material adverse impact on ONEOK Partners’ results of operations.




ONEOK Partners is exposed to the credit risk of its customers or counterparties, and its credit risk management may not be adequate to protect against such risk.


ONEOK Partners is subject to the risk of loss resulting from nonpayment and/or nonperformance by ONEOK Partners’ customers.customers or counterparties.  ONEOK Partners’ customers are predominantly producers, NGL end users and marketers thator counterparties may experience deterioration of their financial condition as a result of changing market conditions or financial difficulties that could impact their credit worthinesscreditworthiness or ability to pay ONEOK Partners for its services.  ONEOK Partners assesses the credit worthinesscreditworthiness of its customers or counterparties and obtains security as it deems appropriate.  If ONEOK Partners fails to adequately assess the credit worthinesscreditworthiness of existing or future customers or counterparties, unanticipated deterioration in their credit worthinesscreditworthiness and any resulting nonpayment and/or nonperformance could adversely impact ONEOK Partners’ results of operations.  In addition, if any of ONEOK Partners’ customers fileor counterparties files for bankruptcy protection, this could have a material negative impact on ONEOK Partners’ results of operations may be negatively impacted.

operations.


Any reduction in the ONEOK PartnersPartners’ credit ratings could materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.


ONEOK Partners’ senior unsecured long-term debt has been assigned an investment gradeinvestment-grade rating by Moody’s of “Baa2” (Stable) and by S&P of “BBB” (Stable).  ONEOK Partners will seek to maintain an investment grade rating through prudent capital management and financing structures. However, ONEOK Partnerswe cannot provide assurance that any of its current ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances in the future so warrant.  Specifically, if Moody’s or S&P were to downgrade ONEOK Partners’ long-term debt rating, particularly below investment grade, its borrowing costs would increase, which would adversely affect its financial results, and its potential pool of investors and funding sources could decrease.  Ratings from credit agencies are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold ONEOK Partners’ securities.  Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.


A downgrade of ONEOK Partners’ credit rating may require ONEOK Partners to offer to repurchase certain of its senior notes or may impair its ability to access capital.


ONEOK Partners could be required to offer to repurchase certain of its senior notes due 2010 and 2011 at par value, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if Moody’s or S&P rates those senior notes below investment grade (Baa3 for Moody’s and BBB- for S&P). and the investment-grade rating is not reinstated within a period of 40 days.  Further, the indenture governing ONEOK Partners’ senior notes due 2010 and 2011 includesinclude an event of default upon acceleration of other indebtedness of $25 million or more and the indentureindentures governing ONEOK Partners’ senior notes due 2012, 2016, 2036 and 2037 includesinclude an event of default upon the acceleration of other indebtedness of $100 million or more that would be triggered by such an offer to repurchase.  Such an event of default would entitle the trustee or the holders of 25 percent in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior notes due 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2036 and 2037 to declare those notes immediately due and payable in full.  ONEOK Partners may not have sufficient cash on hand to repurchase and repay any accelerated senior notes, which may cause ONEOK Partners to borrow money under its credit facilities or seek alternative financing sources to finance the repaymentsrepurchases and repurchases.repayment.  ONEOK Partners could also face difficulties accessing capital or its borrowing costs could increase, impacting its ability to obtain financing for acquisitions or capital expenditures, to refinance indebtedness and to fulfill its debt obligations.


ONEOK Partners has adopted certain valuation methodologies that may result in a shift of income, gain, loss and deduction between the general partner and the unitholders.  The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of its limited partner units.


When ONEOK Partners issues additional units or engages in certain other transactions, ONEOK Partners determines the fair market value of its assets and allocates any unrealized gain or loss attributable to its assets to the capital accounts of its unitholders and its general partner.  ONEOK Partners’ methodology may be viewed as understating the value of its assets.  In that case, there may be a shift of income, gain, loss and deduction between certain unitholders and the general partner, which may be unfavorable to such unitholders.  Moreover, under ONEOK Partners’ current valuation methods, subsequent purchasers of common units may have a greater portion of their Internal Revenue Code Section 743(b) adjustment allocated

to ONEOK Partners’ tangible assets and a lesser portion allocated to ONEOK Partners’ intangible assets.  The IRS may challenge ONEOK Partners’ valuation methods or ONEOK Partners’ allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to ONEOK Partners’ tangible and intangible assets, and allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction between the general partner and certain of ONEOK Partners’ unitholders.


A successful IRS challenge to these methods or allocations could adversely affect the amount of taxable income or loss being allocated to ONEOK Partners’ unitholders.  It also could affect the amount of gain from ONEOK Partners unitholders’ sale


of common units and could have a negative impact on the value of the common units or result in audit adjustments to ONEOK Partners unitholders’ tax returns without the benefit of additional deductions.


ONEOK Partners’ treatment of a purchaser of common units as having the same tax benefits as the seller could be challenged, resulting in a reduction in value of the common units.


Because ONEOK Partners cannot match transferors and transferees of common units, ONEOK Partners is required to maintain the uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of these units in the hands of the purchasers and sellers of these units.  ONEOK Partners does so by adopting certain depreciation conventions that do not conform to all aspects of the United States Treasury regulations.  An IRS challenge to these conventions could adversely affect the tax benefits to a unitholder of ownership of the common units and could have a negative impact on their value or result in audit adjustments to ONEOK Partners unitholders’ tax returns.

ITEM 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS


ITEM 1B.                      UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2.PROPERTIES


ITEM 2.                      PROPERTIES

DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES


ONEOK Partners

Property

- Our ONEOK Partners segment property consists ofowns the following:

approximately 14,300 miles of raw natural gas gathering pipelines with capacity owned, leased or contracted for in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions,

following assets:

thirteen active gas processing plants with approximately 725 MMcf/d of owned, leased or contracted processing capacity in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions,

·  approximately 10,100 miles and 4,500 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions, respectively;

approximately 18 MBbl/d of natural gas liquids fractionation capacity in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions,

·  nine active natural gas processing plants with approximately 645 MMcf/d of processing capacity in the Mid-Continent region and four active natural gas processing plants with approximately 80 MMcf/d of processing capacity in the Rocky Mountain region;

approximately 1,290
·  approximately 18 MBbl/d of natural gas liquids fractionation capacity at various natural gas processing plants in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions;

·  approximately 1,320 miles of FERC-regulated interstate natural gas pipelines with approximately 2.5 Bcf/d of peak transportation capacity;
·  approximately 5,560 miles of intrastate natural gas gathering and state-regulated intrastate transmission pipelines with peak transportation capacity of approximately 3.3 Bcf/d;
·  approximately 51.6 Bcf of total active working natural gas storage capacity;
·  approximately 2,011 miles of natural gas liquids gathering pipelines with peak capacity of approximately 247 MBbl/d;
·  approximately 163 miles of natural gas liquids distribution pipelines with peak transportation capacity of approximately 66 MBbl/d;
·  two natural gas liquids fractionators with operating capacity of approximately 260 MBbl/d;
·  150 MBbl/d of fractionation capacity, including leased capacity;
·  80 percent ownership interest in one natural gas liquids fractionator with operating capacity of approximately 160 MBbl/d;
·  interest in one natural gas liquids fractionator with proportional operating capacity of approximately 11 MBbl/d;
·  one 9 MBbl/d isomerization unit;
·  six NGL storage facilities and four other leased facilities in Okalahoma, Kansas and Texas, with approximately 26.4 MMBbl of total operating underground NGL storage capacity;
·  approximately 1,480 miles of FERC-regulated natural gas liquids gathering pipelines with peak capacity of approximately 203 MBbl/d;
·  approximately 3,480 miles of FERC-regulated natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products distribution pipelines with peak transportation capacity of 691 MBbl/d;
·  eight NGL product terminals in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois; and
·  above- and below-ground storage facilities in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and Kansas with 978 MBbl operating capacity.



ONEOK Partners’ natural gas pipelines with approximately 2.4 Bcf/d of peak transportation capacity,

approximately 5,630 miles of intrastate natural gas gathering and state-regulated intrastate transmission pipelines with peak transportation capacity of approximately 2.9 Bcf/d,

business owns five underground natural gas storage facilities in Oklahoma, three underground natural gas storage facilities in Kansas and three underground natural gas storage facilities in TexasTexas.  One of its natural gas storage facilities has been idle since 2001 following natural gas explosions and eruptions of natural gas geysers in Hutchinson, Kansas.  ONEOK Partners began injecting brine into the idled facility in the first quarter of 2007 in order to ensure its long-term integrity.  ONEOK Partners expects to complete the injection process by the end of 2011.  Monitoring of the facility and review of the data for the geoengineering study are ongoing, in compliance with total active workinga KDHE order while ONEOK Partners evaluates the alternatives for the facility.  Following the testing of the gathered data, ONEOK Partners expects to return the facility to storage service, although most likely for a product other than natural gas.  The return to service will require KDHE approval.  It is possible, however, that testing could reveal that it is not safe to return the facility to service or that the KDHE will not grant the required permits to resume service.


Utilization - The utilization rates for ONEOK Partners’ various businesses for 2008 were as follows:
·  natural gas processing plants were approximately 71 percent;
·  natural gas pipelines were approximately 86 percent subscribed, and storage facilities were fully subscribed;
·  natural gas liquids gathering pipelines were approximately 73 percent;
·  ONEOK Partners’ average contracted storage volume were approximately 74 percent of storage capacity;
·  natural gas liquids fractionators were approximately 87 percent;
·  FERC-regulated natural gas liquids gathering pipelines were approximately 55 percent; and
·  natural gas liquids distribution pipelines were approximately 49 percent.

ONEOK Partners calculated utilization on its assets using a weighted-average approach, adjusting for the in-service dates of assets placed in service during 2008.  The utilization rate of ONEOK Partners’ fractionation facilities reflects approximate proportional capacity associated with ownership interests noted above and partial service for the Bushton facilities, which were placed in service during the second half of 2008.

On January 1, 2007, the Bushton Plant was temporarily idled as a result of a decline in natural gas volumes available for natural gas processing at this straddle plant.  Volumes declined due to natural field declines and as a result of contract terminations, as advances in technology made it more cost efficient to process natural gas at other facilities.  ONEOK Partners has contracted for all of the capacity of approximately 51.6 Bcf,

the plant from ONEOK.

50 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline,


approximately 2,570 miles of ownedDuring 2007 and contracted2008, ONEOK Partners added new natural gas liquids gathering pipelinesfractionation facilities at the Bushton location, in conjunction with peakother changes that were made to the NGL fractionation capabilities of the existing plant.  Although the Bushton Plant remains idled, ONEOK Partners currently has 150 MBbl/d of active NGL fractionation capacity as a result of approximately 270 MBbl/d,

combining the previously existing fractionation equipment with the new fractionation facilities.  ONEOK Partners resumed fractionating NGLs at the facilities in the second half of 2008.

approximately 3,513 miles of primarily FERC-regulated natural gas liquids distribution pipelines with peak capacity of 496 MBbl/d,


interest in four natural gas liquids fractionators with proportional operating capacity of approximately 399 MBbl/d,

Distribution

one 9 MBbls/d isomerization unit,


NGL storage facilities with operating storage capacity of approximately 25.6 MMBbl,

approximately 720 miles of FERC-regulated natural gas liquids gathering pipelines with peak capacity of approximately 93 MBbl/d, and

eight NGL product terminals in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois.

DistributionProperty

- We own approximately 18,100 miles of pipeline and other distribution facilities in Oklahoma, approximately 13,30012,800 miles of pipeline and other distribution facilities in Kansas, and approximately 9,5009,600 miles of pipeline and other distribution facilities in Texas. We own a number of warehouses, garages, meter and regulator houses, service buildings and other buildings throughout Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. We also own or lease a fleet of vehicles and maintain an inventory of spare parts, equipment and supplies.


Energy Services

Property

- Our total natural gas storage capacity under lease is 9691 Bcf, with maximum withdrawal capability of 2.42.3 Bcf/d and maximum injection capability of 1.61.5 Bcf/d.  Our current natural gas transportation capacity is 1.8 Bcf/d.  Our contracted storage and transportation capacity connects the major supply and demand centers throughout the United States and into Canada.  Our storage leases are spread across 2325 different facilities in seven statescontracts and two facilities in Canada, allowing us the flexibility to capture volatility in the energy markets.

Canada.


Other

OtherProperty

- We own a parking garage and land, subject to a long-term ground lease. Located on this land is the seventeen-story17-story ONEOK Plaza office building, with approximately 517,000 square feet of net rentable space. We currently lease ONEOK Plaza under a lease term that expires in 2009 with six five-year renewal options. Afterspace, and the primary term or any renewal period, we can purchase the property at its fair market value.associated parking garage.  In July 2007,March 2008, ONEOK Leasing Company gave notice of its intent to exercise its option to purchasepurchased ONEOK Plaza on or before the end of the current lease term, which is set to expire on September 30, 2009. In addition, ONEOK Leasing Company has entered into a purchase agreement with the owner of ONEOK Plaza that, if certain conditions are met, would accelerate the purchase of the building to a date on or before March 31, 2008, for the total purchase price of approximately $48 million.

million, which included $17.1 million for the present value of the remaining lease payments and $30.9 million for the base purchase price.



ITEM 3.                      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Will Price, et al. v. Gas Pipelines, et al. (f/k/a Quinque Operating Company, et al. v. Gas Pipelines, et al.), 26th Judicial District, District Court of Stevens County, Kansas, Civil Department, Case No. 99C30 (“Price I”).Plaintiffs brought suit on May 28, 1999, against us, five of our subsidiaries and one of our divisions, as well as approximately 225 other defendants.  Additionally, in connection with the completion of our acquisition of the natural gas liquids businesses owned by several Koch companies, on July 1, 2005, we acquired Koch Hydrocarbon, LP (renamed ONEOK Hydrocarbon, L.P.), which is also one of the defendants in this case.  Plaintiffs sought class certification for its claims for monetary damages that the defendants had underpaid gas producers and royalty owners throughout the United States by intentionally understating both the volume and the heating content of purchased gas.  After extensive briefing and a hearing, the Court refused to certify the class sought by plaintiffs.  Plaintiffs then filed an amended petition limiting the purported class to gas producers and royalty owners in Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming and limiting the claim to undermeasurement of volumes.  Oral argument on the plaintiffs’ motion to certify this suit as a class action was conducted on April 1, 2005.  The Court has not yet ruled on the class certification issue.


Will Price and Stixon Petroleum, et al. v. Gas Pipelines, et al., 26th Judicial District, District Court of Stevens County, Kansas, Civil Department, Case No. 03C232 (“Price II”).  This action was filed by the plaintiffs on May 12, 2003, after the Court had denied class status in Price I.  Plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages based upon a claim that 21 groups of defendants, including us and four of our subsidiaries, intentionally underpaid gas producers and royalty owners by understating the heating content of purchased gas in Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming.  Additionally, in connection with the completion of our acquisition of the natural gas liquids businesses owned by several Koch companies, on July 1, 2005, we acquired Koch Hydrocarbon, LP (renamed ONEOK Hydrocarbon, L.P.), which is also one of the defendants in this case.  Price II has been consolidated with Price I for the determination of whether either or both cases may properly be certified as class actions.  Oral argument on the plaintiffs’ motion to certify this suit as a class action was conducted on April 1, 2005.   The Court has not yet ruled on the class certification issue.


Loyd Smith, et al v. Kansas Gas Service Company, Inc.Mont Belvieu Emissions, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - Personnel of ONEOK Inc.Hydrocarbon Southwest, L.L.C. (OHSL), Western Resources, Inc., Mid Continent Market Center, Inc.,a subsidiary of ONEOK Gas Storage, L.L.C.,Partners, are in discussions with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) staff regarding air emissions from a heat exchanger at ONEOK Gas Storage Holdings, Inc., and ONEOK Gas Transportation, L.L.C.,Case No. 01-C-0029,Partners’ Mont Belvieu fractionator, which may have exceeded the emissions allowed under its air permit.  OHSL discovered the possibility of excessive air emissions in the District CourtMay 2008.  The TCEQ has not issued a notice of Reno County, Kansas, andGilley et al. v. Kansas Gas Service Company, Western Resources, Inc., ONEOK, Inc., ONEOK Gas Storage, L.L.C., ONEOK Gas Storage Holdings, Inc., ONEOK Gas Transportation L.L.C. and Mid Continent Market Center, Inc.,Case No. 01-C-0057, in the District Court of Reno County, Kansas.Two separate class action lawsuits were filed against us and several of our subsidiaries in early 2001 relating to certain gas explosions in Hutchinson, Kansas. The court certified two separate classes

of claimants, which included all owners of residential real estate in Reno County, Kansas, whose property had allegedly declined in value, and owners of businesses in Reno County whose income had allegedly suffered. Both cases were adjudicated in September 2004 and resulted in jury verdicts. In the class actionenforcement relating to the residential claimants, the jury awarded $5 million in actual damages, which was covered by insurance. In the business owners’ class action, the jury renderedemissions under this permit.  Although no assurances can be given, ONEOK Partners does not believe that any penalties associated with any alleged violations will have a defense verdict awarding no actual damages. The jury rejected claims for punitive damages in both cases. In a separate hearingmaterial adverse effect on Plaintiffs’ attorney fees, the court awarded $2,047,406 in fees and $646,090.78 in expenses, which was also covered by insurance. On April 11, 2005, the court denied plaintiffs’ motion for a new trial and denied a post-trial motion filed by defendants. The business-class plaintiffs and residential-class plaintiffs filed noticesits financial position, results of appeal. We filed a notice of appeal of the residential class action verdict and the attorney fee award. The cases were transferred to the Kansas Supreme Court. On October 26, 2007, the Kansas Supreme Court issued unanimous opinions on the appeals of the class action verdicts. The Court (i) affirmed the no damage verdict in favor of defendants in the Gilley business class, and (ii) reversed the $5 million actual damage verdict and $2.6 million attorneys fees and costs awarded to the Smith residential class, with instructions to enter judgment in favor of defendants. Plaintiffs’ rights to file a motion for a rehearing expired without plaintiffs taking any action, and the Court’s judgment was entered as directed on December 20, 2007. This case and all other cases regarding the gas explosions have been fully resolved.

operations, or net cash flows.


Gas Index Pricing Litigation:  We, ONEOK Energy Services Company, L.P. (“OESC”) and one other affiliate are defending, either individually or together, against the following lawsuits that claim damages resulting from the alleged market manipulation or false reporting of prices to gas index publications by us and others:Samuel P. Leggett, et al. v. Duke Energy Corporation, et al.(filed in the Chancery Court for the Twenty-Fifth Judicial District at Somerville, Tennessee, in January 2005);Sinclair Oil Corporation v. ONEOK Energy Services Corporation, L.P., et al.(filed in the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming in September 2005, transferred to MDL-1566 in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada);J.P. Morgan Trust Company v. ONEOK, Inc., et al.(filed in the District Court of Wyandotte County, Kansas, in October 2005, transferred to MDL-1566 in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada);Learjet, Inc., et al. v. ONEOK, Inc., et al.(filed in the District Court of Wyandotte, Kansas, in November 2005, transferred to MDL-1566 in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada);Breckenridge Brewery of Colorado, LLC, et al. v. ONEOK, Inc., et al.(filed in the District Court of Denver County, Colorado, in May 2006, transferred to MDL-1566 in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada);Missouri Public Service Commission v. ONEOK, Inc., et al. (filed in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri, in October 2006);Arandell Corporation, et al. v. Xcel Energy, Inc., et al.(filed in the Circuit Court for Dane County, Wisconsin, in December 2006,transferred to MDL-1566 in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada);Heartland Regional Medical Center, et al. v. ONEOK, Inc., et al.(filed in the Circuit Court of Buchanan County, Missouri, transferred to MDL-1566 in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada).  In each of these lawsuits, the plaintiffs allege that we, OESC and one other affiliate and approximately 10ten other energy companies and their affiliates engaged in an illegal scheme to inflate natural gas prices by providing false information to gas price index publications.publications during the years from 2000 to 2002.  All of the complaints arise out of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission investigation into and reports concerning false gas price index-reporting or manipulation in the energy marketing industry.  Other than as noted below, each of the cases are still in preliminary pretrial proceedings primarily involving the filingdiscovery.



Motions to dismiss were granted in theLeggett, Sinclair, andSinclairMissouri Public Service Commission cases.  The dismissal of theSinclair case was appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. BecauseCircuit, but is in the process of recent decisions by the Ninth Circuit in similar cases, OESC has advised the Ninth Circuit that it has elected to withdraw its oppositionbeing remanded back to the appeal and consents to a remand of the case back tomulti-district litigation matter MDL-1566 in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada for further proceedings.  The dismissal of theLeggett case was appealedreversed by the plaintiffs to the Tennessee Court of Appeals which has been fully briefedon October 29, 2008, but the defendants, including us and awaits a ruling byOESC, have filed an application with the court.Tennessee Supreme Court to appeal the decision.  On February 18, 2008,January 8, 2009, summary judgment was granted in favor of us and OESCall of the defendants except one in theBreckenridge case.case and judgment was entered against the plaintiffs in favor of those defendants, including us, OESC and our other affiliate.  We continue to analyze all of these claims and are vigorously defending against them.

ITEM 4.
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matter was submitted to a vote of our security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter 2007.

2008.


PART II.

II

ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES


MARKET INFORMATION AND HOLDERS


Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol “OKE.”  The corporate name ONEOK is used in newspaper stock listings.  The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices of our common stock for the periods indicated.

    Year Ended
December 31, 2007
  Year Ended
December 31, 2006
    
    High  Low  High  Low    

First Quarter

  $46.13  $40.12  $32.35  $26.56  

Second Quarter

  $54.58  $44.57  $34.80  $30.29  

Third Quarter

  $54.86  $43.65  $39.17  $33.18  

Fourth Quarter

  $52.05  $44.29  $44.26  $38.25   



  Year Ended  Year Ended 
  December 31, 2008  December 31, 2007 
  High  Low  High  Low 
First Quarter $49.21  $43.93  $46.13  $40.12 
Second Quarter $50.63  $45.62  $54.58  $44.57 
Third Quarter $49.59  $33.41  $54.86  $43.65 
Fourth Quarter $34.35  $23.17  $52.05  $44.29 

At February 20, 2008,18, 2009, there were 14,45713,804 holders of record of our 104,060,539 105,239,496 outstanding shares of common stock.


DIVIDENDS


The following table sets forth the quarterly dividends declared and paid per share of our common stock during the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,   
    2007  2006    

First Quarter

  $0.34  $0.28   

Second Quarter

  $0.34  $0.30   

Third Quarter

  $0.36  $0.32   

Fourth Quarter

  $0.36  $0.32 (a)  
(a) - Declared in the previous quarter.     

A quarterly

 Years Ended December 31,
   2008  2007 
First Quarter $0.38 $0.34 
Second Quarter $0.38 $0.34 
Third Quarter $0.40 $0.36 
Fourth Quarter $0.40 $0.36 (a)
(a) - Declared in the previous quarter. 

In January 2009, we declared a dividend of $0.38$0.40 per share was declared in January 2008, payable in($1.60 per share on an annualized basis) for the firstfourth quarter of 2008.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our equity compensation plans2008, which was paid on February 13, 2009, to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2007.

Plan Category  

Number of Securities

to be Issued Upon
Exercise of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and Rights

  Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
  Number of Securities
Remaining Available For
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities in Column (a))
   
    (a)  (b)  (c)    

Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders (1)

  2,094,711  $28.38   2,911,298  

Equity compensation plans not approved
by security holders (2)

  183,983  $39.33 (3) 3,658,244   

Total

  2,278,694  $29.26   6,569,542  
 
(1)Includes shares granted under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and stock options, restricted stock incentive units and performance unit awards granted under our Long-Term Incentive Plan and Equity Compensation Plan. For a brief description of the material features of these plans, see Note O of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Column (c) includes 625,901, 1,170,987, 1,114,410 shares available for future issuance under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Long-Term Incentive Plan and Equity Compensation Plan, respectively.
(2)Includes our Employee Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, and Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. For a brief description of the material features of these plans, see Note O of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Column (c) includes 464,557, 2,165,938, 972,101 and 55,648 shares available for future issuance under our Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, Thrift Plan, Profit Sharing Plan and Employee Stock Award Program, respectively. The Employee Stock Award Program is described below.
(3)Compensation deferred into our common stock under our Employee Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors is distributed to participants at fair market value on the date of distribution. The price used for these plans to calculate the weighted-average exercise price in the table is $44.77, which represents the year-end closing price of our common stock.

January 30, 2009.




ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES


The following table sets forth information relating to our purchases of our common stock for the periods shown.

Period  Total Number of
Shares Purchased
  Average Price
Paid per Share
  Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
  

Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value) of
Shares (or Units) that May

Be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs

    

October 1 - 31, 2007

  34 (1) $48.01  -    -    

November 1 - 30, 2007

  270 (1) $49.95  -    -    

December 1 - 31, 2007

    118 (1) $46.36  -    -     

Total

  422   $48.79  -    -    
 
(1)Represents shares repurchased directly from employees, pursuant to our Employee Stock Award Program.

PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs 
                
October 1-31, 2008  -   -    -    -  
November 1-30, 2008  -   -    -    -  
December 1-31, 2008  10   (1) $27.38    -    -  
Total  10  $27.38    -    -  
                
(1) - Represents shares repurchased directly from employees, pursuant to our Employee Stock Award Program.

EMPLOYEE STOCK AWARD PROGRAM


Under our Employee Stock Award Program, we issued, for no consideration, to all eligible employees (all full-time employees and employees on short-term disability) one share of our common stock when the per-share closing price of our common stock on the NYSE was for the first time at or above $26 per share, and we have issued and will continue to issue, for no consideration, one additional share of our common stock to all eligible employees when the closing price on the NYSE is for the first time at or above each one dollar increment above $26 per share.  The total number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under this program is 200,000.

300,000.


Through December 31, 2007,2008, a total of 144,352 shares hadhave been issued to employees under this program.  The shares issued under this program have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act), in reliance upon the position taken by the SEC (see Release No. 6188, dated February 1, 1980) that the issuance of shares to employees pursuant to a program of this kind does not require registration under the 1933 Act.

  See Note N of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.




PERFORMANCE GRAPH


The following performance graph compares the performance of our common stock with the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Utilities Index during the period beginning on December 31, 2002,2003, and ending on December 31, 2007.2008.  The graph assumes a $100 investment in our common stock and in each of the indices at the beginning of the period and a reinvestment of dividends paid on such investments throughout the period.

Value of $100 Investment Assuming Reinvestment of Dividends

At December 31, 2002, and at the End of Every Year Through December 31, 2007

Among ONEOK, Inc., The S&P 500 Index and The S&P Utilities Index

   Cumulative Total Return
   Years Ending December 31,   
    2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007    

ONEOK, Inc.

  $100.00  $119.08  $159.26  $154.82  $259.72  $277.69  

S&P 500 Index

  $100.00  $128.68  $142.69  $149.70  $173.34  $182.87  

S&P Utilities Index (a)

  $100.00  $126.26  $156.91  $183.34  $221.82  $264.81  
(a)At December 31, 2003, and at the End of Every Year Through December 31, 2008
-Among ONEOK, Inc., The Standard & PoorsS&P 500 Index and The S&P Utilities Index is comprised of the following companies: AES Corp.; Allegheny Energy, Inc.; Ameren Corp.; American Electric Power Co., Inc.; Centerpoint Energy, Inc.; CMS Energy Corp.; Consolidated Edison, Inc.; Constellation Energy Group, Inc.; Dominion Resources, Inc.; DTE Energy Co.; Duke Energy Corp.; Dynegy, Inc.; Edison International; Entergy Corp.; Exelon Corp.; FirstEnergy Corp.; FPL Group, Inc.; Integrys Energy Group, Inc.; Nicor, Inc.; NiSource, Inc.; Pepco Holdings, Inc.; PG&E Corp.; Pinnacle West Capital Corp.; PPL Corp.; Progress Energy, Inc.; Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.; Questar Corp.; Sempra Energy; Southern Co.; TECO Energy, Inc.; and Xcel Energy, Inc.

ITEM 6.SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


  Cumulative Total Return 
  Years Ending December 31, 
  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
                   
ONEOK, Inc. $100.00  $133.74  $130.01  $218.10  $233.19  $157.65 
S&P 500 Index $100.00  $110.88  $116.32  $134.69  $142.09  $89.52 
S&P Utilities Index (a) $100.00  $124.28  $145.21  $175.69  $209.73  $148.95 
(a) - The Standard & Poors Utilities Index is comprised of the following companies: AES Corp.; Allegheny Energy, Inc.; 
Ameren Corp.; American Electric Power Co., Inc.; Centerpoint Energy, Inc.; CMS Energy Corp.; Consolidated Edison, Inc.; 
Constellation Energy Group, Inc.; Dominion Resources, Inc.; DTE Energy Co.; Duke Energy Corp.; Dynegy, Inc.; Edison 
International; Entergy Corp.; Equitable Resources, Inc.; Exelon Corp.; FirstEnergy Corp.; FPL Group, Inc.; Integrys Energy 
Group, Inc.; Nicor, Inc.; NiSource, Inc.; Pepco Holdings, Inc.; PG&E Corp.; Pinnacle West Capital Corp.; PPL Corp.; Progress 
Energy, Inc.; Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.; Questar Corp.; SCANA Corp.; Sempra Energy; Southern Co.; TECO 
Energy, Inc.; Wisconsin Energy Corp.; and Xcel Energy, Inc.                 



ITEM 6.                      SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth our selected financial data for each of the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,
    2007  2006  2005  2004  2003    
   (Millions of dollars, except per share amounts)   

Net margin from continuing operations

  $1,810.1  $1,722.0  $1,338.2  $1,137.2  $1,084.8  

Operating income from continuing operations

  $822.5  $862.2  $803.8  $443.7  $427.9  

Income from continuing operations

  $304.9  $306.7  $403.1  $224.7  $206.4  

Total assets

  $11,062.0  $10,391.1  $9,284.2  $7,199.2  $6,211.9  

Long-term debt

  $4,635.5  $4,049.0  $2,030.6  $1,884.7  $1,884.6  

Basic earnings per share - continuing operations

  $2.84  $2.74  $4.01  $2.21  $2.28  

Basic earnings per share - total

  $2.84  $2.74  $5.44  $2.38  $1.48  

Diluted earnings per share - continuing operations

  $2.79  $2.68  $3.73  $2.13  $2.05  

Diluted earnings per share - total

  $2.79  $2.68  $5.06  $2.30  $1.22  

Dividends declared per common share

  $1.40  $1.22  $1.09  $0.88  $0.69   

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2008  2007  2006  2005  2004 
  (Millions of dollars, except per share amounts)��
Revenues $16,157.4  $13,477.4  $11,920.3  $12,676.2  $5,785.5 
Income from continuing operations $311.9  $304.9  $306.7  $403.1  $224.7 
Net income $311.9  $304.9  $306.3  $546.5  $242.2 
Total assets $13,126.1  $11,062.0  $10,391.1  $9,284.2  $7,199.2 
Long-term debt, including current maturities $4,230.8  $4,635.5  $4,049.0  $2,030.6  $1,884.7 
Basic earnings per share - continuing operations $2.99  $2.84  $2.74  $4.01  $2.21 
Basic earnings per share - total $2.99  $2.84  $2.74  $5.44  $2.38 
Diluted earnings per share - continuing operations $2.95  $2.79  $2.68  $3.73  $2.13 
Diluted earnings per share - total $2.95  $2.79  $2.68  $5.06  $2.30 
Dividends declared per common share $1.56  $1.40  $1.22  $1.09  $0.88 
Financial data for 2008, 2007 and 2006 is not directly comparable with 2005 and 2004 due to the significance of the sale of certain assets to ONEOK Partners in April 2006.  See discussion of acquisitions dispositions and changes in consolidationdispositions beginning on page 2936 under “Significant Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.

ITEM 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION


ITEM 7.                      MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
    RESULTS OF OPERATION

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


The following discussion highlights some of our achievements and significant issues affecting us this past year.  Please refer to the Financial“Financial Results and Operating Results sectionInformation,” “Liquidity and Capital Resources,” and “Capital Projects” sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation and the Consolidated Financial Statementsour consolidated financial statements for a complete explanation of the following items.

additional information.


Operating Results - Diluted earnings per share of common stock from continuing operations (EPS) increased to $2.95 in 2008, compared with $2.79 in 2007, compared with $2.68 in 2006. The increase in operating2007.  Operating income for 2007, compared with 2006, and exclusive of the gain on sale of assets,2008 increased to $917.0 million from $822.5 million for 2007.  This increase is primarily due to the implementation of new rate schedules in Kansas and Texas in our Distribution segment and new supply connections and higherwider NGL product price spreads in our ONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids businesses. This increase was partially offset by reduceddifferentials, higher realized commodity prices, increased NGL gathering and fractionation volumes, and incremental operating income in our Energy Services segment primarily due to decreased transportation margins during 2007.

In September 2007, ONEOK Partners completed an underwritten public debt offering of $600 million to financeassociated with the assets acquired from Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. (Kinder Morgan), all in our ONEOK Partners segment.  This increase in operating income was partially offset by decreases in storage and marketing margins and transportation margins, net of hedging activities, in our Energy Services segment.


ONEOK Partners’ Equity Issuance - In March 2008, we purchased from ONEOK Partners, in a private placement, an additional 5.4 million of ONEOK Partners’ common units for a total purchase price of approximately $303.2 million.  In addition, ONEOK Partners completed a public offering of 2.5 million common units at $58.10 per common unit and received net proceeds of $140.4 million after deducting underwriting discounts but before offering expenses.  In conjunction with ONEOK Partners’ private placement and public offering of common units, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $9.4 million to ONEOK Partners in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest.

In April 2008, ONEOK Partners sold an additional 128,873 common units at $58.10 per common unit to the underwriters of the public offering upon the partial exercise of their option to purchase additional common units to cover over-allotments.  ONEOK Partners received net proceeds of approximately $7.2 million from the sale of these common units after deducting underwriting discounts but before offering expenses.  In conjunction with the partial exercise by the underwriters, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $0.2 million to ONEOK Partners in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest.  Following these transactions, our interest in ONEOK Partners is 47.7 percent.


ONEOK Partners used a portion of the proceeds from the sale of common units and the general partner contributions to repay outstanding debtborrowings under theits $1.0 billion revolving credit agreement dated March 30, 2007, as amended July 31, 2007 (the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement, which was incurred to fund ONEOK Partners’ internal growth capital projects. The assets acquired from Kinder Morgan and ONEOK Partners’ capital projects are discussed below inAgreement).

Dividends/Distributions - During 2008, we paid dividends totaling $1.56 per share, an increase of approximately 11 percent over the Significant Acquisitions and Divestitures and the Capital Projects sections, respectively.

$1.40 per share paid during 2007.  We declared a quarterly dividend of $0.38$0.40 per share ($1.521.60 per share on an annualized basis) in January 2008,2009, an increase of approximately 125 percent over the $0.34$0.38 declared in January 2008.  During 2008, ONEOK Partners paid cash distributions totaling $4.205 per unit, an increase of approximately 6 percent over the $3.98 per unit paid during 2007.  ONEOK Partners declared an increase in itsa cash distribution to $1.025of $1.08 per unit ($4.104.32 per unit on an annualized basis) in January 2008,2009, an increase of approximately 5 percent over the $0.98$1.025 declared in January 2008.


Capital Projects - ONEOK Partners placed the following projects in-service during 2008:
·  January - Midwestern Gas Transmission’s eastern extension pipeline;
·  July - final phase of Fort Union Gas Gathering expansion project;
·  September - Woodford Shale natural gas liquids pipeline extension;
·  October - Bushton Fractionation expansion;
·  November - Overland Pass Pipeline from Opal, Wyoming to Conway, Kansas; and
·  December - partial operations of the Guardian pipeline extension with interruptible service from Ixonia, Wisconsin, to Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Key Performance Indicators - Key performance indicators reviewed by management include:
·  earnings per share;
·  return on invested capital; and
·  shareholder appreciation.

For 2008, our basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.99 and $2.95, respectively, representing a 5 percent increase in basic earnings per share and a 6 percent increase in diluted earnings per share from continuing operations compared with 2007.

  For 2007, our basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.84 and $2.79, respectively, representing a 4 percent increase in basic earnings per share and a 4 percent increase in diluted earnings per share from continuing operations compared with 2006.  Return on invested capital was 13 percent in 2008 and 14 percent in 2007 and 2006, respectively.


To evaluate shareholder appreciation, we compare the total return over a three-year period of an investment in our stock with the total return of an investment in the stock of a group of peer companies.  For the three-year period ended December 31, 2008, we ranked fifth in this shareholder appreciation calculation when compared with 18 of our peers.

Outlook for 2009 - We expect continued deteriorating economic conditions in 2009, with significant downward pressures, relative to 2008, on commodity prices for natural gas, NGLs and crude oil.  We anticipate that lower commodity prices will result in reduced drilling activity, and economic conditions will reduce petrochemical demand.  We also expect continued volatility and disruption in the financial markets which could result in an increased cost of capital.  We expect depressed commodity prices and tighter capital markets to also result in the sale or consolidation of underperforming assets in the industry, which may present opportunities for us.

SIGNIFICANT ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

Acquisition of NGL Pipeline

- In October 2007, ONEOK Partners completed the acquisition of an interstate natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products pipeline system and related assets from a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan for approximately $300 million, before working capital adjustments.  The system extends from Bushton and Conway, Kansas, to Chicago, Illinois, and transports, stores and delivers a full range of NGL products and refined petroleum products.  The FERC-regulated system spans 1,6271,624 miles and has a capacity to transport up to 134 MBbl/d. The transaction includesalso included approximately 978 MBbl of owned storage capacity, eight NGL terminals and a 50 percent ownership of Heartland.  ConocoPhillips owns the other 50 percent of Heartland and is the managing partner of the Heartland joint venture, which consists primarily of threea refined petroleum products terminals

terminal and connecting pipelines.pipelines with access to two other refined petroleum products terminals.  ONEOK Partners’ investment in Heartland is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  Financing for this transaction came from a portion of the proceeds of ONEOK Partners’ September 2007 issuance of $600 million 6.85 percent Senior Notes due 2037 (the 2037 Notes).  See Note I of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion onof the 2037 Notes.

  The working capital settlement was finalized in April 2008, with no material adjustments.



Overland Pass Pipeline Company - - See “Capital Projects” for discussion of Overland Pass Pipeline Company.

ONEOK Partners - In April 2006, we sold certain assets comprising our former gathering and processing, natural gas liquids, and pipelines and storage segments to ONEOK Partners for approximately $3 billion, including $1.35 billion in cash, before adjustments, and approximately 36.5 million Class B limited partner units in ONEOK Partners.  The Class B limited partner units and the related general partner interest contribution were valued at approximately $1.65 billion.  We also purchased, through ONEOK Partners GP, from an affiliate of TransCanada, 17.5 percent of the general partner interest in ONEOK Partners for $40 million.  This purchase resulted in our owningownership of the entire 2 percent general partner interest in ONEOK Partners.  Following the completion of the transactions, we ownowned a total of approximately 37.0 million common and Class B limited partner units and the entire 2 percent general partner interest and control of the partnership.  Our overall interest in ONEOK Partners, including the 2 percent general partner interest, iswas 45.7 percent.

percent at the date of acquisition.


The sale of certain assets comprising our former gathering and processing, pipelines and storage, and natural gas liquids segments did not affect our consolidated operating income on our Consolidated Statements of Income or total assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, as we were already required under EITF 04-5 to consolidate our investment in ONEOK Partners effective January 1, 2006.  However, minority interest expense and net income arewere affected.  See Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K beginning on page 6876 for additional discussion of EITF 04-5.

our consolidation of ONEOK Partners.


Disposition of 20 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline - In April 2006, in connection with the transactions described immediately above, our ONEOK Partners segment completed the sale of a 20 percent partnership interest in Northern Border Pipeline to TC PipeLines for approximately $297 million.  Our ONEOK Partners segment recorded a gain on sale of approximately $113.9 million in the second quarter of 2006.  ONEOK Partners and TC PipeLines each now own a 50 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline, and an affiliate of TransCanada became operator of the pipeline in April 2007.  As a result of this transaction, ONEOK Partners’ interest in Northern Border Pipeline is accounted for as an investment under the equity method applied on a retroactive basis to January 1, 2006.

Also in


Acquisition of Guardian Pipeline Interests - In April 2006, our ONEOK Partners segment acquired the 66-2/3 percent interest in Guardian Pipeline not previously owned by ONEOK Partners for approximately $77 million, increasing its ownership interest to 100 percent.  ONEOK Partners used borrowings from its credit facility to fund the acquisition of the additional interest in Guardian Pipeline.  Following the completion of the transaction, we consolidated Guardian Pipeline in our consolidated financial statements.  This change was accounted for on a retroactive basis to January 1, 2006.

In December 2005, we sold our natural gas gathering and processing assets located in Texas to a subsidiary of Eagle Rock Energy, Inc. for approximately $527.2 million and recorded a pre-tax gain of $264.2 million, which is included in gain on sale of assets in our ONEOK Partners segment’s operating income. The gain reflects the cash received less adjustments, selling expenses and the net book value of the assets sold. We used the net cash proceeds from this sale to prepay our 7.75 percent $300 million long-term debt that was due in August 2006.

In October 2005, we entered into an agreement to sell our Spring Creek power plant, located in Oklahoma, to Westar for $53 million. The transaction received FERC approval and the sale was completed on October 31, 2006. The 300-megawatt gas-fired merchant power plant was built in 2001 to supply electrical power during peak periods using gas-powered turbine generators. The financial information related to the properties sold is reflected as a discontinued component in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All periods presented have been restated to reflect the discontinued component. See “Discontinued Operations” on page 46 for additional information.

In September 2005, we completed the sale of our former production segment to TXOK Acquisition, Inc. for $645 million, before adjustments and recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of approximately $240.3 million. The gain reflects the cash received less adjustments, selling expenses and the net book value of the assets sold. The proceeds from the sale were used to reduce debt. The financial information related to the properties sold is reflected as a discontinued component in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All periods presented have been restated to reflect the discontinued component.

In July 2005, we completed the acquisition of the natural gas liquids businesses owned by Koch for approximately $1.33 billion, net of working capital and cash received. This transaction included Koch Hydrocarbon, LP’s entire Mid-Continent natural gas liquids fractionation business; Koch Pipeline Company, LP’s natural gas liquids pipeline distribution systems; Chisholm Pipeline Holdings, Inc., now Chisholm Pipeline Holdings, L.L.C., which has a 50 percent ownership interest in Chisholm Pipeline Company; MBFF, LP, now ONEOK MBI, L.P., which owns an 80 percent interest in a 160 MBbl/d fractionator at Mont Belvieu, Texas; and Koch Vesco Holdings, LLC, now ONEOK Vesco Holdings, L.L.C., an entity that

owns a 10.2 percent interest in Venice Energy Services Company, L.LC. These assets are included in our consolidated financial statements beginning on July 1, 2005, and were part of the assets ONEOK Partners acquired from us in April 2006.


CAPITAL PROJECTS


All of the capital projects discussed below are in our ONEOK Partners segment.


Woodford Shale Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline Extension - In February 2008, ONEOK Partners announced plans to construct aThe 78-mile natural gas liquids gathering pipeline to connectconnecting two natural gas processing plants, operated by Devon Energy Corporation and Antero Resources Corporation, was placed into service in the Woodford Shale area in southeast Oklahoma at aSeptember 2008.  The cost of the project was approximately $25$36 million, excluding AFUDC.  The project is currently scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2008. These two plants are expectedhave the capacity to produce approximately 25 MBbl/d of unfractionated NGLs.  Until the Arbuckle Pipeline project is completed, theThe natural gas liquids production will be transportedis gathered by ONEOK Partners’ existing Mid-Continent natural gas liquids gathering pipelines.  Upon completion of the Arbuckle Pipeline project, the Woodford Shale natural gas liquids production is expected to be transported through the Arbuckle Pipeline to ONEOK Partners’ Mont Belvieu, Texas, fractionation facility.


Overland Pass Pipeline Company - - In May 2006, a subsidiary of ONEOK Partners entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams) to form a joint venture called Overland Pass Pipeline Company.  In November 2008, Overland Pass Pipeline Company is buildingcompleted construction of a 760-mile natural gas liquids pipeline from Opal, Wyoming, to the Mid-Continent natural gas liquids market center in Conway, Kansas.  The pipelineOverland Pass Pipeline is designed to transport approximately 110 MBbl/d of unfractionated NGLs whichand can be increased to approximately 150255 MBbl/d with additional pump facilities.  During 2006, ONEOK Partners paid $11.6 million to Williams for the acquisition of its interest in the joint venture and for reimbursement of initial capital expenditures.  A subsidiary of ONEOK Partners owns 99 percent of the joint venture, and will managemanaged the construction project, advanceadvanced all costs associated with construction and operateis currently operating the pipeline.  Within two years of the pipeline becoming operational,On or before November 17, 2010, Williams will have the option to increase its ownership up to 50 percent, by reimbursing ONEOK Partners for its proportionate share of all construction costs.with the purchase price determined in accordance with the joint venture’s operating agreement.  If Williams exercises its option to increase its ownership to the full 50 percent, Williams would have the option to become operator.  ThisThe pipeline project has received the required approvals of various state and federal regulatory authorities, and ONEOK Partners is constructing the pipeline with start-up currently scheduled for the second quarter of 2008.cost was approximately $575 million, excluding AFUDC.


As part of a long-term agreement, Williams dedicated its NGL production from two of its natural gas processing plants in Wyoming, estimated to be approximately 60 MBbl/d, to the joint-venture company.Overland Pass Pipeline.  Subsidiaries of ONEOK Partners will


provide downstream fractionation, storage and transportation services to Williams.  The pipeline project is currently estimated to cost approximately $535 million, excluding AFUDC. Since ONEOK Partners’ initial estimate in early 2006, there has been a significant increase in the demand for pipeline construction-related services, which has led to higher rates, particularly for construction labor and equipment. Additionally, due to the extended permitting process, ONEOK Partners has also reached agreements with certain producers for supply commitments of up to an additional 80 MBbl/d and is constructingnegotiating agreements with other producers for supply commitments that could add an additional 60 MBbl/d of supply to this pipeline within the pipeline during the winter months, which could contributenext three to added construction costs and could cause further delays. The severity of the winter conditions could further impact ONEOK Partners’ cost and schedule estimates. In addition, five years.

ONEOK Partners is investingalso invested approximately $216$239 million, excluding AFUDC, to expand its existing fractionation and storage capabilities and to increase the capacity of its natural gas liquids distribution pipelines.  Part of this expansion included adding new fractionation facilities at ONEOK Partners’ financing forBushton location, increasing total fractionation capacity at Bushton to 150 MBbl/d.  The addition of the projects may include a combinationnew facilities and the upgrade to the existing fractionator was completed in October 2008.  Additionally, portions of short- or long-term debt or equity.

the natural gas liquids distribution pipeline upgrades were completed in the second and third quarters of 2008.


Piceance Lateral Pipeline - In March 2007, ONEOK Partners announced that Overland Pass Pipeline Company also plans to construct a 150-mile lateral pipeline with capacity to transport as much as 100 MBbl/d of unfractionated NGLs from the Piceance Basin in Colorado to the Overland Pass Pipeline.  Williams announced that it intends to construct a new natural gas processing plant in the Piceance Basin and will dedicate its NGL production from that plant and an existing plant, with estimated volumes totaling approximately 30 MBbl/d, to be transported by the lateral pipeline.  ThisONEOK Partners continues to negotiate with other producers for supply commitments.  In October 2008, this project requires thereceived approval of various state and federal regulatory authorities. Assuming Overland Pass Pipeline Company obtainsauthorities allowing construction to commence.  Construction began during the required statefourth quarter of 2008 and federal regulatory approvals, construction of this lateral pipeline is currently expected to begin in late 2008 and be completed during the secondthird quarter of 2009, at a current2009.  The project is currently estimated to cost estimatein the range of approximately $120$110 million to $140 million, excluding AFUDC.


D-J Basin Lateral Pipeline - In September 2008, ONEOK Partners announced plans to construct a 125-mile natural gas liquids lateral pipeline from the Denver-Julesburg Basin in northeastern Colorado to the Overland Pass Pipeline, with capacity to transport as much as 55 MBbl/d of unfractionated NGLs.  The project is currently estimated to cost in the range of $70 million to $80 million, excluding AFUDC.  ONEOK Partners has supply commitments for up to 33 MBbl/d of unfractionated NGLs with potential for an additional 10 MBbl/d of supply from new drilling and plant upgrades in the next two years.  The pipeline is currently under construction and is expected to be fully completed during the first quarter of 2009.

Arbuckle Pipeline Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline - In March 2007, ONEOK Partners announced plans to build the 440-mile Arbuckle Pipeline, a natural gas liquids pipeline from southern Oklahoma through northern Texas and continuing on to the Texas Gulf Coast, at a current estimated cost of approximately $260 million, excluding AFUDC.Coast.  The Arbuckle Pipeline will have the capacity to transport 160 MBbl/d of unfractionated natural gas liquidsNGLs, expandable to 210 MBbl/d with additional pump facilities, and will connect with ONEOK Partners’ existing Mid-Continent infrastructure andwith its fractionation facility in Mont Belvieu, Texas, and other Gulf Coast region fractionators.  ONEOK Partners has supply commitments from producers that it expects will be sufficient to fill the 210 MBbl/d capacity level over the next three to five years.  Construction on the pipeline has been underway since the third quarter of 2008.  Much of the Oklahoma and north Texas portions are either complete or nearing completion.  However, right-of-way acquisition has been challenging, time consuming and expensive, which could affect the completion schedule and final cost of the project.  Many of Arbuckle Pipeline’s remaining right-of-way tracts are being acquired through a condemnation process, which adds to the cost and time to construct the pipeline.  The demand for surface easements has increased dramatically in Texas and Oklahoma in the last 12 to 18 months because of increased oil and natural gas exploration and production activities, as well as pipeline construction.  Because of the delays associated with right-of-way acquisition, we anticipate construction on the south end of the project will require permits from various federal, statebe more difficult and local regulatory bodies. Construction is currently expectedexpensive due to beginwet low-lying areas and potential for spring rains.  Accordingly, we expect the project to be operational in mid-2008the second quarter of 2009.  Based on the increased costs and be completed by early 2009.delays associated with right-of-way acquisition and potential weather impacts, our project costs could increase 10 percent to 15 percent above the range of $340 million to $360 million, excluding AFUDC, as previously reported.


Williston Basin Gas Processing Plant Expansion - In March 2007, ONEOK Partners announced the expansion of its Grasslands natural gas processing facility in North Dakota, at acurrently estimated to cost in the range of approximately$40 million to $45 million, excluding AFUDC.  ONEOK Partners’ estimated project costs increased from $30 million excluding AFUDC.primarily as a result of higher contract labor and equipment costs.  The Grasslands facility is ONEOK Partners’ largest natural gas processing plant in the Williston Basin.  The expansion increases processing capacity to approximately 100 MMcf/d from its current capacity of 63 MMcf/d and increases fractionation capacity to approximately 12 MBbl/d from 8 MBbl/d.  The construction of the expansion project is expected to come on-line in phases, with the final phase currently expected to be on-linecomplete in the thirdfirst quarter of 2008.2009.


Fort Union Gas Gathering Expansion - In January 2007, Fort Union Gas Gathering announced that it willplans to double its existing gathering pipeline capacity by adding 148 miles of new gathering lines, resulting in approximately 649 MMcf/d of additional capacity in the Powder River basin of Wyoming.  The expansion is expected tooccurred in two phases and cost approximately $110$121 million, excluding AFUDC, which will bewas financed within the Fort Union Gas Gathering partnership and will occur in two phases.partnership.  Any cost overruns are covered through escalation clauses to preserve the original economics of the project.  Phase 1,I, with more than 200 MMcf/d


capacity, was placed in service during the fourth quarter of 2007.  Phase 2,II, with approximately 450 MMcf/d capacity, is currently expected to bewas completed in service during the second quarter ofJuly 2008.  The additional capacity has been fully subscribed for 10 years beginning with the in-service date of the expansion.years.  ONEOK Partners owns approximately 37 percent of Fort Union Gas Gathering, and accounts for its ownership under the equity method of accounting.


Guardian Pipeline Expansion and Extension - In December 2007, Guardian Pipeline received and accepted the certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the FERC for its expansion and extension project.  The certificate authorizes ONEOK Partners to construct, install and operate approximately 119 miles of a 20-inch and 30-inch natural gas transportation pipeline with a capacity to transport 537 MMcf/d of natural gas north from Ixonia, Wisconsin to the Green Bay, Wisconsin, area.  The project is supported by long-term15-year shipper commitments.commitments with We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and the capacity has been fully subscribed.  The cost of the project is currently estimated to be $260cost in the range of $277 million and $305 million, excluding AFUDC.  ONEOK Partners’ estimated project costs increased from the initial estimate of $241 million in 2006, which excluded AFUDC, primarily due to weather delays, equipment delivery delays, construction in environmentally sensitive areas, rocky terrain, and escalating costs associated with crop damage and condemnation costs.  ONEOK Partners received the notice to proceed from the FERC in May 2008.  On December 22, 2008, the FERC issued a letter order granting Guardian Pipeline’s request for an extension of time for a phased in-service.  On December 29, 2008, the FERC issued a letter order granting Guardian Pipeline’s request to commence service.  On December 31, 2008, the pipeline and seven meter stations were placed into service with the ability to transport natural gas on a limited basis.  Construction on one compressor station is complete, and construction on a second compressor station is near completion.  The pipelineproject is currently expected to be fully in service in the fourthfirst quarter of 2008.2009.

Midwestern Gas Transmission Eastern Extension - Midwestern Gas Transmission’s eastern extension pipeline was placed into service in January 2008. The extension added approximately 31 miles of natural gas transportation pipeline, with a capacity to transport 120 MMcf/d of natural gas from Midwestern’s previous terminus at Portland, Tennessee, to interconnects with Columbia Gulf Transmission Company and East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC, near Hartsville, Tennessee. The project is supported by a long-term shipper commitment. Total capital expenditures are expected to be $62 million, excluding AFUDC.


REGULATORY


Several regulatory initiatives positively impacted the earnings and future earnings potential for our Distribution segment and our ONEOK Partners segment.  See discussion of our Distribution segment’s regulatory initiative beginning on page 43.

49.


IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS


Information about the impact of Statement 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans,” Statement 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” Statement 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,” FASB Staff Position No. FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39,” EITF Issue No. 04-5, “Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights,” Statement 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” Statement 141R, “Business Combinations” and Statement 160, “Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment to ARB No. 51,” arefollowing new accounting standards is included in Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

10-K:

·  Statement 123R, “Share-Based Payment;”
·  Statement 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans;”
·  FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109;”
·  Statement 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” and related FASB Staff Position (FSP) 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement no. 157,” and FSP 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active;”
·  Statement 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities;”
·  FSP FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39;”
·  Statement 141R, “Business Combinations;”
·  Statement 160, “Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment to ARB No. 51;”
·  Statement 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - an amendment to FASB Statement No. 133;”
·  EITF 08-6, “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations;” and
·  Statement 132R-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets.”

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES


The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements.  These estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Although we believe these estimates and assumptions are reasonable, actual results could differ from our estimates.


The following is a summary of our most critical accounting policies,estimates, which are defined as those policiesestimates most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and requiring management’s most difficult, subjective or

complex judgment, particularly because of the need to make estimates concerning the impact of inherently uncertain matters.  We have discussed the development and selection of our critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.



Fair Value Measurements General - In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement 157 that establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements.  Beginning January 1, 2008, we partially applied Statement 157 as allowed by FSP 157-2 that delayed the effective date of Statement 157 for nonrecurring fair value measurements associated with our nonfinancial assets and liabilities.  As of January 1, 2008, we applied the provisions of Statement 157 to our recurring fair value measurements, and the impact was not material upon adoption.  As of January 1, 2009, we have applied the provisions of Statement 157 to our nonrecurring fair value measurements associated with our nonfinancial assets and liabilities, and the impact was not material.  FSP 157-3, which clarified the application of Statement 157 in inactive markets, was issued in October 2008 and was effective for our September 30, 2008, consolidated financial statements.  FSP 157-3 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement 159 that allows companies to elect to measure specified financial assets and liabilities, firm commitments, and nonfinancial warranty and insurance contracts at fair value on a contract-by-contract basis, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each reporting period.  At January 1, 2008, we did not elect the fair value option under Statement 159, and therefore there was no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Determining Fair Value - Statement 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  We use the market and income approaches to determine the fair value of our assets and liabilities and consider the markets in which the transactions are executed.  While many of the contracts in our portfolio are executed in liquid markets where price transparency exists, some contracts are executed in markets for which market prices may exist but the market may be relatively inactive.  This results in limited price transparency that requires management’s judgment and assumptions to estimate fair values.  Inputs into our fair value estimates include commodity exchange prices, over-the-counter quotes, volatility, historical correlations of pricing data and LIBOR and other liquid money market instrument rates.  We also utilize internally developed basis curves that incorporate observable and unobservable market data.  We validate our valuation inputs with third-party information and settlement prices from other sources, where available.  In addition, as prescribed by the income approach, we compute the fair value of our derivative portfolio by discounting the projected future cash flows from our derivative assets and liabilities to present value.  The interest rate yields used to calculate the present value discount factors are derived from LIBOR, Eurodollar futures and Treasury swaps.  The projected cash flows are then multiplied by the appropriate discount factors to determine the present value or fair value of our derivative instruments.  We also take into consideration the potential impact on market prices of liquidating positions in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time under current market conditions.  Finally, we consider credit risk of our counterparties on the fair value of our derivative assets, as well as our own credit risk for derivative liabilities, using default probabilities and recovery rates, net of collateral.  We also take into consideration current market data in our evaluation when available, such as bond prices and yields and credit default swaps.  Although we use our best estimates to determine the fair value of the derivative contracts we have executed, the ultimate market prices realized could differ from our estimates, and the differences could be material.

Fair Value Hierarchy - - Statement 157 establishes the fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques based on observable and unobservable data and categorizes the inputs into three levels, with the highest priority given to Level 1 and the lowest priority given to Level 3.  The levels are described below.
·  Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
·  Level 2 - Significant observable pricing inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.  Essentially, this represents inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data; and
·  Level 3 - Generally unobservable inputs, which are developed based on the best information available and may include our own internal data.

Determining the appropriate classification of our fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy requires management’s judgment regarding the degree to which market data is observable or corroborated by observable market data.  Transfers in and out of Level 3 typically result from derivatives for which fair value is determined based on multiple inputs.  If prices change for a particular input from the previous measurement date to the current measurement date, the impact could result in the derivative being moved between Level 2 and Level 3, depending upon management judgment of the significance of the price change of that particular input to the total fair value of the derivative.  

See Note C of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more discussion of fair value measurements.

Derivatives, Accounting for Financially Settled Transactions and Risk Management Activities- We engage in wholesale energy marketing, retail marketing, trading and risk management activities.  We account for derivative instruments utilized in connection with these activities and services under the fair value basis of accounting in accordance with Statement 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended.



Under Statement 133, entities are required to record derivative instruments at fair value. The fair value, with the exception of a derivative instrument is determined by commodity exchange prices, over-the-counter quotes, volatility, time value, counterparty creditnormal purchases and the potential impact on market prices of liquidating positionsnormal sales that are expected to result in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time under current market conditions. Refer to the table on page 57physical delivery.  See previous discussion in “Fair Value Measurements” for amounts in our portfolio at December 31, 2007, that were determined by prices actively quoted, prices provided by other external sources and prices derived from other sources. The majority of our portfolio’s fair values are based on actual market prices. Transactions are also executed in markets for which market prices may exist but the market may be relatively inactive, thereby resulting in limited price transparency that requires management’s subjectivity in estimating fair values.

additional information.  Market value changes result in a change in the fair value of our derivative instruments.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, the nature of the risk being hedged and how we will determine if the hedging instrument is effective.  If the derivative instrument does not qualify or is not designated as part of a hedging relationship, then we account for changes in fair value of the derivative in earnings as they occur.  Commodity price volatility may have a significant impact on the gain or loss in any given period.  For more information on fair value sensitivity and a discussion of the market risk of pricing changes, see Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.


To minimize the risk ofreduce our exposure to fluctuations in natural gas, NGLs and condensate prices, we periodically enter into futures, collarsforwards, options or swap transactions in order to hedge anticipated purchases and sales of natural gas, NGLs and condensate and fuel requirements.  Interest-rate swaps are also used to manage interest-rate risk.  Under certain conditions, we designate these derivative instruments as a hedge of exposure to changes in fair values or cash flow.  For hedges of exposure to changes in cash flow, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported initially as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is subsequently recorded to earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings.  Any ineffectiveness of designated hedges is reported in earnings during the period the ineffectiveness occurs.  For hedges of exposure to changes in fair value, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in earnings during the period of change together with the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged.


Upon election, many of our purchase and sale agreements that otherwise would be required to follow derivative accounting qualify as normal purchases and normal sales under Statement 133 and are therefore exempt from fair value accounting treatment.


The presentation of settled derivative instruments on either a gross or net basis in our Consolidated Statements of Income is dependent on a number of factors, including whether the derivative instrument (i) is (i) held for trading purposes,purposes; (ii) is financially settled,settled; (iii) results in physical delivery or services rendered,rendered; and (iv) qualifies for the normal purchase or sale exception as defined in Statement 133.  In accordance with EITF 03-11, “Reporting Realized Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments That Are Subject to FASB Statement No. 133 and not ‘Held for Trading’ as Defined in EITF Issue No. 02-3,” EITF 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent,” and Statement 133, we report settled derivative instruments as follows:

all financially settled derivative contracts are reported on a net basis,

derivative instruments considered held for trading purposes that result in physical delivery are reported on a net basis,

·  all financially settled derivative contracts are reported on a net basis;

derivative instruments not considered held for trading purposes that result in physical delivery or services rendered are reported on a gross basis, and

·  derivative instruments considered held for trading purposes that result in physical delivery are reported on a net basis;

derivatives that qualify for the normal purchase or sale exception as defined in Statement 133 are reported on a gross basis.

·  derivative instruments not considered held for trading purposes that result in physical delivery or services rendered are reported on a gross basis; and

·  derivatives that qualify for the normal purchase or sale exception as defined in Statement 133 are reported on a gross basis.

We apply the indicators in EITF 99-19 to determine the appropriate accounting treatment for non-derivative contracts that result in physical delivery.

See Note D of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for moreadditional discussion of derivatives and risk management activities.


Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill and Intangible Assets - We assess our long-lived assets for impairment based on Statement 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”  A long-lived asset is tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may exceed its fair value.  Fair values are based on the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets.


We assess our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually based on Statement 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  There were no impairment charges resulting from theour July 1, 2007,2008, impairment teststest.  As a result of recent events in the financial markets and no events indicatingcurrent economic conditions, we performed a review and determined that interim testing of goodwill as of December 31, 2008, was not necessary.  As a part of our impairment test, an impairment have occurred subsequent to that date. An initial assessment is made by comparing the fair value of the operationsa reporting unit with goodwill, as determined in accordance with Statement 142, to theits book value, of each reporting unit.including goodwill.  If the fair value is less than the book value, an impairment is indicated, and we must perform a second test to measure the amount of the


impairment.  In the second test, we calculate the implied fair value of the goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets of the operations with goodwillreporting unit from the fair value determined in step one of the assessment.  If the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds this calculatedthe implied fair value of the goodwill, we will record an impairment charge.

We use two generally accepted valuation approaches, an income approach and a market approach, to estimate the fair value of a reporting unit.  Under the income approach, we use anticipated cash flows over a three-year period plus a terminal value and discount these amounts to their present value using appropriate rates of return.  Under the market approach, we apply multiples to forecasted EBITDA amounts.  The multiples used are consistent with historical asset transactions, and the EBITDA amounts are based on average EBITDA for a reporting unit over a three-year forecasted period.  At December 31, 2007,2008 we had $600.7$602.8 million of goodwill recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as shown below.

    (Thousands of dollars)    

ONEOK Partners

  $431,418  

Distribution

   157,953  

Energy Services

   10,255  

Other

   1,099   

Total goodwill

  $600,725  
 


         
   (Thousands of dollars)
ONEOK Partners   $433,537    
Distribution    157,953    
Energy Services    10,255    
Other    1,099    
Total goodwill   $602,844    

Intangible assets with a finite useful life are amortized over their estimated useful life, while intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are not amortized.  All intangible assets are subject to impairment testing.  Our ONEOK Partners segmentWe had $443.0$435.4 million of intangible assets recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2007,2008, of which $287.5$279.8 million in our ONEOK Partners segment is being amortized over an aggregate weighted-average period of 40 years, while the remaining balance has an indefinite life.


Our impairment tests require the use of assumptions and estimates.  If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and estimates or our assumptions and estimates change due to new information, we may be exposed to an impairment charge.

During 2006, we recorded a goodwill and asset impairment related to ONEOK Partners’ Black Mesa Pipeline of $8.4 million and $3.6 million, respectively, which werewas recorded as depreciation and amortization.  The reduction to our net income, net of minority interests and income taxes, was $3.0 million.

In


For the third quarter of 2005,investments we madeaccount for under the decision to sell our Spring Creek power plant, located in Oklahoma, and exitequity method, the power generation business. In October 2005, we concluded that our Spring Creek power plant had been impaired and recorded an impairment expense of $52.2 million. This conclusion was based on our Statement 144 impairment analysis of the results of operations for this plant through September 30, 2005, and also the net sales proceeds from the anticipated sale of the plant. The sale was completed on October 31, 2006. This component of our business is accounted for as discontinued operations in accordance with Statement 144. See “Discontinued Operations” on page 46 for additional information.

Our total unamortizedpremium or excess cost over underlying fair value of net assets accounted for under the equity method was $185.6 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006. Based on Statement 142, this amount,is referred to as equity method goodwill should continueand under Statement 142, is not subject to be recognized in accordance withamortization but rather to impairment testing pursuant to APB Opinion No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock.”  Accordingly,The impairment test under APB Opinion No. 18 considers whether the fair value of the equity investment as a whole, not the underlying net assets, has declined and whether that decline is other than temporary.  Therefore, we included thisperiodically reevaluate the amount at which we carry the excess of cost over fair value of net assets accounted for under the equity method to determine whether current events or circumstances warrant adjustments to our carrying value in investment in unconsolidated affiliates on our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

accordance with APB Opinion No. 18.  


Pension and Postretirement Employee Benefits - We have defined benefit retirement plans covering certain full-time employees.  We sponsor welfare plans that provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain employees who retire with at least five years of service.  Our actuarial consultant calculates the expense and liability related to these plans and uses statistical and other factors that attempt to anticipate future events.  These factors include assumptions about the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, rate of future compensation increases, age and employment periods.  In determining the projected benefit obligations and costs, assumptions can change from period to period and result in material changes in the costs and liabilities we recognize.  See Note J of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.


Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for our health care plans.  A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects.

    One-Percentage
Point Increase
  One-Percentage
Point Decrease
    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Effect on total of service and interest cost

  $1,969  $(1,665) 

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

  $20,685  $(18,014)  



  One-Percentage  One-Percentage 
  Point Increase  Point Decrease 
  (Thousands of dollars)
Effect on total of service and interest cost $1,989   $(1,706) 
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation $19,585   $(17,171) 



During 2007,2008, we recorded net periodic benefit costs of $29.1 million related to our defined benefit pension plans and $26.7 million related to postretirement benefits. We estimate that in 2008, we will record net periodic benefit costs of $19.8 million related to our defined benefit pension planplans and $28.3 million related to postretirement benefits.  We estimate that in 2009, we will record net periodic benefit costs of $26.6 million related to our defined benefit pension plans and $26.1 million related to postretirement benefits.  In determining our estimated expenses for 2008,2009, our actuarial consultant assumed an 8.758.50 percent expected return on plan assets and a discount rate of 6.25 percent.  A decrease in our expected return on plan assets to 8.508.25 percent would increase our 20082009 estimated net periodic benefit costs by approximately $1.8$1.9 million for our defined benefit pension planplans and would not have a significant impact on our postretirement benefit plan.  A decrease in our assumed discount rate to 6.00 percent would increase our 20082009 estimated net periodic benefit costs by approximately $2.5$2.4 million for our defined benefit pension planplans and $0.7$0.6 million for our postretirement benefit plan.  For 2008,2009, we anticipate our total contributions to our defined benefit pension planplans and postretirement benefit plan to be $3.1$31.2 million and $11.0$11.4 million, respectively, and the expected benefit payments for our postretirement benefit plan are estimated to be $16.7$16.2 million.


Contingencies - Our accounting for contingencies covers a variety of business activities, including contingencies for legal and environmental exposures.  We accrue these contingencies when our assessments indicate that it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset will not be recovered, and an amount can be reasonably estimated in accordance with Statement 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.”  We base our estimates on currently available facts and our estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution.  Accruals for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations generally are recognized no later than completion of the remediation feasibility study.  Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable.  Actual results may differ from our estimates resulting in an impact, positive or negative, on earnings.  See Note K of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion of contingencies.


FINANCIAL RESULTS AND OPERATING RESULTS

INFORMATION


Consolidated Operations


Selected Financial InformationResults - The following table sets forth certain selected financial informationresults for the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,   
Financial Results  2007  2006  2005    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Operating revenues, excluding energy trading revenues

  $13,488,027  $11,913,529  $12,663,550  

Energy trading revenues, net

   (10,613)  6,797   12,680  

Cost of sales and fuel

   11,667,306   10,198,342   11,338,076   

Net margin

   1,810,108   1,721,984   1,338,154  

Operating costs

   761,510   740,767   619,995  

Depreciation and amortization

   227,964   235,543   183,394  

Gain (loss) on sale of assets

   1,909   116,528   269,040   

Operating income

  $822,543  $862,202  $803,805  
 

Equity earnings from investments

  $89,908  $95,883  $8,621  

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

  $12,538  $2,205  $-    

Interest Expense

  $256,325  $239,725  $147,608  

Minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries

  $193,199  $222,000  $-     

        Variances  Variances 
  Years Ended December 31, 2008 vs. 2007  2007 vs. 2006 
Financial Results 2008 2007 2006 Increase (Decrease)  Increase (Decrease) 
  (Millions of dollars) 
Revenues $16,157.4 $13,477.4 $11,920.3 $2,680.0 20% $1,557.1 13%
Cost of sales and fuel  14,221.9  11,667.3  10,198.3  2,554.6 22%  1,469.0 14%
Net margin  1,935.5  1,810.1  1,722.0  125.4 7%  88.1 5%
Operating costs  776.9  761.5  740.8  15.4 2%  20.7 3%
Depreciation and amortization  243.9  228.0  235.5  15.9 7%  (7.5)(3%)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets  2.3  1.9  116.5  0.4 21%  (114.6)(98%)
Operating income $917.0 $822.5 $862.2 $94.5 11% $(39.7)(5%)
Equity earnings from investments $101.4 $89.9 $95.9 $11.5 13% $(6.0)(6%)
Allowance for equity funds used
     during construction
 $50.9 $12.5 $2.2 $38.4 *  $10.3 * 
Other income (expense) $(10.6)$14.1 $1.9 $(24.7)*  $12.2 * 
Interest expense $(264.2)$(256.3)$(239.7)$7.9 3% $16.6 7%
Minority interests in income of
     consolidated subsidiaries
 $(288.6)$(193.2)$(222.0)$95.4 49% $(28.8)(13%)
Capital expenditures $1,473.1 $883.7 $376.3 $589.4 67% $507.4 * 
                      
* Percentage change is greater than 100 percent.          
Operating Results2008 vs. 2007 - Net margin increased primarily due to wider NGL product price differentials, higher realized commodity prices, incremental net margin associated with the assets acquired from Kinder Morgan, and increased NGL gathering and fractionation volumes, all in our ONEOK Partners segment.  Additionally, net margin increased due to implementation of new rate mechanisms in our Distribution segment.  These increases were partially offset by decreases in storage and marketing margins and transportation margins, net of hedging activities, in our Energy Services segment.



Operating costs increased primarily due to incremental operating expenses associated with the assets acquired from Kinder Morgan, outside services primarily associated with scheduled maintenance expenses at ONEOK Partners’ Medford and Mont Belvieu fractionators, and chemical costs.  Operating costs also increased due to costs associated with the startup of the newly expanded Bushton fractionator and Overland Pass Pipeline, both in our ONEOK Partners segment.

Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to the assets acquired from Kinder Morgan and depreciation expense associated with ONEOK Partners’ completed capital projects.  Additionally, our Distribution segment had an increase in depreciation and amortization, primarily due to additional investment in property, plant and equipment.

Equity earnings from investments increased primarily due to ONEOK Partners’ share of the gain on the sale of Bison Pipeline LLC by Northern Border Pipeline and ONEOK Partners’ earnings related to higher gathering revenues in its natural gas gathering and processing business’ various investments, partially offset by reduced throughput on Northern Border Pipeline.  ONEOK Partners owns a 50 percent equity interest in Northern Border Pipeline.

Allowance for equity funds used during construction and capital expenditures increased due to ONEOK Partners’ capital projects.

Other income (expense) fluctuated primarily due to investment gains (losses) and fluctuations in interest income.  In addition, other income (expense) was impacted by realized and unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities sold and transferred to trading.  Our available-for-sale securities were reclassified to trading securities due to a reconsideration event in August 2008 when our NYMEX Holding, Inc. Class A shares held were converted to CME Group, Inc. (CME) Class A shares, due to the NYMEX Holding, Inc. and CME merger.  A modification was made to the number of shares required to be maintained by NYMEX Holding, Inc. Class A Members, which resulted in our sale of certain shares and the reclassification of the remaining shares to trading.

Interest expense increased primarily due to increased borrowings to fund ONEOK Partners’ capital projects.

Minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries for 2008 and 2007 compared withreflects the remaining 52.3 percent and 54.3 percent, respectively, of ONEOK Partners that we did not own.  The increase in minority interest is due to the increase in income for our ONEOK Partners segment, partially offset by our increased equity ownership interest in ONEOK Partners.

2007 vs. 2006 - Net margin increased primarily due to the implementation of new rate schedules in Kansas and Texas in our Distribution segment.  Net margin was also positively impacted during 2007 by our ONEOK Partners segment due to its natural gas liquids businesses, which benefited primarily from new supply connections that increased volumes gathered, transported, fractionated and sold.  Net margin also increased due to ONEOK Partners’

natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation business benefiting from higher product price spreadsdifferentials and higher isomerization price spreadsdifferentials, as well as the incremental net margin related to the assets acquired from Kinder Morgan in October 2007.  These increases were offset by decreased transportation margins in our Energy Services segment and decreased net margin in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas gathering and processing business, primarily due to lower natural gas volumes processed as a result of contract terminations in late 2006.

For an explanation of energy trading revenues, net, see the discussion of our Energy Services segment beginning on page 43.

Consolidated operating costs increased for 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to higher employee-related costs and the incremental operating expenses associated with ONEOK Partners’ acquisition of assets from Kinder Morgan in October 2007, coupled with increased bad debt expense and higher property taxes in our Distribution segment. These increases were partially offset by lower litigation costs in our ONEOK Partners segment and lower employee-related costs in our Distribution segment.

Depreciation and amortization decreased for 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to a goodwill and asset impairment charge of $12.0 million recorded in the second quarter of 2006 related to Black Mesa Pipeline, which is included in our ONEOK Partners segment.


Gain (loss) on sale of assets decreased for 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to the $113.9 million gain on sale of a 20 percent partnership interest in Northern Border Pipeline recorded in the second quarter of 2006 in our ONEOK Partners segment.


Equity earnings from investments decreased for 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to the decrease in ONEOK Partners’ share of Northern Border Pipeline’s earnings from 70 percent in the first quarter of 2006 to 50 percent beginning in the second quarter of 2006.


Allowance for equity funds used during construction and capital expenditures increased for 2007, compared with 2006, due to ONEOK Partners’ capital projects, which are discussed beginning on page 31.

projects.


Other income (expense) fluctuated primarily due to increased civic donations and expenses incurred by ONEOK Partners in 2006 related to costs associated with transitioning operations from Omaha, Nebraska.

Interest expense increased for 2007, primarily due to the additional borrowings by ONEOK Partners to complete the April 2006 transactions with us.  The additional borrowings resulted in $21.3 million in higher interest expense in the first quarter of 2007 compared with the same period in 2006.2007.  Increased interest expense was partially offset by lower interest expense on ONEOK’s short-term debt of $11.8 million during 2007, compared with the same period in 2006, as a result of the proceeds from the sale of assets to ONEOK Partners, which reduced ONEOK’s short-term debt.




Minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries for 2007 and 2006 reflects the remaining 54.3 percent of ONEOK Partners that we dodid not own.  For 2007, minority interest was lower due to the $113.9 million gain on sale of a 20 percent partnership interest in Northern Border Pipeline recorded in the second quarter of 2006 in our ONEOK Partners segment.  Additionally, minority interest in net income of consolidated subsidiaries for our ONEOK Partners’ segment for 2006 included the 66-2/3 percent interest in Guardian Pipeline that ONEOK Partners did not own until April 2006.  ONEOK Partners owned 100 percent of Guardian Pipeline beginning in April 2006, resulting in no minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries related to Guardian Pipeline after March 31, 2006.

Net margin increased for 2006, compared with 2005, primarily due to:

the consolidation of our investment in ONEOK Partners as required by EITF 04-5,

the effect of the natural gas liquids assets acquired from Koch in our ONEOK Partners segment,


strong commodity prices, higher gross processing spreads and increased natural gas transportation revenue in our ONEOK Partners segment, and

improved natural gas basis differentials on transportation contracts, net of hedging activities, in our Energy Services segment.

Consolidated operating costs for 2006 increased, compared with 2005, primarily because of consolidation of the legacy ONEOK Partners operations and the natural gas liquids assets acquired in 2005, offset by the sale of the Texas natural gas gathering and processing assets in December 2005.

Depreciation and amortization increased for 2006, compared with 2005, primarily due to the consolidation of the legacy ONEOK Partners operations, the Black Mesa Pipeline impairment, and the costs associated with the natural gas liquids assets acquired from Koch.

Operating income for 2006 includes the gain on sale of assets of $113.9 million related to ONEOK Partners’ sale of a 20 percent partnership interest in Northern Border Pipeline to TC PipeLines in April 2006. Operating income for 2005 includes the gain on sale of assets in our ONEOK Partners segment of $264.2 million. This gain was the result of the sale of certain natural gas gathering and processing assets located in Texas to a subsidiary of Eagle Rock Energy, Inc. in December 2005. For additional information, see discussion on page 30.

Equity earnings from investments increased $87.3 million in 2006, compared with 2005, primarily as a result of our adoption of EITF 04-5 as of January 1, 2006, which resulted in our consolidation of ONEOK Partners. ONEOK Partners holds various investments in unconsolidated affiliates, including a 50 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline. Prior to January 1, 2006, ONEOK Partners was accounted for as an investment under the equity method.

Minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries, which reflects the remaining 54.3 percent of ONEOK Partners that we do not own, increased $222.0 million in 2006, compared with 2005, as a result of our 2006 adoption of EITF 04-5.

AdditionalMore information regarding our results of operations is provided in the following discussion of each segment’s results. The discontinued component is discussed in our Discontinued Operations and Energy Services segment sections.

Key Performance Indicators - Key performance indicators reviewed by management include:

earnings per share,

return on invested capital, and

shareholder appreciation.

For 2007, our basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.84 and $2.79, respectively, representing a 4 percent increase in basic earnings per share and a 4 percent increase in diluted earnings per share from continuing operations compared with 2006. For 2006, our basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.74 and $2.68, respectively, representing a 32 percent decrease in basic earnings per share and a 28 percent decrease in diluted earnings per share from continuing operations compared with 2005. Return on invested capital was 14 percent in 2007 and 2006 compared with 23 percent in 2005. Our 2006operating results include the impact from the gain on the sale of a 20 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline. The significantly higher earnings per share results in 2005 are primarily related to the gain on the salefor each of our Texas gathering and processing assets; this gain on sale, coupled with the gain on the sale of our production assets, increased our return on invested capital in 2005.

To evaluate shareholder appreciation, we compare the total return of an investment in our stock with the total return of an investment in the stock of our peer companies. For the year ended December 31, 2007, we ranked third in this shareholder appreciation calculation when compared with our peers.

segments.


ONEOK Partners

Overview - Effective January 1, 2006, we were required to consolidate ONEOK Partners’ operations in our consolidated financial statements under EITF 04-5, and we elected to use the prospective method. In April 2006, we sold certain assets comprising our former gathering and processing, natural gas liquids, and pipelines and storage segments to ONEOK Partners for approximately $3 billion, including $1.35 billion in cash before adjustments, and approximately 36.5 million Class B limited partner units in ONEOK Partners. These former segments are included in our ONEOK Partners segment for all periods presented. We own 45.7 percent of ONEOK Partners; the remaining interest in ONEOK Partners is reflected as minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

ONEOK Partners gathers and processes natural gas and fractionates NGLs primarily in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions. ONEOK Partners’ operations include the gathering of natural gas production from oil and natural gas wells. Through gathering systems, these volumes are aggregated and treated or processed to remove water vapor, solids and other contaminants, and to extract NGLs in order to provide marketable natural gas, commonly referred to as residue gas. When the liquids are separated from the raw natural gas at the processing plants, the liquids are generally in the form of a mixed, unfractionated NGL stream.

ONEOK Partners also gathers, treats, fractionates, transports and stores NGLs. ONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids gathering pipelines deliver unfractionated NGLs gathered from natural gas processing plants located in Oklahoma, Kansas and the Texas panhandle to fractionators it owns in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. ONEOK Partners’ NGL distribution assets connect the key NGL market centers in Conway, Kansas, and Mont Belvieu, Texas, as well as the Midwest markets near Chicago, Illinois.

ONEOK Partners operates interstate and intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines, natural gas storage facilities and non-processable natural gas gathering facilities. ONEOK Partners’ interstate assets transport natural gas through FERC-regulated interstate natural gas pipelines. ONEOK Partners’ intrastate natural gas pipeline assets access the major natural gas producing areas and transport natural gas throughout Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. ONEOK Partners’ owns or reserves storage capacity in underground natural gas storage facilities in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.

Acquisition and Divestitures - The following acquisition and divestitures are described beginning on page 75.

In October 2007, ONEOK Partners completed the acquisition of an interstate natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products pipeline system and related assets from a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan for approximately $300 million, before working capital adjustments. The system extends from Bushton and Conway, Kansas, to Chicago, Illinois, and transports, stores and delivers a full range of NGL and refined petroleum products. The FERC-regulated system spans 1,627 miles and has a capacity to transport up to 134 MBbl/d. The transaction includes approximately 978 MBbl of owned storage capacity, eight NGL terminals and a 50 percent ownership of Heartland.

In April 2006, ONEOK Partners completed the sale of a 20 percent partnership interest in Northern Border Pipeline to TC PipeLines. ONEOK Partners and TC PipeLines each now own a 50 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline, and an affiliate of TransCanada became operator of the pipeline in April 2007.


In April 2006, we sold certain assets comprising our former gathering and processing, natural gas liquids, and pipelines and storage segments to ONEOK Partners for approximately $3 billion, including $1.35 billion in cash, before adjustments, and approximately 36.5 million Class B limited partner units in ONEOK Partners. The Class B limited partner units and the related general partner interest contribution were valued at approximately $1.65 billion. We also purchased, through ONEOK Partners GP, from an affiliate of TransCanada, 17.5 percent of the general partner interest in ONEOK Partners for $40 million. This purchase resulted in our owning the entire 2 percent general partner interest in ONEOK Partners.

In April 2006, our ONEOK Partners segment acquired the 66-2/3 percent interest in Guardian Pipeline not previously owned by ONEOK Partners for approximately $77 million, increasing its ownership interest to 100 percent.

In December 2005, we sold our natural gas gathering and processing assets located in Texas. This sale included approximately 3,700 miles of pipe and six processing plants with a capacity of 0.2 Bcf/d. The impact of these assets on our ONEOK Partners segment’s operating income for the year ended December 31, 2005, was a decrease of $42.0 million. Additionally, we sold approximately 10 miles of non-contiguous, natural gas gathering pipelines in Texas.

In July 2005, we acquired natural gas liquids businesses from Koch. We also acquired Koch Vesco Holdings, LLC, an entity, which owns a 10.2 percent interest in Venice Energy Services Company, L.L.C. Venice Energy Services Company, L.L.C. owns a gas processing complex near Venice, Louisiana.

Selected Financial Results and Operating Information - The following tables set forth certain selected financial results and operating information for our ONEOK Partners segment for the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,   
Financial Results  2007  2006  2005    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Revenues

  $5,831,558  $4,738,248  $4,334,599  

Cost of sales and fuel

   4,935,665   3,894,700   3,787,830   

Net margin

   895,893   843,548   546,769  

Operating costs

   337,356   325,774   220,171  

Depreciation and amortization

   113,704   122,045   67,411  

Gain on sale of assets

   1,950   115,483   264,579   

Operating income

  $446,783  $511,212  $523,766  
 

Equity earnings from investments

  $89,908  $95,883  $(1,511) 

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

  $12,538  $2,205  $-    

Minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries

  $416  $2,392  $-     

   Years Ended December 31,      
Operating Information  2007  2006  2005        

Natural gas gathered(BBtu/d)

   1,171   1,168   1,077   

Natural gas processed(BBtu/d)

   621   988   1,117   

Natural gas transported(MMcf/d)

   3,579   3,634   1,333   

Natural gas sales(BBtu/d)

   281   302   334   

Natural gas liquids gathered(MBbl/d)

   228   206   191  (a) 

Natural gas liquids sales(MBbl/d)

   231   207   207   

Natural gas liquids fractionated(MBbl/d)

   356   313   292  (a) 

Natural gas liquids transported(MBbl/d)

   299   200   187  (a) 

Capital expenditures(Thousands of dollars)

  $709,858  $201,746  $56,255   

Conway-to-Mount Belvieu OPIS average spread
Ethane/Propane mixture ($/gallon)

  $0.06  $0.05  $0.05   

Realized composite NGL sales prices ($/gallon) (b)

  $1.06  $0.93  $0.89   

Realized condensate sales price ($/Bbl) (b)

  $67.35  $57.84  $52.69   

Realized natural gas sales price ($/MMBtu)(b)

  $6.21  $6.31  $7.30   

Realized gross processing spread ($/MMBtu) (b)

  $5.21  $5.05  $2.77      

(a) - Data presented for 2005 represents the per day results of operations from July 1, 2005.

(b) - Statistics relate to our natural gas gathering and processing business.

Operating results


        Variances  Variances 
 Years Ended December 31, 2008 vs. 2007  2007 vs. 2006 
Financial Results 2008 2007 2006 Increase (Decrease)  Increase (Decrease) 
 (Millions of dollars) 
Revenues $7,720.2 $5,831.6 $4,738.2 $1,888.6 32% $1,093.4 23%
Cost of sales and fuel  6,579.5  4,935.7  3,894.7  1,643.8 33%  1,041.0 27%
Net margin  1,140.7  895.9  843.5  244.8 27%  52.4 6%
Operating costs  371.8  337.4  325.8  34.4 10%  11.6 4%
Depreciation and amortization  124.8  113.7  122.0  11.1 10%  (8.3)(7%)
Gain on sale of assets  0.7  2.0  115.5  (1.3)(65%)  (113.5)(98%)
Operating income $644.8 $446.8 $511.2 $198.0 44% $(64.4)(13%)
Equity earnings from investments $101.4 $89.9 $95.9 $11.5 13% $(6.0)(6%)
Allowance for equity funds used
     during construction
 $50.9 $12.5 $2.2 $38.4 *  $10.3 * 
Minority interests in income of
     consolidated subsidiaries
 $(0.4)$(0.4)$(2.4)$- 0% $2.0 83%
Capital expenditures $1,253.9 $709.9 $201.7 $544.0 77% $508.2 * 
                      
* Percentage change is greater than 100 percent.                  

  Years Ended December 31, 
Operating Information 2008  2007  2006 
Natural gas gathered (BBtu/d) (a)
  1,164   1,171   1,168 
Natural gas processed (BBtu/d) (a)
  641   621   988 
Natural gas transported (MMcf/d)
  3,665   3,579   3,634 
Residue gas sales (BBtu/d) (a)
  279   281   302 
NGLs gathered (MBbl/d)
  276   248   226 
NGL sales (MBbl/d)
  283   231   207 
NGLs fractionated (MBbl/d)
  373   356   313 
NGLs transported (MBbl/d)
  333   299   200 
Conway-to-Mont Belvieu OPIS average price differential            
   Ethane ($/gallon)
 $0.15  $0.06  $0.05 
Realized composite NGL sales prices ($/gallon) (a)
 $1.27  $1.06  $0.93 
Realized condensate sales price ($/Bbl) (a)
 $89.30  $67.35  $57.84 
Realized residue gas sales price ($/MMBtu) (a)
 $7.34  $6.21  $6.31 
Realized gross processing spread ($/MMBtu) (a)
 $7.47  $5.21  $5.05 
(a) - Statistics relate to ONEOK Partners’ natural gas gathering and processing business. 



2008 vs. 2007 - Net margin increased by $52.3 million in 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to the following:

·  an increase in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation business due to the following:

o  an increase of $70.8 million in wider NGL product price differentials;
o  an increase of $32.1 million due to increased NGL gathering and fractionation volumes; and
o  an increase of $8.4 million in certain operational measurement gains, primarily at NGL storage caverns;
·  an increase in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas gathering and processing business due to the following:
o  an increase of $58.4 million due to higher realized commodity prices;
o  an increase of $11.9 million due to improved contractual terms;
o  an increase of $7.0 million due to higher volumes sold and processed; partially offset by
o  a decrease of $8.6 million due to a one-time favorable contract settlement that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2007;
·  an increase of $44.3 million in incremental margin in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids pipelines business, due to the assets acquired from Kinder Morgan in October 2007, including $10.3 million due to increased throughput during the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with the fourth quarter of 2007;
·  an increase of $11.7 million due to increased transportation and storage margins primarily as a result of the impact of higher natural gas prices on retained fuel, and new and renegotiated storage contracts in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas pipelines business; and
·  an increase of $6.9 million primarily due to increased throughput from new NGL supply connections, including $2.6 million from Overland Pass Pipeline, which began operations during the fourth quarter 2008.

Operating costs increased performanceprimarily due to incremental operating expenses associated with the assets acquired from Kinder Morgan, outside service costs primarily associated with scheduled maintenance expenses at ONEOK Partners’ Medford and Mont Belvieu fractionators, and chemical costs.  Operating costs also increased due to costs associated with the startup of ONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids businesses, which benefitednewly expanded Bushton fractionator and Overland Pass Pipeline.

Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to depreciation expense associated with ONEOK Partners’ completed capital projects and the assets acquired from new supply connections thatKinder Morgan.

Equity earnings from investments increased volumes gathered, transported, fractionated and sold,

primarily due to higher NGL product price spreads and higher isomerization price spreadsgathering revenues in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids gatheringvarious investments, as well as a $8.3 million gain on the sale of Bison Pipeline LLC by Northern Border Pipeline, partially offset by reduced throughput on Northern Border Pipeline.  ONEOK Partners owns a 50 percent equity interest in Northern Border Pipeline.


Allowance for equity funds used during construction and fractionation business,

capital expenditures increased due to ONEOK Partners’ capital projects.

the incremental net

2007 vs. 2006 - Net margin relatedincreased primarily due to the acquisition of assets from Kinder Morgan in October 2007 in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids pipelines business, and

following:

increased storage margins in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas pipelines business, that was partially offset by

·  an increase of $27.3 million from increased performance of ONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids businesses, which benefited primarily from new supply connections that increased volumes gathered, transported, fractionated and sold;

decreased natural gas processing and transportation margins in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas businesses resulting primarily from lower throughput, higher fuel costs and lower natural gas volumes processed as a result of various contract terminations.

·  an increase of $20.6 million from new and renegotiated contractual terms and increased volumes in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas and natural gas liquids businesses;

·  an increase of $13.5 million in higher NGL product price differentials and higher isomerization price differentials in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation business;
·  an increase of $11.5 million in incremental net margin in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids pipeline business, due to the assets acquired from Kinder Morgan in October 2007; and
·  an increase of $5.4 million in storage margins in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas pipelines business; partially offset by
·  a decrease of $32.9 million in natural gas processing and transportation margins in ONEOK Partners’ natural gas businesses resulting primarily from lower throughput, higher fuel costs and lower volumes processed as a result of various contract terminations.

Operating costs increased by $11.6 million during 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to higher employee-related costs and the incremental operating expenses associated with the assets acquired from Kinder Morgan, partially offset by lower litigation costs.


Depreciation and amortization decreased by $8.3 million during 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to a goodwill and asset impairment charge of $12.0 million recorded in the second quarter of 2006 related to Black Mesa Pipeline.


Gain on sale of assets decreased by $113.5 million during 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to the $113.9 million gain on the sale of a 20 percent partnership interest in Northern Border Pipeline recorded in the second quarter of 2006.



Equity earnings from investments for 2007 and 2006 primarily include earnings from ONEOK Partners’ interest in Northern Border Pipeline.  The decrease of $6.0 million duringfor 2007 compared with 2006, iswas primarily due to the decrease in ONEOK Partners’ share of Northern Border Pipeline’s earnings from 70 percent in the first quarter of 2006 to 50 percent beginning in the second quarter of 2006.  See page 7585 for discussion of the disposition of the 20 percent partnership interest in Northern Border Pipeline.


Allowance for equity funds used during construction and capital expenditures increased for 2007, compared with 2006, due to ONEOK Partners’ capital projects, which are discussed beginning on page 31.

projects.


Minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries decreased $2.0 million during 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to our acquisition of the remaining interest in Guardian Pipeline.  Minority interest in net income of consolidated subsidiaries for our ONEOK Partners’ segment for 2006 included the 66-2/3 percent interest in Guardian Pipeline that ONEOK Partners did not own until April 2006.  ONEOK Partners owned 100 percent of Guardian Pipeline beginning in April 2006, resulting in no minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries related to Guardian Pipeline after March 31, 2006.

The increase


Commodity Price Risk - ONEOK Partners is exposed to commodity price risk, primarily from NGLs, as a result of $508.1 million in capital expenditures during 2007, compared with 2006,its contractual obligations for services provided.  A small percentage of its services, based on volume, is driven primarily byprovided through keep-whole arrangements.  See discussion regarding ONEOK Partners’ capital projects that are discussedcommodity price risk beginning on page 31.

Net margin increased by $296.8 million for 2006, compared with 2005, primarily due to:

an increase of $191.1 million from the legacy ONEOK Partners operations, which were consolidated beginning January 1, 2006,

an increase of $101.8 million related to net margins on natural gas liquids gathering and distribution pipelines acquired from Koch63 under “Commodity Price Risk” in July 2005,

an increase of $72.1 million from the operations of the assets ONEOK Partners acquired from us in April 2006, driven primarily by strong commodity prices, higher gross processing spreads and increased natural gas transportation revenues, and

a decrease of $80.5 million resulting from the sale of natural gas gathering and processing assets located in Texas in December 2005.

The increase in operating costs of $105.6 million for 2006, compared with 2005, is primarily related to the consolidation of the legacy ONEOK Partners operations as of January 1, 2006, and the natural gas liquids assets acquired in 2005, offset by the sale of the Texas natural gas gathering and processing assets in December 2005.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $54.6 million for 2006, compared with 2005, primarily due to $37.9 million related to the consolidation of the legacy ONEOK Partners operations, $12.0 million for the Black Mesa Pipeline impairment and $15.5 million for the acquisition of natural gas liquids assets from Koch in 2005. These increases were offset by an $8.2 million decrease resulting from the December 2005 sale of natural gas gathering and processing assets located in Texas.

Operating income for 2006 includes the gain on sale of assets of $113.9 million related to ONEOK Partners’ sale of a 20 percent partnership interest in Northern Border Pipeline to TC PipeLines in April 2006. Operating income for 2005 includes a $264.2 million gain on the sale of the natural gas gathering and processing assets located in Texas to a subsidiary of Eagle Rock Energy, Inc. in December 2005. See Note B of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

The increase in equity earnings from investments of $97.4 million for 2006, compared with 2005, resulted primarily from ONEOK Partners’ 50 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline and gathering and processing joint venture interests in the Powder River and Wind River Basins.

The $145.5 million increase in capital expenditures for 2006, compared with 2005, is primarily related to $80.4 million in expenditures by ONEOK Partners’ legacy operations and $36.7 million in expenditures related to Overland Pass Pipeline Company.

For a discussion of market risk, see Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures Aboutabout Market Risk in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Risk.


Distribution

Distribution

Overview - Our Distribution segment provides natural gas distribution services to over two million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas through Oklahoma Natural Gas, Kansas Gas Service and Texas Gas Service, respectively. We serve residential, commercial, industrial and transportation customers in all three states. In addition, our distribution companies in Oklahoma and Kansas serve wholesale customers, and in Texas we serve public authority customers.

Selected Financial InformationResults - The following table sets forth certain selected financial informationresults for our Distribution segment for the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,   
Financial Results  2007  2006  2005    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Gas sales

  $1,976,330  $1,836,862  $2,094,126  

Transportation revenues

   87,301   88,306   94,160  

Cost of gas

   1,435,415   1,358,402   1,628,507   

Gross margin

   628,216   566,766   559,779  

Other revenues

   35,432   33,031   27,921   

Net margin

   663,648   599,797   587,700  

Operating costs

   377,778   371,460   360,351  

Depreciation and amortization

   111,615   110,858   113,437  

Gain (loss) on sale of assets

   (56)  18   5   

Operating income

  $174,199  $117,497  $113,917  
 


        Variances  Variances 
  Years Ended December 31, 2008 vs. 2007  2007 vs. 2006 
Financial Results 2008 2007 2006 Increase (Decrease)  Increase (Decrease) 
  (Millions of dollars) 
Gas sales $2,049.0 $1,976.3 $1,836.9 $72.7 4% $139.4 8%
Transportation revenues  87.3  87.3  88.3  - 0%  (1.0)(1%)
Cost of gas  1,496.7  1,435.4  1,358.4  61.3 4%  77.0 6%
Net margin, excluding other  639.6  628.2  566.8  11.4 2%  61.4 11%
Other revenues  41.3  35.4  33.0  5.9 17%  2.4 7%
Net margin  680.9  663.6  599.8  17.3 3%  63.8 11%
Operating costs  375.3  377.8  371.5  (2.5)(1%)  6.3 2%
Depreciation and amortization  116.8  111.6  110.9  5.2 5%  0.7 1%
Gain (loss) on sale of assets  -  (0.1) -  0.1 100%  (0.1)(100%)
Operating income $188.8 $174.1 $117.4 $14.7 8% $56.7 48%
Capital expenditures $169.0 $162.0 $159.0 $7.0 4% $3.0 2%
Operating Results2008 vs. 2007 - Net margin increased by $63.9 million during 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to:

·  an increase of $15.7 million resulting from the implementation of new rate mechanisms, which includes a $12.4 million increase in Oklahoma and a $3.3 million increase in Texas; and

·  an increase of $2.2 million related to recovery of carrying costs for natural gas in storage.

Operating costs decreased primarily due to:
·  a decrease of $4.3 million in employee-related costs; and
·  a decrease of $1.0 million in bad debt expense; partially offset by
·  an increase of $2.4 million in fuel-related vehicle costs.

Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to:
·  an increase of $4.0 million in depreciation expense related to our investment in property, plant and equipment; and
·  an increase of $1.2 million of regulatory amortization associated with revenue rider recoveries.

2007 vs. 2006 - Net margin increased primarily due to:
·  an increase of $55.2 million resulting from the implementation of new rate schedules, which includes $51.1 million in Kansas and $4.1 million in Texas; and
·  an increase of $8.0 million from higher customer sales volumes as a result of a return to more normal weather in our entire service territory.


an increase of $8.0 million from higher customer sales volumes as a result of a return to more normal weather in our entire service territory.

Operating costs increased $6.3 million during 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to:

an increase of $4.8 million in bad debt expense primarily in Oklahoma,

an increase of $5.3 million due to higher property taxes in Kansas, and

·  an increase of $4.8 million in bad debt expense, primarily in Oklahoma; and

a decrease of $4.0 million in labor and employee benefit costs.

Net margin increased $12.1 million for 2006, compared with 2005, due to:

an increase of $42.3 million resulting from the implementation of new rate schedules, which was made up of $39.7 million in Oklahoma and $2.6 million in Texas,

·  an increase of $5.3 million due to higher property taxes in Kansas; partially offset by

a decrease of $19.0 million primarily due to expiring riders and lower volumetric rider collections in Oklahoma,

·  a decrease of $4.0 million in labor and employee benefit costs.

a decrease of $10.0 million in customer sales due to warmer weather in our entire service territory, and


a decrease of $1.8 million due to reduced wholesale volumes in Kansas.

Operating costs increased $11.1 million for 2006, compared with 2005, due to:

an increase of $17.2 million in labor and employee benefit costs,

an increase of $1.7 million due to increased property taxes, partially offset by

a decrease of $7.6 million in bad debt expense.

Depreciation and amortization decreased $2.6 million for 2006, compared with 2005, primarily due to:

a decrease of $2.8 million in cathodic protection and service line amortization in Oklahoma from a limited issue rider which expired in the second quarter of 2005,

a decrease of $2.9 million related to the replacement of our field customer service system in Texas during the first quarter of 2005, and

an offsetting increase of $2.3 million for depreciation expense related to our investment in property, plant and equipment.

Selected Operating Data - The following tables set forth certain selected financial and operating information for our Distribution segment for the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,   
Operating Information  2007  2006  2005    

Average number of customers

   2,050,767   2,031,551   2,018,900  

Customers per employee

   732   713   689  

Capital expenditures(Thousands of dollars)

  $162,044  $159,026  $143,765   
   Years Ended December 31,   
Volumes(MMcf)  2007  2006  2005    

Gas sales

        

Residential

   121,587   110,123   122,010  

Commercial

   37,295   34,865   39,294  

Industrial

   1,758   1,624   2,432  

Wholesale

   13,231   29,263   33,521  

Public Authority

   2,679   2,520   2,559   

Total volumes sold

   176,550   178,395   199,816  

Transportation

   204,049   200,828   252,180   

Total volumes delivered

   380,599   379,223   451,996  
 
   Years Ended December 31,   
Margin  2007  2006  2005    
Gas Sales  (Thousands of dollars)   

Residential

  $440,836  $390,229  $373,812  

Commercial

   99,521   88,752   93,014  

Industrial

   2,330   2,867   3,103  

Wholesale

   1,212   4,826   6,672  

Public Authority

   3,675   3,188   3,069   

Gross margin on gas sales

   547,574   489,862   479,670  

Transportation

   80,642   76,904   80,109   

Gross margin

  $628,216  $566,766  $559,779  
 

Residential and commercial volumes increased during 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to a return to more normal weather from the unseasonably warm weather in 2006.

Residential, commercial and industrial volumes decreased in 2006, compared with 2005, due to warmer weather, primarily in the first quarter of 2006, which affects residential and commercial customers.

Wholesale sales represent contracted gas volumes that exceed the needs of our residential, commercial and industrial customer base and are available for sale to other parties. Wholesale volumes decreased during 2007, compared with 2006 and 2005, due to reduced volumes available for sale.

Public authority natural gas volumes reflect volumes used by state agencies and school districts served by Texas Gas Service.

Capital Expenditures - Our capital expenditure program includes expenditures for extending service to new areas, modifying customer service lines, increasing system capabilities, general replacements and improvements.  It is our practice to maintain and periodically upgrade facilities to assureensure safe, reliable and efficient operations.  Our capital expenditure program included $51.8 million, $50.6 million $54.9 million and $38.6$54.9 million for new business development in 2008, 2007 and 2006, and 2005, respectively. Capital expenditures


Selected Operating Information - - The following tables set forth certain selected operating information for new business development inour Distribution segment for the periods indicated.
  Years Ended December 31,
Operating Information 2008 2007 2006
Customers per employee  719   732   713 
Inventory storage balance (Bcf)
  25.1   22.7   26.3 
  Years Ended December 31, 
Volumes (MMcf)
 2008  2007  2006 
Gas sales         
Residential  125,834   121,587   110,123 
Commercial  37,758   37,295   34,865 
Industrial  1,395   1,758   1,624 
Wholesale  7,186   13,231   29,263 
Public Authority  2,592   2,679   2,520 
Total volumes sold  174,765   176,550   178,395 
Transportation  219,398   204,049   200,828 
Total volumes delivered  394,163   380,599   379,223 
  Years Ended December 31, 
Margin 2008  2007  2006 
Gas Sales (Millions of dollars) 
Residential $444.0  $440.9  $390.2 
Commercial  101.3   99.5   88.8 
Industrial  2.6   2.3   2.9 
Wholesale  0.6   1.2   4.8 
Public Authority  3.8   3.7   3.2 
Net margin on gas sales  552.3   547.6   489.9 
Transportation revenues  87.3   80.6   76.9 
Net margin, excluding other $639.6  $628.2  $566.8 
  Years Ended December 31, 
Number of Customers 2008  2007  2006 
Residential  1,886,118   1,876,054   1,859,480 
Commercial  159,748   160,517   159,214 
Industrial  1,420   1,455   1,528 
Wholesale  28   27   18 
Public Authority  2,963   2,952   2,645 
Transportation  10,376   9,762   8,666 
Total customers  2,060,653   2,050,767   2,031,551 

Residential volumes increased during 2008, compared with 2007, was impacted by delayed housing starts due to wetter thancolder temperatures in our Oklahoma and Kansas service territories; however, margins were moderated by weather normalization mechanisms.


Residential and commercial volumes increased during 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to a return to more normal weather from the unseasonably warm weather in 2006.

Wholesale sales represent contracted gas volumes that exceed the needs of our residential, commercial and a decrease in housing permits in Oklahoma. Increased newindustrial customer installation in the Austinbase and El Paso areas of Texas and the Tulsa and Oklahoma City areas of Oklahoma were primarily responsibleare available for the increase in new business capital expendituressale to other parties.  Wholesale volumes decreased during 2006,2008, compared with 2005.

2007 and 2006, due to reduced volumes available for sale.


Public authority natural gas volumes reflect volumes used by state agencies and school districts served by Texas Gas Service.

Transportation margins increased during 2008, compared with 2007, primarily due to increased transportation volumes in Oklahoma and Kansas.

Regulatory Initiatives

Oklahoma

Oklahoma - OnIn August 17, 2007, Oklahoma Natural Gas filed an application for authorization of a capital investment recovery mechanism asmechanism.  In February 2008, the OCC approved a means to more timely recover and earn a rate of return on the capital investments made for maintaining its distribution system. A joint stipulation, was agreed to and signed by all parties in January 2008. This joint stipulation will allowwhich allows Oklahoma Natural Gas to collect a rate of return, depreciation and 50 percent of the carrying costsproperty tax expense associated with non-revenue producing incremental capital expenditures betweeninvestments since its 2005 rate filings. A general hearing on this matter was held on February 15, 2008.case.  The rates, are expected to generatewhich were effective in March 2008, generated margins of approximately $7.6$7.7 million in revenues and are expected to be in place in March 2008.

  In July 2008, Oklahoma Natural Gas filed to increase the capital investment recovery mechanism from $7.6 million to $12.6 million annually.  In October 2008, the parties signed a joint stipulation approving the request, and an administrative law judge of the OCC subsequently recommended approval of the joint stipulation.  The final order was recently authorizedapproved by the OCC in December 2008, and the increased recovery level was effective in January 2009.


The OCC has authorized Oklahoma Natural Gas to implement a natural gas hedge program as a three-year pilot program, with up to $10 million per year in hedge costs to be recovered from customers.

In a 2005 rate filing, the parties stipulated thatdefer transmission pipeline Integrity Management Program (IMP) costs incurred (inclusive of operations and maintenance expense, depreciation, property taxes and a rate of return) in compliance with the Federal Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 should be addressed in a subsequent proceeding, and in an order issued in October of 2005, the OCC authorized Oklahoma Natural Gas to defer such costs (inclusive of operations and maintenance expense, depreciation, ad valorem taxes and a rate of return).2002.  On January 31, 2007, Oklahoma Natural Gas filed anthe first application with the OCC seeking recovery of these costs.  On August 31, 2007, the OCC issued an order approving a stipulation of the parties, which providesprovided for recovery of $7.2 million in IMP deferrals incurred as of July 31, 2007. 2007, and these deferrals were recovered during the months of October 2007 through June 2008.


The 2008second IMP application was made at the OCC on January 31, 2008, and covered the IMP deferrals for the months of August through December 2007 and the true-ups associated with the prior recovery period.  This filing also requested $7.2 million to be recovered with a new IMP billing rate to be put in place in July 2008.  The OCC approved this request, and billings under the 2008 IMP application began in July 2008.  The third IMP application was made at the OCC on January 30, 2009, and covered the IMP deferrals for 2008, and the true-ups associated with the prior recovery period.  This filing requests a total of $10.8 million with a new IMP billing rate to be put in place in July 2009.  Oklahoma Natural Gas will continue to defer IMP costs as they are incurred and will filemake future filings to recover those costs.

In August 2008, Oklahoma Natural Gas filed with the OCC for approval to include the fuel-related portion of bad debts in the Purchased Gas Adjustment mechanism for cost recovery.  In October 2008, all parties signed the joint stipulation approving the request, and an administrative law judge of the OCC subsequently recommended approval of the joint stipulation.  The joint stipulation allows Oklahoma Natural Gas to begin deferring its fuel-related bad debts beginning in January 2009 and to collect those amounts above the levels in base rates through the Purchased Gas Adjustment beginning in January 2010.  The final order was issued by the OCC in December 2008.  The associated deferrals began in January 2009.

In October 2008, a newjoint application each year for recovery of any additional costs.

incentive-based rates was filed by the OCC staff and Oklahoma Natural Gas.  This application proposes that the OCC adopt an incentive-based rate design and more streamlined regulatory process.  If approved, this will provide for more timely rate changes.


Kansas - In October 2006, Kansas Gas Service reached a settlement with the KCC staff and all other parties to increase annual revenues by approximately $52 million.  The terms of the settlement were approved by the KCC in November 2006.  The rate increase is effective for services rendered on or after January 1, 2007.

Texas -


In August 2007, Texas2008, Kansas Gas Service filed for a rate adjustmentan application with the cityKCC to impose a surcharge designed to annually collect approximately $2.9 million in costs associated with its Gas System Reliability Surcharge (GSRS) mechanism.  The GSRS mechanism allows natural gas utilities to earn a return and recover carrying costs associated with investments made to comply with state and federal pipeline safety requirements or costs to relocate existing facilities pursuant to requests made by a government entity.  The KCC approved the request in December 2008, with authorized GSRS collections effective with customer billings on January 1, 2009. 


Texas Gas Service requested a total increase of $5.5 million. On February 5, 2008, the El Paso City Council approved a rate increase of approximately $3.1 million. The increase is effective for meters read on or after February 15, 2008.

- Texas Gas Service has received several regulatory approvals to implement rate increases in various municipalities in Texas.  A total of $1.7 million in annual rate increases were approved and implemented in the fourth quarter of 2007.  A total of $5.5 million in annual rate increases were approved and implemented in 2006.


In August 2007, Texas Gas Service filed for a rate adjustment with the city of El Paso, Texas, and the municipalities of Anthony, Clint, Horizon City, Socorro and Vinton.  Texas Gas Service requested a total annual increase of $5.5 million.  In February 2008, the El Paso City Council approved an annual rate increase of approximately $3.1 million.  The increase was effective in February 2008.

In April 2008, the RRC approved a rate increase in our South Texas jurisdiction.  The rate increase was effective May 2008 and will increase revenues by $1.1 million annually.

In May 2008, Texas Gas Service filed for interim rate relief under the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program with the city of El Paso, Texas, and surrounding communities for approximately $1.1 million.  This program is a capital recovery mechanism that allows for an interim rate adjustment providing recovery and a return on incremental capital investments made between rate cases.  In August 2008, an annual rate increase of approximately $1.0 million was approved; the new rates were effective in September 2008.

In February 2009, Texas Gas Service filed a statement of intent to increase rates in its central Texas service area for approximately $3.6 million.  If approved, new rates are expected to become effective in June 2009.

General - Certain costs to be recovered through the ratemaking process have been recorded as regulatory assets in accordance with Statement 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.”  Should recovery cease due to regulatory actions, certain of these assets may no longer meet the criteria of Statement 71, and accordingly, a write-off of regulatory assets and stranded costs may be required.


Energy Services


Overview - Our Energy Services segment’s primary focus is to create value for our customers by delivering physical natural gas products and risk management services through our network of contracted transportation and storage capacity and natural gas supply. These services include meeting our customers’ baseload, swing and peaking natural gas commodity requirements on a year-round basis. To provide these bundled services, we lease storage and transportation capacity. Our total storage capacity under lease is 96 Bcf, with maximum withdrawal capability of 2.4 Bcf/d and maximum injection capability of 1.6 Bcf/d. Our current transportation capacity is 1.8 Bcf/d. Our contracted storage and transportation capacity connects the major supply and demand centers throughout the United States and into Canada. With these contracted assets, our business strategies include identifying, developing and delivering specialized services and products for value to our customers, which are primarily LDCs, electric utilities, and commercial and industrial end users. Our storage and transportation capacity allows us opportunities to optimize these positions through our application of market knowledge and risk management skills.

Our Energy Services segment regularly conducts business with ONEOK Partners, our 45.7 percent owned affiliate, which comprises our ONEOK Partners segment. This segment also conducts business with our Distribution segment. These services are provided under agreements with market-based terms.

Selected Financial and Operating InformationResults - The following tables settable sets forth certain selected financial and operating informationresults for our Energy Services segment for the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,   
Financial Results  2007  2006  2005    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Energy and power revenues

  $6,639,884  $6,328,893  $8,345,091  

Energy trading revenues, net

   (10,613)  6,797   12,680  

Other revenues

   132   117   980  

Cost of sales and fuel

   6,382,001   6,061,989   8,152,391   

Net margin

   247,402   273,818   206,360  

Operating costs

   39,920   42,464   38,719  

Depreciation and amortization

   2,147   2,149   2,071   

Operating income

  $205,335  $229,205  $165,570  
 
   Years Ended December 31,   
Operating Information  2007  2006  2005    

Natural gas marketed(Bcf)

   1,191   1,132   1,191  

Natural gas gross margin($/Mcf)

  $0.19  $0.22  $0.14  

Physically settled volumes(Bcf)

   2,370   2,288   2,387  

Capital expenditures(Thousands of dollars)

  $158  $-    $159   


        Variances  Variances 
  Years Ended December 31, 2008 vs. 2007  2007 vs. 2006 
Financial Results 2008 2007 2006 Increase (Decrease)  Increase (Decrease) 
  (Millions of dollars) 
Revenues $7,585.8 $6,629.4 $6,335.8 $956.4 14% $293.6 5%
Cost of sales and fuel  7,475.1  6,382.0  6,062.0  1,093.1 17%  320.0 5%
Net margin  110.7  247.4  273.8  (136.7)(55%)  (26.4)(10%)
Operating costs  35.6  39.9  42.5  (4.3)(11%)  (2.6)(6%)
Depreciation and amortization  0.9  2.1  2.1  (1.2)(57%)  - 0%
Gain on sale of assets  1.5  -  -  1.5 100%  - 0%
Operating income $75.7 $205.4 $229.2 $(129.7)(63%) $(23.8)(10%)
Capital expenditures $0.1 $0.2 $- $(0.1)(50%) $0.2 100%

Energy markets were affected by higher commodity prices during 2008, compared with 2007.  The increase in commodity prices had a direct impact on our revenues and the cost of sales and fuel.

Operating Results2008 vs. 2007 - Net margin decreased by $26.4 million during primarily due to the following:
·  a net decrease of $40.3 million in transportation margins, net of hedging activities, primarily due to decreased basis differentials between the Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions, and increased transportation-related costs in 2008;
·  a decrease of $13.9 million in financial trading margins; and
·  a net decrease of $83.3 million in storage and marketing margins, net of hedging activities, primarily due to:
o  a net decrease of $87.3 million in physical storage margins net of hedging activities, as a result of:
·  hedging opportunities associated with weather related events that led to higher storage margins in 2007 compared with 2008;


·  lower 2008 storage margins related to storage risk management positions and the impact of changes in natural gas prices on these positions; and
·  fewer opportunities to optimize storage capacity due to the significant decline in natural gas prices in the second half of 2008;
o  a  decrease of $9.7 million in physical storage margins due to a lower of cost or market write-down on natural gas inventory; and
o  a decrease of $2.1 million due to colder than anticipated weather and market conditions that increased the supply cost of managing our peaking and load-following services and provided fewer opportunities to increase margins through optimization activities, primarily in the first quarter of 2008; partially offset by
o  an increase of $15.8 million from changes in the unrealized fair value of derivative instruments associated with storage and marketing activities and improved marketing margins, which benefited from price movements and optimization activities.

Operating costs decreased primarily due to lower employee-related costs and depreciation expense.

2007 compared withvs. 2006 - Net margin decreased primarily due to:

a decrease of $22.0 million in transportation margins, net of hedging activities, associated with changes in the unrealized fair value of derivative instruments and the impact of a force majeure event on the Cheyenne Plains Gas Pipeline, as more fully described below,

a decrease of $5.0 million in retail activities from lower physical margins due to market conditions and increased competition,

a decrease of $4.3 million in financial trading margins, that was partially offset by

an increase of $4.9 million in storage and marketing margins, net of hedging activities, related to:

·  a decrease of $22.0 million in transportation margins, net of hedging activities, associated with changes in the unrealized fair value of derivative instruments and the impact of a force majeure event on the Cheyenne Plains Gas Pipeline, as more fully described below;
·  a decrease of $5.0 million in retail activities from lower physical margins due to market conditions and increased competition;
·  a decrease of $4.3 million in financial trading margins that was partially offset by
·  an increase of $4.9 million in storage and marketing margins, net of hedging activities, related to:
oan increase in physical storage margins, net of hedging activity, due to higher realized seasonal storage spreads and optimization activities,activities; partially offset by
oa decrease in marketing margins,margins; and
oa net increase in the cost associated with managing our peaking and load following services, slightly offset by higher demand fees collected for these services.


In September 2007, a portion of the volume contracted under our firm transportation agreement with Cheyenne Plains Gas Pipeline Company was curtailed due to a fire at a Cheyenne Plains pipeline compressor station.  The fire damaged a significant amount of instrumentation and electrical wiring, causing Cheyenne Plains Gas Pipeline Company to declare a force majeure event on the pipeline.  This firm commitment was hedged in accordance with Statement 133.  The discontinuance of fair value hedge accounting on the portion of the firm commitment that was impacted by the force majeure event resulted in a loss of approximately $5.5 million that was recognized in the third quarter. In addition, we incurred a margin lossquarter of approximately2007, of which $2.4 million of insurance proceeds were recovered and recognized in late 2007 on our actual physical transportation. We have filed a claim with our insurance carriers under our business interruption policy for reimbursementthe first quarter of losses incurred during the Cheyenne Plains pipeline capacity curtailments, which is currently being processed.2008.  Cheyenne Plains Gas Pipeline Company resumed full operations in November 2007.


Operating costs decreased $2.5 million in 2007, compared with 2006, primarily due to decreased legal and employee-related costs, and reduced ad-valorem tax expense.

Net margin increased $67.5 million


Selected Operating Information - - The following table sets forth certain selected operating information for 2006,our Energy Services segment for the periods indicated.
  Years Ended December 31, 
Operating Information 2008  2007  2006 
Natural gas marketed (Bcf)
  1,160   1,191   1,132 
Natural gas gross margin ($/Mcf)
 $0.07  $0.19  $0.22 
Physically settled volumes (Bcf)
  2,359   2,370   2,288 

Our natural gas in storage at December 31, 2008, was 81.9 Bcf, compared with 2005, primarily due to:

an increase of $58.0 million in transportation margins, net of hedging activities, primarily due to improved66.7 Bcf at December 31, 2007.  At December 31, 2008, our total natural gas basis differentials between Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast regions,

an increase of $7.1 million in our natural gas trading operations primarily associated with favorable basis spread and fixed-price movement in our basis trading and fixed-price portfolios,

a net increase of $0.9 million related to storage and marketing margins primarily due to:

oan increase of $7.1 million due to improved physical storage and marketing margins, net of hedging activities, and increased demand fees and optimization activities associated with peaking services, partially offset by,
oa decrease of $6.2 million related to power margins associated with a tolling transaction that expired December 31, 2005, and

an increase of $1.5 million in retail activities due to improved physical margins.

Operating costs increased $3.7 million in 2006,capacity under lease was 91 Bcf, compared with 2005, primarily96 Bcf at December 31, 2007.


Natural gas volumes marketed decreased slightly during 2008, compared with 2007, due to increased employee-related costs.

injections in the third quarter of 2008.  In addition, demand for natural gas was impacted by weather-related events in the third quarter of 2008, including a 15 percent decrease in cooling degree-days and demand disruption caused by Hurricane Ike.



Natural gas volumes marketed increased during 2007, compared with 2006, due to an increase in sales activity in the southeastern United States in the third quarter of 2007.  Natural gas volumes were also impacted by a 14 percent increase in heating degree daysdegree-days in our service territory, compared with the same period in 2006.

Natural gas volumes marketed decreased for 2006, compared with 2005, primarily due to higher storage injections in the second and third quarters of 2006, warmer temperatures in the majority of our service territory in the first and fourth quarters of 2006, and decreased sales in our Canadian operations.

Our natural gas in storage at December 31, 2007, was 66.7 Bcf, compared with 74.1 Bcf at December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2007, our total natural gas storage capacity under lease was 96 Bcf, compared with 86 Bcf at December 31, 2006.


The acquisition of natural gas storage capacity has becomeis more competitive as a result of new entrants, increases in the spread between summer and winter natural gas prices, and natural gas price volatility.market entrants.  The increased demand for storage capacity has resulted in an increase in both the cost of leasing storage capacity and the required term of the lease.  Longer terms and increased costs for our storage capacity leases could result in significant increases in the cost of our contractual commitments which are shown on page 52.

commitments.


The following table shows theour margins by activity for the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,   
    2007  2006  2005    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Marketing and storage, gross

  $409,051  $414,951  $350,227  

Less: Storage and transportation costs

   (191,863)  (180,708)  (174,838)  

Marketing and storage, net

   217,188   234,243   175,389  

Retail marketing

   13,990   19,006   17,526  

Financial trading

   16,224   20,569   13,445   

Net margin

  $247,402  $273,818  $206,360  
 

 Years Ended December 31, 
  2008  2007  2006 
 (Millions of dollars) 
Marketing, storage and transportation, gross $313.4  $409.1  $414.9 
Less:  Storage and transportation costs  (219.8)  (191.9)  (180.7)
   Marketing, storage and transportation, net  93.6   217.2   234.2 
Retail marketing  14.8   14.0   19.0 
Financial trading  2.3   16.2   20.6 
Net margin $110.7  $247.4  $273.8 

Marketing, storage and storage activities,transportation, net, primarily includeincludes physical marketing, purchases and sales, firm storage and transportation capacity expense, including the impact of cash flow and fair value hedges, and other derivative instruments used to manage our risk associated with these activities.  The combinationRisk management and operational decisions have a significant impact on the net result of owning supply, controlling strategic assetsour marketing and storage activities.  Origination gains are also a component of marketing activity, which is the fair value recognition of contracts that our wholesale marketing department structures to meet the risk management services allows us to provide commodity-diverse products and services toneeds of our customers such as peaking and load following services.

customers.


Retail marketing includes revenues from providing physical marketing and supply services, coupled with risk management services, to residential, municipal, and small commercial and industrial customers.


Financial trading margin includes activities that are generally executed using financially settled derivatives.  These activities are normally short term in nature, with a focus ofon capturing short-term price volatility.  Energy trading revenues, net,Revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Income Statements includesinclude financial trading margins, as well as certain physical natural gas transactions with our trading counterparties.  Revenues and cost of sales and fuel from such physical transactions are required to be reported on a net basis.


Contingencies

Contingencies

Legal Proceedings - We are a party to various litigation matters and claims that are normal in the course of our operations.  While the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the final outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or liquidity.


OtherFERC Matter - As a result of an internal review of a transaction that was brought to the attention of one of our affiliates by a third party, we have commencedconducted an internal review of transactions that may have violated FERC natural gas capacity release rules or related rules. While our internal review is ongoing, we believe it is likelyrules and determined that a limited number of thesethere were transactions will have violated FERC capacity release rules or related rules.that should be disclosed to the FERC.  We have notified the FERC of this review and expect to filefiled a report with the FERC regarding these transactions in March 2008.  We cooperated fully with the FERC in its investigation of this matter and have taken steps to better ensure that current and future transactions comply with applicable FERC regulations by mid-March 2008 concerning any violations. Atimplementing a compliance plan dealing with capacity release.  We entered into a global settlement with the FERC to resolve this time, we do not believe that penalties, if any, associated with potential violations will havematter and other FERC enforcement matters, which was approved by the FERC on January 15, 2009.  The global settlement provides for a material impacttotal civil penalty of $4.5 million and approximately $2.2 million in disgorgement of profits and interest, of which $1.7 million of the civil penalty was allocated to ONEOK Partners.  The amounts were recorded as a liability on our resultsConsolidated Balance Sheet as of operations, financial position or liquidity.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Overview - In September 2005, we completed the sale of our former production segment to TXOK Acquisition, Inc. for $645 million, before adjustments, and recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of approximately $240.3 million. The gain reflects the cash received less adjustments, selling expenses and the net book value of the assets sold. The proceeds from the sale were used to reduce debt.

Additionally, in the third quarter of 2005, weDecember 31, 2008.  We made the decision to sell our Spring Creek power plant, locatedrequired payments in Oklahoma, and exit the power generation business. In October 2005, we concluded that our Spring Creek power plant had been impaired and recorded an impairment expenseJanuary 2009.



- 52 - -

Table of $52.2 million. We subsequently entered into an agreement to sell our Spring Creek power plant to Westar Energy, Inc. for $53 million. The transaction received FERC approval and the sale was completed on October 31, 2006.

At the time of the sale, we retained a contract with the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA) that required us to provide OMPA with 75 megawatts of firm capacity per month for a monthly fixed charge of approximately $0.4 million through December 31, 2015. To fulfill our obligations under this contract, we entered into an agreement with Westar to purchase 75 megawatts of firm capacity on the same terms as our agreement with OMPA. In an arbitration ruling dated October 11, 2007, our contract with OMPA was terminated as of that date, and we were awarded payment for our services through that date. We are currently evaluating our alternatives with respect to our contract with Westar.

These components of our business are accounted for as discontinued operations. Accordingly, amounts in our consolidated financial statements and related notes for all periods shown relating to our former production segment and our power generation business are reflected as discontinued operations. The sale of our former production segment and the sale of our power generation business are in line with our business strategy to sell assets when deemed to be less strategic or as other conditions warrant.

Selected Financial Information - The amounts of revenue, costs and income taxes reported in discontinued operations are shown in the table below for the periods indicated.Contents

   Years Ended December 31,   
    2006  2005    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Operating revenues

  $10,646  $135,213  

Cost of sales and fuel

   7,393   38,398   

Net margin

   3,253   96,815   

Impairment expense

   -     52,226  

Operating costs

   837   24,302  

Depreciation and amortization

   -     17,919   

Operating income

   2,416   2,368   

Other income (expense), net

   -     252  

Interest expense

   3,013   12,588  

Income taxes

   (232)  (3,788)  

Income (loss) from operations of discontinued components, net

  $(365) $(6,180) 
 

Gain on sale of discontinued components, net of tax of $90.7 million

  $-    $149,577   


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

General

General- Part of our strategy is to grow through acquisitions and internally generated growth projects that strengthen and complement our existing assets.  We have relied primarily on operating cash flow, borrowings from commercial paper and credit agreements, and issuance of debt and equity in the capital markets for our liquidity and capital resource requirements.  We expect to continue to use these sources for liquidity and capital resource needs on both a short- and long-term basis.

Beginning in 2007 and continuing in 2008, the capital markets have been impacted by macroeconomic, liquidity and other recessionary concerns. During this period, ONEOK and ONEOK Partners have continued to have access to ONEOK’s commercial paper program and the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement, respectively, to fund short-term liquidity needs. Additionally, ONEOK Partners issued $600 million of long-term debt in September 2007. We anticipate that our existing capital resources, ability to obtain financing and cash flow generated from future operations will enable us to maintain our current level of operations and our planned operations including capital expenditures for the foreseeable future.  We have no material guarantees of debt or other similar commitments to unaffiliated parties.


During 20072008 and 2006,continuing into 2009, the capital markets experienced volatility and disruption, which could limit our access to those markets or increase the cost of issuing new securities in the future.  Higher commodity prices and wider basis differentials, particularly in 2008, have also resulted in higher collateral requirements and natural gas inventory costs in our Energy Services segment.  Throughout this period, ONEOK has continued to have access to its $1.2 billion revolving credit agreement (ONEOK Credit Agreement); also, ONEOK Partners has continued to have access to the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement, which has been adequate to fund short-term liquidity needs.  In addition, beginning in August 2008, ONEOK had access to its new short-term credit agreement.  In the third quarter of 2008, ONEOK began to utilize both of its credit agreements and lessened its use of commercial paper due to decreased liquidity and rising costs in the commercial paper market.  See discussion below under “Short-term Liquidity.”  Also in 2008, ONEOK Partners issued common units and received additional contributions from ONEOK Partners GP.  See discussion below under “Long-term Financing.”

We expect continued deteriorating economic conditions in 2009, with downward pressures, relative to 2008, on commodity prices.  We also expect continued volatility and disruption in the financial markets, which could result in an increased cost of capital.  ONEOK and ONEOK Partners’ ability to continue to access capital expenditures were financed through operatingmarkets for debt and equity financing under reasonable terms depends on the Company’s and Partnership’s respective financial condition, credit ratings and market conditions.  ONEOK and ONEOK Partners anticipate that cash flowsflow generated from operations, existing capital resources and short-ability to obtain financing will enable both to maintain current levels of operations and planned operations, collateral requirements and capital expenditures.

Capitalization Structure - The following table sets forth our capitalization structure for the periods indicated.
 Years Ended December 31,
  2008 2007 
Long-term debt 67% 70% 
Equity 33% 30% 
      
Debt (including notes payable) 76% 71% 
Equity 24% 29% 

ONEOK does not guarantee the debt of ONEOK Partners.  For purposes of determining compliance with financial covenants in the ONEOK Credit Agreement and ONEOK’s $400 million 364-day revolving credit facility dated August 6, 2008 (the 364-Day Facility), the debt of ONEOK Partners is excluded.  At December 31, 2008, ONEOK’s capitalization structure, excluding the debt of ONEOK Partners, was 44 percent long-term debt. Capital expenditures for 2007 were $883.7 million,debt and 56 percent equity, compared with $376.351 percent long-term debt and 49 percent equity at December 31, 2007.  At December 31, 2008, ONEOK’s capitalization structure, including notes payable and excluding the debt of ONEOK Partners, was 59 percent debt and 41 percent equity, compared with 52 percent debt and 48 percent equity at December 31, 2007.  In February 2008, ONEOK repaid $402.3 million of maturing long-term debt with cash from operations and short-term borrowings.  In February 2009, ONEOK repaid $100 million of maturing long-term debt with cash from operations and short-term borrowings.

Cash Management - ONEOK and ONEOK Partners each use similar centralized cash management programs that concentrate the cash assets of their operating subsidiaries in 2006, exclusivejoint accounts for the purpose of acquisitions. Of these amounts,providing financial flexibility and lowering the cost of borrowing, transaction costs and bank fees.  Both centralized cash management programs provide that funds in excess of the daily needs of the operating subsidiaries are concentrated, consolidated or otherwise made available for use by other entities within the respective consolidated groups.  ONEOK Partners’ capital expenditures during 2007 were $709.9 million, compared with $201.7 million foroperating subsidiaries participate in these programs to the same period in 2006, exclusiveextent they are permitted under FERC regulations.  Under these cash management programs, depending on whether a participating subsidiary has short-term cash surpluses or cash requirements, ONEOK and ONEOK Partners provide cash to their subsidiary or the subsidiary provides cash to them. 



Short-term Liquidity - ONEOK’s principal sources of short-term liquidity consist of cash generated from operating activities, quarterly distributions from ONEOK Partners’ capital projects, which arePartners, the ONEOK Credit Agreement and the 364-Day Facility, as discussed beginning on page 31.

Financing - For ONEOK, financing is provided through available cash, commercial paper and long-term debt.below.  ONEOK also has a credit agreement, which is used as a back-up for its commercial paper program andthat can be utilized for short-term liquidity needs. Other optionsneeds, to obtain financing include, butthe extent funds are not limited to, issuance of equity, issuance of mandatory convertible debt securities, issuance of trust preferred securities, asset securitizationavailable under the ONEOK Credit Agreement and sale/leaseback of facilities.the 364-Day Facility.  ONEOK Partners’ operations are financed throughprincipal sources of short-term liquidity consist of cash generated from operating activities and the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement.


During late 2008, ONEOK and ONEOK Partners decided to borrow under their available cashcredit facilities to fund their respective anticipated working capital requirements for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009.

In August 2008, ONEOK entered into the 364-Day Facility.  The interest rate is based, at ONEOK’s election, on either (i) the higher of prime or one-half of one percent above the issuanceFederal Funds Rate or (ii) the Eurodollar rate plus a set number of basis points based on ONEOK’s current long-term unsecured debt or limited partner units.

ratings by Moody’s and S&P.  The 364-Day Facility is being used for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes.


In September 2008, ONEOK entered into an amendment to the ONEOK Credit Agreement.  The amendment changed certain sublimits but did not change the lenders’ aggregate commitment to lend up to $1.2 billion under the ONEOK Credit Agreement.

The total amount of short-term borrowings authorized by ONEOK’s Board of Directors is $2.5 billion.  At December 31, 2008, ONEOK had no commercial paper outstanding, $1.4 billion in borrowings outstanding, $64.9 million in letters of credit issued, which includes $64.6 million under the ONEOK Credit Agreement and an additional $0.3 million in other letters of credit, and available cash and cash equivalents of approximately $332.4 million.  Considering outstanding borrowings, commercial paper and letters of credit under the ONEOK Credit Agreement, ONEOK had $135.4 million of credit available at December 31, 2008, under the ONEOK Credit Agreement and the 364-Day Facility.  As of December 31, 2008, ONEOK could have issued $1.5 billion of additional short- and long-term debt under the most restrictive provisions contained in its various borrowing agreements.

The total amount of short-term borrowings authorized by the Board of Directors of ONEOK Partners GP, the general partner of ONEOK Partners, is $1.5 billion.  At December 31, 2007, ONEOK had $102.6 million of commercial paper outstanding, $58.7 million in letters of credit issued and available cash and cash equivalents of approximately $15.9 million. At December 31, 2007,2008, ONEOK Partners had $900$870 million in borrowings outstanding and $130 million of credit available under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement $100 million of borrowings outstanding under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement, as described in Note H of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and available cash and cash equivalents of approximately $3.2$177.6 million.  As of December 31, 2007, ONEOK could have issued $2.0 billion of additional debt under the most restrictive provisions contained in its various borrowing agreements. As of December 31, 2007,2008, ONEOK Partners could have issued a $772.6 million of additional short- and long-term debt under the most restrictive provisions of its agreements, $1.1 billion of additional debt.

In November 2007, agreements.


ONEOK Partners entered intohas an outstanding $25 million letter of credit issued by Royal Bank of Canada, which is used for counterparty credit support.

ONEOK Partners also has a $15 million Senior Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility and Reimbursement Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., of which $12 million is currently being used, and a $12 million Standby Letter of Credit Agreementan agreement with Royal Bank of Canada.Canada, pursuant to which a $12 million letter of credit was issued.  Both agreements are used to support various permits required by the KDHE for ONEOK Partners’ ongoing business in Kansas.

In July 2007,


The ONEOK Partners exercisedCredit Agreement and the accordion feature364-Day Facility contain certain financial, operational and legal covenants.  These requirements include, among others:
·  a $400 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit;
·  a limitation on ONEOK’s stand-alone debt-to-capital ratio, which may not exceed 67.5 percent at the end of any calendar quarter;
·  a requirement that ONEOK maintains the power to control the management and policies of ONEOK Partners,
·  a limit on new investments in master limited partnerships; and
·  other customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants relating to liens, investments, fundamental changes in ONEOK’s businesses, changes in the nature of ONEOK’s businesses, transactions with affiliates, the use of proceeds and a covenant that prevents ONEOK from restricting its subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends.

The debt covenant calculations in the ONEOK Credit Agreement and the 364-Day Facility exclude the debt of ONEOK Partners.  Upon breach of any covenant by ONEOK, amounts outstanding under the ONEOK Credit Agreement or the 364-Day Facility may become immediately due and payable.  At December 31, 2008, ONEOK’s stand-alone debt-to-capital ratio was 58.2 percent, and ONEOK was in compliance with all covenants under the ONEOK Credit Agreement and the ONEOK 364-Day Facility.


Under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement, ONEOK Partners is required to increasecomply with certain financial, operational and legal covenants.  Among other things, these requirements include maintaining a ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA plus minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries, distributions received from investments and EBITDA related to any approved capital projects less equity earnings from investments and the commitmentequity portion of AFUDC) of no more than 5 to 1.  If ONEOK Partners consummates one or more acquisitions in which the aggregate purchase price is $25 million or more, the allowable ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA will be increased to 5.5 to 1 for the three calendar quarters following the acquisition.  Upon any breach of any covenant by ONEOK Partners in its ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement, amounts by $250 million to a total of $1.0 billion.

ONEOK’s $1.2 billion credit agreement (ONEOK Credit Agreement) andoutstanding under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement contain typical covenants as discussed in Note H of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.may become immediately due and payable.  At December 31, 2007,2008, ONEOK Partners’ ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA was 4.1 to 1, and ONEOK Partners was in compliance with all covenants under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement.


The average interest rate on ONEOK and ONEOK Partners wereshort-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2008, was 4.51 percent and 4.22 percent, respectively, compared with a weighted average rate of 3.88 percent and 3.94 percent, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2008.  Based on the forward LIBOR curve, we expect the interest rate on ONEOK and ONEOK Partners’ short-term borrowings to decrease in compliance2009, compared with all covenants.

2008.


Long-term Financing - In addition to the principal sources of short-term liquidity discussed above, options available to ONEOK to meet its longer-term cash requirements include the issuance of equity, issuance of long-term notes, issuance of convertible debt securities, asset securitization and sale/leaseback of facilities.  Options available to ONEOK Partners to meet its longer-term cash requirements include the issuance of common units, issuance of long-term notes, issuance of convertible debt securities, and asset securitization and sale/leaseback of facilities.

ONEOK and ONEOK Partners are subject, however, to changes in the equity and debt markets, and there is no assurance they will be able or willing to access the public or private markets in the future.  ONEOK and ONEOK Partners may choose to meet their cash requirements by utilizing some combination of cash flows from operations, altering the timing of controllable expenditures, restricting future acquisitions and capital projects, borrowing under existing credit facilities or pursuing other debt or equity financing alternatives.  Some of these alternatives could involve higher costs or negatively affect their respective credit ratings.  Based on ONEOK’s and ONEOK Partners’ investment-grade credit ratings, general financial condition and market expectations regarding their future earnings and projected cash flows, ONEOK and ONEOK Partners believe that they will be able to meet their respective cash requirements and maintain their investment-grade credit ratings.

ONEOK Partners Debt Issuance - In September 2007, ONEOK Partners completed an underwritten public offering of $600 million aggregate principal amount of 6.85 percent Senior Notes due 2037 (the 2037 Notes).  The 2037 Notes were issued under ONEOK Partners’ existing shelf registration statement filed with the SEC.

ONEOK Partners may redeem the 2037 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to their maturity at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the 2037 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium.  The redemption price will never be less than 100 percent of the principal amount of the 2037 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest.  The 2037 Notes are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with all of ONEOK Partners’ existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness, and effectively junior to all of the existing debt and other liabilities of its non-guarantor subsidiaries.  The 2037 Notes are non-recourse to ONEOK. For more information regarding

Debt Covenants - The terms of ONEOK’s long-term notes are governed by indentures containing covenants that include, among other provisions, limitations on ONEOK’s ability to place liens on its property or assets and its ability to sell and lease back its property.

We filed a new form of indenture in 2008.  The new indenture includes covenants that are similar to those contained in our prior indentures.  The new indenture does not limit the 2037 Notes, refer to discussion in Note I of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In September 2006, ONEOK Partners completed an underwritten public offering of (i) $350 million aggregate principal amount of 5.90 percent Seniordebt securities that may be issued and provides that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more additional series.


The indenture governing ONEOK Partners’ 2037 Notes due 2012, (ii) $450 milliondoes not limit the aggregate principal amount of 6.15 percent Senior Notes due 2016 and (iii) $600 million aggregate principal amount of 6.65 percent Senior Notes due 2036 (collectively, the Notes). ONEOK Partners registered the sale of the Notes with the SEC pursuant to a shelf registration statement filed on September

19, 2006. The Notes are non-recourse to ONEOK. For more information regarding the Notes, refer to discussion in Note I of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Capitalization Structure - The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization structure for the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,   
    2007  2006    

Long-term debt

  70% 65% 

Equity

  30% 35%  

Debt (including Notes payable)

  71% 65% 

Equity

  29% 35%  

ONEOK does not guarantee the debt of ONEOK Partners. For purposes of determining compliance with financial covenants in ONEOK’s Credit Agreement, the debt of ONEOK Partners is excluded. At December 31, 2007, ONEOK’s capitalization structure, excluding the debt of ONEOK Partners, was 51 percent long-term debt and 49 percent equity, compared with 48 percent long-term debt and 52 percent equity at December 31, 2006. In February 2008, we repaid $402.3 million of maturing long-term debt with cash from operations.

Credit Ratings - Our investment grade credit ratings as of December 31, 2007, are shown in the table below.

ONEOKONEOK Partners
Rating AgencyRatingOutlookRatingOutlook

Moody’s

Baa2StableBaa2Stable

S&P

BBBStableBBBStable

ONEOK’s commercial paper is rated P2 by Moody’s and A2 by S&P. Credit ratingssecurities that may be affected by a material changeissued and provides that debt securities may be issued from time to time in financial ratiosone or a material event affecting the business.more additional series.  The most common criteria for assessment of credit ratings are the debt-to-capital ratio, business risk profile, pretaxindenture contains covenants including, among other provisions, limitations on ONEOK Partners’ ability to place liens on its property or assets and after-tax interest coverage,its ability to sell and liquidity. If our credit ratings were downgraded, the interest rates on our commercial paper borrowings would increase, resulting in an increase in our cost to borrow funds, and we could potentially lose access to the commercial paper market. In the event that we are unable to borrow funds under our commercial paper program and there has not been a material adverse change in our business, we have access to a $1.2 billion credit agreement, which expires July 2011, and ONEOK Partners has access to a $1.0 billion revolving credit agreement that expires March 2012.

lease back its property.


ONEOK Partners’ $250 million and $225 million long-termsenior notes, payable, due 2010 and 2011, respectively, contain provisions that require ONEOK Partners to offer to repurchase the senior notes at par value if its Moody’s or S&P credit rating falls below investment grade (Baa3 for Moody’s or BBB- for S&P) and the investment gradeinvestment-grade rating is not reinstated within a period of 40 days.  Further, the indentures governing ONEOK Partners’ senior notes due 2010 and 2011 include an event of default


upon acceleration of other indebtedness of $25 million or more and the indentures governing the senior notes due 2012, 2016, 2036 and 2037 include an event of default upon the acceleration of other indebtedness of $100 million or more that would be triggered by such an offer to repurchase.  Such an event of default would entitle the trustee or the holders of 25 percent in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior notes due 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2036 and 2037 to declare those notes immediately due and payable in full.

ONEOK Partners Equity Issuance - In March 2008, ONEOK purchased from ONEOK Partners, in a private placement, an additional 5.4 million of ONEOK Partners’ common units for a total purchase price of approximately $303.2 million.  In addition, ONEOK Partners completed a public offering of 2.5 million common units at $58.10 per common unit and received net proceeds of $140.4 million after deducting underwriting discounts but before offering expenses.  In conjunction with ONEOK Partners’ private placement and the public offering of common units, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $9.4 million to ONEOK Partners in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest.  ONEOK and ONEOK Partners GP funded these amounts with available cash and short-term borrowings.

In April 2008, ONEOK Partners sold an additional 128,873 common units at $58.10 per common unit to the underwriters of the public offering upon the partial exercise of their option to purchase additional common units to cover over-allotments.  ONEOK Partners received net proceeds of approximately $7.2 million from the sale of these common units after deducting underwriting discounts but before offering expenses.  In conjunction with the partial exercise by the underwriters, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $0.2 million to ONEOK Partners in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest.  Following these transactions, our interest in ONEOK Partners is 47.7 percent.

ONEOK Partners used a portion of the proceeds from the sale of common units and the general partner contributions to repay borrowings under its existing ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement.

Capital Expenditures - ONEOK’s and ONEOK Partners’ capital expenditures are typically financed through operating cash flows, short- and long-term debt and the issuance of equity.  Total capital expenditures for 2008 were $1,473.1 million, compared with $883.7 million in 2007, exclusive of acquisitions.  Of these amounts, ONEOK Partners’ capital expenditures for 2008 were $1,253.9 million, compared with $709.9 million in 2007, exclusive of acquisitions.  The increase in capital expenditures for 2008, compared with 2007, is driven primarily by ONEOK Partners’ internal capital projects discussed beginning on page 37, and ONEOK’s purchase of ONEOK Plaza.  ONEOK and ONEOK Partners expect to continue to finance future capital expenditures with a combination of operating cash flows, short- and long-term debt, and the issuance of common units by ONEOK Partners.

The following table summarizes our 2009 projected capital expenditures, excluding AFUDC.

2009 Projected Capital Expenditures  
    (Millions of dollars)
ONEOK Partners   $425  
Distribution    137  
Energy Services    -  
Other    19  
Total projected capital expenditures   $581  

Projected 2009 capital expenditures are significantly less than 2008 capital expenditures, primarily due to the completion of the Overland Pass Pipeline and related projects and the Guardian Pipeline expansion and extension.  Additional information about our capital expenditures is included under “Capital Projects” on page 37.  ONEOK Partners anticipates spending $300 million to $500 million per year on growth capital expenditures for the years 2010 through 2015.

Investment in Northern Border Pipeline - Northern Border Pipeline anticipates an equity contribution of approximately $85 million that will be required of its partners in 2009, of which ONEOK Partners’ share will be approximately $43 million for its 50 percent equity interest.

Credit Ratings - Our credit ratings as of December 31, 2008, are shown in the table below.

ONEOKONEOK Partners
Rating AgencyRatingOutlookRatingOutlook
Moody'sBaa2StableBaa2Stable
S&PBBBStableBBBStable



ONEOK’s commercial paper is rated P2 by Moody’s and A2 by S&P.  ONEOK’s and ONEOK Partners’ credit ratings, which are currently investment grade, may be affected by a material change in financial ratios or a material event affecting the business.  The most common criteria for assessment of credit ratings are the debt-to-capital ratio, business risk profile, pretax and after-tax interest coverage, and liquidity.  ONEOK and ONEOK Partners do not anticipate their respective credit ratings to be downgraded.  However, if our credit ratings were downgraded, the interest rates on our commercial paper borrowings, the ONEOK Credit Agreement and the 364-Day Facility would increase, resulting in an increase in our cost to borrow funds, and we could potentially lose access to the commercial paper market.  Likewise, ONEOK Partners would see increased borrowing costs under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement.  In the event that ONEOK is unable to borrow funds under its commercial paper program and there has not been a material adverse change in its business, ONEOK would continue to have access to the ONEOK Credit Agreement, which expires in July 2011, and the 364-Day Facility, which expires in August 2009.  An adverse rating change alone is not a default under the ONEOK Credit Agreement, the 364-Day Facility or the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement but could trigger repurchase obligations with respect to certain long-term debt.  See additional discussion about our credit ratings under “Debt Covenants.”

If ONEOK Partners’ repurchase obligations are triggered, it may not have sufficient cash on hand to repurchase and repay any accelerated senior notes, which may cause it to borrow money under its credit facilities or seek alternative financing sources to finance the repurchases and repayment.  ONEOK Partners could also face difficulties accessing capital or its borrowing costs could increase, impacting its ability to obtain financing for acquisitions or capital expenditures, to refinance indebtedness and to fulfill its debt obligations. A decline in ONEOK Partners’ credit rating below investment grade may also require ONEOK Partners to provide security to its counterparties in the form of cash, letters of credit or other negotiable instruments.


Our Energy Services segment relies upon the investment gradeinvestment-grade rating of ONEOK’s senior unsecured long-term debt to satisfy credit requirements with most of our counterparties.reduce its collateral requirements.  If ONEOK’s credit ratings were to decline below investment grade, our ability to participate in energy marketing and trading activities could be significantly limited.  Without an investment gradeinvestment-grade rating, we may be required to fund margin requirements with our counterparties with cash, letters of credit or other negotiable instruments.  At December 31, 2007,2008, we could have been required to fund approximately $56.8$36.2 million in margin

requirements related to financial contracts upon such a downgrade.  A decline in ONEOK’s credit rating below investment grade may also significantly impact other business segments.


Other than ONEOK Partners’ note repurchase obligations and the margin requirementrequirements for our Energy Services segment described above, we have determined that we do not have significant exposure to rating triggers under ONEOK’s commercial paper agreement, trust indentures, building leases, equipment leases and other various contracts.  Rating triggers are defined as provisions that would create an automatic default or acceleration of indebtedness based on a change in our credit rating.

In the normal course of business, ONEOK’s and ONEOK Partners’ credit agreements contain provisions that would causecounterparties provide secured and unsecured credit.  In the cost to borrow funds to increase if their respective credit rating is negatively adjusted. An adverse rating change is not defined asevent of a default ofdowngrade in ONEOK’s or ONEOK Partners’ credit agreements.

Capital Projects - Seerating or a significant change in ONEOK’s or ONEOK Partners’ counterparties’ evaluation of our creditworthiness, ONEOK or ONEOK Partners could be asked to provide additional collateral in the “Capital Projects” section beginning on page 31 for discussionform of capital projects.

cash, letters of credit or other negotiable instruments.


ONEOK Partners’ Class B Units - - The units we received from ONEOK Partners were newly created Class B limited partner units.  Distributions on the Class B limited partner units were prorated from the date of issuance.  As of April 7, 2007, the Class B limited partner units are no longer subordinated to distributions on ONEOK PartnersPartners’ common units and generally have the same voting rights as the common units.


At a special meeting of the ONEOK Partners common unitholders held March 29, 2007, the unitholders approved a proposal to permit the conversion of all or a portion of the Class B limited partner units issued in the acquisition and consolidation of certain companies comprising our former gathering and processing, natural gas liquids, and pipelines and storage segments in a series of transactions (collectively the ONEOK Transactions) into common units at the option of the Class B unitholder.  The March 29, 2007, special meeting was adjourned to May 10, 2007, to allow unitholders additional time to vote on a proposal to approve amendments to the ONEOK Partners’ Partnership Agreement, which had the amendments been approved, would have granted voting rights for units held by us and our affiliates if a vote is held to remove us as the general partner and would have required fair market value compensation for our general partner interest if we are removed as general partner.  While a majority of ONEOK Partners common unitholders voted in favor of the proposed amendments to the ONEOK Partners Partnership Agreement at the reconvened meeting of the common unitholders held May 10, 2007, the proposed amendments were not approved by the required two-thirds affirmative vote of the outstanding units, excluding the common units and Class B units held by us and our affiliates.  As a result, effective April 7, 2007, the Class B limited partner units are entitled to receive increased quarterly distributions and distributions upon liquidation equal to 110 percent of the distributions paid with respect to the common units.


On June 21, 2007, we, as the sole holder of ONEOK PartnersPartners’ Class B limited partner units, waived our right to receive the increased quarterly distributions on the Class B units for the period April 7, 2007, through December 31, 2007, and


continuing thereafter until we give ONEOK Partners no less than 90 days advance notice that we have withdrawn our waiver.  Any such withdrawal of the waiver will be effective with respect to any distribution on the Class B units declared or paid on or after 90 days following delivery of the notice.


In addition, since the proposed amendments to the ONEOK Partners’ Partnership Agreement were not approved by the common unitholders, if the common unitholders vote at any time to remove us or our affiliates as the general partner, quarterly distributions payable on Class B limited partner units would increase to 123.5 percent of the distributions payable with respect to the common units, and distributions payable upon liquidation of the Class B limited partner units would increase to 123.5 percent of the distributions payable with respect to the common units.


Stock Repurchase Plan - For more information regarding the Stock Repurchase Plan, refer to discussion in Note G of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Commodity Prices - We are subject to commodity price volatility.  Significant fluctuations in commodity price in either physical or financial energy contracts may impact our overall liquidity due to the impact the commodity price change haschanges have on items such asour cash flows from operating activities, including the cost ofimpact on working capital for NGLs and natural gas held in storage, increased margin requirements the cost of transportation to various market locations, collectibility ofand certain energy-related receivables and working capital.receivables.  We believe that our current commercial paper programONEOK’s and ONEOK Partners’ lines ofavailable credit and cash and cash equivalents are adequate to meet liquidity requirements associated with commodity price volatility.  See discussion beginning on page 63 under “Commodity Price Risk” in Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk for information on our hedging activities.


Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans - Information about our pension and postretirement benefits plans, including anticipated contributions, is included under Note J of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


At December 31, 2007, the funded status of our pension plans exceeded 94 percent as required by federal regulations.  General market factors in 2008 negatively impacted the fair value of our plan assets, and as a result, we made a voluntary contribution to our pension plans of $112 million on December 31, 2008.  We do not expect that our funding requirements in 2009 will have a material impact on our liquidity.

ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES


Information about our environmental liabilities is included in Note K of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


CASH FLOW ANALYSIS

Our


We use the indirect method to prepare our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows combineFlows.  Under this method, we reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities by adjusting net income for those items that impact net income but may not result in actual cash receipts or payments during the period.  These reconciling items include depreciation and amortization, allowance for equity funds used during construction, gain on sale of assets, minority interests in income of consolidated affiliates, undistributed earnings from discontinued operations withequity investments in excess of distributions received, deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation expense, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory adjustments and investment securities gains.  The following table sets forth the changes in cash flows from continuing operations within each category. Discontinued operations accountedby operating, investing and financing activities for approximately $77.2the periods indicated.

      Variances Variances
  Years Ended December 31, 2008 vs. 2007 2007 vs. 2006
  2008 2007 2006 Increase (Decrease) Increase (Decrease)
  (Millions of dollars) 
Total cash provided by (used in):                
Operating activities $475.7 $1,029.7 $873.3 $(554.0)(54%) $156.4 18%
Investing activities  (1,454.3) (1,151.8) (237.2) (302.5)(26%)  (914.6)* 
Financing activities  1,469.6  72.9  (618.8) 1,396.7 *   691.7 * 
Change in cash and cash equivalents  491.0  (49.2) 17.3  540.2 *   (66.5)* 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  19.1  68.3  7.9  (49.2)(72%)  60.4 * 
Effect of Accounting Change
    on Cash and Cash Equivalents
  -  -  43.1  - 0%  (43.1)(100%)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $510.1 $19.1 $68.3 $491.0 *  $(49.2)(72%)
* Percentage change is greater than 100 percent.                     



Operating Cash Flows - Operating cash flows decreased by $554.0 million for 2008, compared with 2007, primarily due to changes in working capital.  These changes decreased operating cash flows by $515.3 million for 2008, compared with an increase of $203.6 million for 2007, primarily due to decreases in accounts payable and increased funding for our pension plans, partially offset by decreases in accounts and notes receivable.  The decrease in operating cash inflowsflows due to increases in working capital for the year ended December 31, 2005. Discontinued operations accounted for approximately $44.4 million in investing cash outflows for the year ended December 31, 2005, and did not account for any financing cash flows. The absence of cash flows from our discontinued operations did not have a significant impact on our future cash flows.

Operating Cash Flows - 2008 was partially offset by higher net income.


Operating cash flows increased by $156.4 million for 2007, compared with 2006.  Working capital increased operating cash flows by $209.9$203.6 million for 2007, compared with an increase of $59.7 million for 2006.

Operating cash flows increased by $1.0 billion for 2006, compared with 2005, primarily as a result of changes in components of working capital which increased operating cash flows by $59.7 million for 2006, compared with a decrease of $580.8 million for 2005, as a result of decreased accounts receivable, decreased inventories and decreased accounts payable. The impact of lower commodity prices on accounts receivable, accounts payable and natural gas inventory positively impacted operating cash flows in 2006, compared with 2005.

The increase in 2006 operating cash flows, compared with 2005, was also impacted by the consolidation of ONEOK Partners as of January 1, 2006. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we received $123.4 million in distributions, primarily from Northern Border Pipeline, compared with distributions primarily from ONEOK Partners of $11.0 million in the prior year.


Investing Cash Flows - Cash used in investing activities was $1.2 billion for 2007, compared with $237.2 million for 2006. The increased use of cash during 20072008 was primarily related to ana $589.4 million increase in capital expenditures, ofcompared with 2007.  Capital expenditures increased $507.4 million whenfor 2007, compared with 2006.  For further discussion ofThese increases are primarily related to ONEOK Partners’ capital projects, see page 31.projects.


In October 2007, ONEOK Partners acquired an interstate natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products pipeline system and related assets from a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan for approximately $300 million, before working capital adjustments.

Our


In April 2006, our ONEOK Partners segment received $297.0 million for the sale of a 20 percent partnership interest in Northern Border Pipeline in April 2006.Pipeline.  Our Energy Services segment received $53.0 million for the sale of our discontinued component, Spring Creek, in October 2006.


Acquisitions in 2006 primarily relate to our ONEOK Partners segment acquiring the 66-2/3 percent interest in Guardian Pipeline not previously owned by ONEOK Partners for approximately $77 million.  This purchase increased ONEOK Partners’ ownership interest to 100 percent. We also purchased from TransCanada its 17.5 percent general partner interest in ONEOK Partners for $40 million. This purchase resulted in our ownership of the entire 2 percent general partner interest in ONEOK Partners.  Additionally, ONEOK Partners paid $11.6 million to Williams for a 99 percent interest in, and initial capital expenditures related to, the Overland Pass Pipeline Company natural gas liquids pipeline joint venture.

Acquisitions in 2005 primarily represent the purchase of the natural gas liquids assets from Koch. The sale of our former production segment resulted in proceeds from the sale of a discontinued component. The proceeds from the sale of assets in 2005 primarily resulted from the sale of our natural gas gathering and processing assets located in Texas. Additionally, the sale of Cimarex Energy Company common stock, formerly Magnum Hunter Resources (MHR) common stock, is also included in proceeds from sale of assets. This common stock was acquired upon exercise of MHR stock purchase warrants in February 2005, resulting in our paying $22.7 million, which is included in other investing activities.


We had a decrease in short-term investments of $31.1 million between December 31, 2006, and December 31,for 2007, compared with a total investment of $31.1 million for 2006.  During 2007, we had less cash to invest following our repurchase of 7.5 million shares of our outstanding common stock in June.


Investing cash flows for 2006 also include the impact of the deconsolidation of Northern Border Pipeline and consolidation of Guardian Pipeline.


Financing Cash Flows - Cash provided by financing activities was $73.0Net short-term borrowings were $2.1 billion for 2008, compared with $196.6 million for 2007, compared with cash2007.  The increased short-term borrowings during 2008 were used to repay a portion of $402.3 million of maturing long-term debt.  Short-term borrowings also increased as the result ONEOK’s and ONEOK Partners’ decision in financing activitieslate 2008 to borrow under their available credit facilities to fund their respective anticipated working capital requirements for the remainder of $618.82008 and into 2009, and ONEOK Partners’ capital projects.

During 2008, ONEOK Partners’ public sale of 2.6 million for 2006, and cash provided by financing activities of $694.9common units generated approximately $147 million, in 2005.

after deducting underwriting discounts but before offering expenses.


In 2007, short-term financing was primarily used to fund ONEOK Partners’ capital projects.  ONEOK Partners’ $598 million debt issuance, net of discounts, was used to repay borrowings under the ONEOK Partners Credit agreement and finance the $300 million acquisition of assets, before working capital adjustments, from a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan in October 2007.


In 2006, we repaid the remaining $900 million outstanding on our $1.0 billion short-term bridge financing agreement.  During the second quarter of 2006, ONEOK Partners borrowed $1.05 billion under the ONEOK Partners Bridge Facilityits $1.1 billion 364-day credit facility dated April 6, 2006, (Bridge Facility) to finance a portion of the acquisition of the ONEOK Energy Assets and $77 million under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreementits then existing credit agreement to acquire the 66-2/3 percent interest in Guardian Pipeline not previously owned by ONEOK Partners.  During the third quarter of 2006, ONEOK Partners completed the underwritten public offering of senior notes totaling $1.4 billion in net proceeds, before offering expenses, which were used to repay all of the amounts outstanding of the $1.05 billion borrowed under the ONEOK Partners Bridge Facility and to repay $335 million of indebtedness outstanding under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement.

its then existing credit agreement.


On February 16, 2006, we successfully settled our 16.1 million equity units to 19.5 million shares of our common stock.  With the settlement of the equity units, we received $402.4 million in cash, which we used to repay a portion of our commercial paper.  We repaid a total of $641.5 million of our commercial paper during 2006.  See Note G of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion regarding the equity unit conversion.



In March 2006, our ONEOK Partners segment borrowed $33 million under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreementits then existing credit agreement to redeem all of the outstanding Viking Gas Transmission Series A, B, C and D senior notes and paid a redemption premium of $3.6 million.

During 2005, we borrowed $1.0 billion under our short-term bridge financing agreement to assist in financing the acquisition of natural gas liquids assets from Koch. We funded the remaining acquisition cost through our commercial paper program. We reduced our indebtedness under our short-term bridge financing agreement by $100.0 million as a result of a required prepayment due to the sale of our former production segment.

In June 2005, we issued $800 million of long-term notes and used a portion of the proceeds to repay commercial paper. The commercial paper had been issued to finance the Northern Border Partners acquisition, to repay $335 million of long-term debt that matured on March 1, 2005, and to meet operating needs. This increase was partially offset by $643 million in payments on notes payable and commercial paper, which represents the cash received from the sale of our former production segment, and payments made in the normal course of operations.

In December 2005, we made an early redemption of our $300.0 million long-term notes. In addition to the principal payment, we were required to pay a make-whole call premium of $5.7 million and accrued interest of $8.7 million, for a total payment of $314.4 million. We funded this early redemption with the proceeds from the sale of our natural gas gathering and processing assets located in Texas.


During 2007, we paid $20.1 million for the settlement of the forward purchase contract related to our stock repurchase in February and approximately $370 million for our stock repurchase in June.  We paid $281.4 million to repurchase shares in August 2006. During 2005, we paid $233.0 million to repurchase 7.5 million shares. All of these stock repurchases were pursuant to the plans approved by our Board of Directors.

During 2007 and 2006, we paid $182.9 million and $165.3 million in distributions to minority interests, which primarily resulted from our consolidation of ONEOK Partners in accordance with EITF 04-5 as of January 1, 2006, and represents distributions to the unitholders of the 54.3 percent of ONEOK Partners that we do not own.


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS


The following table sets forth our contractual obligations related to debt, operating leases and other long-term obligations as of December 31, 2007.2008.  For furtheradditional discussion of the debt and operating lease agreements, see Notes I and K, respectively, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

   Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations  Total  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  Thereafter    
ONEOK  (Thousands of dollars)   

Commercial paper

  $102,600  $102,600  $-    $-    $-    $-    $-    

Long-term debt

   1,988,163   408,549   106,265   6,284   406,306   6,329   1,054,430  

Interest payments on debt

   1,174,600   96,900   86,300   87,000   67,700   59,800   776,900  

Operating leases

   457,739   120,994   94,038   74,355   75,077   37,619   55,656  

Building acquisition

   30,900   30,900   -     -     -     -     -    

Firm transportation contracts

   575,419   121,100   104,616   90,167   68,874   64,905   125,757  

Financial and physical derivatives

   657,511   576,696   64,596   16,000   109   110   -    

Pension plan

   127,214   3,080   19,580   34,955   39,086   30,513   -    

Other postretirement benefit plan

   92,668   16,682   17,191   18,454   19,655   20,686   -     
   $5,206,814  $1,477,501  $492,586  $327,215  $676,807  $219,962  $2,012,743   
ONEOK Partners                        

$1 billion credit agreement

  $100,000  $100,000  $-    $-    $-    $-    $-    

Long-term debt

   2,608,641   11,930   11,931   261,931   236,931   361,062   1,724,856  

Interest payments on debt

   2,789,800   177,600   176,700   163,700   140,000   120,200   2,011,600  

Operating leases

   37,629   7,309   2,394   1,355   1,232   1,071   24,268  

Firm transportation contracts

   26,820   11,881   11,260   3,679   -     -     -    

Financial and physical derivatives

   46,856   46,856   -     -     -     -     -    

Purchase commitments, rights-of-way and other

   58,366   52,971   935   935   935   935   1,655   
   $5,668,112  $408,547  $203,220  $431,600  $379,098  $483,268  $3,762,379   

Total

  $10,874,926  $1,886,048  $695,806  $758,815  $1,055,905  $703,230  $5,775,122  
 



  Payments Due by Period 
Contractual Obligations Total 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Thereafter 
ONEOK (Thousands of dollars) 
$1.2 billion credit agreement $1,100,000 $1,100,000 $- $- $- $- $- 
$400 million credit agreement  300,000  300,000  -  -  -  -  - 
Long-term debt  1,584,053  106,265  6,284  406,306  6,329  6,205  1,052,664 
Interest payments on debt  1,100,500  92,100  91,400  70,900  62,100  61,700  722,300 
Operating leases  300,795  88,837  55,888  61,232  32,943  25,376  36,519 
Firm transportation contracts  552,509  123,352  103,157  81,833  80,389  57,249  106,529 
Financial and physical derivatives  927,635  816,319  97,225  13,623  468  -  - 
Employee benefit plans  42,602  42,602  -  -  -  -  - 
Other  850  567  283  -  -  -  - 
  $5,908,944 $2,670,042 $354,237 $633,894 $182,229 $150,530 $1,918,012 
                       
ONEOK Partners                      
$1 billion credit agreement $870,000 $870,000 $- $- $- $- $- 
Long-term debt  2,596,711  11,931  261,931  236,931  361,062  7,650  1,717,206 
Interest payments on debt  2,686,400  176,700  163,700  140,000  120,200  114,300  1,971,500 
Operating leases  86,508  18,362  16,027  15,527  8,755  2,063  25,774 
Firm transportation contracts  14,765  11,086  3,679  -  -  -  - 
Financial and physical derivatives  48,467  48,467  -  -  -  -  - 
Purchase commitments,                      
rights-of-way and other  35,582  30,914  977  976  977  977  761 
  $6,338,433 $1,167,460 $446,314 $393,434 $490,994 $124,990 $3,715,241 
Total $12,247,377 $3,837,502 $800,551 $1,027,328 $673,223 $275,520 $5,633,253 

Long-term Debt - Long-term debt as reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheets includes unamortized debt discount and the mark-to-market effect of interest-rate swaps.


Interest Payments on Debt - Interest expense is calculated by multiplying long-term debt by the respective coupon rates, adjusted for active swaps.


Operating Leases - Our operating leases include a natural gas processing plant, storage contracts, office space, pipeline equipment, rights-of-wayrights of way and vehicles.  Operating leaseslease obligations for ONEOK Partners exclude intercompany payments related to the lease of a gas processing plant.

In July 2007, ONEOK Leasing Company gave notice of its intent to exercise its option to purchase ONEOK Plaza on or before the end of the current lease term, set to expire on September 30, 2009. In addition, ONEOK Leasing Company has entered into a purchase agreement with the owner of ONEOK Plaza that, if certain conditions are met, would accelerate the purchase of the building to a date on or before March 31, 2008. The total purchase price of approximately $48 million would include $17.1 million for the present value of the lease payments and the $30.9 million base purchase price. These amounts are included in the 2008 column above.


Firm Transportation Contracts - Our ONEOK Partners, Distribution and Energy Services segments are party to fixed-price transportation contracts.  However, the costs associated with our Distribution segment’s contracts are recovered through rates as allowed by the applicable regulatory agency and are excluded from the table above.  Firm transportation agreements with our ONEOK Partners segment’s natural gas gathering and processing joint-venturesjoint ventures require minimum monthly payments.


Financial and Physical Derivatives - These are obligations arising from our ONEOK Partners and Energy Services segment’ssegments’ physical and financial derivatives for fixed-price purchase commitments and are based on market information at December 31, 2007.2008.  Not included in these amounts are offsetting cash inflows from our Energy Services segment’s product sales and net positive settlements of $865 million at December 31, 2007.settlements.  As market information changes daily and is potentially volatile, these values may change significantly.  Additionally, product sales may require additional purchase obligations to fulfill sales obligations that are not reflected in these amounts.


- 60 - -

Pension and Other PostretirementTable of Contents

Employee Benefit Plans - No payment amounts are provided forEmployee benefit plans include our minimum required contribution to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans for 2009.  See Note J of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the “Thereafter” column since there is no termination datethis Annual Report on Form 10-K for thesediscussion of our employee benefit plans.


Purchase Commitments - - Purchase commitments include purchasescommitments related to ONEOK Partners’ growth capital expenditures and other rightrights of way commitments.  Purchase commitments exclude commodity purchase contracts, which are included in the “Financial and physical derivatives” amounts.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


Some of the statements contained and incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  The forward-looking statements relate to our anticipated financial performance, management’s plans and objectives for our future operations, our business prospects, the outcome of regulatory and legal proceedings, market conditions and other matters.  TheWe make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements in certain circumstances.1995.  The following discussion is intended to identify important factors that could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.


Forward-looking statements include the items identified in the preceding paragraph, the information concerning possible or assumed future results of our operations and other statements contained or incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K identified by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “should,” “goal,” “forecast”“forecast,” “could,” “may,” “continue,” “might,” “potential,” “scheduled,” and other words and terms of similar meaning.


You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.  Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements.  Those factors may affect our operations, markets, products, services and prices.  In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with the forward-looking statements, factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statement include, among others, the following:


·  the effects of weather and other natural phenomena on our operations, including energy sales and demand for our services and energy prices;
·  competition from other United States and Canadian energy suppliers and transporters as well as alternative forms of energy, including, but not limited to, biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel;
·  the status of deregulation of retail natural gas distribution;
·  the capital intensive nature of our businesses;
·  the profitability of assets or businesses acquired or constructed by us;
·  our ability to make cost-saving changes in operations;
·  risks of marketing, trading and hedging activities, including the risks of changes in energy prices or the financial condition of our counterparties;
·  the uncertainty of estimates, including accruals and costs of environmental remediation;
·  the timing and extent of changes in energy commodity prices;
·  the effects of changes in governmental policies and regulatory actions, including changes with respect to income and other taxes, environmental compliance, climate change initiatives, and authorized rates or recovery of gas and gas transportation costs;
·  the impact on drilling and production by factors beyond our control, including the demand for natural gas and refinery-grade crude oil; producers’ desire and ability to obtain necessary permits; reserve performance; and capacity constraints on the pipelines that transport crude oil, natural gas and NGLs from producing areas and our facilities;
·  changes in demand for the use of natural gas because of market conditions caused by concerns about global warming;
·  the impact of unforeseen changes in interest rates, equity markets, inflation rates, economic recession and other external factors over which we have no control, including the effect on pension expense and funding resulting from changes in stock and bond market returns;
·  our indebtedness could make us vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions, limit our ability to borrow additional funds, and/or place us at competitive disadvantages compared to our competitors that have less debt, or have other adverse consequences;
·  actions by rating agencies concerning the credit ratings of ONEOK and ONEOK Partners;

competition from other United States and Canadian energy suppliers and transporters as well as alternative forms of energy;

the capital intensive nature of our businesses;

the profitability of assets or businesses acquired by us;

risks of marketing, trading and hedging activities, including the risks of changes in energy prices or the financial condition of our counterparties;

the uncertainty of estimates, including accruals and costs of environmental remediation;

the timing and extent of changes in energy commodity prices;

the effects of changes in governmental policies and regulatory actions, including changes with respect to income and other taxes, environmental compliance, and authorized rates or recovery of gas and gas transportation costs;

impact on drilling and production by factors beyond our control, including the demand for natural gas and refinery-grade crude oil; producers’ desire and ability to obtain necessary permits; reserve performance; and capacity constraints on the pipelines that transport crude oil, natural gas and NGLs from producing areas and our facilities;

changes in demand for the use of natural gas because of market conditions caused by concerns about global warming or changes in governmental policies and regulations due to climate change initiatives;

the impact of unforeseen changes in interest rates, equity markets, inflation rates, economic recession and other external factors over which we have no control, including the effect on pension expense and funding resulting from changes in stock and bond market returns;

actions by rating agencies concerning the credit ratings of ONEOK and ONEOK Partners;

the results of administrative proceedings and litigation, regulatory actions and receipt of expected clearances involving the OCC, KCC, Texas regulatory authorities or any other local, state or federal regulatory body, including the FERC;

our ability to access capital at competitive rates or on terms acceptable to us;

risks associated with adequate supply to our gathering, processing, fractionation and pipeline facilities, including production declines which outpace new drilling;

the risk that material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting could emerge or that minor problems could become significant;

the impact and outcome of pending and future litigation;

the ability to market pipeline capacity on favorable terms, including the affects of:

·  the results of administrative proceedings and litigation, regulatory actions and receipt of expected clearances involving the OCC, KCC, Texas regulatory authorities or any other local, state or federal regulatory body, including the FERC;
·  our ability to access capital at competitive rates or on terms acceptable to us;
·  risks associated with adequate supply to our gathering, processing, fractionation and pipeline facilities, including production declines that outpace new drilling;
·  the risk that material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting could emerge or that minor problems could become significant;
·  the impact and outcome of pending and future litigation;
·  the ability to market pipeline capacity on favorable terms, including the effects of:
-future demand for and prices of natural gas and NGLs;
-competitive conditions in the overall energy market;
-availability of supplies of Canadian and United States natural gas; and
-availability of additional storage capacity;
·  -performance of contractual obligations by our customers, service providers, contractors and shippers;
·  weather conditions;the timely receipt of approval by applicable governmental entities for construction and operation of our pipeline and other projects and required regulatory clearances;
·  our ability to acquire all necessary permits, consents or other approvals in a timely manner, to promptly obtain all necessary materials and supplies required for construction, and to construct gathering, processing, storage, fractionation and transportation facilities without labor or contractor problems;
·  the mechanical integrity of facilities operated;
·  demand for our services in the proximity of our facilities;
·  our ability to control operating costs;
·  adverse labor relations;
·  acts of nature, sabotage, terrorism or other similar acts that cause damage to our facilities or our suppliers’ or shippers’ facilities;
·  economic climate and growth in the geographic areas in which we do business;
·  the risk of a prolonged slowdown in growth or decline in the United States economy or the risk of delay in growth recovery in the United States economy, including increasing liquidity risks in United States credit markets;
·  the impact of recently issued and future accounting pronouncements and other changes in accounting policies;
·  the possibility of future terrorist attacks or the possibility or occurrence of an outbreak of, or changes in, hostilities or changes in the political conditions in the Middle East and elsewhere;
·  the risk of increased costs for insurance premiums, security or other items as a consequence of terrorist attacks;
·  risks associated with pending or possible acquisitions and dispositions, including our ability to finance or integrate any such acquisitions and any regulatory delay or conditions imposed by regulatory bodies in connection with any such acquisitions and dispositions;
·  the possible loss of gas distribution franchises or other adverse effects caused by the actions of municipalities;
·  the impact of unsold pipeline capacity being greater or less than expected;
·  the ability to recover operating costs and amounts equivalent to income taxes, costs of property, plant and equipment and regulatory assets in our state and FERC-regulated rates;
·  the composition and quality of the natural gas and NGLs we gather and process in our plants and transport on our pipelines;
·  the efficiency of our plants in processing natural gas and extracting and fractionating NGLs;
·  the impact of potential impairment charges;
·  the risk inherent in the use of information systems in our respective businesses, implementation of new software and hardware, and the impact on the timeliness of information for financial reporting;
·  our ability to control construction costs and completion schedules of our pipelines and other projects; and
·  -competitive developmentsthe risk factors listed in the reports we have filed and may file with the SEC, which are incorporated by Canadian and U.S. natural gas transmission peers;reference.

performance of contractual obligations by our customers, service providers, contractors and shippers;

the timely receipt of approval by applicable governmental entities for construction and operation of our pipeline and other projects and required regulatory clearances;

our ability to acquire all necessary rights-of-way permits and consents in a timely manner, to promptly obtain all necessary materials and supplies required for construction, and to construct pipelines without labor or contractor problems;

the mechanical integrity of facilities operated;

demand for our services in the proximity of our facilities;

our ability to control operating costs;

acts of nature, sabotage, terrorism or other similar acts that cause damage to our facilities or our suppliers’ or shippers’ facilities;

economic climate and growth in the geographic areas in which we do business;

the risk of a significant slowdown in growth or decline in the U.S. economy or the risk of delay in growth recovery in the U.S. economy;

the impact of recently issued and future accounting pronouncements and other changes in accounting policies;

the possibility of future terrorist attacks or the possibility or occurrence of an outbreak of, or changes in, hostilities or changes in the political conditions in the Middle East and elsewhere;

the risk of increased costs for insurance premiums, security or other items as a consequence of terrorist attacks;

risks associated with pending or possible acquisitions and dispositions, including our ability to finance or integrate any such acquisitions and any regulatory delay or conditions imposed by regulatory bodies in connection with any such acquisitions and dispositions;

the possible loss of gas distribution franchises or other adverse effects caused by the actions of municipalities;

the impact of unsold pipeline capacity being greater or less than expected;

the ability to recover operating costs and amounts equivalent to income taxes, costs of property, plant and equipment and regulatory assets in our state and FERC-regulated rates;

our ability to promptly obtain all necessary materials and supplies required for construction of gathering, processing, storage, fractionation and transportation facilities;

the composition and quality of the natural gas and NGLs we gather and process in our plants and transport on our pipelines;

the efficiency of our plants in processing natural gas and extracting and fractionating NGLs;

the impact of potential impairment charges;

the risk inherent in the use of information systems in our respective businesses, implementation of new software and hardware, and the impact on the timeliness of information for financial reporting;

our ability to control construction costs and completion schedules of our pipelines and other projects; and

the risk factors listed in the reports we have filed and may file with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference.

These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements.  Other factors could also have material adverse effects on our future results.  These and other risks are described in greater detail in Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors.  Other than as required under securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or change in circumstances, expectations or otherwise.



ITEM  7A.                      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Risk Policy and Oversight - We control the scope of risk management, marketing and trading operations through a comprehensive set of policies and procedures involving senior levels of management.  The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has oversight responsibilities for our risk management limits and policies.  Our risk oversight committee, comprised of corporate and business segment officers, oversees all activities related to commodity price and credit risk management, and marketing and trading activities.  The committee also monitors risk metrics including value-at-risk (VAR) and mark-to-market losses.  We have a corporate risk control organization led by our vice president of audit, business development and risk control, whogroup that is assigned responsibility for establishing and enforcing the policies and procedures and monitoring certain risk metrics.  Key risk control activities include credit review and approval, credit and performance risk measurement and monitoring, validation of transactions, portfolio valuation, VAR and other risk metrics.

COMMODITY PRICE RISK


Our exposure to market risk discussed below includes forward-looking statements and represents an estimate of possible changes in future earnings that would occur assuming hypothetical future movements in interest rates or commodity prices.  Our views on market risk are not necessarily indicative of actual results that may occur and do not represent the maximum possible gains and losses that may occur since actual gains and losses will differ from those estimated based on actual fluctuations in interest rates or commodity prices and the timing of transactions.


COMMODITY PRICE RISK

We are exposed to marketcommodity price risk and the impact of market price fluctuations of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil prices.  MarketCommodity price risk refers to the risk of loss in cash flows and future earnings arising from adverse changes in commodity energy prices.  To minimize the risk from market price fluctuations of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil, we use commodity derivative instruments such as futures, physical forward contracts, swaps and options to manage marketcommodity price risk ofassociated with existing or anticipated purchase and sale agreements, existing physical natural gas in storage, and basis risk. We adhere to policies and procedures that limit our exposure to market risk from open positions and that monitor our market risk exposure.


ONEOK Partners

ONEOK Partners is exposed to commodity price risk as its natural gas interstate and intrastate pipelines collect natural gas from its customers for operations or as part of their fee for services provided. When the amount of natural gas consumed in operations by these pipelines differs from the amount provided by its customers, the pipelines must buy or sell natural gas, store or use natural gas from inventory, and are exposed to commodity price risk. At December 31, 2007, there were no hedges in place with respect to natural gas price risk from ONEOK Partners’ natural gas pipeline business.

In addition,


ONEOK Partners is exposed to commodity price risk, primarily as a result of NGLs in storage, spread risk associated with the relative values of the various components of the NGL stream and the relative value of NGL purchases at one location and sales at another location, known as basis risk. ONEOK Partners has not entered into any hedges with respect to its NGL marketing activities.

ONEOK Partners is also exposed to commodity price risk, primarily NGLs, as a result of receiving commodities in exchange for its gathering and processing services.  To a lesser extent, ONEOK Partners is exposed to the relative price differential between NGLs and natural gas, or the gross processing spread, with respect to its keep-whole processing contracts andcontracts.  ONEOK Partners is also exposed to the risk of price fluctuations and the cost of intervening transportation at various market locations.  As part of ONEOK Partners’ hedging strategy, ONEOK Partners uses commodity fixed-price physical forwards and derivative contracts, including NYMEX-based futures and over-the-counter swaps, to minimize earnings volatility in its natural gas gathering and processing business related to natural gas, NGL and condensate price fluctuations.


ONEOK Partners reduces its gross processing spread exposure through a combination of physical and financial hedges.  ONEOK Partners utilizes a portion of its POPpercent-of-proceeds equity natural gas as an offset, or natural hedge, to an equivalent portion of its keep-whole shrink requirements.  This has the effect of converting ONEOK Partners’ gross processing spread risk to NGL commodity price risk, and ONEOK Partners then uses financial instruments to hedge the sale of NGLs.


The following table sets forth ONEOK Partners’ hedging information for the year ending December 31, 2008.

   Year Ending December 31, 2008
    Volumes
Hedged
  

Average Price

Per Unit

  Volumes
Hedged
    

Natural gas liquids(Bbl/d) (a)

  8,085  $    1.28  ($/gallon) 70% 

Condensate(Bbl/d) (a)

  818  $    2.15  ($/gallon) 74%  

Total liquid sales(Bbl/d)

  8,903  $    1.36  ($/gallon) 71%  

(a) - Hedged with fixed-price swaps.

        

2009.


 Year Ending December 31, 2009
 Volumes Hedged  Average PricePercentage Hedged
NGLs (Bbl/d) (a)
5,010  $1.18/ gallon57%
Condensate (Bbl/d) (a)
666  $3.23/ gallon32%
Total liquid sales (Bbl/d)
5,676  $1.42/ gallon52%
(a) - Hedged with fixed-price swaps.       



ONEOK Partners’ commodity price risk is estimated as a hypothetical change in the price of NGLs, crude oil and natural gas at December 31, 2007,2008, excluding the effects of hedging and assuming normal operating conditions.  ONEOK Partners’ condensate sales are based on the price of crude oil.  ONEOK Partners estimates the following:

a $0.01 per gallon increase in the composite price of NGLs would increase annual net margin by approximately $1.7 million,

a $1.00 per barrel increase in the price of crude oil would increase annual net margin by approximately $0.5 million, and

·  a $0.01 per gallon decrease in the composite price of NGLs would decrease annual net margin by approximately $1.2 million;

a $0.10 per MMBtu increase in the price of natural gas would increase annual net margin by approximately $0.3 million.

·  a $1.00 per barrel decrease in the price of crude oil would decrease annual net margin by approximately $1.0 million; and

·  a $0.10 per MMBtu decrease in the price of natural gas would decrease annual net margin by approximately $0.6 million.

The above estimates of commodity price risk do not include any effects on demand for its services that might be caused by, or arise in conjunction with, price changes.  For example, a change in the gross processing spread may cause a change in the amount of ethane to be sold inextracted from the natural gas stream, impacting gathering and processing margins, NGL exchange margins,revenues, natural gas deliveries, and NGL volumes shipped.

shipped and fractionated.


ONEOK Partners is also exposed to commodity price risk primarily as a result of NGLs in storage, the relative values of the various NGL products to each other, the relative value of NGLs to natural gas and the relative value of NGL purchases at one location and sales at another location, known as basis risk.  ONEOK Partners utilizes fixed-price physical forward contracts to reduce earnings volatility related to NGL price fluctuations.  ONEOK Partners has not entered into any financial instruments with respect to its NGL marketing activities.

In addition, ONEOK Partners is exposed to commodity price risk as its natural gas interstate and intrastate pipelines collect natural gas from its customers for operations or as part of its fee for services provided.  When the amount of natural gas consumed in operations by these pipelines differs from the amount provided by its customers, the pipelines must buy or sell natural gas, or store or use natural gas from inventory, which exposes ONEOK Partners to commodity price risk.  At December 31, 2008, there were no hedges in place with respect to natural gas price risk from ONEOK Partners’ natural gas pipeline business.

Distribution


Our Distribution segment uses derivative instruments to hedge the cost of anticipated natural gas purchases during the winter heating months to protect their customers from upward volatility in the market price of natural gas.  Gains or losses associated with these derivative instruments are included in, and recoverable through, the monthly purchased gas cost mechanism.


Energy Services


Our Energy Services segment is exposed to commodity price risk, including basis risk and price volatility arising from natural gas in storage, requirement contracts, asset management contracts and index-based purchases and sales of natural gas at various market locations.  We minimize the volatility of our exposure to commodity price risk through the use of derivative instruments, which, under certain circumstances, are designated as cash flow or fair value hedges.  We are also exposed to commodity price risk from fixed pricefixed-price purchases and sales of natural gas, which we hedge with derivative instruments.  Both the fixed pricefixed-price purchases and sales and related derivatives are recorded at fair value.


Fair Value Component of the Energy Marketing and Risk Management Assets and Liabilities - The following table sets forth the fair value component of the energy marketing and risk management assets and liabilities, excluding $3.5$21.0 million of net ofliabilities from derivative instruments that have been declared as either fair value or cash flow hedges, and $15.7 million, nethedges.
Fair Value Component of Energy Marketing and Risk Management Assets and Liabilities  
  (Thousands of dollars)
Net fair value of derivatives outstanding at December 31, 2007  $25,171  
Derivatives reclassified or otherwise settled during the period   (55,874) 
Fair value of new derivatives entered into during the period   236,772  
Other changes in fair value   52,731  
Net fair value of derivatives outstanding at December 31, 2008 (a)  $258,800  
       
(a) - The maturities of derivatives are based on injection and withdrawal periods from
 April through March, which is consistent with our business strategy. The maturities
 are as follows: $225.0 million matures through March 2009, $33.9 million matures
 through March 2012 and $(0.1) million matures through March 2014.
  


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Table of deferred option premiums.Contents

Fair Value Component of Energy Marketing and Risk Management Assets and Liabilities

   (Thousands of dollars)   

Net fair value of derivatives outstanding at December 31, 2006

  $(13,133) 

Derivatives realized or otherwise settled during the period

   27,251  

Fair value of new derivatives entered into during the period

   8,287  

Other changes in fair value

   2,766   

Net fair value of derivatives outstanding at December 31, 2007

  $25,171  
 


The change in the net fair value of derivatives outstanding includes the effect of settled energy contracts and current period changes resulting primarily from newly originated transactions and the impact of market movements on the fair value of energy marketing and risk management assets and liabilities.  Fair value estimates considerof new derivatives entered into during the marketperiod includes $298.8 million of cash flow hedges reclassified into earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the write-down of our natural gas in which the transactions are executed. The market in which exchange traded and over-the-counter transactions are executed is a factor in determining fair

value. We utilize third-party references for pricing points from NYMEX and third-party over-the-counter brokersstorage to establish the commodity pricing and volatility curves. We believe the reported transactions from these sources are the most reflectiveits lower of current market prices. Fair values are subject to change based on valuation factors. The estimateweighted-average cost or market.


For further discussion of fair value includes an adjustment for the liquidation of the position in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time under current market conditions. The fair value estimate also considers the risk of nonperformance based on credit considerations of the counterparty.

Maturity of Derivatives - The following table provides details of our Energy Services segment’s maturity of derivatives based on injectionmeasurements and withdrawal periods from April through March. This maturity schedule is consistent with our business strategy. Derivative instruments that have been declared as either fair value or cash flow hedges are not included in the following table.

   Fair Value of Derivatives at December 31, 2007
Source of Fair Value (a)  Matures
through
March 2008
  Matures
through
March 2011
  Matures
through
March 2013
  Total Fair
Value
    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Prices actively quoted (b)

  $(2,602) $(40) $        -    $(2,642) 

Prices provided by other external sources (c)

   (15,693)  (11,337)  (110)  (27,140) 

Prices derived from quotes, other external sources and other assumptions (d)

       37,132       17,858   (37)          54,953   

Total

  $18,837  $6,481  $(147) $25,171  
 
(a)Fair value is the mark-to-market component of forwards, futures, swaps and options, net of applicable reserves. These fair values are reflected as a component of assets and liabilities from energy marketing and risk management activities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(b)Values are derived from the energy market price quotes from national commodity trading exchanges that primarily trade futures and option commodity contracts.
(c)Values are obtained through energy commodity brokers or electronic trading platforms, whose primary service is to match willing buyers and sellers of energy commodities. Energy price information by location is readily available because of the large energy broker network.
(d)Values derived in this category utilize market price information from the other two categories, as well as other assumptions for liquidity and credit.

For further discussion of trading activities and assumptions used in our trading activities, see the “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” section of Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.Operation.  Also, see NoteNotes C and D of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Value-at-Risk (VAR) Disclosure of MarketCommodity Price Risk - We measure marketcommodity price risk in the energy marketing and risk management, trading and non-trading portfolios of our Energy Services segment using a VAR methodology, which estimates the expected maximum loss of theour portfolio over a specified time horizon within a given confidence interval.  Our VAR calculations are based on the Monte Carlo approach.  The quantification of marketcommodity price risk using VAR provides a consistent measure of risk across diverse energy markets and products with different risk factors in order to set overall risk tolerance and to determine risk targets and set position limits.thresholds.  The use of this methodology requires a number of key assumptions, including the selection of a confidence level and the holding period to liquidation.  Inputs to the calculation include prices, volatilities, positions, instrument valuations and the variance-covariance matrix.  Historical data is used to estimate our VAR with more weight given to recent data, which is considered a more relevant predictor of immediate future commodity market movements.  We rely on VAR to determine the potential reduction in the portfolio values arising from changes in market conditions over a defined period.  While management believes that the referenced assumptions and approximations are reasonable, no uniform industry methodology exists for estimating VAR.  Different assumptions and approximations could produce materially different VAR estimates.


Our VAR exposure represents an estimate of potential losses that would be recognized fordue to adverse commodity price movements in our non-regulated businesses’ energy marketing and risk management, non-trading and trading portfoliosEnergy Services segment’s portfolio of derivative financial instruments, physical commodity contracts, leased transport, storage capacity contracts and natural gas in storage due to adverse market movements.storage.  A one-day time horizon and a 95 percent confidence level wereare used in our VAR data.  Actual future gains and losses will differ from those estimated by the VAR calculation

based on actual fluctuations in commodity prices, operating exposures and timing thereof, and the changes in our derivative financial instruments, physical contracts and natural gas in storage.  VAR information should be evaluated in light of these assumptions and the methodology’s other limitations.


The potential impact on our future earnings, as measured by the VAR, was $6.0$7.9 million and $12.5$6.0 million at December 31, 20072008 and 2006,2007, respectively.  The following table details the average, high and low VAR calculations for the periods indicated.

   

Years Ended

December 31,

    2007  2006    
   (Millions of dollars)   

Average

  $    8.9  $    18.5  

High

  $23.0  $65.0  

Low

  $3.4  $3.6   



 Years Ended December 31,
Value-at-Risk 2008  2007 
 (Millions of dollars)
Average $12.3  $8.9 
High $24.9  $23.0 
Low $4.0  $3.4 

Our VAR calculation includes derivatives, executory storage and transportation agreements and their related hedges.  The variations in the VAR data are reflective of market volatility and changes in the portfoliosour portfolio during the year.  The decreaseincrease in average VAR for 2007,2008, compared with 2006,2007, was primarily due to lower commoditya significant increase in natural gas prices and decreasedduring the second quarter of 2008.

Our VAR calculation uses historical prices, placing more emphasis on the most recent price volatility in 2007, particularlymovements.  We revised our assumptions in the firstthird quarter of 2007.

2008 to decrease the weight given to the most recent price changes and spread the relative weighting over more historical data.  This methodology reduces the effects of the market anomalies and better reflects an efficient market.  We believe this methodology is more reflective of portfolio risk and have applied the change on a prospective basis.


During 2008, we also began calculating the VAR on our mark-to-market derivative positions, which reflects the risk associated with derivatives whose change in fair value will impact current period earnings.  These transactions are subject to mark-to-market accounting treatment because they are not part of a hedging relationship under Statement 133.  VAR associated with these derivative positions was not material during 2008.  To the extent open commodity positions exist, fluctuating commodity prices can impact our financial results and financial position either favorably or unfavorably.  As a result, we cannot predict with precision the impact risk management decisions may have on the business, operating results or financial position.



INTEREST RATE RISK

General

General - We are subject to the risk of interest-rate fluctuation in the normal course of business.  We manage interest-rate risk through the use of fixed-rate debt, floating-rate debt and, at times, interest-rate swaps.  Fixed-rate swaps are used to reduce our risk of increased interest costs during periods of rising interest rates.  Floating-rate swaps are used to convert the fixed rates of long-term borrowings into short-term variable rates.  At December 31, 2007,2008, the interest rate on 82.989.3 percent of our long-term debt, exclusive of the debt of our ONEOK Partners segment, was fixed after considering the impact of interest-rate swaps.

ONEOK Partners terminated two floating-rate swaps in 2007. The total value ONEOK Partners received for the terminated swaps was not material.  At December 31, 2007,2008, the interest rate on all of ONEOK Partners’ long-term debt was fixed.


We terminated a $100 million interest-rate swap in the fourth quarter of 2008.  The total value we received was $19.2 million, which includes $0.3 million of swap savings previously recorded.  The remaining savings of $18.9 million will be recognized in interest expense over the remaining term of the debt instrument originally hedged.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, our counterparties exercised the option to terminate two additional interest-rate swap agreements totaling $140 million.  The swap terminations were effective in December 2008 and January 2009.  The total value we received for the terminated swaps was not material.

At December 31, 2007,2008, a 100 basis point move in the annual interest rate on all of our outstandingswapped long-term debt would change our annual interest expense by $3.4$1.7 million before taxes.  This 100 basis point change assumes a parallel shift in the yield curve.  If interest rates changed significantly, we would take actions to manage our exposure to the change.  Since a specific action and the possible effects are uncertain, no change has been assumed.


Fair Value Hedges - See Note D of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion of the impact of interest-rate swaps and net interest expense savings from terminated swaps.


Total net swap savings for 20072008 were $8.2$17.4 million, compared with $7.6$8.2 million for 2006.2007.  Total swap savings for 2008 is2009 are expected to be $14.3$10.5 million.


CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE RISK


As a result of our Energy Services segment’s expansion intooperations in Canada, we are subjectexposed to currency exposureexchange rate risk from our commodity purchases and sales related to our firm transportation and storage contracts.  Our objective with respect to currency risk is toTo reduce theour exposure due to exchange-rate fluctuations. Wefluctuations, we use physical forward transactions, which result in an actual two-way flow of currency on the settlement date since we exchange U.S. dollars for Canadian dollars with another party.  We have not designated these transactions for hedge accounting treatment; therefore, the gains and losses associated with the change in fair value are recorded in net margin.  At December 31, 20072008 and 2006,2007, our exposure to risk from currency translation was not material.  We recognized a currency translation loss of $3.1 million during 2008 and currency translation gains of $4.1 million and $2.5 million during 2007 and 2006, respectively. At December 31, 2005, there was no material currency translation gain or loss recorded.


COUNTERPARTY CREDIT RISK

ONEOK and ONEOK Partners assess the creditworthiness of their counterparties on an on going basis and require security, including prepayments and other forms of cash collateral, when appropriate.




ITEM 8.                      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

ONEOK, Inc.:


In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheetsheets and the related consolidated statementstatements of income, shareholders'shareholders equity and comprehensive income and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ONEOK, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the yeartwo years in the period ended December 31, 2007,2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007,2008, based on criteria established inInternal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company'sCompanys management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management'sManagements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A in the Company'sCompanys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.2008.  Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company'sCompanys internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audit.audits.  We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our auditaudits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.


A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.


Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.




/s/  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


February 27, 2008

24, 2009

Tulsa, Oklahoma







REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

ONEOK, Inc.:


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheetstatement of income, cash flows, and shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income of ONEOK, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2006.  TheseThe consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

audit.


We conducted our auditsaudit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provideaudit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.


In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial positionresults of operations and cash flows of ONEOK, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006, andfor the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the two-year periodyear ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.


As discussed in Note A of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans,” Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 04-5, “Determining Whether a General Partner, or General Partners as a Group Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights,” and SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment.”



/s/ KPMG LLP


Tulsa, Oklahoma

February 28, 2007





ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries         
CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS OF INCOME         
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2008  2007  2006 
  (Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
          
Revenues $16,157,433  $13,477,414  $11,920,326 
Cost of sales and fuel
  14,221,906   11,667,306   10,198,342 
Net Margin  1,935,527   1,810,108   1,721,984 
Operating Expenses            
Operations and maintenance  694,597   675,575   662,681 
Depreciation and amortization  243,927   227,964   235,543 
General taxes  82,315   85,935   78,086 
Total Operating Expenses  1,020,839   989,474   976,310 
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets  2,316   1,909   116,528 
Operating Income  917,004   822,543   862,202 
Equity earnings from investments (Note O)  101,432   89,908   95,883 
Allowance for equity funds used during construction  50,906   12,538   2,205 
Other income  16,838   21,932   26,030 
Other expense  (27,475)  (7,879)  (24,154)
Interest expense  (264,167)  (256,325)  (239,725)
Income before Minority Interests and Income Taxes  794,538   682,717   722,441 
Minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries  (288,558)  (193,199)  (222,000)
Income taxes (Note L)  (194,071)  (184,597)  (193,764)
Income from Continuing Operations  311,909   304,921   306,677 
Gain (Loss) from operations of discontinued components, net of tax  -   -   (365)
Net Income $311,909  $304,921  $306,312 
             
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Note P)            
Net Earnings Per Share, Basic $2.99  $2.84  $2.74 
Net Earnings Per Share, Diluted $2.95  $2.79  $2.68 
             
Average Shares of Common Stock (Thousands)
            
Basic  104,369   107,346   112,006 
Diluted  105,760   109,298   114,477 
             
Dividends Declared Per Share of Common Stock $1.56  $1.40  $1.22 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.            
ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries      
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS      
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
Assets (Thousands of dollars) 
       
Current Assets      
Cash and cash equivalents $510,058  $19,105 
Accounts receivable, net  1,265,300   1,723,212 
Gas and natural gas liquids in storage  858,966   841,362 
Commodity exchanges and imbalances  56,248   82,938 
Energy marketing and risk management assets (Notes C and D)  362,808   143,941 
Other current assets  324,222   140,917 
Total Current Assets  3,377,602   2,951,475 
         
Property, Plant and Equipment        
Property, plant and equipment  9,476,619   7,893,492 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization  2,212,850   2,048,311 
Net Property, Plant and Equipment (Note A)  7,263,769   5,845,181 
         
Investments and Other Assets        
Goodwill and intangible assets (Note E)  1,038,226   1,043,773 
Energy marketing and risk management assets (Notes C and D)  45,900   3,978 
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (Note O)  755,492   756,260 
Other assets  645,073   461,367 
Total Investments and Other Assets  2,484,691   2,265,378 
Total Assets $13,126,062  $11,062,034 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.        


ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries      
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS      
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Thousands of dollars) 
       
Current Liabilities      
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note I) $118,195  $420,479 
Notes payable  2,270,000   202,600 
Accounts payable  1,122,761   1,436,005 
Commodity exchanges and imbalances  188,030   252,095 
Energy marketing and risk management liabilities (Notes C and D)  175,006   133,903 
Other current liabilities  319,772   436,585 
Total Current Liabilities  4,193,764   2,881,667 
         
Long-term Debt, excluding current maturities (Note I)  4,112,581   4,215,046 
         
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities        
Deferred income taxes  890,815   680,543 
Energy marketing and risk management liabilities (Notes C and D)  46,311   26,861 
Other deferred credits  715,052   486,645 
Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities  1,652,178   1,194,049 
         
Commitments and Contingencies (Note K)        
         
Minority Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries  1,079,369   801,964 
         
Shareholders’ Equity        
Common stock, $0.01 par value:        
authorized 300,000,000 shares; issued 121,647,007 shares        
and outstanding 104,845,231 shares at December 31, 2008;        
issued 121,115,217 shares and outstanding 103,987,476        
shares at December 31, 2007  1,216   1,211 
Paid in capital  1,301,153   1,273,800 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note F)  (70,616)  (7,069)
Retained earnings  1,553,033   1,411,492 
Treasury stock, at cost: 16,801,776 shares at December 31,        
2008 and 17,127,741 shares at December 31, 2007  (696,616)  (710,126)
Total Shareholders’ Equity  2,088,170   1,969,308 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $13,126,062  $11,062,034 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.        






















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Table of ContentsONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries      
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS      
 Years Ended December 31, 
 2008 2007 2006 
Operating Activities(Thousands of dollars) 
Net income$311,909 $304,921 $306,312 
Depreciation and amortization 243,927  227,964  235,543 
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (50,906) (12,538) (2,205)
Gain on sale of assets (2,316) (1,909) (116,528)
Minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries 288,558  193,199  222,000 
Equity earnings from investments (101,432) (89,908) (95,883)
Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates 93,261  103,785  123,427 
Deferred income taxes 165,191  65,017  115,384 
Stock-based compensation expense 30,791  20,909  16,499 
Allowance for doubtful accounts 13,476  14,578  9,056 
Inventory adjustment, net 9,658  -  - 
Investment securities gains (11,142) -  - 
Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisition and disposition effects):         
Accounts and notes receivable 433,859  (378,876) 649,415 
Gas and natural gas liquids in storage (370,662) 88,937  (13,801)
Accounts payable (340,584) 343,144  (425,715)
Commodity exchanges and imbalances, net (37,375) 40,572  18,001 
Unrecovered purchased gas costs (35,790) 9,530  (73,534)
Accrued interest 16,002  9,001  25,329 
Energy marketing and risk management assets and liabilities 60,846  41,649  (63,040)
Fair value of firm commitments 505  5,631  190,795 
Pension and postretirement benefit plans (83,254) 28,573  (14,496)
Other assets and liabilities (158,845) 15,481  (233,283)
Cash Provided by Operating Activities 475,677  1,029,660  873,276 
Investing Activities         
Changes in investments in unconsolidated affiliates 3,963  (3,668) (6,608)
Acquisitions 2,450  (299,560) (148,892)
Capital expenditures (less allowance for equity funds used during construction) (1,473,136) (883,703) (376,306)
Proceeds from sale of discontinued component -  -  53,000 
Proceeds from sale of assets 2,630  4,022  298,964 
Proceeds from insurance 9,792  -  - 
Changes in short-term investments -  31,125  (31,125)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents attributable to previously unconsolidated subsidiaries -  -  1,334 
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents attributable to previously consolidated subsidiaries -  -  (22,039)
Other investing activities -  -  (5,565)
Cash Used in Investing Activities (1,454,301) (1,151,784) (237,237)
Financing Activities         
Borrowing (repayment) of notes payable, net 1,197,400  196,600  (842,000)
Borrowing (repayment) of notes payable with maturities over 90 days 870,000  -  (900,000)
Issuance of debt, net of issuance costs -  598,146  1,397,328 
Long-term debt financing costs -  (5,805) (12,003)
Payment of debt (416,040) (13,588) (44,359)
Equity unit conversion -  -  402,448 
Repurchase of common stock (29) (390,213) (281,444)
Issuance of common stock 16,495  20,730  10,829 
Issuance of common units, net of discounts 146,969  -  - 
Dividends paid (162,785) (150,188) (135,451)
Distributions to minority interests (201,658) (182,891) (165,283)
Other financing activities 19,225  170  (48,841)
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities 1,469,577  72,961  (618,776)
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents 490,953  (49,163) 17,263 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period 19,105  68,268  7,915 
Effect of Accounting Change on Cash and Cash Equivalents -  -  43,090 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period$510,058 $19,105 $68,268 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:         
Cash Paid for Interest$237,577 $253,678 $225,998 
Cash Paid for Taxes$82,965 $57,281 $262,504 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.         
- 73 - -

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOMETable of Contents

   Years Ended December 31,   
    2007  2006  2005    
Revenues  (Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)   

Operating revenues, excluding energy trading revenues

  $13,488,027  $11,913,529  $12,663,550  

Energy trading revenues, net

   (10,613)  6,797   12,680   

Total Revenues

   13,477,414   11,920,326   12,676,230   

Cost of sales and fuel

   11,667,306   10,198,342   11,338,076   

Net Margin

   1,810,108   1,721,984   1,338,154   
Operating Expenses            

Operations and maintenance

   675,575   662,681   552,531  

Depreciation and amortization

   227,964   235,543   183,394  

General taxes

   85,935   78,086   67,464   

Total Operating Expenses

   989,474   976,310   803,389   

Gain on sale of assets

   1,909   116,528   269,040   

Operating Income

   822,543   862,202   803,805   

Equity earnings from investments (Note P)

   89,908   95,883   8,621  

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

   12,538   2,205   -    

Other income

   21,932   26,030   (84) 

Other expense

   7,879   24,154   19,065  

Interest expense

   256,325   239,725   147,608   

Income before Minority Interests and Income Taxes

   682,717   722,441   645,669   

Minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries

   193,199   222,000   -    

Income taxes

   184,597   193,764   242,521   

Income from Continuing Operations

   304,921   306,677   403,148  

Discontinued operations, net of taxes (Note C):

     

Loss from operations of discontinued components, net of tax

   -     (365)  (6,180) 

Gain on sale of discontinued component, net of tax

   -     -     149,577   

Net Income

  $304,921  $306,312  $546,545  
 

Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (Note Q)

     

Basic:

     

Earnings per share from continuing operations

  $2.84  $2.74  $4.01  

Loss per share from operations of discontinued components, net of tax

   -     -     (0.06) 

Earnings per share from gain on sale of discontinued component, net of tax

   -     -     1.49   

Net Earnings Per Share, Basic

  $2.84  $2.74  $5.44  
 

Diluted:

     

Earnings per share from continuing operations

  $2.79  $2.68  $3.73  

Loss per share from operations of discontinued components, net of tax

   -     -     (0.06) 

Earnings per share from gain on sale of discontinued component, net of tax

   -     -     1.39   

Net Earnings Per Share, Diluted

  $2.79  $2.68  $5.06  
 

Average Shares of Common Stock(Thousands)

     

Basic

   107,346   112,006   100,536  

Diluted

   109,298   114,477   108,006  
 

Dividends Declared Per Share of Common Stock

  $1.40  $1.22  $1.09  
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries            
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
             
             
  Common          
  Stock  Common  Paid-in  Unearned 
  Issued  Stock  Capital  Compensation 
  (Shares)  (Thousands of dollars) 
             
December 31, 2005  107,973,436  $1,080  $1,044,283  $(105)
Net income  -   -   -   - 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  -   -   -   - 
Total comprehensive income                
Adoption of Statement 158  -   -   -   - 
Equity unit conversion  11,208,998   112   177,572   - 
Repurchase of common stock  -   -   -   - 
Common stock issued  1,151,474   11   36,862   158 
Common stock dividends -                
$1.22 per share  -   -   -   (53)
December 31, 2006  120,333,908   1,203   1,258,717   - 
Net income  -   -   -   - 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  -   -   -   - 
Total comprehensive income                
Repurchase of common stock  -   -   (11,103)  - 
Common stock issued  781,309   8   26,186   - 
Common stock dividends -                
$1.40 per share  -   -   -   - 
December 31, 2007  121,115,217   1,211   1,273,800   - 
Net income  -   -   -   - 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  -   -   -   - 
Total comprehensive income                
Repurchase of common stock  -   -   -   - 
Common stock issued  531,790   5   27,353   - 
Common stock dividends -                
$1.56 per share  -   -   -   - 
Change in measurement date for                
employee benefit plans  -   -   -   - 
December 31, 2008  121,647,007  $1,216  $1,301,153  $- 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.         

- 74 - -

Table of ContentsONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries


ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries            
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(Continued)            
  Accumulated          
  Other          
  Comprehensive  Retained  Treasury    
  Income (Loss)  Earnings  Stock  Total 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
             
December 31, 2005 $(56,991) $1,085,845  $(279,355) $1,794,757 
Net income  -   306,312   -   306,312 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  63,878   -   -   63,878 
Total comprehensive income              370,190 
Adoption of Statement 158  32,645   -   -   32,645 
Equity unit conversion  -   -   224,764   402,448 
Repurchase of common stock  -   -   (285,662)  (285,662)
Common Stock issued  -   -   -   37,031 
Common stock dividends -                
$1.22 per share  -   (135,398)  -   (135,451)
December 31, 2006  39,532   1,256,759   (340,253)  2,215,958 
Net income  -   304,921   -   304,921 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  (46,601)  -   -   (46,601)
Total comprehensive income              258,320 
Repurchase of common stock  -   -   (379,110)  (390,213)
Common stock issued  -   -   9,237   35,431 
Common stock dividends -                
$1.40 per share  -   (150,188)  -   (150,188)
December 31, 2007  (7,069)  1,411,492   (710,126)  1,969,308 
Net income  -   311,909   -   311,909 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  (63,547)  -   -   (63,547)
Total comprehensive income              248,362 
Repurchase of common stock  -   -   (29)  (29)
Common stock issued  -   -   13,539   40,897 
Common stock dividends -                
$1.56 per share  -   (162,785)  -   (162,785)
Change in measurement date for                
employee benefit plans  -   (7,583)      (7,583)
December 31, 2008 $(70,616) $1,553,033  $(696,616) $2,088,170 

- 75 - -

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSTable of Contents

    December 31,
2007
  December 31,
2006
    
Assets  (Thousands of dollars)   

Current Assets

      

Cash and cash equivalents

  $19,105  $68,268  

Short-term investments

   -     31,125  

Trade accounts and notes receivable, net

   1,723,212   1,348,490  

Gas and natural gas liquids in storage

   841,362   925,194  

Commodity exchanges and imbalances

   82,938   53,433  

Energy marketing and risk management assets (Note D)

   168,609   401,670  

Other current assets

   116,249   296,781   

Total Current Assets

   2,951,475   3,124,961   

Property, Plant and Equipment

      

Property, plant and equipment

   7,893,492   6,724,759  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

   2,048,311   1,879,838   

Net Property, Plant and Equipment

   5,845,181   4,844,921   

Deferred Charges and Other Assets

      

Goodwill and intangible assets (Note E)

   1,043,773   1,051,440  

Energy marketing and risk management assets (Note D)

   3,978   91,133  

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (Note P)

   756,260   748,879  

Other assets

   461,367   529,748   

Total Deferred Charges and Other Assets

   2,265,378   2,421,200   

Total Assets

  $            11,062,034  $        10,391,082  
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

    

December 31,

2007

  December 31,
2006
    
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity  (Thousands of dollars)   

Current Liabilities

    

Current maturities of long-term debt

  $420,479  $18,159  

Notes payable

   202,600   6,000  

Accounts payable

   1,436,005   1,076,954  

Commodity exchanges and imbalances

   252,095   176,451  

Energy marketing and risk management liabilities (Note D)

   133,903   306,658  

Other

   436,585   366,316   

Total Current Liabilities

   2,881,667   1,950,538   

Long-term Debt, excluding current maturities

   4,215,046   4,030,855  

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

    

Deferred income taxes

   680,543   707,444  

Energy marketing and risk management liabilities (Note D)

   26,861   137,312  

Other deferred credits

   486,645   548,330   

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

   1,194,049   1,393,086   

Commitments and Contingencies (Note K)

    

Minority Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries

   801,964   800,645  

Shareholders’ Equity

    

Common stock, $0.01 par value:

    

authorized 300,000,000 shares; issued 121,115,217 shares
and outstanding 103,987,476 shares at December 31, 2007;
issued 120,333,908 shares and outstanding 110,678,499
shares at December 31, 2006

   1,211   1,203  

Paid in capital

   1,273,800   1,258,717  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note F)

   (7,069)  39,532  

Retained earnings

   1,411,492   1,256,759  

Treasury stock, at cost: 17,127,741 shares at December 31, 2007
and 9,655,409 shares at December 31, 2006

   (710,126)  (340,253)  

Total Shareholders’ Equity

   1,969,308   2,215,958   

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

  $            11,062,034  $        10,391,082  
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

   Years Ended December 31,   
    2007  2006  2005    
Operating Activities  (Thousands of dollars)   

Net income

  $304,921  $306,312  $546,545  

Depreciation and amortization

   227,964   235,543   183,394  

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

   (12,538)  (2,205)  -    

Impairment expense on discontinued operations

   -     -     52,226  

Gain on sale of discontinued component, net

   -     -     (149,577) 

Gain on sale of assets

   (1,909)  (116,528)  (269,040) 

Minority interests in income of consolidated subsidiaries

   193,199   222,000   -    

Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates

   103,785   123,427   10,983  

Income from equity investments

   (89,908)  (95,883)  (8,621) 

Deferred income taxes

   65,017   115,384   16,372  

Stock-based compensation expense

   14,639   16,499   11,842  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   14,578   9,056   16,329  

Changes in assets and liabilities (net of acquisition and disposition effects):

     

Accounts and notes receivable

   (378,876)  649,415   (733,367) 

Inventories

   88,860   (14,107)  (320,632) 

Unrecovered purchased gas costs

   9,530   (73,534)  (8,943) 

Commodity exchanges and imbalances, net

   40,572   18,001   106,775  

Deposits

   77,525   50,445   (118,214) 

Regulatory assets

   (2,225)  15,441   (6,357) 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   353,104   (499,996)  518,406  

Energy marketing and risk management assets and liabilities

   (60,544)  (139,488)  223,965  

Other assets and liabilities

   81,966   53,494   (242,463)  

Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities

   1,029,660   873,276   (170,377)  
Investing Activities            

Changes in investments in unconsolidated affiliates

   (3,668)  (6,608)  6,209  

Acquisitions

   (299,560)  (148,892)  (1,327,907) 

Capital expenditures (less allowance for equity funds used during construction)

   (883,703)  (376,306)  (250,493) 

Proceeds from sale of discontinued component

   -     53,000   519,279  

Changes in short-term investments

   31,125   (31,125)  -    

Proceeds from sale of assets

   4,022   298,964   556,434  

Increase in cash and cash equivalents attributable to previously unconsolidated subsidiaries

   -     1,334   -    

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents attributable to previously consolidated subsidiaries

   -     (22,039)  -    

Other investing activities

   -     (5,565)  (29,592)  

Cash Used in Investing Activities

   (1,151,784)  (237,237)  (526,070)  

Financing Activities

     

Borrowing (repayment) of notes payable, net

   196,600   (842,000)  (2,500) 

Short-term financing payments

   -     (900,000)  (100,000) 

Short-term financing borrowings

   -     -     1,000,000  

Issuance of debt, net of discounts

   598,146   1,397,328   798,792  

Long-term debt financing costs

   (5,805)  (12,003)  -    

Payment of debt

   (13,588)  (44,359)  (636,288) 

Equity unit conversion

   -      402,448   -    

Repurchase of common stock

   (390,213)  (281,444)  (233,074) 

Issuance of common stock

   20,730   10,829   4,672  

Dividends paid

   (150,188)  (135,451)  (110,157) 

Distributions to minority interests

   (182,891)  (165,283)  -    

Other financing activities

   170   (48,841)  (26,541)  

Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities

   72,961   (618,776)  694,904   

Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

   (49,163)  17,263   (1,543) 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

   68,268   7,915   9,458  

Effect of Accounting Change on Cash and Cash Equivalents

   -     43,090   -     

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

  $19,105  $68,268  $7,915  
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

    

      Common      

Stock

Issued

  

        Common        

Stock

  

Paid-in

      Capital      

  Unearned
    Compensation    
    
   (Shares)  (Thousands of dollars)   

December 31, 2004

  107,143,722  $            1,071  $        1,017,603  $(1,413) 

Net income

  -     -     -     -    

Other comprehensive loss

  -     -     -     -    

Total comprehensive income

        

Repurchase of common stock

  -     -     -     -    

Common stock issuance pursuant to various plans

  829,714   9   16,363   -    

Stock-based employee compensation expense

  -     -     10,317   1,525  

Common stock dividends - $1.09 per share

  -     -     -     (217)  

December 31, 2005

  107,973,436   1,080   1,044,283   (105) 

Net income

  -     -     -     -    

Other comprehensive income

  -     -     -     -    

Total comprehensive income

        

Adoption of Statement 158

  -     -     -     -    

Equity unit conversion

  11,208,998   112   177,572   -    

Repurchase of common stock

  -     -     -     -    

Common stock issuance pursuant to various plans

  1,151,474   11   20,521   -    

Stock-based employee compensation expense

  -     -     16,341   158  

Common stock dividends - $1.22 per share

  -     -     -     (53)  

December 31, 2006

  120,333,908   1,203   1,258,717   -    

Net income

  -     -     -     -    

Other comprehensive loss

  -     -     -     -    

Total comprehensive income

        

Repurchase of common stock

  -     -     (11,103)  -    

Common stock issuance pursuant to various plans

  781,309   8   9,434   -    

Stock-based employee compensation expense

  -     -     16,752   -    

Common stock dividends - $1.40 per share

  -     -     -     -     

December 31, 2007

  121,115,217  $            1,211  $1,273,800  $            -    
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Continued)

    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Retained
Earnings
  Treasury Stock  Total    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

December 31, 2004

  $(9,591) $649,240  $(51,206) $            1,605,704  

Net income

   -     546,545   -     546,545  

Other comprehensive loss

   (47,400)  -     -     (47,400) 
         

Total comprehensive income

      499,145  
         

Repurchase of common stock

   -     -     (228,149)  (228,149) 

Common stock issuance pursuant to various plans

   -     -     -     16,372  

Stock-based employee compensation expense

   -     -     -     11,842  

Common stock dividends - $1.09 per share

   -     (109,940)  -     (110,157)  

December 31, 2005

   (56,991)  1,085,845   (279,355)  1,794,757  

Net income

   -     306,312   -     306,312  

Other comprehensive income

   63,878   -     -     63,878  
         

Total comprehensive income

      370,190  
         

Adoption of Statement 158

               32,645   -     -     32,645  

Equity unit conversion

   -     -                 224,764   402,448  

Repurchase of common stock

   -     -     (285,662)  (285,662) 

Common stock issuance pursuant to various plans

   -     -     -     20,532  

Stock-based employee compensation expense

   -     -     -     16,499  

Common stock dividends - $1.22 per share

   -     (135,398)  -     (135,451)  

December 31, 2006

   39,532   1,256,759   (340,253)  2,215,958  

Net income

   -     304,921   -     304,921  

Other comprehensive loss

   (46,601)  -     -     (46,601) 
         

Total comprehensive income

      258,320  
         

Repurchase of common stock

   -     -     (379,110)  (390,213) 

Common stock issuance pursuant to various plans

   -     -     9,012   18,454  

Stock-based employee compensation expense

   -     -     225   16,977  

Common stock dividends - $1.40 per share

   -     (150,188)  -     (150,188)  

December 31, 2007

  $(7,069) $            1,411,492  $(710,126) $            1,969,308  
 


ONEOK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES


A.           SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization and Nature of Operations - We purchase, transport, storeare a diversified energy company and distribute natural gas. We aresuccessor to the largest natural gas distributorcompany founded in 1906 known as Oklahoma and Kansas andNatural Gas Company.  Our common stock is listed on the third largest natural gas distributor in Texas, providing service as a regulated public utility to wholesale and retail customers. Our largest distribution markets are Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; Kansas City, Wichita, and Topeka, Kansas; and Austin and El Paso, Texas. Our energy services operation is engaged in wholesale and retail natural gas marketing andNYSE under the trading activities and provides services to customers in many states and Canada.symbol “OKE.”  We are the sole general partner and own 45.747.7 percent of ONEOK Partners, L.P. (NYSE: OKS), aone of the largest publicly traded master limited partnership.partnerships.

We have divided our operations into four reportable business segments based on similarities in economic characteristics, products and services, types of customers, methods of distribution and regulatory environment.  These segments are as follows:
·  ONEOK Partners
·  Distribution
·  Energy Services
·  Other

Our ONEOK Partners gathers, processes, stores and transports natural gassegment is engaged in the United Statesgathering and owns natural gas liquids systems that connect muchprocessing of theunprocessed natural gas and NGL supplyfractionation of NGLs, primarily in the Mid-Continent and Gulf CoastRocky Mountain regions with keycovering Oklahoma, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming.  These operations include the gathering of unprocessed natural gas produced from crude oil and natural gas wells.  Through gathering systems, unprocessed natural gas is aggregated and treated or processed for removal of water vapor, solids and other contaminants, and to extract NGLs in order to provide marketable natural gas, commonly referred to as residue gas.  When the NGLs are separated from the unprocessed natural gas at the processing plants, the NGLs are generally in the form of a mixed, unfractionated NGL stream.  This stream is then separated by a distillation process, referred to as fractionation, into marketable product components such as ethane, ethane/propane (E/P), propane, iso-butane, normal butane and natural gasoline (collectively, NGL products).  These NGL products can then be stored, transported and marketed to a diverse customer base of end-users.

ONEOK Partners also gathers, treats, fractionates, transports and stores NGLs.  ONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids gathering pipelines deliver unfractionated NGLs gathered from natural gas processing plants located in Oklahoma, Kansas, the Texas panhandle and the Rocky Mountain region to fractionators it owns in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.  The NGLs are then separated through the fractionation process into the individual NGL products that realize the greater economic value of the NGL components.  The individual NGL products are then stored or distributed to petrochemical manufacturers, heating fuel users, refineries and propane distributors through ONEOK Partners’ distribution pipelines that move NGL products from Oklahoma and Kansas to the market centers in Conway, Kansas, and Mont Belvieu, Texas, andas well as the Midwest markets near Chicago, Illinois.

ONEOK Partners operates interstate and intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines, natural gas storage facilities and non-processable natural gas gathering facilities.  ONEOK Partners’ interstate assets transport natural gas through FERC-regulated interstate natural gas pipelines that access supply from Canada, and the Mid-Continent, Rocky Mountain and Gulf Coast regions.

ONEOK Partners’ intrastate natural gas pipeline assets in Oklahoma have access to the major natural gas producing areas and transport natural gas throughout the state.  ONEOK Partners also has access to the major natural gas producing area in south central Kansas.  In Texas, its intrastate natural gas pipelines are connected to the major natural gas producing areas in the Texas panhandle and the Permian Basin and transport natural gas to the Waha Hub, where other pipelines may be accessed for transportation east to the Houston Ship Channel market, north into the Mid-Continent market and west to the California market.  ONEOK Partners owns or leases storage capacity in underground natural gas storage facilities in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.  ONEOK Partners’ natural gas pipelines primarily serve LDCs, large industrial companies, municipalities, irrigation customers, power generation facilities and marketing companies.

Our Distribution segment provides natural gas distribution services to more than two million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas through Oklahoma Natural Gas, Kansas Gas Service and Texas Gas Service, respectively, each a division of ONEOK.  We serve residential, commercial, industrial and transportation customers in all three states.  In addition, our distribution companies in Oklahoma and Kansas serve wholesale customers, and in Texas we serve public authority customers, such as cities, governmental agencies and schools.


Our Energy Services segment’s primary focus is to create value for our customers by delivering physical natural gas products and risk management services through our network of contracted transportation and storage capacity and natural gas supply.  These services include meeting our customers’ baseload, swing and peaking natural gas commodity requirements on a year-round basis.  To provide these bundled services, we lease storage and transportation capacity.  Our contracted storage and transportation capacity connects major supply and demand centers throughout the United States and into Canada.  With these contracted assets, our business strategies include identifying, developing and delivering specialized services and products valued by our customers, which are primarily LDCs, electric utilities, and commercial and industrial end users.  Our storage and transportation capacity allows us opportunities to optimize value through our application of market knowledge and risk management skills.

Critical Accounting Policies


The following is a summary of our most critical accounting policies, which are defined as those policies most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and requiring our management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgment, particularly because of the need to make estimates concerning the impact of inherently uncertain matters.  We have discussed the development and selection of our critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.


Fair Value Measurements General - In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement 157, “Fair Value Measurements” that establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements.  Beginning January 1, 2008, we partially applied Statement 157 as allowed by FASB Staff Position (FSP) 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” that delayed the effective date of Statement 157 for nonrecurring fair value measurements associated with our nonfinancial assets and liabilities.  As of January 1, 2008, we applied the provisions of Statement 157 to our recurring fair value measurements, and the impact was not material upon adoption.  As of January 1, 2009, we have applied the provisions of Statement 157 to our nonrecurring fair value measurements associated with our nonfinancial assets and liabilities, and the impact was not material.  FSP 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active,” which clarified the application of Statement 157 in inactive markets, was issued in October 2008 and was effective for our September 30, 2008, unaudited consolidated financial statements.  FSP 157-3 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” that allows companies to elect to measure specified financial assets and liabilities, firm commitments, and nonfinancial warranty and insurance contracts at fair value on a contract-by-contract basis, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each reporting period.  At January 1, 2008, we did not elect the fair value option under Statement 159, and therefore there was no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Determining Fair Value - Statement 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  We use the market and income approaches to determine the fair value of our assets and liabilities and consider the markets in which the transactions are executed.  While many of the contracts in our portfolio are executed in liquid markets where price transparency exists, some contracts are executed in markets for which market prices may exist but the market may be relatively inactive.  This results in limited price transparency that requires management’s judgment and assumptions to estimate fair values.  Inputs into our fair value estimates include commodity exchange prices, over-the-counter quotes, volatility, historical correlations of pricing data and LIBOR and other liquid money market instrument rates.  We also utilize internally developed basis curves that incorporate observable and unobservable market data.  We validate our valuation inputs with third-party information and settlement prices from other sources, where available.  In addition, as prescribed by the income approach, we compute the fair value of our derivative portfolio by discounting the projected future cash flows from our derivative assets and liabilities to present value.  The interest rate yields used to calculate the present value discount factors are derived from LIBOR, Eurodollar futures and Treasury swaps.  The projected cash flows are then multiplied by the appropriate discount factors to determine the present value or fair value of our derivative instruments.  We also take into consideration the potential impact on market prices of liquidating positions in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time under current market conditions.  Finally, we consider credit risk of our counterparties on the fair value of our derivative assets, as well as our own credit risk for derivative liabilities, using default probabilities and recovery rates, net of collateral.  We also take into consideration current market data in our evaluation when available, such as bond prices and yields and credit default swaps.  Although we use our best estimates to determine the fair value of the derivative contracts we have executed, the ultimate market prices realized could differ from our estimates, and the differences could be material.
Fair Value Hierarchy - - Statement 157 establishes the fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques based on observable and unobservable data and categorizes the inputs into three levels, with the highest priority given to Level 1 and the lowest priority given to Level 3.  The levels are described below.
·  Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
·  Level 2 - Significant observable pricing inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.  Essentially, this represents inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
·  Level 3 - Generally unobservable inputs, which are developed based on the best information available and may include our own internal data.

Determining the appropriate classification of our fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy requires management’s judgment regarding the degree to which market data is observable or corroborated by observable market data. 

See Note C for more discussion of our fair value measurements.

Derivatives, Accounting for Financially Settled Transactions and Risk Management Activities- We engage in wholesale energy marketing, retail marketing, trading and risk management activities.  We account for derivative instruments utilized in connection with these activities and services under the fair value basis of accounting in accordance with Statement 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended.


Under Statement 133, entities are required to record all derivative instruments at fair value. The fair value, with the exception of a derivative instrument is determined by commodity exchange prices, over-the-counter quotes, volatility, time value, counterparty creditnormal purchases and the potential impact on market prices of liquidating positionsnormal sales that are expected to result in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time under current market conditions. The majority of our portfolio’s fair values are based on actual market prices. Transactions are also executedphysical delivery.  See previous discussion in markets“Fair Value Measurements” for which market prices may exist but the market may be relatively inactive, thereby resulting in limited price transparency that requires management’s subjectivity in estimating fair values.

additional information.  Market value changes result in a change in the fair value of our derivative instruments.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, the nature of the risk being hedged and how we will determine if the hedging instrument is effective.  If the derivative instrument does not qualify or is not designated as part of a hedging relationship, then we account for changes in fair value of the derivative in earnings as they occur.  Commodity price volatility may have a significant impact on the gain or loss in a given period.


To minimize the risk ofreduce our exposure to fluctuations in natural gas, NGLs and condensate prices, we periodically enter into futures, collarsforwards, options or swap transactions in order to hedge anticipated purchases and sales of natural gas, NGLs, condensate and fuel requirements.  Interest-rate swaps are also used to manage interest-rate risk.  Under certain conditions, we designate these derivative instruments as a hedge of exposure to changes in fair values or cash flows.  For hedges of exposure to changes in cash flow, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported initially as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is subsequently recorded to earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings.  Any ineffectiveness of designated hedges is reported in earnings during the period the ineffectiveness occurs.  For hedges of exposure to changes in fair value, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in earnings during the period of change, together with the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged.


Upon election, many of our purchase and sale agreements that otherwise would be required to follow derivative accounting qualify as normal purchases and normal sales under Statement 133 and are therefore exempt from fair value accounting treatment.


The presentation of settled derivative instruments on either a gross or net basis in our Consolidated Statements of Income is dependent on a number of factors, including whether the derivative instrument (i) is (i) held for trading purposes,purposes; (ii) is financially settled,settled; (iii) results in physical delivery or services rendered,rendered; and (iv) qualifies for the normal purchase or sale exception as defined in Statement 133.  In accordance with EITF 03-11, “Reporting Realized Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments That Are Subject to FASB Statement No. 133 and not ‘Held for Trading’ as Defined in EITF Issue No. 02-3,” EITF 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent,” and Statement 133, we report settled derivative instruments as follows:

all financially settled derivative contracts are reported on a net basis,

derivative instruments considered held for trading purposes that result in physical delivery are reported on a net basis,

·  all financially settled derivative contracts are reported on a net basis;

derivative instruments not considered held for trading purposes that result in physical delivery or services rendered are reported on a gross basis, and

·  derivative instruments considered held for trading purposes that result in physical delivery are reported on a net basis;

derivatives that qualify for the normal purchase or sale exception as defined in Statement 133 are reported on a gross basis.

·  derivative instruments not considered held for trading purposes that result in physical delivery or services rendered are reported on a gross basis; and

·  derivatives that qualify for the normal purchase or sale exception as defined in Statement 133 are reported on a gross basis.


We apply the indicators in EITF 99-19 to determine the appropriate accounting treatment for non-derivative contracts that result in physical delivery.


See Note D for more discussion of derivatives and risk management activities.


Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill and Intangible Assets- We assess our long-lived assets for impairment based on Statement 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”  A long-lived asset is tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may exceed its fair value.  Fair values are based on the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets.


We assess our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually based on Statement 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  AnThere were no impairment charges resulting from our July 1, 2008, impairment test.  As a result of recent events in the financial markets and current economic conditions, we performed a review and determined that interim testing of goodwill as of December 31, 2008, was not necessary.  As a part of our impairment test, an initial assessment is made by comparing the fair value of the operationsa reporting unit with goodwill, as determined in accordance with Statement 142, to theits book value, of each reporting unit.including goodwill.  If the fair value is less than the book value, an impairment is indicated, and we must perform a second test to measure the amount of the impairment.  In the second test, we calculate the implied fair value of the goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets of the operations with goodwillreporting unit from the fair value determined in step one of the assessment.  If the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds this calculatedthe implied fair value of the goodwill, we will record an impairment charge.

We use two generally accepted valuation approaches, an income approach and a market approach, to estimate the fair value of a reporting unit.  Under the income approach, we use anticipated cash flows over a three-year period plus a terminal value and discount these amounts to their present value using appropriate rates of return.  Under the market approach, we apply multiples to forecasted EBITDA amounts.  The multiples used are consistent with historical asset transactions, and the EBITDA amounts are based on average EBITDA for a reporting unit over a three-year forecasted period.  See Note E for more discussion of goodwill.


Intangible assets with a finite useful life are amortized over their estimated useful life, while intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are not amortized.  All intangible assets are subject to impairment testing.  Our ONEOK Partners segmentWe had $443.0$435.4 million of intangible assets recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2007,2008, of which $287.5$279.8 million in our ONEOK Partners segment is being amortized over an aggregate weighted-average period of 40 years, while the remaining balance has an indefinite life.

During 2006,


Our impairment tests require the use of assumptions and estimates.  If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and estimates or our assumptions and estimates change due to new information, we recorded a goodwill and asset impairment relatedmay be exposed to ONEOK Partners’ Black Mesa Pipeline of $8.4 million and $3.6 million, respectively, which were recorded as depreciation and amortization. The reduction to our net income, net of minority interests and income taxes, was $3.0 million.

In the third quarter of 2005, we made the decision to sell our Spring Creek power plant, located in Oklahoma, and exit the power generation business. In October 2005, we concluded that our Spring Creek power plant had been impaired and recorded an impairment expense of $52.2 million. This conclusion was based on our Statement 144 impairment analysis ofcharge.


For the results of operationsinvestments we account for this plant through September 30, 2005, and alsounder the net sales proceeds fromequity method, the anticipated sale of the plant. The sale was completed on October 31, 2006. This component of our business is accounted for as discontinued operations in accordance with Statement 144.

Our total unamortizedpremium or excess cost over underlying fair value of net assets accounted for under the equity method was $185.6 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006. Based on Statement 142, this amount,is referred to as equity method goodwill should continueand under Statement 142, is not subject to be recognized in accordance withamortization but rather to impairment testing pursuant to APB Opinion No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock.”  Accordingly,The impairment test under APB Opinion No. 18 considers whether the fair value of the equity investment as a whole, not the underlying net assets, has declined and whether that decline is other than temporary.  Therefore, we included thisperiodically reevaluate the amount at which we carry the excess of cost over fair value of net assets accounted for under the equity method to determine whether current events or circumstances warrant adjustments to our carrying value in investment in unconsolidated affiliates on our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

accordance with APB Opinion No. 18.  


Pension and Postretirement Employee Benefits - We have defined benefit retirement plans covering certain full-time employees.  We sponsor welfare plans that provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain employees who retire with at least five years of service.  Our actuarial consultant calculates the expense and liability related to these plans and uses statistical and other factors that attempt to anticipate future events.  These factors include assumptions about the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, rate of future compensation increases, age and employment periods.  In determining the projected benefit obligations and costs, assumptions can change from period to period and result in material changes in the costs and liabilities we recognize.  See Note J for more discussion of pension and postretirement employee benefits.




In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans,” which required us to record a balance sheet liability equal to the difference between our benefit obligations and plan assets.  Statement 158 also required us to change our measurement date from September 30 to December 31.  Statement 158 was effective for our year ended December 31, 2006, except for the measurement date change, from September 30 to December 31, which will bewas effective for our year ending December 31, 2008.

  We determined our net periodic benefit cost for the period October 1, 2007, through December 31, 2008, based on a measurement date of September 30, 2007.  The net periodic benefit cost for the period of October 1, 2007, through December 31, 2007, was reflected as an adjustment to retained earnings as of December 31, 2008.  The impact of this adjustment was a $7.6 million reduction to retained earnings, net of taxes.


Contingencies - Our accounting for contingencies covers a variety of business activities, including contingencies for legal and environmental exposures.  We accrue these contingencies when our assessments indicate that it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset will not be recovered and an amount can be reasonably estimated in accordance with Statement 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.”  We base our estimates on currently available facts and our estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution.  Accruals for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations generally are recognized no later than completion of the remediation feasibility study.  Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable.  Actual results may differ from our estimates resulting in an impact, either positive or negative, on earnings.  See Note K for additional discussion of contingencies.


Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation

Consolidation - Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ONEOK and our subsidiaries over which we have control.  We have recorded minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries on our Consolidated Balance Sheets to recognize the percent of ONEOK Partners that we do not own.  We reflected our percent share of ONEOK Partners’ accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  The remaining percent is reflected as an adjustment to minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accountsbalances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  Investments in affiliates are accounted for using the equity method if we have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of our investee; conversely, if we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence, then we use the cost method.  Impairment of equity and cost method investments is assessedrecorded when the impairments are other than temporary.

In June 2005, the FASB ratified the consensus reached in EITF Issue No. 04-5, “Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights,” which presumes that a general partner controls a limited partnership and therefore should consolidate the partnership in the financial statements


Use of the general partner. Effective January 1, 2006, we were required to consolidate ONEOK Partners’ operations inEstimates - The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and we electedrelated disclosures in accordance with GAAP requires us to usemake estimates and assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty that affect the prospective method. Accordingly, prior periodreported amount of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statementsstatements.  These estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Items that may be estimated include, but are not limited to, the economic useful life of assets, fair value of assets and liabilities, obligations under employee benefit plans, provisions for uncollectible accounts receivable, unbilled revenues for natural gas delivered but for which meters have not been restated. The adoptionread, gas purchased expense for natural gas purchased but for which no invoice has been received, provision for income taxes, including any deferred tax valuation allowances, the results of EITF 04-5 did not havelitigation and various other recorded or disclosed amounts.

We evaluate these estimates on an impactongoing basis using historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods we consider reasonable based on the particular circumstances.  Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from the estimates.  Any effects on our net income; however, reported revenues, costs and expenses reflect the operatingfinancial position or results of ONEOK Partners. Additionally, weoperations from revisions to these estimates are recorded a minority interests liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheetsin the period when the facts that give rise to recognize the 54.3 percent of ONEOK Partners that we do not own. We reflected our 45.7 percent share of ONEOK Partners’ accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The remaining 54.3 percent is reflected as an adjustment to minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries.

revision become known.


Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments, which are readily convertible into cash and have original maturities of three months or less.


Short-Term InvestmentsAccounts Receivable, net - Our short-term investments consistAccounts receivable represent valid claims against non-affiliated customers for products sold or services rendered, net of auction-rate securities, which are corporate or municipal bonds that have underlying long-term maturities. The interest rates are reset through auctions that are typically held every 7-35 days, at which timeallowances for doubtful accounts.  We assess the securities can be sold. Short-term investments in auction-rate securities are used as partcredit worthiness of our counterparties on an ongoing basis and require security, including prepayments and other forms of cash management program. At December 31, 2007, we had no short-term investments.collateral, when appropriate.  Outstanding customer receivables are regularly reviewed for possible non-payment indicators and allowances for doubtful accounts are recorded based upon management’s estimate of collectibility at each balance sheet date.


Inventories - Materials and supplies are valued at average cost. Noncurrent natural gas is classified as property and valued at cost. For our ONEOK Partners segment,Our current natural gas and NGLs in storage are determined using the lower of weighted-average cost or market method.  Our Energy Services segment values currentNoncurrent natural gas in storage usingand NGLs are classified as property and valued at cost.  Materials and supplies are valued at average cost.


Through December 31, 2007, the lower of cost or market method. Cost of current natural gas in storage for Oklahoma Natural Gas iswas determined under the last-in, first-out (LIFO) methodology.  The estimated replacement cost of current natural gas in storage was $72.4 million and $45.4 million at December 31, 2007, and 2006, respectively, compared with its value under the LIFO method of $85.4 million and $60.7 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

2007.  As of January 1, 2008, Oklahoma Natural Gas iswas required to change from LIFO to the weighted-average cost methodology based on a change in state law.  The impact of this change on our consolidated financial statements iswas immaterial, as the actual cost of gas is recovered from our rate payers through our purchased gas recovery mechanism.


Natural Gas Imbalances and Commodity ExchangesImbalancesNatural gas imbalances and NGL exchanges are valued at market or their contractually stipulated rate.  Imbalances and NGL exchanges are settled in cash or made up in-kind, subject to the terms of the pipelines’ tariffs or by agreement.

In September 2005, the FASB ratified the consensus reached in


EITF Issue No. 04-13, “Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty.” EITF 04-13Counterparty” defines when a purchase and a sale of inventory with the same party that operates in the same line of business should be considered a single nonmonetary transaction.  EITF 04-13 was effective for new arrangements that a company enters into in periods beginning after March 15, 2006.  We completed our review ofreviewed the applicability of EITF 04-13 to our operations and determined that it did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations or financial position.

operations.


Property, Plant and Equipment - - The following table sets forth our property, plant and equipment by segment, for the periods presented.

   December 31,   
    2007  2006    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Non-Regulated

      

ONEOK Partners

  $    2,112,394  $    1,894,529  

Energy Services

   7,845   7,689  

Other

   177,356   166,430  

Regulated

      

ONEOK Partners

   2,323,977   1,529,923  

Distribution

   3,271,920   3,126,188   

Property, plant and equipment

   7,893,492   6,724,759  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

   2,048,311   1,879,838   

Net property, plant and equipment

  $5,845,181  $4,844,921  
 

Gas processing plants, natural gas liquids fractionation plants and all other

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Non-Regulated      
ONEOK Partners $2,465,369  $2,112,394 
Energy Services  7,907   7,845 
Other  225,479   177,356 
Regulated        
ONEOK Partners  3,343,310   2,323,977 
Distribution  3,434,554   3,271,920 
Property, plant and equipment  9,476,619   7,893,492 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization  2,212,850   2,048,311 
Net property, plant and equipment $7,263,769  $5,845,181 

Our properties are stated at cost. Gas processing plants, natural gas liquids fractionation plants and all othercost which includes AFUDC.  Generally, the cost of regulated property and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life.

Generally, we apply composite depreciation ratesretired or sold, plus removal costs, less salvage, is charged to functional groups of property having similar economic circumstances.

At December 31, 2007, we had construction work in process of $954.3 million that had not yet been put in service and therefore was not being depreciated. Of this amount, $859.8 million was related to our ONEOK Partners segment, $51.3 million was related to our Distribution segment and $43.2 million was related to our Other segment.

Certain maintenance and repairs are charged directly to expense.accumulated depreciation.  Gains and losses from sales or transfers of non-regulated properties or an entire operating unit or system of our regulated properties are recognized in income.

  Maintenance and repairs are charged directly to expense.


The interest portion of AFUDC represents the cost of borrowed funds used to finance construction activities.  We capitalize interest expense during the construction or upgrade of qualifying assets.  Interest expense capitalized in 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $15.7$39.9 million, which was$15.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively.  Capitalized interest is recorded as a reduction to interest expense, and was not material in 2006 or 2005.

Regulated properties are stated at cost, which includes the equity portion of AFUDC.expense.  The equity portion of AFUDC represents the capitalization of the estimated average cost of equity used during the construction of major projects and is recorded in the cost of our regulated properties and as a credit to the allowance for equity funds used during construction.


Our properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.  Generally, the costwe apply composite depreciation rates to functional groups of property retiredhaving similar economic circumstances.  We periodically conduct depreciation studies to assess the economic lives of our assets.  For our regulated assets, these deprecation studies are completed as a part of our rate proceedings, and the changes in economic lives, if applicable, are implemented prospectively when the new rates are billed.  For our non-regulated assets, if it is determined that the estimated economic life changes, then the changes are made prospectively.  Changes in the estimated economic lives of our property, plant and equipment could have a material effect on our financial position or sold, plus removal costs, less salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation.

result of operations.




The average depreciation rates for our regulated property are set forth in the following table for the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,   
Regulated Property  2007  2006  2005    

ONEOK Partners

  2.4% - 2.5%  2.4% - 2.6%  2.7%  

Distribution

  2.7% - 3.0%  2.7% - 3.3%  2.8% - 3.3%   

Environmental Expenditures - We accrue

  Years Ended December 31, 
Regulated Property 2008  2007  2006 
ONEOK Partners  2.0% - 2.4%  2.4% - 2.5%  2.4% - 2.6%
Distribution  2.7% - 3.0%  2.7% - 3.0%  2.7% - 3.3%

ONEOK Partners’ average depreciation rates for losses associatedits regulated property decreased in 2008, compared with environmental remediation obligations2007, due to placing newly constructed natural gas liquids pipeline assets with longer economic lives in service.

Property, plant and equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheets includes construction work in process for capital projects that have not yet been put in service and therefore are not being depreciated.  The following table sets forth our construction work in process, by segment, for the periods presented.

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
 (Millions of dollars)
ONEOK Partners $810.0  $859.8 
Distribution  57.0   51.3 
Other  11.0   7.1 
Total construction work in process $878.0  $918.2 

Assets are transferred out of construction work in process when such lossesthey are probablesubstantially complete and reasonably estimable. Accrualsready for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations generally are recognized no later than completiontheir intended use, in accordance with Statement 34, “Capitalization of the remedial feasibility study. Such accruals are adjusted as further information becomes available or circumstances change. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable.

Interest Cost.”


Revenue Recognition - Our ONEOK Partners segment includes natural gas gathering and processing, natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation, natural gas pipelines, and natural gas liquids pipelines operations.  ONEOK Partners’ natural gas gathering and processing operations record revenue when gas is processed in or transported through company facilities.  ONEOK Partners’ natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation operations record operating revenues based upon contracted services and actual volumes exchanged or stored under service agreements in the month services are provided.  Operating revenueRevenue for ONEOK Partners’ natural gas pipelines and natural gas liquids pipelines operations is recognized based upon contracted capacity and contracted volumes transported and stored under service agreements in the period services are provided.


Our Distribution segment recognizes revenue when services are rendered or product is delivered. Majorsegment’s major industrial and commercial natural gas distribution customers are invoiced as of the end of each month.  All natural gas residential distribution customers and some commercial customers are invoiced on a cyclical basis throughout the month, and we accrue unbilled revenues at the end of each month.


Our Energy Services segment recognizes revenue when services are rendered or product is delivered. Wholesale and retailsegment’s wholesale customers are invoiced as of the end of each month based on physical sales.  Retail customers are invoiced on a cyclical basis throughout the month, and we accrue unbilled revenues at the end of each month.  Demand payments received for requirements contracts are recognized in the period in which the service is provided.  Our fixed-price physical sales are accounted for as derivatives and are recorded at fair value.  Demand payments received for a requirements contract are recognized in the period in which the service is provided. See Note D “Accounting Treatment” for additional information.

Accounts receivable from customers are reviewed regularly for collectibility. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded in situations where collectibility is not reasonably assured.


Income Taxes - Income taxes are accounted for using the provisions of Statement 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  Deferred income taxes are provided for the difference between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities and carry forward items, based on income tax laws and rates existing at the time the temporary differences are expected to reverse.  The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is deferred and amortized for operations regulated by the OCC, KCC, RRC and various municipalities in Texas.  For all other operations, the effect is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  We continue to amortize previously deferred investment tax credits for ratemaking purposes over the period prescribed by the OCC, KCC, RRC and various municipalities in Texas.


In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,” which was effective for our year beginning January 1, 2007.  This interpretation was issued to clarify the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements by prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  FIN 48 requires the recognition of penalties and interest on any unrecognized tax benefits.  Our policy is to
reflect penalties and interest as part of income tax expense as they become applicable.  The adoption of FIN 48 had an immaterial impact on our consolidated financial statements.

statements, and the impact for 2008 and 2007 was not material.


We file numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and in many state jurisdictions.  We also file returns in Canada.  No returns are currently under audit, and no extensions of statute of limitations have been requested or granted.

  Our 2007 and 2006 United States federal income tax returns are currently under audit.


Regulation- Our distribution operations and ONEOK Partners’ intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines are subject to the rate regulation and accounting requirements of the OCC, KCC, RRC and various municipalities in Texas.  OtherONEOK Partners’ interstate natural gas and natural gas liquids transportation activitiespipelines are subject to regulation by the FERC.  In Kansas and Texas, natural gas storage may be regulated by the state and the FERC for certain types of services.  Oklahoma Natural Gas, Kansas Gas Service, Texas Gas Service and portions of our ONEOK Partners segment follow the accounting and reporting guidance contained in Statement 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.”  During the rate-making process, regulatory authorities may requireset the framework for what we can charge customers for our services and establish the manner that our costs are accounted for, including allowing us to defer recognition of certain costs to be recoveredand permitting recovery of the amounts through rates over time as opposed to expensing such costs as incurred.  Certain examples of types of regulatory guidance include costs for fuel and losses, acquisition costs, contributions in aid of construction, charges for depreciation, and gains or losses on disposition of assets.  This allows us to stabilize rates over time rather than passing such costs on to the customer for immediate recovery.  Accordingly, actions of theActions by regulatory authorities could have an affect on the amount recovered from rate payers.  Any difference in the amount recoverable and the amount deferred would beis recorded as income or expense at the time of the regulatory action.  If all or a portion of the regulated operations becomesare no longer subject to the provisions of Statement 71, a write-off of regulatory assets and stranded costs not recovered may be required.


At December 31, 2008 and 2007, we hadrecorded regulatory assets thatof approximately $523.3 million and $309.4 million, respectively, which are being recovered through various rate cases in the amountor are expected to be recovered.  Regulatory assets are being recovered as a result of $309.4 million, includedapproved rate proceedings over varying time periods up to 40 years.  These assets are reflected in other assets on our 2007 Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Sheets.


Asset Retirement Obligations - Statement 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”Obligations,” applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset.  Statement 143 requires that we recognize the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period when it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made.  The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset, and this additional carrying amount is depreciated over the life of the asset.  The liability is accreted at the end of each period through charges to operating expense.  If the obligation is settled for an amount other than the carrying amount of the liability, we will recognize a gain or loss on settlement.  The depreciation and amortization expense is immaterial to our consolidated financial statements.


In accordance with long-standing regulatory treatment, we collect through rates the estimated costs of removal on certain regulated properties through depreciation expense, with a corresponding credit to accumulated depreciation and amortization.  These removal costs are non-legal obligations as defined by Statement 143.  However, these non-legal asset removalasset-removal obligations should beare accounted for as a regulatory liability under Statement 71.  Historically, the regulatory authorities that have jurisdiction over our regulated operations have not required us to track this amount; rather, these costs are addressed prospectively as depreciation rates and are set in each general rate order.  We have made an estimate of our removal cost liability using current rates since the last general rate order in each of our jurisdictions.  However, significant uncertainty exists regarding the ultimate determination of this liability, pending, among other issues, clarification of regulatory intent.  We continue to monitor the regulatory authorities and the liability may be adjusted as more information is obtained.  We have reclassified the estimated non-legal asset removal obligation from accumulated deprecation and amortization to non-current liabilities in other deferred credits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  To the extent this estimated liability is adjusted, such amounts will be reclassified between accumulated depreciation and amortization and other deferred credits and therefore will not have an impact on earnings.


Share-Based Payment- In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” which requires companies to expense the fair value of share-based payments net of estimated forfeitures.  We adopted Statement 123R as of January 1, 2006, and elected to use the modified prospective method.  Statement 123R did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as we have been expensing share-based payments since our adoption of Statement 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure,” on January 1, 2003.  Awards granted after the adoption of Statement 123R are expensed under the requirements of Statement 123R, while equity awards granted prior to the adoption of Statement 123R will continue to be expensed under Statement 148.



Earnings per Common Share - Basic EPS is calculated based on the daily weighted averageweighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.  Diluted EPS is calculated based on the daily weighted averageweighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period plus potentially dilutive components.  The dilutive components are calculated based on the dilutive effect for each quarter.  For fiscal year periods, the dilutive components for each quarter are averaged to arrive at the fiscal year-to-date dilutive component.


Other

Use of EstimatesMaster Netting Arrangements - The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. These estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Items that may be estimated include, but are not limited to, the economic useful life of assets, fair value of assets and liabilities, obligations under employee benefit plans, provisions for uncollectible accounts receivable, unbilled revenues for natural gas delivered but for which meters have not been read, gas purchased expense for natural gas purchased but for which no invoice has been received, provision for income taxes including any deferred tax valuation allowances, the results of litigation and various other recorded or disclosed amounts.

We evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis using historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods we consider reasonable based on the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from the estimates. Any effects on our financial position or results of operations from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period when the facts that give rise to the revision become known.

Other

Fair Value Measurements - In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. Beginning January 1, 2008, we partially applied Statement 157 as allowed by FASB Staff Position (FSP) 157-2, which delayed the effective date of Statement 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities. As of January 1, 2008, we have applied the provisions of Statement 157 to our financial instruments and the impact was not material. Under FSP 157-2, we will be required to apply Statement 157 to our nonfinancial assets and liabilities beginning January 1, 2009. We are currently reviewing the applicability of Statement 157 to our nonfinancial assets and liabilities as well as the potential impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which allows companies to elect to measure specified financial assets and liabilities, firm commitments, and nonfinancial warranty and insurance contracts at fair value on a contract-by-contract basis, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each reporting period. At January 1, 2008, we did not elect the fair value option under Statement 159 and therefore there was no impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2007, the FASB issued Staff Position No.FSP FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39,” which permits companiesrequires entities that enter intooffset the fair value amounts recognized for derivative receivables and payables to also offset the fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangements to offset cash collateral receivables or payables with net derivative positions under certain circumstances. FIN 39-1 is effective for our year beginning January 1, 2008.arrangement.  We have reviewedapplied the applicabilityprovisions of FSP FIN 39-1 to our operations and its potential impact on our consolidated financial statements beginning January 1, 2008, and have concluded the impact is immaterial.

was not material.  See Note C for applicable disclosures.


Business Combinations - In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement 141R, “Business Combinations,” which will require most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interest (previously referred to as minority interests)interest) and goodwill acquired in a business combination to be recorded at full fair value.  Statement 141R iswas effective for our year beginning January 1, 2009, and will be applied prospectively. We are currently reviewing2009.  Because the applicabilityprovisions of Statement 141R toare applied prospectively, our operations2009 and its potential impact on oursubsequent consolidated financial statements.statements will not be impacted unless we complete a business combination.


Noncontrolling Interests - In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement 160, “Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment to ARB No. 51,” which requires a noncontrolling interestsinterest (previously referred to as minority interests)interest) to be reported as a component of equity.  Statement 160 iswas effective for our year beginning January 1, 2009, and will requirerequires retroactive adoption of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests. We are currently reviewing the applicability ofinterests beginning with our March 31, 2009, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  Statement 160 is not expected to have a material impact on our operationsconsolidated financial statements; however, certain financial statement presentation changes and its potentialadditional required disclosures will be made.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure - In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - an amendment to FASB Statement No. 133,” which requires enhanced disclosures about how derivative and hedging activities affect our financial position, financial performance and cash flows.  Statement 161 was effective for our year beginning January 1, 2009, and will be applied prospectively beginning with our March 31, 2009, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Equity Method Investments - In November 2008, the FASB ratified EITF 08-6, “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations,” which clarified certain issues that arose following the issuance of Statements 141R and 160 related to the accounting for equity method investments.  EITF 08-6 was effective for our year beginning January 1, 2009, and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.


Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets - In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 132R-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets,” which amends Statement 132R, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits,” to require enhanced disclosures about our plan assets, including our investment policies, major categories of plan assets, significant concentrations of risk within plan assets, and inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets.  FSP FAS 132R-1 is effective for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, and will be applied prospectively.

Reclassifications- Certain amounts in our consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 20072008 presentation.  These reclassifications did not impact previously reported net income or shareholders’ equity.


B.           ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

B.
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

Acquisition of NGL Pipeline - In October 2007, ONEOK Partners completed the acquisition of an interstate natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products pipeline system and related assets from a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. (Kinder Morgan) for approximately $300 million, before working capital adjustments.  The system extends from Bushton and Conway, Kansas, to Chicago, Illinois, and transports, stores and delivers a full range of NGL and refined petroleum products.  The FERC-regulated system spans 1,6271,624 miles and has a capacity to transport up to 134 MBbl/d.  The transaction includesalso included approximately 978 MBbl of owned storage capacity, eight NGL terminals and a 50 percent

ownership of Heartland.  ConocoPhillips owns the other 50 percent of Heartland and is the managing partner of the Heartland joint venture, which consists primarily of threea refined petroleum products terminalsterminal and connecting pipelines.pipelines with access to two other refined petroleum products terminals.  ONEOK Partners’ investment in Heartland is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  Financing for this transaction came from a portion of the proceeds of ONEOK Partners’ September 2007 issuance of $600 million 6.85 percent Senior Notes due 2037 (the 2037 Notes).  See Note I for a discussion of the 2037 Notes.  The working capital settlement has not been finalized; however, ONEOK Partners does not expectwas finalized in April 2008, with no material adjustments.


Overland Pass Pipeline Company - - In May 2006, a subsidiary of ONEOK Partners entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams) to form a joint venture called Overland Pass Pipeline Company.  In November 2008, Overland Pass Pipeline Company is buildingcompleted construction of a 760-mile natural gas liquids pipeline from Opal, Wyoming, to the Mid-Continent natural gas liquids market center in Conway, Kansas.  The pipelineOverland Pass Pipeline is designed to transport approximately 110 MBbl/d of unfractionated NGLs whichand can be increased to approximately 150255 MBbl/d with additional pump facilities.  During 2006, ONEOK Partners paid $11.6 million to Williams for the acquisition of its interest in the joint venture and for reimbursement of initial capital expenditures.  A subsidiary of ONEOK Partners owns 99 percent of the joint venture, and will managemanaged the construction project, advanceadvanced all costs associated with construction and operateis currently operating the pipeline.  Within two years of the pipeline becoming operational,On or before November 17, 2010, Williams will have the option to increase its ownership up to 50 percent, by reimbursing ONEOK Partners for its proportionate share of all construction costs.with the purchase price being determined in accordance with the joint venture’s operating agreement.  If Williams exercises its option to increase its ownership to the full 50 percent, Williams would have the option to become operator.  ThisThe pipeline project has received the required approvals of various state and federal regulatory authorities, and ONEOK Partners is constructing the pipeline with start-up currently scheduled for the second quarter 2008.cost was approximately $575 million, excluding AFUDC.


As part of a long-term agreement, Williams dedicated its NGL production from two of its natural gas processing plants in Wyoming to the joint-venture company.Overland Pass Pipeline.  Subsidiaries of ONEOK Partners will provide downstream fractionation, storage and transportation services to Williams. The pipeline project is currently estimated to cost approximately $535 million, excluding AFUDC. In addition,

ONEOK Partners is investing approximately $216 million, excluding AFUDC, to expand its existing fractionation and storage capabilities and the capacity of its natural gas liquids distribution pipelines. ONEOK Partners’ financing for the projects may include a combination of short- or long-term debt or equity.

ONEOK Partners - In April 2006, we sold certain assets comprising our former gathering and processing, natural gas liquids, and pipelines and storage segments to ONEOK Partners for approximately $3 billion, including $1.35 billion in cash, before adjustments, and approximately 36.5 million Class B limited partner units in ONEOK Partners.  The Class B limited partner units and the related general partner interest contribution were valued at approximately $1.65 billion.  We also purchased, through ONEOK Partners GP, from an affiliate of TransCanada, 17.5 percent of the general partner interest in ONEOK Partners for $40 million.  This purchase resulted in our owningownership of the entire 2 percent general partner interest in ONEOK Partners.  Following the completion of the transactions, we ownowned a total of approximately 37.0 million common and Class B limited partner units and the entire 2 percent general partner interest and control the partnership.  Our overall interest in ONEOK Partners, including the 2 percent general partner interest, iswas 45.7 percent.percent at the date of acquisition.


Disposition of 20 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline - In April 2006, in connection with the transactions described immediately above, our ONEOK Partners segment completed the sale of a 20 percent partnership interest in Northern Border Pipeline to TC PipeLines for approximately $297 million.  Our ONEOK Partners segment recorded a gain on the sale of approximately $113.9 million in the second quarter of 2006.  ONEOK Partners and TC PipeLines each now own a 50 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline, and an affiliate of TransCanada became operator of the pipeline in April 2007.  Neither ONEOK Partners nor TC PipeLines has control of Northern Border Pipeline, as control is shared equally through Northern Border Pipeline’s Management Committee.  As a result of this transaction, ONEOK Partners’ interest in Northern Border Pipeline ishas been accounted for as an investment under the equity method, applied on a retroactive basis to January 1, 2006.


Acquisition of Guardian Pipeline Interests - In April 2006, our ONEOK Partners segment acquired the 66-2/3 percent interest in Guardian Pipeline not previously owned by ONEOK Partners for approximately $77 million, increasing its ownership interest to 100 percent.  ONEOK Partners used borrowings from its credit facility to fund the acquisition of the additional interest in Guardian Pipeline.  Following the completion of the transaction, we consolidated Guardian Pipeline in our consolidated financial statements.  This change was accounted for on a retroactive basis to January 1, 2006.




C.           FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

See Note A for a discussion of our Spring Creek power plant, located in Oklahoma, to Westar Energy, Inc. (Westar) for $53 million. The transaction received FERC approvalfair value measurements and the sale was completedfair value hierarchy.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements - The following table sets forth our recurring fair value measurements for the period indicated.

  December 31, 2008 
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Netting (a)  Total 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Assets               
Derivatives $580,029  $215,116  $454,377  $(840,814) $408,708 
Trading securities  4,910   -   -   -   4,910 
Available-for-sale investment securities  1,665   -   -   -   1,665 
Fair value of firm commitments  -   -   42,179   -   42,179 
Total assets $586,604  $215,116  $496,556  $(840,814) $457,462 
                     
Liabilities                    
Derivatives $(501,726) $(55,705) $(412,022) $748,136  $(221,317)
Long-term debt swapped to floating  -   -   (171,455)  -   (171,455)
Total liabilities $(501,726) $(55,705) $(583,477) $748,136  $(392,772)
 
(a) - Our derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis. We net derivative assets and liabilities, including cash collateral in accordance with FSP FIN 39-1, when a legally enforceable master netting arrangement exists between us and the counterparty to a derivative contract. At December 31, 2008, we held $92.7 million of cash collateral.
 

For derivatives for which fair value is determined based on October 31, 2006. The 300-megawatt gas-fired merchant power plant was built in 2001 to supply electrical power during peak periods using gas-powered turbine generators. The financial information relatedmultiple inputs, Statement 157 requires that the measurement for an individual derivative be categorized within a single level based on the lowest-level input that is significant to the properties sold is reflectedfair value measurement in its entirety.

Our Level 1 fair value measurements are based on NYMEX-settled prices, actively quoted prices for equity securities and foreign currency forward exchange rates.  These balances are predominantly comprised of exchange-traded derivative contracts, including futures and certain options for natural gas and crude oil, that are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets.  Also included in Level 1 are available-for-sale and trading securities and foreign currency forwards.

Our Level 2 fair value inputs are based on NYMEX-settled prices that are utilized to determine the fair value of certain non-exchange-traded financial instruments, including natural gas and crude oil swaps.

Our Level 3 inputs are based on over-the-counter quotes, market volatilities derived from NYMEX-settled prices, internally developed basis curves incorporating observable and unobservable market data, modeling techniques using observable market data and historical correlations of NGL product prices to crude oil, and spot and forward LIBOR curves.  The derivatives categorized as a discontinued componentLevel 3 include over-the-counter swaps and options for natural gas and crude oil, NGL swaps and forwards, natural gas basis and swing swaps and physical forward contracts, and interest-rate swaps.  Also included in our consolidated financial statements. All periods presentedLevel 3 are the fair values of firm commitments and long-term debt that have been restated to reflecthedged.

Transfers in and out of Level 3 typically result from derivatives for which fair value is determined based on multiple inputs.  Since we categorize our derivatives based on the discontinued component. See Note C for additional information.

Dispositionlowest level input that is significant, a derivative can move between Level 2 and Level 3 as the value of Production Segmentthe various inputs changes.



- In September 2005, we completed86 - -


The following table sets forth the salereconciliation of our former production segmentLevel 3 fair value measurements for the period indicated.

  
Derivative
Assets (Liabilities)
  
Fair Value of
Firm Commitments
  
Long-Term
Debt
  Total 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
January 1, 2008 $(54,582) $42,684  $(338,538) $(350,436)
   Total realized/unrealized gains (losses):                
       Included in earnings (a)  6,080   (505)  (2,917)  2,658 
       Included in other comprehensive
            income (loss)
  84,592   -   -   84,592 
   Terminations prior to maturity  (5,074)  -   170,000   164,926 
   Transfers in and/or out of Level 3  11,339   -   -   11,339 
December 31, 2008 $42,355  $42,179  $(171,455) $(86,921)
                 
Total gains (losses) for the period included in
   earnings attributable to the change in unrealized
   gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities
   still held as of December 31, 2008 (a)
 $(116,127) $153,221  $(2,917) $34,177 
(a) - Reported in revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Income.             

Realized/unrealized gains (losses) include the realization of our fair value derivative contracts through maturity, changes in fair value of our hedged firm commitments and fixed-rate debt swapped to TXOK Acquisition, Inc.floating.  Terminations prior to maturity represents swap contracts terminated prior to maturity that will remain in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the underlying forecasted transaction occurs; and the long-term debt associated with the interest rate swaps that were terminated during the period.  Transfers into Level 3 represent existing assets or liabilities that were previously categorized at a higher level for $645 million, before adjustments,which the inputs to our models became unobservable.  Transfers out of Level 3 represent existing assets and liabilities that were previously classified as Level 3 for which the inputs became observable in accordance with our hierarchy policy discussed on page 78.

Fair Value - The following table represents the fair value of our energy marketing and risk management assets and liabilities for the periods indicated.

  December 31, 2008  December 31, 2007 
  Assets  Liabilities  Assets  Liabilities 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Energy Services - financial non-trading instruments:            
Natural gas            
Exchange-traded instruments $31,509  $640  $4,739  $14,853 
Over-the-counter swaps  73,095   1,624   41,633   19,160 
Options  186   -   1,887   2,467 
Other (a)  39,453   2,515   7,469   2,741 
   144,243   4,779   55,728   39,221 
Energy Services - financial trading instruments:                
Natural gas                
Exchange-traded instruments  6,158   144   1,641   888 
Over-the-counter swaps  14,002   321   11,258   8,013 
Options  7,043   191   14,173   18,654 
Other (a)  358   249   420   287 
   27,561   905   27,492   27,842 
ONEOK Partners - cash flow hedges  63,780   -   -   21,304 
Distribution - natural gas swaps  -   23,003   -   9,752 
Energy Services - cash flow hedges  62,250   44,248   57,966   8,344 
Energy Services - fair value hedges  109,419   148,382   5,237   51,343 
Interest rate swaps - fair value hedges  1,455   -   1,496   2,958 
                 
Total fair value $408,708  $221,317  $147,919  $160,764 
(a) - Other includes physical natural gas.                



Financial Instruments - The following information represents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial instruments for the periods indicated, excluding energy marketing and risk management assets and liabilities, which are listed in the table above.

The approximate fair value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts and notes receivable and accounts and notes payable is equal to book value, due to their short-term nature.  The estimated fair value of long-term debt has been determined using quoted market prices of the same or similar issues, discounted cash flows, and/or rates currently available to us for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.  The book value of our long-term debt was $4.23 billion and $4.64 billion at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The approximate fair value of our long-term debt was $3.95 billion and $4.75 billion at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The tables below show information about our investment securities classified as available-for-sale.

  December 31, 
  2008  2007  2006 
 (Thousands of dollars) 
Available-for-sale securities held         
Aggregate fair value $1,665  $24,151  $22,416 
Reported in accumulated other
   comprehensive income (loss) for net
   unrealized holding gains
 $815  $13,678  $12,614 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2008  2007  2006 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Available-for-sale securities held         
Gains reclassified to earnings
   from accumulated other
   comprehensive income (loss)
 $11,142  $-  $- 
             
Available-for-sale securities sold            
Proceeds from sale (a) $3,886  $-  $- 
Gain from sale (a) $3,369  $-  $- 
(a) - We sold a portion of our available-for-sale securities and used specific identification
 to determine the cost of the securities sold.
 

We transferred securities from available-for-sale to trading during the year ended December 31, 2008, and recognized a pre-tax$7.7 million gain, due to a reconsideration event in August 2008 when our NYMEX Holding, Inc. Class A shares held were converted to CME Group, Inc. (CME) Class A shares due to the NYMEX Holding, Inc. and CME merger.  A modification was made to the number of shares required to be maintained by NYMEX Holding, Inc. Class A Members which resulted in our sale of certain shares and the reclassification of the remaining shares to trading.  These trading securities were still held as of December 31, 2008.

The gains reclassified into earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2008, of $11.1 million include the $7.7 million gain discussed in the previous paragraph, as well as a $3.4 million realized gain on the sale of approximately $240.3 million. The gain reflects the cash received less adjustments, selling expenses and the net book value of the assets sold. The proceeds from the sale were used to reduce debt. The financial information related to the properties sold is reflected as a discontinued component in our consolidated financial statements. All periods presented have been restated to reflect the discontinued component. See Note C for additional information.

available-for-sale securities.


D.           ENERGY MARKETING AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Acquisition of Koch Industries Natural Gas Liquids Business - In July 2005, we completed the acquisition of the natural gas liquids businesses owned by several affiliates and a subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc. (Koch) for approximately $1.33 billion, net of working capital and cash received. This transaction included Koch Hydrocarbon, LP’s entire Mid-Continent natural gas liquids fractionation business; Koch Pipeline Company, L.P.’s natural gas liquids pipeline distribution systems; Chisholm Pipeline Holdings, Inc., now Chisholm Pipeline Holdings, L.L.C., which has a 50 percent ownership interest in Chisholm Pipeline Company; MBFF, L.P., now ONEOK MBI, L.P., which owns an 80 percent interest in a 160 MBbl/d fractionator at Mont Belvieu, Texas; and Koch Vesco Holdings, L.L.C., now ONEOK Vesco Holdings, L.L.C., an entity that owns a 10.2 percent interest in Venice Energy Services Company, L.LC. These assets are included in our consolidated financial statements beginning on July 1, 2005.

The unaudited pro forma information in the table below presents a summary of our consolidated results of operations as if the acquisition of the Koch natural gas liquids businesses had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented. The results do not necessarily reflect the results that would have been obtained if the acquisition had actually occurred on the dates indicated or results that may be expected in the future.

    

Pro Forma Year Ended

December 31, 2005

    
   

(Thousand of dollars,

except per share amounts)

   

Net margin

  $1,409,232  

Net income

  $550,998  

Net earnings per share, basic

  $5.48  

Net earnings per share, diluted

  $5.10   

Other - In December 2005, we sold our natural gas gathering and processing assets located in Texas to a subsidiary of Eagle Rock Energy, Inc. for approximately $527.2 million and recorded a pre-tax gain of $264.2 million, which is included in gain on sale of assets in our operating income. The gain reflects the cash received less adjustments, selling expenses and the net book value of the assets sold.

C.DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In September 2005, we completed the sale of our former production segment to TXOK Acquisition, Inc. for $645 million, before adjustments, and recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of approximately $240.3 million. The gain reflects the cash received less adjustments, selling expenses and the net book value of the assets sold. The proceeds from the sale were used to reduce debt. Our Board of Directors authorized management to pursue the sale in July 2005, which resulted in our former production segment being classified as held for sale beginning July 1, 2005.

Additionally, in the third quarter of 2005, we made the decision to sell our Spring Creek power plant, located in Oklahoma, and exit the power generation business. In October 2005, we concluded that our Spring Creek power plant had been impaired and recorded an impairment expense of $52.2 million. We subsequently entered into an agreement to sell our Spring Creek power plant to Westar for $53 million. The transaction received FERC approval and the sale was completed on October 31, 2006. The 300-megawatt gas-fired merchant power plant was built in 2001 to supply electrical power during peak periods using gas-powered turbine generators.

At the time of the sale, we retained a contract with the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA) that required us to provide OMPA with 75 megawatts of firm capacity per month for a monthly fixed charge of approximately $0.4 million through December 31, 2015. To fulfill our obligations under this contract, we entered into an agreement with Westar to purchase 75 megawatts of firm capacity on the same terms as our agreement with OMPA. In an arbitration ruling dated October 11, 2007, our contract with OMPA was terminated as of that date and we were awarded payment for our services through that date. We are currently evaluating our alternatives with respect to our contract with Westar.

These components of our business are accounted for as discontinued operations in accordance with Statement 144. Accordingly, amounts in our consolidated financial statements and related notes for all periods shown relating to our former production segment and our power generation business are reflected as discontinued operations.

The amounts of revenue, costs and income taxes reported in discontinued operations are set forth in the table below for the periods indicated.

   Years Ended
December 31,
   
    2006  2005    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Operating revenues

  $10,646  $135,213  

Cost of sales and fuel

   7,393   38,398   

Net margin

   3,253   96,815   

Impairment expense

   -     52,226  

Operating costs

   837   24,302  

Depreciation and amortization

   -     17,919   

Operating income

   2,416   2,368   

Other income (expense), net

   -     252  

Interest expense

   3,013   12,588  

Income taxes

   (232)  (3,788)  

Income (loss) from operations of discontinued components, net

  $(365) $(6,180) 
 

Gain on sale of discontinued components, net of tax of $90.7 million

  $-    $149,577   

D.ENERGY MARKETING AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Risk Policy and Oversight - Market risks are monitored by our risk control group that operates independently from the operating segments that create or actively manage these risk exposures. The risk control group ensuresis responsible for ensuring compliance with our risk management policies.


We control the scope of risk management, marketing and trading operations through a comprehensive set of policies and procedures involving senior levels of management.  The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has oversight responsibilities for our risk management limits and policies.  Our risk oversight committee, comprised of corporate and business segment officers, oversees all activities related to commodity price and credit risk management, and marketing and
trading activities.  The committee also monitors risk metrics including value-at-risk (VAR) and mark-to-market losses.  We have a corporate risk control organization that is assigned responsibility for establishing and enforcing the policies and procedures and monitoring certain risk metrics.  Key risk control activities include credit review and approval, credit and performance risk measurement and monitoring, validation of transactions, portfolio valuation, VAR and other risk metrics.


Commodity and Interest Rate Risk Management Activities- Our operating results are affected by commodity price fluctuations.  We routinely enter into derivative financial instruments to minimize the risk of commodity price fluctuations related to anticipated sales of natural gas and condensate, NGLs, purchase and sale commitments, fuel requirements, currency exposure, transportation and storage contracts, and natural gas inventories.  We are also subject to the risk of interest rateinterest-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business.  We manage interest rateinterest-rate risk through the use of fixed-rate debt, floating-rate debt and, at times, interest-rate swaps.


Our Energy Services segment includes our wholesale and retail natural gas marketing and financial trading operations.  Our Energy Services segment generally attempts to managemitigates the commodity risk ofassociated with our fixed-price physical purchase and sale commitments through the use of derivative instruments.  With respect to the net open positions that exist within our marketing and financial trading operations, fluctuating commodity market prices can impact our financial position and results of operations, either favorably or unfavorably.  The net open positions are actively managed, and the impact of the changing prices on our financial condition at a point in time is not necessarily indicative of the impact of price movements throughout the year.


Operating margins associated with our ONEOK Partners segments’Partners’ natural gas gathering and processing and natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation activitiesbusinesses are sensitive to changes in natural gas, condensate and NGL prices, principally as a result of contractual terms under which natural gas is processed and products are sold.  ONEOK Partners uses physical forward sales and derivative instruments to secure a certain price for natural gas, condensate and NGL products.


Our Distribution segment also uses derivative instruments to hedge the cost of anticipated natural gas purchases during the winter heating months to protect their customers from upward volatility in the market price of natural gas.  Gains or losses associated with these derivative instruments are included in, and recoverable through, the monthly purchased gas cost mechanism.


Accounting Treatment- We account for derivative instruments and hedging activities in accordance with Statement 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended.133. Under Statement 133, entities are required to record all derivative instruments at fair value.value, with the exception of normal purchases and normal sales that are expected to result in physical delivery.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, the reason for holding it.  If the derivative instrument does not qualify or is not designated as part of a hedging relationship, then we account for changes in fair value of the derivative instrument in earnings as they occur.  We record changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are considered held for trading purposes as energy trading revenues net and derivative instruments considered not held for trading purposes as cost of sales and fuel in our Consolidated Statements of Income.  If certain conditions are met, entities may elect to designate a derivative instrument as a hedge of exposure to changes in fair values, cash flows or foreign currencies.  For hedges of exposure to changes in fair value, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in earnings during the period of change together with the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged.  The difference between the change in fair value of the derivative instrument and the change in fair value of the hedged item represents hedge ineffectiveness, which is reported in earnings during the period the ineffectiveness occurs.  For hedges of exposure to changes in cash flow, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported initially as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is subsequently recorded toin earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings.


As required by Statement 133, we formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as risk management objectives, strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions and methods for assessing and testing correlation and hedge ineffectiveness.  We specifically identify the asset, liability, firm commitment or forecasted transaction that has been designated as the hedged item.  We assess the effectiveness of hedging relationships by performing a regression analysis on our cash flow and fair value hedging relationships quarterly to ensure the hedge relationships are highly effective on a retrospective and prospective basis, as required by Statement 133.

  We also document our normal physical purchases and physical sales transactions that we elect to exempt from fair value accounting treatment.  Although we believe we have appropriate internal controls over our accounting for derivatives, interpreting Statement 133 and the related documentation requirements is very complex.  In addition, future interpretations may impact our application of Statement 133.



EITF 03-11, “Reporting Realized Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments That Are Subject to FASB Statement No. 133 and Not ‘Held for Trading Purposes’ as Defined in EITF Issue No. 02-3,” provides that the determination of whether realized gains and losses on physically settled derivative contracts not held for trading purposes should be reported in the income statementConsolidated Statements of Income on a gross or net basis is a matter of judgment that depends on the relevant facts and circumstances.  Consideration of the facts and circumstances should be made in the context of the various activities of the entity rather than based solely on the terms of the individual contracts.


We evaluate the accounting treatment related to the presentation of revenues from the different types of activities to determine which amounts should be reported on a gross or net basis under the guidance in EITF 03-11.  For derivative instruments considered held for trading purposes that result in physical delivery, the indicators in EITF 02-3, “Issues Involved in Accounting for Derivative Contracts Held for Trading Purposes and Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities” are used to determine the proper treatment.  These activities and all financially settled derivative contracts are reported on a net basis.


For derivative instruments that are not considered held for trading purposes and that result in physical delivery, the indicators in EITF 03-11 and EITF Issue No. 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent,” are used to determine the proper treatment.  We account for the realized revenues and purchase costs of these contracts that result in physical delivery on a gross basis.  We apply the indicators in EITF 99-19 to determine the appropriate accounting treatment for non-derivative contracts that result in physical delivery.  Derivatives that qualify for the normal purchase or sale exception as defined in Statement 133 are also reported on a gross basis.


Cash flows from futures, forwards, options and swaps that are accounted for as hedges are included in the same cash flow statement category as the cash flows from the related hedged items.


Fair Value Hedges - In 20072008 and prior years, we and ONEOK Partners terminated various interest-rate swap agreements.  The net savings from the termination of these swaps areis being recognized in interest expense over the terms of the debt instruments originally hedged.  Net interest expense savings for 2007 for all2008 from amortization of terminated swaps was $10.3$10.5 million, and the remaining net savings for all terminated swaps will be recognized over the following periods.

    ONEOK  

ONEOK

Partners

  Total    
   (Millions of dollars)   

2008

  $6.7  $3.7  $10.4  

2009

   5.6   3.7   9.3  

2010

   5.5   3.7   9.2  

2011

   2.5   0.9   3.4  

2012

   0.8   -     0.8  

Thereafter

   12.0   -     12.0   



     ONEOK    
  ONEOK  Partners  Total 
  (Millions of dollars) 
2009 $6.5  $3.7  $10.2 
2010 $6.4  $3.7  $10.1 
2011 $3.4  $0.9  $4.3 
2012 $1.7  $-  $1.7 
2013 $1.7  $-  $1.7 
Thereafter $25.3  $-  $25.3 

At December 31, 2007,2008, the interest on $340$170 million of our fixed-rate debt was swapped to floating using interest-rate swaps.  The floating rate was based on both the three- and six-month LIBOR, depending upon the swap.  Based on the actual performance throughfor the year ended December 31, 2007,2008, the weighted-average interest rate on the swapped debt increaseddecreased from 6.446.17 percent to 6.744.39 percent.  At December 31, 2007,2008, we recorded a net liabilityasset of $1.5 million to recognize the interest-rate swaps at fair value.  Long-term debt was decreased byincludes an additional $1.5 million to recognize the change in the fair value of the related hedged liability.debt.  ONEOK Partners had no interest-rate swap agreements at December 31, 2008.  See Note I for additional discussion of long-term debt.


Our Energy Services segment uses basis swaps to hedge the fair value of certain firm transportation commitments.  Net gains or losses from the fair value hedges and ineffectiveness are recorded to cost of sales and fuel.  The ineffectiveness related to these hedges included losses of $3.3 million, $5.3 million and $9.0 million for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and was not material in 2005.

respectively.


In September 2007, our Energy Services segment was notified that a portion of the volume contracted under our firm transportation agreement with Cheyenne Plains Gas Pipeline Company would be curtailed due to a fire at a Cheyenne Plains pipeline compressor station.  The fire damaged a significant amount of instrumentation and electrical wiring, causing Cheyenne Plains Gas Pipeline Company to declare a force majeure event on the pipeline.  This firm commitment was hedged in accordance with Statement 133.  The discontinuance of fair value hedge accounting on the portion of the firm commitment
that was impacted by the force majeure event resulted in a loss of approximately $5.5 million.

million in the third quarter of 2007, of which $2.4 million of insurance proceeds were recovered and recognized in the first quarter of 2008.


Cash Flow Hedges - Our Energy Services segment uses futures and swapsderivative instruments to hedge the cash flows associated with our anticipated purchases and sales of natural gas and the cost of fuel used in transportation of natural gas.  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2007,2008, includes gains of approximately $36.2$10.3 million, net of tax, related to these hedges that will be realized within the next 1724 months as forecasted transactions affect earnings.  If prices remain at current levels, we will recognize $40.2$7.2 million in net gains over the next 12 months, and we will recognize net lossesgains of $4.0$3.1 million thereafter.  In accordance with Statement 133, the actual gains or losses will be reclassified into earnings when the related physical transactions affect earnings.

Our


During the third and fourth quarters of 2008, the carrying value of natural gas in storage was written down by $308.5 million in order to record inventory at the lower of cost or market.  As required by Statement 133, we reclassified $298.8 million of deferred gains, before income taxes, on associated cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings.

Through an affiliate, our ONEOK Partners segment periodically enters into derivative instruments to hedge the cash flows associated with its exposure to changes in the price of natural gas, condensateNGLs and NGL products and the gross processing spread. If prices remain at current levels,condensate.  At December 31, 2008, our ONEOK PartnersPartners’ segment will recognize $4.6reflected an unrealized gain of $20.1 million, net of tax, in net losses,accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), with a corresponding offset in energy marketing and risk management assets and liabilities, all of which will be recognized over the next 12 months.

For all of our segments, net gains and losses are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to operating revenues or cost of sales and fuel in the period the ineffectiveness occurs.


Ineffectiveness related to our cash flow hedges resulted in gains of approximately $1.4 million, $0.2 million and $15.0 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and losses of approximately $33.9 million in 2005.respectively.  In the event that it becomes probable that a forecasted transactions dotransaction will not occur, we would discontinue cash flow hedge treatment, which would affect earnings.  There were no material gains or losses in 2008, 2007 2006 or 20052006 due to the discontinuance of cash flow hedge treatment.


Fair Value - The following table represents the fair value of our energy marketing and risk management assets and liabilities for the periods indicated.

   December 31, 2007  December 31, 2006
    Assets  Liabilities  Assets  Liabilities    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Energy Services - financial non-trading instruments:

          

Natural gas

          

Exchange-traded instruments

  $4,739  $14,853  $19,681  $67,741  

Over-the-counter swaps

   41,633   19,160   119,244   94,588  

Options

   4,786   2,467   16,738   5,733  

Other (a)

   7,469   2,741   37,333   27,080  
                  
   58,627   39,221   192,996   195,142  

Energy Services - financial trading instruments:

          

Natural gas

          

Exchange-traded instruments

   1,641   888   25,800   26,310  

Over-the-counter swaps

   11,258   8,013   42,740   45,452  

Options

   35,942   18,654   4,013   5,134  

Other (a)

   420   287   34   36  
                  
   49,261   27,842   72,587   76,932  

ONEOK Partners - cash flow hedges

   -     21,304   2,154   3,875  

Distribution - natural gas swaps

   -     9,752   -     15,239  

Energy Services - cash flow hedges

   57,966   8,344   209,590   71,061  

Energy Services - fair value hedges

   5,237   51,343   15,476   68,177  

Interest rate swaps - fair value hedges

   1,496   2,958   -     13,544  
                  

Total fair value

  $172,587  $160,764  $492,803  $443,970  
 

(a) - Other includes physical.

Fair value estimates consider the market in which the transactions are executed. The market in which exchange-traded and over-the-counter transactions are executed is a factor in determining fair value. We utilize third-party references for pricing points from NYMEX and third-party over-the-counter brokers to establish the commodity pricing and volatility curves. We believe the reported transactions from these sources are the most reflective of current market prices. The estimate of fair value includes an adjustment for the liquidation of the position in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time under current market conditions. The fair value estimate also considers the risk of nonperformance based on credit considerations of the counterparty.

Credit Risk- We maintain credit policies with regard to our counterparties that we believe minimize overall credit risk.  These policies include an evaluation of potential counterparties’ financial condition (including credit ratings)ratings and credit default swap rates), collateral requirements under certain circumstances and the use of standardized agreements which allow for netting of positive and negative exposures associated with a single counterparty.


Our counterparties consist primarily of financial institutions, major energy companies, LDCs, electric utilities and commercial and industrial end-users.  This concentration of counterparties may impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that the counterparties may be similarly affected by changes in economic, regulatory or other conditions.  Based on our policies, exposures, credit and other reserves, we do not anticipate a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations as a result of counterparty nonperformance.


E.           GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

Financial InstrumentsCarrying Amount - The following information represents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values oftable sets forth goodwill recorded on our financial instrumentsConsolidated Balance Sheets for the periods indicated, excluding energy marketing and risk management assets and liabilities, which are listed in the table above.

The approximate fair value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts and notes receivable and accounts and notes payable is equal to book value due to their short-term nature. The estimated fair value of long-term debt has been determined using quoted market prices of the same or similar issues, discounted cash flows, and/or rates currently available to us for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. The book value of our long-term debt was $4.64 billion and $4.05 billion at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The approximate fair value of our long-term debt was $4.75 billion and $4.09 billion at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

At December 31, 2007, our investment securities classified as available for sale had an aggregate fair value of $24.2 million. We reported $13.7 million and $12.6 million in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities in 2007 and 2006, respectively. For 2007 and 2006, no gains or losses related to available-for-sale securities were reclassified to earnings from other comprehensive income (loss). We had no material securities classified as available for sale at December 31, 2005.

E.GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

Activity - There was no change in the carrying amounts of goodwill during 2007. The following table reflects the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the period indicated.

    

Balance

December 31, 2005

  Additions  Adjustments  

Adoption of

EITF 04-5

  

Balance

December 31, 2006

    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

ONEOK Partners

  $211,087  $37,489  $(2,001) $184,843  $431,418  

Distribution

   157,953   -     -     -     157,953  

Energy Services

   10,255   -     -     -     10,255  

Other

   1,099   -     -     -     1,099   

Total Goodwill

  $380,394  $37,489  $(2,001) $184,843  $600,725  
 

Goodwill additions for 2006 in our ONEOK Partners segment include $7.5 million related to the consolidation of Guardian Pipeline, of which $5.7 million relates to the purchase of the 66-2/3 percent interest not previously owned by ONEOK Partners, and $2.1 million related to the incremental 1 percent acquisition in an affiliate that was previously accounted for under the equity method. Following ONEOK Partners’ acquisition of the additional 1 percent interest, we began consolidating the entity.

Goodwill increased by approximately $27.9 million relating to ONEOK Partners’ 2003 acquisition of Viking Gas Transmission. In accounting for the acquisition, the entire purchase price was allocated to the fair value of the tangible assets including plant in service. Since that date, we have determined that the amount of purchase price representing a premium over Viking Gas Transmission’s historic rate base is not being recovered in its rates and, accordingly, should be accounted for as goodwill under Statement 142.

Goodwill adjustments for 2006 in our ONEOK Partners segment include an $8.4 million reduction related to the Black Mesa Pipeline impairment, offset by $6.4 million in purchase price adjustments.

In accordance with EITF 04-5, we consolidated our ONEOK Partners segment beginning January 1, 2006. The adoption of EITF 04-5 resulted in $152.8 million of ONEOK Partners’ goodwill being included on our 2006 Consolidated Balance Sheet and $32.0 million of goodwill that was previously recorded as our equity investment in ONEOK Partners.


  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
ONEOK Partners $433,537  $431,418 
Distribution  157,953   157,953 
Energy Services  10,255   10,255 
Other  1,099   1,099 
Total Goodwill $602,844  $600,725 

Equity Method Goodwill- For the investments we account for under the equity method, the premium or excess cost over underlying fair value of net assets is referred to as equity method goodwill.  Investment in unconsolidated affiliates on our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets includes equity method goodwill of $185.6 million as of December 31, 20072008 and 2006.2007.



Impairment Test - We apply the provisions of Statement 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” and perform our annual goodwill impairment testingtest on July 1.  There were no impairment charges resulting from theour July 1, 2007,2008, impairment test.  As a result of recent events in the financial markets and current economic conditions, we performed a review and determined that interim testing of goodwill as of December 31, 2008, was not necessary.

Black Mesa - During 2006, we recorded a goodwill and no events indicatingasset impairment have occurred subsequentrelated to that date.ONEOK Partners’ Black Mesa Pipeline of $8.4 million and $3.6 million, respectively, which was recorded as depreciation and amortization.  The reduction to our net income, net of minority interests and income taxes, was $3.0 million.


Intangible Assets


Our ONEOK Partners segment had $287.5$279.8 million of intangible assets primarily related to contracts acquired through our acquisition of the natural gas liquids businesses from Koch,contracts, which are being amortized over an aggregate weighted-average period of 40 years.  The remaining intangible asset balance has an indefinite life.  TheAmortization expense for intangible assets for both 2008 and 2007 was $7.7 million, and the aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years is estimated to be approximately $7.7 million. Amortization expense for intangible assets for both 2007 and 2006 was $7.7 million.  The following table reflects the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets for the periods presented.

    

Gross

Intangibles

  

Accumulated

Amortization

  

Net

Intangibles

    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

December 31, 2007

  $462,214  $(19,166) $443,048  

December 31, 2006

   462,214   (11,499)  450,715   

The adoption of EITF 04-5 resulted in the addition of $123.0 million of intangible assets, which was previously recorded as our equity investment in ONEOK Partners. An additional $32.5 million was recorded related to the general partner incentive distribution rights acquired through the purchase of the remaining 17.5 percent of the general partner interest from TransCanada. These intangible assets have an indefinite life; accordingly, they are not subject to amortization but are subject to impairment testing.



  Gross  Accumulated  Net 
  Intangible Assets  Amortization  Intangible Assets 
 (Thousands of dollars)
December 31, 2007 $462,214  $(19,166) $443,048 
December 31, 2008 $462,214  $(26,832) $435,382 

F.           OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

F.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The table below shows the gross amount of other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax (expense) benefit for the periods indicated.

   Year Ended
December 31, 2007
  Year Ended
December 31, 2006
    Gross  

Tax

(Expense)

or Benefit

  Net  Gross  

Tax

(Expense)

or Benefit

  Net    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Unrealized gains (losses) on energy marketing and risk management assets/liabilities

  $48,888  $(21,836) $27,052  $342,629  $(132,810) $209,819  

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

   1,735   (671)  1,064   20,571   (7,957)  12,614  

Realized (gains) losses in net income

   (149,535)  57,840   (91,695)  (115,222)  44,568   (70,654) 

Change in pension and postretirement benefit plan liability

   27,687   (10,709)  16,978   (143,348)  55,447   (87,901)  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  $(71,225) $24,624  $(46,601) $104,630  $(40,752) $63,878  
 



    Year Ended     Year Ended   
  December 31, 2008 December 31, 2007 
  Gross Tax (Expense) or Benefit Net Gross 
Tax (Expense)
or Benefit
 Net 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Unrealized gains on energy
   marketing and risk
   management assets/liabilities
 $276,400  (103,705)$172,695 $48,888 $(21,836)$27,052 
Less:  Gains on energy marketing and
   risk management assets/liabilities
   recognized in net income
  277,413  (107,303) 170,110  149,535  (57,840) 91,695 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on
   investment securities arising
   during the period
  (9,837) 3,805  (6,032) 1,735  (671) 1,064 
Less:  Gains on investment securities
   recognized in net income
  11,142  (4,310) 6,832  -  -  - 
Change in pension and postretirement
   benefit plan liability
  (86,869) 33,601  (53,268) 27,687  (10,709) 16,978 
Other comprehensive income (loss) $(108,861)$45,314 $(63,547)$(71,225)$24,624 $(46,601)

The gains on energy marketing and risk management assets/liabilities recognized in net income presented in the table above include the reclassification of gains on our cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings as discussed in Note D.



The table below shows the balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated. See Note J for more information regarding the adoption of Statement 158.

    

Unrealized Gains

(Losses) on Energy

Marketing and Risk
Management

Assets/Liabilities

  

Unrealized Gains on

Available-for-Sale

Securities

  

Pension and

Postretirement

Benefit Plan

Obligations

  

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

December 31, 2005

  $(49,194) $-    $(7,797) $(56,991) 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   139,165   12,614   (87,901)  63,878  

Adoption of Statement 158

   -     -     32,645   32,645   

December 31, 2006

  $89,971  $12,614  $(63,053) $39,532  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   (64,643)  1,064   16,978   (46,601)  

December 31, 2007

  $25,328  $13,678  $(46,075) $(7,069) 
 


  Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Energy Marketing and Risk Management Assets/Liabilities 
Unrealized
Holding
Gains (Losses) on
Investment
Securities
 Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plan Obligations Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
   (Thousands of dollars) 
December 31, 2006 $89,971  $12,614  $(63,053)  $39,532 
Other comprehensive income (loss)   (64,643)    1,064    16,978    (46,601) 
December 31, 2007 $25,328  $13,678  $(46,075)  $(7,069) 
Other comprehensive income (loss)   2,585    (12,864)    (53,268)    (63,547) 
December 31, 2008 $27,913  $814  $(99,343)  $(70,616) 

G.           CAPITAL STOCK

G.
CAPITAL STOCK

Series A and B Convertible Preferred Stock- There are no shares of Series A or Series B currently outstanding.


Series C Preferred Stock- Series C Preferred Stock (Series C) is designed to protect our shareholders from coercive or unfair takeover tactics.  If issued, holders of shares of Series C are entitled to receive, in preference to the holders of ONEOK Common Stock, quarterly dividends in an amount per share equal to the greater of $0.50 or, subject to adjustment, 100 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 100 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends.  No shares of Series C have been issued.


Common Stock - At December 31, 2007,2008, we had approximately 179175 million shares of authorized and unreserved common stock available for issuance.


Stock Repurchase Plan - On May 17, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized a stock buy back program to repurchase up to 7.5 million shares of our currently issued and outstanding common stock.  On June 28, 2007, we repurchased 7.5 million shares of our outstanding common stock under an accelerated share repurchase agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (Bank of America) at an initial price of $49.33 per share for a total of $370 million.  Bank of America borrowed 7.5 million of our shares from third parties and purchased shares in the open market to settle its short position.  Our repurchase was subject to a financial adjustment based on the volume-weighted average price, less a discount, of the shares subsequently repurchased by

Bank of America over the course of the repurchase period.  The price adjustment could have been settled, at our option, in cash or in shares of our common stock.  In September 2007, the accelerated share repurchase agreement with Bank of America was settled, which resulted in Bank of America delivering an additional 186,402 shares of our common stock to us at no additional cost.  All shares under this accelerated repurchase agreement were recorded as treasury shares in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2007.Sheets.  These transactions completed the plan approved by our Board of Directors and we have no remaining shares available for repurchase under our stock repurchase plan.


On August 7, 2006, under a previously authorized stock repurchase plan, we repurchased 7.5 million shares of our outstanding common stock under an accelerated share repurchase agreement with UBS Securities LLC (UBS) at an initial price of $37.52 per share for a total of $281.4 million.  These shares were recorded as treasury shares in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  UBS borrowed 7.5 million of our shares from third parties and purchased shares in the open market to settle its short position.  Our repurchase was subject to a financial adjustment based on the volume-weighted average price, less a discount, of the shares subsequently repurchased by UBS over the course of the repurchase period.  The price adjustment could have been settled, at our option, in cash or in shares of our common stock.  In February 2007, the forward purchase contract with UBS was settled for a cash payment of $20.1 million, which was recorded in equity.


In accordance with EITF Issue No. 99-7, “Accounting for an Accelerated Share Repurchase Program,” the repurchases were accounted for as two separate transactions: (i) as shares of common stock acquired in a treasury stock transaction recorded on the acquisition datedate; and (ii) as a forward contract indexed to our common stock.  Additionally, we classified the forward contracts as equity under EITF Issue No. 00-19, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock.”

During 2005, we repurchased 7.5 million shares




Dividends - Quarterly dividends paid on our common stock for shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 31, 2007,2008, April 30, 2007,2008, July 31, 2007,2008, and October 31, 2007,2008, were $0.34$0.38 per share, $0.34$0.38 per share, $0.36$0.40 per share and $0.36$0.40 per share, respectively.  Additionally, a quarterly dividend of $0.38$0.40 per share was declared in January 2008,2009, payable in the first quarter of 2008.2009.


Equity Units - On February 16, 2006, we successfully settled our 16.1 million equity units to 19.5 million shares of our common stock.  Of this amount, 8.3 million shares were issued from treasury stock and approximately 11.2 million shares were newly issued.  Holders of the equity units received 1.2119 shares of our common stock for each equity unit they owned.  The number of shares that we issued for each stock purchase contract was determined based on our average closing price over the 20 trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to February 16, 2006.  With the settlement, we received $402.4 million in cash, which was used to pay down our short-term bridge financing agreement.


H.           CREDIT FACILITIES AND SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE

H.
CREDIT FACILITIES AND SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE

General - The total amount of short-term borrowings authorized by our Board of Directors is $2.5 billion. Our commercial paper and short-term notes payable, excluding ONEOK Partners’ short-term notes payable, carried an average interest rate of 5.00 percent at December 31, 2007, and there was none outstanding at December 31, 2006. ONEOK Partners’ short-term notes payable carried average interest rates of 5.40 percent and 6.75 percent at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

ONEOK Credit Agreement - In AprilJuly 2006 weand September 2008, ONEOK amended our 2004and restated its $1.2 billion credit agreement (ONEOK Credit Agreement) to accommodate the transaction with ONEOK Partners. This amendment included changes to the material adverse effect representation, the burdensome agreement representation and the covenant regarding maintenance of control of ONEOK Partners.

In July 2006, we amended and restated our ONEOK Credit Agreement..  The amended agreement includes revised pricing, an extension of the maturity date from 2009 to 2011, an option for additional extensions of the maturity date with the consent of the lenders, and an option to request an increase in the commitments of the lenders of up to an additional $500 million.million and a change in certain sublimits.  The interest rates applicable to extensions of credit under this agreement are based, at ourONEOK’s election, on either (i) the higher of prime or one-half of one percent above the Federal Funds Rate, which is the rate that banks charge each other for the overnight borrowing of funds,funds; or (ii) the Eurodollar rate plus a set number of basis points based on ourONEOK’s current long-term unsecured debt ratings.


Under the ONEOK Credit Agreement, we areONEOK is required to comply with certain financial, operational and legal covenants.  Among other things, these requirements include:

a $500 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit,

a limitation on our debt-to-capital ratio, which may not exceed 67.5 percent at the end of any calendar quarter,

·  a $400 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit;

a requirement that we maintain the power to control the management and policies of ONEOK Partners, and

·  a limitation on ONEOK’s stand-alone debt-to-capital ratio, which may not exceed 67.5 percent at the end of any calendar quarter;

a limit on new investments in master limited partnerships.

·  a requirement that ONEOK maintains the power to control the management and policies of ONEOK Partners; and

·  a limit on new investments in master limited partnerships.

The ONEOK Credit Agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants relating to liens, investments, fundamental changes in our businesses, changes in the nature of ourONEOK’s businesses, transactions with affiliates, the use of proceeds and a covenant that prevents usONEOK from restricting ourits subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends.

ONEOK 364-Day Facility - In August 2008, ONEOK entered into a $400 million 364-day credit agreement (364-Day Facility).  The interest rate is based, at ONEOK’s election, on either (i) the higher of prime or one-half of one percent above the Federal Funds Rate; or (ii) the Eurodollar rate plus a set number of basis points based on ONEOK’s current long-term unsecured debt ratings by Moody’s and S&P.  The 364-Day Facility is being used as an additional back-up to ONEOK’s commercial paper program and for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes.  The 364-Day Facility contains substantially similar affirmative and negative covenants as the ONEOK Credit Agreement.

The debt covenant calculations in the ONEOK Credit Agreement and the 364-Day Facility exclude the debt of ONEOK Partners.  Upon breach of any covenant by ONEOK, amounts outstanding under the ONEOK Credit Agreement or the 364-Day Facility may become immediately due and payable.  At December 31, 2007, we were2008, ONEOK’s stand-alone debt-to-capital ratio was 58.2 percent and ONEOK was in compliance with these covenants. As of December 31, 2007, $1.0 billion was availableall covenants under this agreement.

the ONEOK Credit Agreement and the ONEOK 364-Day Facility.


At December 31, 2007, we had $102.6 million commercial paper or short-term notes payable outstanding. At December 31, 2006, we2008, ONEOK had no commercial paper or short-term notes payable outstanding. We had $58.7 millionoutstanding, $1.4 billion in borrowings outstanding and $58.5$64.6 million in letters of credit issued under the ONEOK Credit Agreement, leaving $135.4 million of credit available under the ONEOK Credit Agreement and 364-Day Facility.  The ONEOK Credit Agreement and the 364-Day Facility also serve as a back-up to ONEOK’s commercial paper program.

The average interest rate on ONEOK’s short-term debt outstanding was 4.51 percent and 5.00 percent at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
At December 31, 2007, ONEOK had $102.6 million in commercial paper outstanding, no borrowings outstanding and 2006, respectively.

$38.1 million in letters of credit issued under the ONEOK Credit Agreement, leaving $1.1 billion of credit available under the ONEOK Credit Agreement.  In addition, ONEOK had $20.6 million in other letters of credit issued at December 31, 2007.


ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement - In March 2007, ONEOK Partners amended and restated its revolving credit facility agreement (ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement), with several banks and other financial institutions and lenders in the following principal ways: (i) revised the pricing,pricing; (ii) extended the maturity by one year to March 2012,2012; (iii) eliminated the interest coverage ratio covenant,covenant; (iv) increased the permitted ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA to 5 to 1 (from 4.75 to 1),; (v) increased the swingline sub-facility commitments from $15 million to $50 millionmillion; and (vi) changed the permitted amount of subsidiary indebtedness from $35 million to 10 percent of ONEOK Partners’ consolidated indebtedness.  The interest rates applicable to extensions of credit under this agreement are based, at ONEOK Partners’ election, on either (i) the higher of prime or one-half of one percent above the Federal Funds Rate, which is the rate that banks charge each other for the overnight borrowing of funds,funds; or (ii) the Eurodollar rate plus a set number of basis points, depending on ONEOK Partners’ current long-term unsecured debt ratings.


In July 2007, ONEOK Partners exercised the accordion feature in the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement to increase the commitment amounts by $250 million to a total of $1.0 billion.

In December 2006, ONEOK Partners amended its Partnership Credit Agreement. This agreement now provides for the exclusion of hybrid securities from debt in an amount not to exceed 15 percent of total capitalization when calculating the leverage ratio. Material projects may now be approved by the administrative agent as opposed to requiring approval from 50 percent of the lenders. The methodology of making pro forma adjustments to EBITDA (net income before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization) that is used in the calculation of the financial covenants with respect to approved material projects was also amended. The amendment excluded the Overland Pass Pipeline Company agreement from the covenant that limits ONEOK Partners’ ability to enter into agreements that restrict its ability to grant liens to the lenders under its Partnership Credit Agreement.


Under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement, ONEOK Partners is required to comply with certain financial, operational and legal covenants.  Among other things, these requirements include maintaining a ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA adjusted forplus minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries, distributions received from investments and EBITDA related to any approved capital projects)projects less equity earnings from investments and the equity portion of AFUDC) of no more than 5 to 1.  If ONEOK Partners consummates one or more acquisitions in which the aggregate purchase price is $25 million or more, the allowable ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA will be increased to 5.5 to 1 for the three calendar quarters following the acquisition.

Upon breach of any covenant, discussed above, amounts outstanding under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement may become immediately due and payable.  At December 31, 2008, ONEOK Partners’ ratio of indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA was 4.1 to 1, and ONEOK Partners was in compliance with theseall covenants under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement.


The average interest rate of borrowings under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement was 4.22 percent and 5.40 percent at December 31, 2007. At December 31,2008 and 2007, respectively.  ONEOK Partners had $870 million and $100 million of borrowings outstanding under this agreementand $130 million and $900 million was available.

In November 2007,available under the ONEOK Partners entered intoCredit Agreement at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.


ONEOK Partners has an outstanding $25 million letter of credit issued by Royal Bank of Canada, which is used for counterparty credit support.

ONEOK Partners also has a $15 million Senior Unsecured Letter of Credit Facility and Reimbursement Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., of which $12 million is being used, and a $12 million Standby Letter of Credit Agreementan agreement with Royal Bank of Canada.Canada, pursuant to which a $12 million letter of credit was issued.  Both agreements are used to support various permits required by the KDHE for ONEOK Partners’ ongoing business in Kansas.

ONEOK Partners Bridge Facility




I.           LONG-TERM DEBT

The following table sets forth our long-term debt for the periods indicated.  All notes are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness.

    December 31,
2007
  December 31,
2006
    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

ONEOK

    

$402,500 at 5.51% due 2008

  $402,303  $402,302  

$100,000 at 6.0% due 2009

   100,000   100,000  

$400,000 at 7.125% due 2011

   400,000   400,000  

$400,000 at 5.2% due 2015

   400,000   400,000  

$100,000 at 6.4% due 2019

   92,000   92,613  

$100,000 at 6.5% due 2028

   90,902   91,718  

$100,000 at 6.875% due 2028

   100,000   100,000  

$400,000 at 6.0% due 2035

   400,000   400,000  

Other

   2,958   3,187  
          
   1,988,163   1,989,820  
          

ONEOK Partners

    

$250,000 at 8.875% due 2010

   250,000   250,000  

$225,000 at 7.10% due 2011

   225,000   225,000  

$350,000 at 5.90% due 2012

   350,000   350,000  

$450,000 at 6.15% due 2016

   450,000   450,000  

$600,000 at 6.65% due 2036

   600,000   600,000  

$600,000 at 6.85% due 2037

   600,000   -    
          
   2,475,000   1,875,000  
          

Guardian Pipeline

    

Average 7.85%, due 2022

   133,641   145,572  
          

Total long-term notes payable

   4,596,804   4,010,392  

Change in fair value of hedged debt

   43,682   41,619  

Unamortized debt premium

   (4,961)  (2,997) 

Current maturities

   (420,479)  (18,159)  

Long-term debt

  $4,215,046  $4,030,855  
 



  December 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
ONEOK      
        $402,500 at 5.51% due 2008 $-  $402,303 
$100,000 at 6.0% due 2009  100,000   100,000 
$400,000 at 7.125% due 2011  400,000   400,000 
$400,000 at 5.2% due 2015  400,000   400,000 
$100,000 at 6.4% due 2019  91,371   92,000 
$100,000 at 6.5% due 2028  89,970   90,902 
$100,000 at 6.875% due 2028  100,000   100,000 
$400,000 at 6.0% due 2035  400,000   400,000 
Other  2,712   2,958 
   1,584,053   1,988,163 
ONEOK Partners        
$250,000 at 8.875% due 2010  250,000   250,000 
$225,000 at 7.10% due 2011  225,000   225,000 
$350,000 at 5.90% due 2012  350,000   350,000 
$450,000 at 6.15% due 2016  450,000   450,000 
$600,000 at 6.65% due 2036  600,000   600,000 
$600,000 at 6.85% due 2037  600,000   600,000 
   2,475,000   2,475,000 
         
Guardian Pipeline        
Average 7.85%, due 2022  121,711   133,641 
         
Total long-term notes payable  4,180,764   4,596,804 
Unamortized portion of terminated
     swaps and fair value of hedged debt
  55,035   43,682 
Unamortized debt premium  (5,023)  (4,961)
Current maturities  (118,195)  (420,479)
Long-term debt $4,112,581  $4,215,046 

The aggregate maturities of long-term debt outstanding for the years 20082009 through 20122013 are shown below.

    ONEOK  ONEOK
Partners
  Guardian
Pipeline
  Total    
   (Millions of dollars)   

2008

  $408.5  $-    $11.9  $420.4  

2009

   106.3   -     11.9   118.2  

2010

   6.3   250.0   11.9   268.2  

2011

   406.3   225.0   11.9   643.2  

2012

   6.3   350.0   11.1   367.4   

     ONEOKGuardian  
  ONEOK   Partners Pipeline Total
  (Millions of dollars)
2009 $106.3 $            - $11.9  $   118.2
2010 $6.3  $     250.0 $11.9  $   268.2
2011 $406.3  $     225.0 $11.9  $   643.2
2012 $6.3  $     350.0 $11.1  $   367.4
2013 $6.2 $            - $7.7  $     13.9
           

Additionally, $182.9$181.4 million of our debt is callable at par at our option from now until maturity, which is 2019 for $92.0$91.4 million and 2028 for $90.9$90.0 million.  Certain debt agreements have negative covenants that relate to liens and sale/leaseback transactions.



ONEOK Partners’ 2007 Debt Issuance- In September 2007, ONEOK Partners completed an underwritten public offering of $600 million aggregate principal amount of 6.85 percent Senior Notes due 2037 (the 2037 Notes).  The 2037 Notes were issued under ONEOK Partners’ existing shelf registration statement filed with the SEC.


ONEOK Partners may redeem the 2037 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to their maturity at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the 2037 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium.  The redemption price will never be less than 100 percent of the principal amount of the 2037 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest.  The 2037 Notes are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with all of ONEOK Partners’ existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness, and effectively junior to all of the existing debt and other liabilities of its non-guarantor subsidiaries.  The 2037 Notes are non-recourse to ONEOK.


Debt Covenants - The net proceedsterms of ONEOK’s long-term notes are governed by indentures containing covenants that include, among other provisions, limitations on ONEOK’s ability to place liens on its property or assets and its ability to sell and lease back its property.

We filed a new form of indenture in 2008.  The new indenture includes covenants that are similar to those contained in our prior indentures.  The new indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued and provides that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more additional series.

The indenture governing the 2037 Notes after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses, of $592.9 million were used to finance ONEOK Partners’ $300 million acquisition, before working capital adjustments, of an interstate natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products pipeline system and related assets from a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan and to repay debt outstanding under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement.

The terms of the 2037 Notes are governed by the Indenture, dated as of September 25, 2006, between ONEOK Partners and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, as supplemented by the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated September 28, 2007 (Indenture). The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued and provides that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more additional series.  The Indentureindenture contains covenants including, among other provisions, limitations on ONEOK Partners’ ability to place liens on its property or assets and its ability to sell and lease back its property.

The 2037 Notes will mature on October 15, 2037. ONEOK Partners will pay interest on the 2037 Notes on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The first payment of interest on the 2037 Notes will be made on April 15, 2008. Interest on the 2037 Notes accrues from September 28, 2007, which was the issuance date of the 2037 Notes.

ONEOK Partners’ 2006 Debt Issuance - In September 2006, ONEOK Partners completed an underwritten public offering of (i) $350 million aggregate principal amount of 5.90 percent Senior Notes due 2012 (the 2012 Notes), (ii) $450 million aggregate principal amount of 6.15 percent Senior Notes due 2016 (the 2016 Notes) and (iii) $600 million aggregate principal amount of 6.65 percent Senior Notes due 2036 (the 2036 Notes and collectively with the 2012 Notes and the 2016 Notes, the Notes). ONEOK Partners registered the sale of the Notes with the SEC pursuant to a shelf registration statement filed on September 19, 2006. The Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Intermediate Partnership. The guarantee ranks equally in right of payment to all of the Intermediate Partnership’s existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness.

ONEOK Partners may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to their maturity at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued interest and a make-whole premium. The redemption price will never be less than 100 percent of the principal amount of the relevant Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with all of ONEOK Partners’ existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness, and effectively junior to all of the existing and future debt and other liabilities of its non-guarantor subsidiaries. The Notes are non-recourse to us.

The net proceeds from the Notes of approximately $1.39 billion, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses but before offering expenses, were used to repay all of the $1.05 billion outstanding under the Bridge Facility and to repay $335 million of indebtedness outstanding under the ONEOK Partners Credit Agreement. The terms of the Notes are governed by the Indenture, dated as of September 25, 2006, between ONEOK Partners and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture (with respect to the 2012 Notes), the Second Supplemental Indenture (with respect to the 2016 Notes) and the Third Supplemental Indenture (with respect to the 2036 Notes), each dated September 25, 2006. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued and provides that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more additional series. The Indenture contains covenants including, among other provisions, limitations on ONEOK Partners’ ability to place liens on its property or assets, and sell and lease back its property.

The 2012 Notes, 2016 Notes and 2036 Notes will mature on April 1, 2012, October 1, 2016, and October 1, 2036, respectively. ONEOK Partners pays interest on the Notes on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The first payment of interest on the Notes was made on April 1, 2007. Interest on the Notes accrues from September 25, 2006, which was the issuance date of the Notes.

Debt Covenants - We have debt covenants in addition to the covenants discussed in “ONEOK Partners’ 2007 Debt Issuance” and “ONEOK Partners’ 2006 Debt Issuance” above.


ONEOK Partners’ $250 million and $225 million long-termsenior notes, payable, due 2010 and 2011, respectively, contain provisions that require ONEOK Partners to offer to repurchase the senior notes at par value if its Moody’s or S&P credit rating falls below investment grade (Baa3 for Moody’s or BBB- for S&P) and the investment grade rating is not reinstated within a period of 40 days.  Further, the indentures governing ONEOK Partners’ senior notes due 2010 and 2011 include an event of default upon acceleration of other indebtedness of $25 million or more and the indentures governing the senior notes due 2012, 2016, 2036 and 2037 include an event of default upon the acceleration of other indebtedness of $100 million or more that would be triggered by such an offer to repurchase.  Such an event of default would entitle the trustee or the holders of 25 percent in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior notes due 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2036 and 2037 to declare those notes immediately due and payable in full.


Guardian Pipeline Senior Notes - - These notes were issued under a master shelf agreement with certain financial institutions.  Principal payments are due annuallyquarterly through 2022.  Interest rates on the $133.6$121.7 million in notes outstanding at December 31, 2007,2008, range from 7.61 percent to 8.27 percent, with an average rate of 7.85 percent.  Guardian Pipeline’s senior notes contain financial covenants that require the maintenance of a ratio of (i) EBITDAR (net income plus interest expense, income taxes, operating lease expense and depreciation and amortization) to the sum of interestfixed charges (interest expense plus operating lease expenseexpense) of not less than 1.5 to 11; and (ii) total indebtedness to EBITDAR of not greater than 5.75 to 1.  Upon any breach of these covenants, all amounts outstanding under the master shelf agreement may become due and payable immediately.  At December 31, 2007,2008, Guardian Pipeline’s EBITDAR-to-fixed-charges ratio was 4.95 to 1, the ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDAR was 3.34 to 1, and Guardian Pipeline was in compliance with its financial covenants.

Unamortized Debt Premium, Discount and Expense -


Other

We amortize premiums, discounts and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt consistent with the terms of the respective debt instrument.

J.EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS


J.           EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Retirement and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans


Retirement Plans - We have defined benefit retirement plans covering certain full-time employees.  Nonbargaining unit employees hired after December 31, 2004, are not eligible for our defined benefit pension plan; however, they are covered by a defined contribution profit-sharing plan.  Certain officers and key employees are also eligible to participate in supplemental
retirement plans.  We generally fund pension costs at a level equal to the minimum amount required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.


Other Postretirement Benefit Plans - We sponsor welfare plans that provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain employees who retire with at least five years of service.  The postretirement medical plan is contributory based on hire date, age and years of service, with retiree contributions adjusted periodically, and contains other cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance.


MeasurementStatement 158 - We useSee Note A for a September 30 measurement date for our plans.

Statement 158 - In September 2006,discussion of the FASB issuedimpact of the adoption of Statement 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans,” which was effective forincluding the change in our year ending December 31, 2006, except for the measurement date change from September 30 to December 31, which will be effective for our year ending December 31, 2008. Statement 158 required us to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of our plans as an asset or liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and to recognize changes in the funded status in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the year in which the changes occur.31.


Regulatory Treatment - The OCC, KCC, and regulatory authorities in Texas have approved the recovery of pension costs and other postretirement benefits costs through rates for Oklahoma Natural Gas, Kansas Gas Service and Texas Gas Service, respectively.  The costs recovered through rates are based on current funding requirements and the net periodic benefit cost for pension and postretirement costs.  Differences, if any, between the expense and the amount recovered through rates are reflected in earnings.


Our regulated entities have historically recovered pension and other postretirement benefit costs, as determined by Statement 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” and Statement 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,” respectively, through rates.  We believe it is probable that regulators will continue to include the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs in our regulated entities’ cost of service.  Accordingly, we have recorded a regulatory asset for the minimum liability associated with our regulated entities’ pension and other postretirement benefit obligations that otherwise would have been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.


Obligations and Funded Status - - The following tables set forth our pension and other postretirement benefit plans benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets for the periods indicated.  Due to the change in our measurement date as discussed in Note A, the changes in benefit obligation and plan assets shown in the following tables are for the 15-month period from October 1, 2007 through December 31, 2008.

   Pension Benefits
December 31,
  Postretirement Benefits
December 31,
    2007  2006  2007  2006    
Change in Benefit Obligation  (Thousands of dollars)   

Benefit obligation, beginning of period

  $832,980  $777,438  $271,510  $253,213  

Service cost

   21,050   20,980   6,392   6,332  

Interest cost

   48,608   43,425   15,830   14,156  

Plan participants’ contributions

   -     -     2,882   2,787  

Actuarial (gain) loss

   (32,697)  37,205   14,742   11,335  

Benefits paid

   (49,942)  (46,068)  (16,626)  (16,313)  

Benefit obligation, end of period

  $819,999  $832,980  $294,730  $271,510  
 

Change in Plan Assets

      

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of period

  $710,377  $703,861  $68,440  $51,110  

Actual return on plan assets

   107,305   50,810   5,214   2,684  

Employer contributions

   4,138   1,774   5,660   14,646  

Benefits Paid

   (49,942)  (46,068)  -     -     

Fair value of assets, end of period

  $771,878  $710,377  $79,314  $68,440  
 

Funded status of plans at September 30

  $(48,121) $(122,603) $(215,416) $(203,070) 

Fourth quarter contributions

   -     -     9,265   5,578   

Balance at December 31

  $(48,121) $(122,603) $(206,151) $(197,492) 
 

Non-current assets

  $10,028  $-    $-    $-    

Current liabilities

   (2,497)  (2,303)  -     -    

Non-current liabilities

   (55,652)  (120,300)  (206,151)  (197,492)  

Balance at December 31

  $(48,121) $(122,603) $(206,151) $(197,492) 
 



  Pension Benefits  Postretirement Benefits 
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007  2008  2007 
Change in Benefit Obligation(Thousands of dollars) 
Benefit obligation, beginning of period $819,999  $832,980  $294,730  $271,510 
Service cost  25,577   21,050   7,198   6,392 
Interest cost  61,649   48,608   22,206   15,830 
Plan participants' contributions  -   -   3,299   2,882 
Actuarial (gain) loss  46,967   (32,697)  (21,983)  14,742 
Benefits paid  (66,629)  (49,942)  (26,685)  (16,626)
Benefit obligation, end of period $887,563  $819,999  $278,765  $294,730 
                 
Change in Plan Assets                
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of period $771,878  $710,377  $79,314  $68,440 
Actual return on plan assets  (220,955)  107,305   (17,644)  5,214 
Employer contributions  117,597   4,138   12,444   14,925 
Transfers in  -   -   3,573   - 
Benefits paid  (66,629)  (49,942)  -   - 
Fair value of assets, end of period $601,891  $771,878  $77,687  $88,579 
Balance at December 31 $(285,672) $(48,121) $(201,078) $(206,151)
                 
Non-current assets $-  $10,028  $-  $- 
Current liabilities  (2,706)  (2,497)  -   - 
Non-current liabilities  (282,966)  (55,652)  (201,078)  (206,151)
Balance at December 31 $(285,672) $(48,121) $(201,078) $(206,151)
The accumulated benefit obligation for our pension planplans was $759.2$824.7 million and $767.3$759.2 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and 2006, respectively.


There are no plan assets expected to be withdrawn and returned to us in 2008.

2009.


Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost- The following tables set forth the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the periods indicated.

   

Pension Benefits

Years Ended December 31,

   
    2007  2006  2005    
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost  (Thousands of dollars)   

Service cost

  $21,050  $20,980  $19,764  

Interest cost

   48,608   43,425   43,030  

Expected return on plan assets

   (58,154)  (57,586)  (59,706) 

Amortization of prior service cost

   1,486   1,511   1,443  

Amortization of net loss

   16,139   13,314   8,502   

Net periodic benefit cost

  $29,129  $21,644  $13,033  
 
   

Postretirement Benefits

Years Ended December 31,

   
    2007  2006  2005    
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost  (Thousands of dollars)   

Service cost

  $6,392  $6,332  $7,058  

Interest cost

   15,830   14,156   14,270  

Expected return on plan assets

   (6,389)  (4,565)  (4,343) 

Amortization of transition obligation

   3,189   3,189   3,456  

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

   (2,277)  (2,286)  471  

Amortization of net loss

   9,927   9,085   6,469   

Net periodic benefit cost

  $26,672  $25,911  $27,381  
 



  Pension Benefits 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2008  2007  2006 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost(Thousands of dollars)
Service cost $20,165  $21,050  $20,980 
Interest cost  49,801   48,608   43,425 
Expected return on plan assets  (61,268)  (58,154)  (57,586)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost  1,551   1,486   1,511 
Amortization of net loss  9,548   16,139   13,314 
Net periodic benefit cost $19,797  $29,129  $21,644 
  Postretirement Benefits 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2008  2007  2006 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Thousands of dollars) 
Service cost $5,675  $6,392  $6,332 
Interest cost  17,899   15,830   14,156 
Expected return on plan assets  (7,421)  (6,389)  (4,565)
Amortization of unrecognized net asset at adoption  3,189   3,189   3,189 
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost  (2,003)  (2,277)  (2,286)
Amortization of net loss  10,972   9,927   9,085 
Net periodic benefit cost $28,311  $26,672  $25,911 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - The following table sets forth the amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for 20072008 related to our pension benefits and postretirement benefits.

    Pension Benefits
December 31, 2007
  Postretirement Benefits
December 31, 2007
    

Regulatory asset loss (gain)

  $(66,243) $13,883  

Net loss (gain) arising during the period

   81,849   (15,916) 

Amortization of regulatory asset

   (5,772)  (8,578) 

Amortization of transition obligation

   -     3,189  

Amortization of prior service (cost) credit

   1,486   (2,277) 

Amortization of loss

   16,139   9,927  

Deferred income taxes

   (10,622)  (87)  

Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

  $16,837  $141  
 



  Pension Benefits  Postretirement Benefits 
  December 31, 2008  December 31, 2008 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Regulatory asset gain (loss) $252,747  $492 
Net gain (loss) arising during the period  (343,274)  (1,531)
Amortization of regulatory asset  (11,465)  (12,911)
Amortization of transition obligation  -   3,986 
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit  1,941   (2,504)
Amortization of loss  11,935   13,715 
Deferred income taxes  34,417   (816)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) $(53,699) $431 



The table below sets forth the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) that had not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit expense.

   Pension Benefits
December 31,
  Postretirement Benefits
December 31,
    2007  2006  2007  2006    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Transition obligation

  $-    $-    $(16,711) $(19,900) 

Prior service credit (cost)

   (8,791)  (10,277)  10,888   13,165  

Accumulated gain (loss)

   (123,750)  (221,738)  (125,412)  (119,423)  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) before regulatory assets

   (132,541)  (232,015)  (131,235)  (126,158) 

Regulatory asset for regulated entities

   90,600   162,615   98,038   92,732   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after regulatory assets

   (41,941)  (69,400)  (33,197)  (33,426) 

Deferred income taxes

   16,222   26,844   12,841   12,929   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

  $(25,719) $(42,556) $(20,356) $(20,497) 
 



  Pension Benefits  Postretirement Benefits 
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2008  2007  2008  2007 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Transition obligation $-  $-  $(12,724) $(16,711)
Prior service credit (cost)  (6,852)  (8,791)  8,384   10,888 
Accumulated gain (loss)  (455,089)  (123,750)  (113,228)  (125,412)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
     before regulatory assets
  (461,941)  (132,541)  (117,568)  (131,235)
Regulatory asset for regulated entities  331,882   90,600   85,619   98,038 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
     after regulatory assets
  (130,059)  (41,941)  (31,949)  (33,197)
Deferred income taxes  50,307   16,222   12,358   12,841 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),
     net of tax
 $(79,752) $(25,719) $(19,591) $(20,356)

The following table sets forth the amounts recognized in either accumulated comprehensive income (loss) or regulatory assets expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit expense in the next fiscal year.

    Pension
Benefits
  Postretirement
Benefits
    
Amounts to be recognized in 2008  (Thousands of dollars)   

Transition obligation

  $-    $3,189  

Prior service credit (cost)

  $1,551  $(2,003) 

Net loss

  $9,548  $10,972   



  Pension  Postretirement 
  Benefits  Benefits 
Amounts to be recognized in 2009(Thousands of dollars)
Transition obligation $-  $3,189 
Prior service credit (cost) $1,565  $(2,003)
Net loss $17,322  $9,660 

Actuarial Assumptions - The following table sets forth the weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations for the periods indicated.

   Pension Benefits
December 31,
  Postretirement Benefits
December 31,
    2007  2006  2007  2006    

Discount rate

  6.25%  6.00%  6.25%  6.00%  

Compensation increase rate

  3.5% - 4.5%  3.5% - 4.5%  3.5% - 4.0%  3.5% - 4.0%   



  Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2008 2007  2008 2007 
Discount rate 6.25% 6.25%  6.25% 6.25% 
Compensation increase rate 4.3% - 4.8% 3.5% - 4.5%  4.3% - 4.8% 3.5% - 4.0% 

The following table sets forth the weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs for the periods indicated.

   Pension Benefits
December 31,
  Postretirement Benefits
December 31,
    2007  2006  2007  2006    

Discount rate

  6.00%  5.75%  6.00%  5.75%  

Expected long-term return on plan assets

  8.75%  8.75%  8.75%  8.75%  

Compensation increase rate

  3.5% - 4.5%  3.5% - 4.5%  3.5% - 4.0%  3.5% - 4.0%   



  Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
  December 31,  December 31, 
  2008 2007  2008 2007 
Discount rate 6.25% 6.00%  6.25% 6.00% 
Expected long-term return on plan assets 8.50% 8.75%  8.50% 8.75% 
Compensation increase rate 3.5% - 4.5% 3.5% - 4.5%  3.5% - 4.0% 3.5% - 4.0% 

We determine our overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption based on our review of historical returns and the building block and economic growth models from our consultants.




Our discount rates for 20072008 and 20062007 are based on matching the amount and timing of the projected benefit payments to a spot-rate yield curve, which provides zero couponzero-coupon interest rates into the future.  The methodology for developing the yield curve includes selecting the bonds to be included (only bonds rated Aa by Moody’s but excluding callable bonds, bonds with less than a minimum issue size, yield “outliers” and various other filtering criteria to remove unsuitable bonds).  Once the bonds are selected, a best-fit regression curve to the bond data is determined, modeling yield to maturity as a function of years to maturity.  This coupon yield curve is converted to a spot-yield curve using the calculation technique that assumes the price of a coupon bond for a given maturity equals the present value of the underlying bond cash flows using zero-coupon spot rates.  Once the yield curve is developed, the projected cash flows for the plan for each year in the future are calculated.  These projected cash flows values are based on the most recent valuation.  Each annual cash flow of the plan obligations is discounted using the yield at the appropriate point on the curve, and then the single equivalent discount rate that would yield the same value for the cash flow is determined.


Health Care Cost Trend Rates- The following table sets forth the assumed health care cost trend rates for the periods indicated.

    2007  2006    

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

  6.6% - 9.0%  6.6% - 9.0%  

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

  5.0%  5.0%  

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

  2012  2011   



   2008 2007
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year 5.0% - 9.0% 6.6% - 9.0%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed     
     to decline (the ultimate trend rate)  5.0% 5.0%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate  2018 2012

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for our health care plans.  A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects.

    

One-Percentage

Point Increase

  

One-Percentage

Point Decrease

    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Effect on total of service and interest cost

  $1,969  $(1,665) 

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

  $20,685  $(18,014)  



  One-Percentage  One-Percentage 
  Point Increase  Point Decrease 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Effect on total of service and interest cost $1,989  $(1,706)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation $19,585  $(17,171)

Plan Assets- The following table sets forth our pension and postretirement benefit plan weighted-average asset allocations as of the measurement date.

Asset  Pension Benefits
Percentage of Plan Assets
  Postretirement Benefits
Percentage of Plan Assets
Category  2007  2006  2007  2006    

Corporate bonds

  6% 6% 14% 16% 

Insurance contracts

  11% 13% -    -    

High yield corporate bonds

  10% 10% -    -    

Large-cap value equities

  15% 14% 15% 16% 

Large-cap growth equities

  18% 16% 22% 23% 

Mid-cap equities

  13% 14% -    -    

Small-cap equities

  11% 12% 24% 24% 

International equities

  16% 14% 13% 13% 

Other

  -    1% 12% 8%  

Total

  100% 100% 100% 100% 
 



 Pension Benefits  Postretirement Benefits 
 Percentage of Plan Assets  Percentage of Plan Assets 
Asset Category 2008  2007  2008  2007 
Corporate bonds  5%  6%  25%  14%
Insurance contracts  13%  11%  -   - 
High yield corporate bonds  9%  10%  -   - 
Large-cap value equities  12%  15%  14%  15%
Large-cap growth equities  14%  18%  17%  22%
Mid-cap equities  9%  13%  6%  8%
Small-cap equities  7%  11%  12%  16%
International equities  12%  16%  10%  13%
Other (a)  19%  -   16%  12%
    Total  100%  100%  100%  100%
(a) - Primarily money market funds             



Our investment strategy is to invest plan assets in accordance with sound investment practices that emphasize long-term fundamentals.  The goal of this strategy is to maximize investment returns while managing risk in order to meet the plan’s current and projected financial obligations.  The plan’s investments include a diverse blend of various US and international equities, investments in various classes of debt securities, insurance contracts and venture capital.  The target allocation for the assets of our pension plan is as follows.



Corporate bonds / insurance contracts

 20%

High yield corporate bonds

 10%

Large-cap value equities

 16%

Large-cap growth equities

 16%

Mid- and small-cap value equities

 10%

Mid- and small-cap growth equities

 10%

International equities

 15%

Alternative investments

 2%

Venture capital

 1%
   Total 

Total

 100%


As part of our risk management for the plans, minimums and maximums have been set for each of the asset classes listed above.  All investment managers for the plan are subject to certain restrictions on the securities they purchase and, with the exception of indexing purposes, are prohibited from owning our stock.


Contributions- For 2007, $4.12008, $113.7 million and $7.6$8.0 million of contributions were made to our pension plan and other postretirement benefit plan, respectively.  We presently anticipate our total 20082009 contributions will be $3.1$31.2 million for the pension plan and $11.0$11.4 million for the other postretirement benefit plan.


Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Payments - For 2007, benefitBenefit payments for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans for the 15-month period ending December 31, 2008, were $50.6$66.6 million and $15.5$26.7 million, respectively.  The following table sets forth the pension benefits and postretirement benefit payments expected to be paid in 2008-2017.2009-2018.

    Pension Benefits  Postretirement Benefits    
Benefits to be paid in:  (Thousands of dollars)   

2008

  $48,901  $16,682  

2009

   51,417   17,191  

2010

   52,488   18,454  

2011

   54,752   19,655  

2012

   57,948   20,686  

2013 through 2017

   326,740   115,474   


 Pension BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
Benefits to be paid in:(Thousands of dollars)
2009 $        52,958  $16,155 
2010 $        54,317  $17,253 
2011 $        55,882  $18,300 
2012 $        58,275  $19,238 
2013 $        60,136  $19,354 
2014 through 2018 $      339,437  $113,661 

The expected benefits to be paid are based on the same assumptions used to measure our benefit obligation at December 31, 2007,2008, and include estimated future employee service.


Other Employee Benefit Plans


Thrift Plan - We have a Thrift Plan covering all full-time employees.  Employee contributions are discretionary.  We match 100 percent of employee contributions up to 6 percent of each participant’s eligible compensation, subject to certain limits.  Our contributions made to the plan were $14.7 million, $13.2 million and $12.8 million in 2008, 2007 and $10.5 million in 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.


Profit-Sharing Plan - We have a profit-sharing plan for all nonbargaining unit employees hired after December 31, 2004.  Nonbargaining unit employees who were employed prior to January 1, 2005, were given a one-time opportunity to make an irrevocable election to participate in the profit-sharing plan and not accrue any additional benefits under our defined benefit pension plan after December 31, 2004.  We plan to make a contribution to the profit-sharing plan each quarter equal to 1 percent of each participant’s eligible compensation during the quarter.  Additional discretionary employer contributions may be made at the end of each year.  Employee contributions are not allowed under the plan.  Our contributions made to the plan were $3.2 million, $2.7 million and $1.6 million in 2008, 2007 and $0.6 million in 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

Employee Deferred Compensation Plan- The ONEOK, Inc. 2005 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan provides select employees, as approved by our Board of Directors, with the option to defer portions of their compensation and provides nonqualified deferred compensation benefits that are not available due to limitations on employer and employee contributions to qualified defined contribution plans under the federal tax laws.  Our contributions made to the plan were $0.3 million, $0.4 millionnot material in 2008, 2007 and $0.2 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.2006.


K.           COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

K.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating Leases - The initial lease term of our headquarters building, ONEOK Plaza, is for 25 years, expiring in 2009, with six five-year renewal options. At the end of the initial term or any renewal period, we can purchase the property at its fair market value. In July 2007, ONEOK Leasing Company, our subsidiary, gave notice of its intent to exercise its option to purchase ONEOK Plaza on or before the end of the current lease term set to expire on September 30, 2009.  In addition,March 2008, ONEOK Leasing Company has entered into a purchase agreement with the owner ofpurchased ONEOK Plaza that, if certain conditions are met, would accelerate the purchase of the building tofor a date on or before March 31, 2008. The total purchase price of approximately $48 million, would includewhich included $17.1 million for the present value of the remaining lease payments and the $30.9 million for the base purchase price. The $17.1 million amount is included in the 2008 amount in the table below.

If the purchase transaction does not occur, annual rent expense for the lease will be approximately $6.8 million in 2008 and 2009, and estimated future minimum rental payments for the lease will be $9.3 million in 2008 and 2009. Rent payments were $9.3 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005.


We have the right to subletlease excess office space in ONEOK Plaza.  We received rental revenue of $2.6 million in 2008 and $2.9 million in 2007 2006 and 2005.2006.  Estimated minimum future rental payments to be received under existing contracts for subleases are $2.6$1.9 million in 2008, $1.8 million in 2009, and $0.8 million in 2010 and $0.7 million in 2011.


Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases on a gas processing plant, storage contracts, office space, pipeline equipment, rights-of-way and vehicles are shown in the table below.

    ONEOK  ONEOK
Partners
  Total    
   (Millions of dollars)   

2008

  $121.0  $7.3  $128.3  

2009

   94.0   2.4   96.4  

2010

   74.4   1.4   75.8  

2011

   75.1   1.2   76.3  

2012

   37.6   1.1   38.7   



   ONEOKONEOK PartnersTotal
   (Millions of dollars)
 2009  $  88.8 $  18.4 $  107.2
 2010  $  55.9 $  16.0 $    71.9
 2011  $  61.2 $  15.5 $    76.7
 2012  $  32.9 $    8.8 $    41.7
 2013  $  25.4 $    2.1 $    27.5

The amounts in the ONEOK column above include the following minimum lease payments relating to the lease of a gas processing plant for $24.2 million in 2008, $24.0 million in 2009, $24.2 million in 2010, and $30.6 million in 2011.  We acquired the lease in a business combination and recorded a liability for uneconomic lease terms.  The liability is accreted to rent expense in the amount of $13.0 million per year over the term of the lease; however, the cash outflow under the lease remains the same.  The amounts in the ONEOK Partners column above excludesexclude intercompany payments relating to the lease of a gas processing plant.


Environmental Liabilities - We are subject to multiple environmental, historical and wildlife preservation laws and regulations affecting many aspects of our present and future operations, includingoperations.  Regulated activities include those involving air emissions, water quality,stormwater and wastewater discharges, handling and disposal of solid wastes and hazardous material,wastes, hazardous materials transportation, and substance management.pipeline and facility construction.  These laws and regulations generally require us to obtain and comply with a wide variety of environmental clearances, registrations, licenses, permits inspections and other approvals.  Failure to comply with these laws, regulations, permits and licenses may expose us to fines, penalties and/or interruptions in our operations that could be material to theour results of operations.  If an accidentala leak or spill of hazardous materialssubstances or petroleum products occurs from our lines or facilities, in the process of transporting natural gas, NGLs, or refined products, or at any facility that we own, operate or otherwise use, we could be held jointly and severally liable for all resulting liabilities, including investigation and clean upclean-up costs, which could materially affect our results of operations and cash flows.  In addition, emission controls required under the federal Clean Air Act and other similar federal and state laws could require unexpected capital expenditures at our facilities.  We cannot assure that existing environmental regulations will not be revised or that new regulations will not be adopted or become applicable to us.  Revised or additional regulations that result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions, particularly if those costs are not fully recoverable from customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.


We own or retain legal responsibility for the environmental conditions at 12 former manufactured gas sites in Kansas.  These sites contain potentially harmful materials that are subject to control or remediation under various environmental laws and regulations.  A consent agreement with the KDHE presently governs all work at these sites.  The terms of the consent agreement allow us to investigate these sites and set remediation activities based upon the results of the investigations and
risk analysis.  Remediation typically involves the management of contaminated soils and may involve removal of structures and monitoring and/or remediation of groundwater. We

Of the 12 sites, we have commenced soil remediation on 11 sites, with regulatorysites.  Regulatory closure has been achieved at two of these locations. Of the remaining nine sites,locations, and we have completed or are near completion of soil remediation at seven sites and have commenced soil remediation on the other twonine sites.  We have begun site assessment at the remaining site where no active remediation has occurred. Our expenditures for environmental evaluation and remediation to date have not been significant in relation to our results of operations, and there have been no material effects upon earnings during 2007, 2006 or 2005 related to compliance with environmental regulations.


To date, we have incurred remediation costs of $6.9$7.8 million and have accrued an additional $5.1$4.2 million related to the sites where soil remediation has yet to be completed.  These estimates are recorded on an undiscounted basis.  For the site that is currently in the assessment phase, we have completed some analysis but are unable at this point to accurately estimate aggregate costs that may be required to satisfy our remedial obligations at this site.  Until the site assessment is complete and the KDHE approves the remediation plan, we will not have complete information available to us to accurately estimate remediation costs.


The costs associated with these sites do not include other potential expenses that might be incurred, such as ongoing and additional water monitoring and remediation, unasserted property damage claims, personal injury or natural resource claims, unbudgeted legal expenses or other costs for which we may be held liable but with respect to which we cannot reasonably estimate an amount.  As of this date, we have no knowledge of any of these types of claims.  The foregoing estimates do not consider potential insurance recoveries, recoveries through rates or recoveries from unaffiliated parties, to which we may be entitled.  We have filed claims with our insurance carriers relating to these sites, and we have recovered a portion of our costs incurred to date.  We have not recorded any amounts for potential insurance recoveries or recoveries from unaffiliated parties, and we are not recovering any environmental amounts in rates.  As more information related to the site investigations and remediation activities becomes available, and to the extent such amounts are expected to exceed our current estimates, additional expenses could be recorded.  Such amounts could be material to our results of operations and cash flows depending on the remediation and number of years over which the remediation is required to be completed.


Our expenditures for environmental evaluation, mitigation and remediation to date have not been significant in relation to our results of operations, and there were no material effects upon earnings during 2008, 2007 or 2006 related to compliance with environmental regulations.

Legal Proceedings - We are a party to various litigation matters and claims that are normal in the normal course of our operations.  While the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the final outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or liquidity.


OtherFERC Matter - As a result of an internal review of a transaction that was brought to the attention of one of our affiliates by a third party, we have commencedconducted an internal review of transactions that may have violated FERC natural gas capacity release rules or related rules. While our internal review is ongoing, we believe it is likelyrules and determined that a limited number of thesethere were transactions will have violated FERC capacity release rules or related rules.that should be disclosed to the FERC.  We have notified the FERC of this review and expect to filefiled a report with the FERC regarding these transactions in March 2008.  We cooperated fully with the FERC in its investigation of this matter and have taken steps to better ensure that current and future transactions comply with applicable FERC regulations by mid-March 2008 concerning any violations. Atimplementing a compliance plan dealing with capacity release.  We entered into a global settlement with the FERC to resolve this time, we do not believe that penalties, if any, associated with potential violations will havematter and other FERC enforcement matters, which was approved by the FERC on January 15, 2009.  The global settlement provides for a material impacttotal civil penalty of $4.5 million and approximately $2.2 million in disgorgement of profits and interest, of which $1.7 million of the civil penalty was allocated to ONEOK Partners.  The amounts were recorded as a liability on our resultsConsolidated Balance Sheet as of operations, financial position or liquidity.December 31, 2008.  We made the required payments in January 2009.




L.           INCOME TAXES

L.
INCOME TAXES

The following table sets forth our provisions for income taxes for the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,   
    2007  2006  2005    
Current income taxes  (Thousands of dollars)   

Federal

  $100,517  $69,698  $186,486  

State

   19,063   10,312   27,589   

Total current income taxes from continuing operations

   119,580   80,010   214,075   

Deferred income taxes

       

Federal

   56,887   96,464   24,780  

State

   8,130   17,290   3,666   

Total deferred income taxes from continuing operations

   65,017   113,754   28,446   

Total provision for income taxes before discontinued operations

   184,597   193,764   242,521  

Discontinued operations

   -     (232)  86,926   

Total provision for income taxes

  $184,597  $193,532  $329,447  
 



 Years Ended December 31, 
  2008  2007  2006 
Current income taxes(Thousands of dollars) 
Federal $18,833  $100,517  $69,698 
State  10,047   19,063   10,312 
Total current income taxes from continuing operations  28,880   119,580   80,010 
Deferred income taxes            
Federal  143,807   56,887   96,464 
State  21,384   8,130   17,290 
Total deferred income taxes from continuing operations  165,191   65,017   113,754 
             
Total provision for income taxes before discontinued operations  194,071   184,597   193,764 
Discontinued operations  -   -   (232)
Total provision for income taxes $194,071  $184,597  $193,532 

The following table is a reconciliation of our provision for income taxestax expense for the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,   
    2007  2006  2005    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Pretax income from continuing operations

  $489,518  $500,441  $645,669  

Federal statutory income tax rate

   35%  35%  35%  

Provision for federal income taxes

   171,331   175,154   225,984  

Amortization of distribution property investment tax credit

   (505)  (525)  (568) 

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

   17,676   18,809   20,316  

Other, net

   (3,905)  326   (3,211)  

Income tax expense

  $184,597  $193,764  $242,521  
 



  Years Ended December 31, 
  2008  2007  2006 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Pretax income from continuing operations $505,980  $489,518  $500,441 
Federal statutory income tax rate  35%  35%  35%
Provision for federal income taxes  177,093   171,331   175,154 
Amortization of distribution property investment tax credit  (455)  (505)  (525)
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit  20,431   17,676   18,809 
Other, net  (2,998)  (3,905)  326 
   Income tax expense $194,071  $184,597  $193,764 

The following table sets forth the tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities for the periods indicated.

   December 31,   
    2007  2006    
Deferred tax assets  (Thousands of dollars)   

Employee benefits and other accrued liabilities

  $134,056  $129,571  

Net operating loss carryforward

   4,715   7,971  

Other

   27,374   38,967   

Total deferred tax assets

   166,145   176,509   

Deferred tax liabilities

      

Excess of tax over book depreciation and depletion

   344,601   414,223  

Purchased gas adjustment

   9,015   13,107  

Investment in joint ventures

   490,093   374,057  

Regulatory assets

   115,689   108,182  

Other comprehensive income

   1,567   26,256  

Other

   2,720   -     

Total deferred tax liabilities

   963,685   935,825   

Net deferred tax liabilities

  $797,540  $759,316  
 


  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
Deferred tax assets (Thousands of dollars) 
Employee benefits and other accrued liabilities $161,947  $134,056 
Net operating loss carryforward  4,226   4,715 
Other comprehensive income  43,747   - 
Other  23,051   27,374 
Total deferred tax assets  232,971   166,145 
         
Deferred tax liabilities        
Excess of tax over book depreciation and depletion  372,123   344,601 
Purchased gas adjustment  20,047   9,015 
Investment in joint ventures  564,234   490,093 
Regulatory assets  180,037   115,689 
Other comprehensive income  -   1,567 
Other  746   2,720 
Total deferred tax liabilities  1,137,187   963,685 
    Net deferred tax liabilities $904,216  $797,540 


At December 31, 2007,2008, ONEOK Partners had approximately $5.0$4.2 million of tax benefits available related to net operating loss carryforwards, which will expire between the years 2022 and 2026.2027.  We believe that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits of the net operating loss carryforwards will be utilized prior to their expiration; therefore, no valuation allowance is necessary.


We had income taxes receivable of approximately $13.2$77.1 million and $70.0$13.2 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and 2006, respectively.


M.           SEGMENTS

M.
SEGMENTS

Segment Descriptions - We have divided our operations into four reportable business segments based on similarities in economic characteristics, products and services, types of customers, methods of distribution and regulatory environment.  These segments are as follows: (i) our ONEOK Partners segment gathers, processes, transports, stores and sells natural gas and gathers, treats, fractionates, stores, distributes and markets NGLs; (ii) our Distribution segment delivers natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers, and transports natural gas; (iii) our Energy Services segment markets natural gas to wholesale and retail customers; and (iv) our Other segment primarily consists of the operating and leasing operations of our headquarters building and a related parking facility.  Our Distribution segment is comprised of regulated public utilities, and portions of our ONEOK Partners segment are also regulated.

In September 2005, we completed the sale of our former production segment. Additionally, in the third quarter of 2005, we made the decision to sell our Spring Creek power plant, located in Oklahoma, and exit the power generation business. The transaction received FERC approval and was completed on October 31, 2006. These components of our business are accounted for as discontinued operations in accordance with Statement 144. Our production business is included in our Other segment in the 2005 table below, while our power generation business is included in our Energy Services segment.


Accounting Policies - The accounting policies of the segments are described in Note A.  Intersegment sales are recorded on the same basis as sales to unaffiliated customers.  Corporate overheadOverhead costs relating to a reportable segment have been allocated for the purpose of calculating operating income. Our equity method investments do not represent operating segments.


Customers - The primary customers for our ONEOK Partners segment include major and independent oil and gas production companies, natural gas gathering and processing companies, petrochemical, refining and refiningNGL marketing companies, LDCs, power generating companies, natural gas producers, marketers, industrial facilities, LDCsmarketing companies, NGL gathering companies and electric power generating plants.propane distributors.  Our Distribution segment provides natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, wholesale, public authority and transportation customers.  Our Energy Services segment buys natural gas from producers and other marketing companies and sells natural gas and power to LDCs, municipalities, producers, large industrials, power generators, retail aggregators and other marketing companies, as well as residential and small commercial/industrial companies.


In 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005,2006, we had no single external customer from which we received 10 percent or more of our consolidated gross revenues.


Operating Segment Information - - The following tables set forth certain selected financial information for our four operating segments for the periods indicated.

Year Ended

December 31, 2007

  

ONEOK

Partners (a)

  Distribution (b)  

Energy

Services

  

Other and

Eliminations

  Total    
   (Thousands of dollars)

Sales to unaffiliated customers

  $5,204,794  $2,099,056  $6,180,697  $3,480  $13,488,027  

Energy trading revenues, net

   -     -     (10,613)  -     (10,613) 

Intersegment sales

   626,764   7   459,319   (1,086,090)  -     

Total Revenues

  $5,831,558  $2,099,063  $6,629,403  $(1,082,610) $13,477,414   

Net margin

 ��$895,893  $663,648  $247,402  $3,165  $1,810,108  

Operating costs

   337,356   377,778   39,920   6,456   761,510  

Depreciation and amortization

   113,704   111,615   2,147   498   227,964  

Gain on sale of assets

   1,950   (56)  -      15   1,909   

Operating income

  $446,783  $174,199  $205,335  $(3,774) $822,543   

Equity earnings from investments

  $89,908  $-    $-    $-    $89,908  

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

  $756,260  $-    $-    $-    $756,260  

Minority Interests in consolidated subsidiaries

  $5,802  $-    $-    $796,162  $801,964  

Total assets

  $6,112,065  $2,757,796  $1,178,006  $1,014,167  $11,062,034  

Capital expenditures

  $709,858  $162,044  $158  $11,643  $883,703   
(a)-Our ONEOK Partners segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our ONEOK Partners segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $344.3 million, net margin of $274.0 million and operating income of $122.4 million.
(b)-All of our Distribution segment’s operations are regulated.
                   
    

Year Ended

December 31, 2006

  ONEOK
Partners (a)
  Distribution (b)  Energy
Services
  Other and
Eliminations
  Total    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Sales to unaffiliated customers

  $4,142,546  $1,958,192  $5,839,461  $(26,670) $11,913,529  

Energy trading revenues, net

   -     -     6,797   -     6,797  

Intersegment sales

   595,702   7   489,549   (1,085,258)  -     

Total Revenues

  $4,738,248  $1,958,199  $6,335,807  $(1,111,928) $11,920,326   

Net margin

  $843,548  $599,797  $273,818  $4,821  $1,721,984  

Operating costs

   325,774   371,460   42,464   1,069   740,767  

Depreciation and amortization

   122,045   110,858   2,149   491   235,543  

Gain on sale of assets

   115,483   18   -     1,027   116,528   

Operating income

  $511,212  $117,497  $229,205  $4,288  $862,202   

Income (loss) from operations of discontinued components

  $-    $-    $(365) $-    $(365) 

Equity earnings from investments

  $95,883  $-    $-    $-    $95,883  

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

  $748,879  $-    $-    $-    $748,879  

Minority Interests in consolidated subsidiaries

  $5,606  $-    $-    $795,039  $800,645  

Total assets

  $4,921,717  $2,756,673  $2,042,935  $669,757  $10,391,082  

Capital expenditures

  $201,746  $159,026  $-    $15,534  $376,306   
(a)-Our ONEOK Partners segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our ONEOK Partners segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $335.9 million, net margin of $261.9 million and operating income of $240.1 million, including $113.9 million from a gain on sale of assets, for the year ended December 31, 2006.
(b)-All of our Distribution segment’s operations are regulated.

Year Ended

December 31, 2005

  ONEOK
Partners (a)
  Distribution (b)  Energy
Services
  Other and
Eliminations
  Total    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Sales to unaffiliated customers

  $3,519,774  $2,216,207  $7,638,711  $(711,142) $12,663,550  

Energy trading revenues, net

   -     -     12,680   -     12,680  

Intersegment sales

   814,825   -     707,360   (1,522,185)  -     

Total Revenues

  $4,334,599  $2,216,207  $8,358,751  $(2,233,327) $12,676,230   

Net margin

  $546,769  $587,700  $206,360  $(2,675) $1,338,154  

Operating costs

   220,171   360,351   38,719   754   619,995  

Depreciation and amortization

   67,411   113,437   2,071   475   183,394  

Gain on sale of assets

   264,579   5   -     4,456   269,040   

Operating income

  $523,766  $113,917  $165,570  $552  $803,805   

Income (loss) from operations of discontinued components

  $-    $-    $(34,675) $28,495  $(6,180) 

Equity earnings from investments

  $(1,511) $-    $-    $10,132  $8,621  

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

  $66,537  $29  $-    $178,443  $245,009  

Total assets

  $4,272,350  $2,824,523  $2,328,674  $(141,392) $9,284,155  

Capital expenditures

  $56,255  $143,765  $159  $50,314  $250,493   
(a)-Our ONEOK Partners segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our ONEOK Partners segment’s regulated operations had revenues of $168.1 million, net margin of $118.3 million and operating income of $54.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.
(b)-All of our Distribution segment’s operations are regulated.

N.SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The following table sets forth supplemental information relative to our cash flow for the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,   
    2007  2006  2005    
Cash paid during the year  (Thousands of dollars)   

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

  $253,678  $225,998  $219,918  

Income taxes

  $57,281  $262,504  $244,925   

Cash paid for interest includes swap terminations, treasury rate-lock terminations and ineffectiveness


Year Ended December 31, 2008 
ONEOK
Partners (a)
  Distribution (b)  
Energy
Services
  Other and Eliminations  Total 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Sales to unaffiliated customers $6,975,320  $2,177,615  $7,001,296  $3,202  $16,157,433 
Intersegment revenues  744,886   7   584,507   (1,329,400)  - 
Total revenues $7,720,206  $2,177,622  $7,585,803  $(1,326,198) $16,157,433 
                     
Net margin $1,140,659  $680,971  $110,716  $3,181  $1,935,527 
Operating costs  371,797   375,328   35,593   (5,806)  776,912 
Depreciation and amortization  124,765   116,782   921   1,459   243,927 
Gain or (loss) on sale of assets  713   (21)  1,500   124   2,316 
Operating income $644,810  $188,840  $75,702  $7,652  $917,004 
                     
Equity earnings from
     investments
 $101,432  $-  $-  $-  $101,432 
Investments in unconsolidated
     affiliates
 $755,492  $-  $-  $-  $755,492 
Minority interests in
     consolidated subsidiaries
 $5,941  $-  $-  $1,073,428  $1,079,369 
Total assets $7,254,272  $3,063,374  $1,752,256  $1,056,160  $13,126,062 
Capital expenditures $1,253,853  $169,049  $62  $50,172  $1,473,136 
(a) - Our ONEOK Partners segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our ONEOK Partners segment's regulated operations had revenues of $439.3 million, net margin of $334.1 million and operating income of $158.8 million. 
(b) - All of our Distribution segment's operations are regulated. 


Year Ended December 31, 2007 
ONEOK
Partners (a)
  Distribution (b)  
Energy
Services
  Other and Eliminations  Total 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Sales to unaffiliated customers $5,204,794  $2,099,056  $6,170,084  $3,480  $13,477,414 
Intersegment revenues  626,764   7   459,319   (1,086,090)  - 
Total revenues $5,831,558  $2,099,063  $6,629,403  $(1,082,610) $13,477,414 
                     
Net margin $895,893  $663,648  $247,402  $3,165  $1,810,108 
Operating costs  337,356   377,778   39,920   6,456   761,510 
Depreciation and amortization  113,704   111,615   2,147   498   227,964 
Gain or (loss) on sale of assets  1,950   (56)  -   15   1,909 
Operating income $446,783  $174,199  $205,335  $(3,774) $822,543 
                     
Equity earnings from
     investments
 $89,908  $-  $-  $-  $89,908 
Investments in unconsolidated
     affiliates
 $756,260  $-  $-  $-  $756,260 
Minority interests in
     consolidated subsidiaries
 $5,802  $-  $-  $796,162  $801,964 
Total assets $6,112,065  $3,045,249  $1,549,012  $355,708  $11,062,034 
Capital expenditures $709,858  $162,044  $158  $11,643  $883,703 
(a) - Our ONEOK Partners segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our ONEOK Partners segment's regulated operations had revenues of $344.3 million, net margin of $273.7 million and operating income of $122.4 million. 
(b) - All of our Distribution segment's operations are regulated. 
Year Ended December 31, 2006 
ONEOK
Partners (a)
  Distribution (b)  
Energy
Services
  Other and Eliminations  Total 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Sales to unaffiliated customers $4,142,546  $1,958,192  $5,846,258  $(26,670) $11,920,326 
Intersegment revenues  595,702   7   489,549   (1,085,258)  - 
Total revenues $4,738,248  $1,958,199  $6,335,807  $(1,111,928) $11,920,326 
                     
Net margin $843,548  $599,797  $273,818  $4,821  $1,721,984 
Operating costs  325,774   371,460   42,464   1,069   740,767 
Depreciation and amortization  122,045   110,858   2,149   491   235,543 
Gain on sale of assets  115,483   18   -   1,027   116,528 
Operating income $511,212  $117,497  $229,205  $4,288  $862,202 
                     
Equity earnings from
     investments
 $95,883  $-  $-  $-  $95,883 
Investments in unconsolidated
     affiliates
 $748,879  $-  $-  $-  $748,879 
Minority interests in
     consolidated subsidiaries
 $5,606  $-  $-  $795,039  $800,645 
Total assets $4,921,717  $2,940,514  $2,023,663  $505,188  $10,391,082 
Capital expenditures $201,746  $159,026  $-  $15,534  $376,306 
(a) - Our ONEOK Partners segment has regulated and non-regulated operations. Our ONEOK Partners segment's regulated operations had revenues of $335.9 million, net margin of $261.8 million and operating income of $240.1 million, including $113.9 million from a gain on sale of assets, for the year ended December 31, 2006. 
(b) - All of our Distribution segment's operations are regulated. 



N.           STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Equity Compensation Plan


The ONEOK, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan provides for the granting of stock-based compensation, including incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock bonus awards, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance stock awards and performance unit awards to eligible employees and the granting of stock awards to non-employee directors.  We have reserved a total of approximately 3.05.0 million shares of common stock for issuance under the plan.

Options - Stock options may be  In December 2008, we amended the Equity Compensation Plan to allow for the deferral of awards granted that are not exercisable until a fixed future datein stock or cash, in installments. Options issued to date become void upon voluntary termination of employment other than retirement. In the event of retirement or involuntary termination, the optionee may exercise theaccordance with Internal Revenue Code section 409A requirements.  This deferral option within a period determined by the Executive Compensation Committee (the Committee)is applicable for certain awards granted in 2006 and stated in the option. In the event of death, the option may be exercised by the personal representative of the optionee within a period to be determined by the Committeelater, and stated in the option. A portion of the options issued to date

can be exercisedvesting after one year from grant date provided an option must be exercised no later than ten years after grant date. Effective January 1, 2007, we eliminated the restored option feature for outstanding stock option grants.

2008.


Restricted Stock Incentive Units - Restricted stock incentive units may be granted to key employees with ownership of the common stock underlying the incentive unit vesting over a period determined by the Committee.  Awards granted in 2007 and 2006to date vest over a three-year periodperiod.  Awards granted in 2008, 2007 and 2006 entitle the grantee to receive shares of our common stock.  Awards granted in 2005 and 2004 entitleentitled the grantee to receive two-thirds of the grant in our common stock (equity awards) and one-third of the grant in cash (liability awards).  The equity awards are measured at fair value as if they were vested and issued on the grant date, reduced by expected dividend payments and adjusted for estimated forfeitures.Theforfeitures. The portion of the grants that are settled in cash are classified as liability awards with fair value based on the fair market value of our common stock, reduced by expected dividend payments and adjusted for estimated forfeitures, at each reporting date.  No dividends are paid on the restricted stock incentive units.  Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award.


Performance Unit Awards- Performance unit awards may be granted to key employees.  The shares of our common stock underlying the performance units vest at the expiration of a period determined by the Committee if certain performance criteria are met by us.  Performance units granted to date vest at the expiration of a three-year period.  Upon vesting, a holder of performance units is entitled to receive a number of shares of our common stock equal to a percentage (0 percent to 200 percent) of the performance units granted based on our total shareholder return over the vesting period, compared with the total shareholder return of a peer group of other energy companies over the same period.  Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period of the award with adjustments as needed based on our probable performance.award.


If paid, the performance unit awards granted in 2008, 2007 and 2006 entitle the grantee to receive the grant in shares of our common stock.  Under Statement 123R, our 2008, 2007 and 2006 performance unit awards are equity awards with a market-based condition, which results in the compensation cost for these awards being recognized over the requisite service period, provided that the requisite service period is fulfilled, regardless of when, if ever, the market condition is satisfied.  The fair value of these performance units was estimated on the grant date based on a Monte Carlo model. The compensation expense on these awards will only be adjusted for changes in forfeitures.

If paid, the


The performance unit awards granted in 2005 entitleentitled the grantee to receive two-thirds of the grant in shares of our common stock (equity awards) and one-third of the grant in cash (liability awards).  These awards vest over a three-year period. The fair values of these performance units that arewere classified as equity awards were calculated as of the date of grant and remain fixed as equity unitswere not adjusted upon adoption of Statement 123R.  The fair values of the one-third liability portion of the performance units arewere estimated at each reporting date based on a Monte Carlo model. Awards

Long-Term Incentive Plan

The ONEOK, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP) provides for the granting of stock awards similar to those described above with respect to the Equity Compensation Plan.  We have reserved a total of approximately 7.8 million shares of common stock for issuance under the plan.  The maximum number of shares for which options or other awards may be granted to any employee during any year is 300,000.

Options - Stock options may be granted that are not exercisable until a fixed future date or in 2004 vested during 2007 withinstallments.  Options issued to date become void upon voluntary termination of employment other than retirement.  In the event of retirement or involuntary termination, the optionee may exercise the option within a performance factorperiod determined by the Executive Compensation Committee (the Committee) and stated in the option.  In the event of 150 percent anddeath, the grantee received two-thirdsoption may be exercised by the personal representative of the grantoptionee within a period to be determined by the Committee and stated in shares of our common stock (equity awards) and one-thirdthe option.  A portion of the options issued to date
can be exercised after one year from grant in cash (liability awards).

date and an option must be exercised no later than 10 years after grant date.  Effective January 1, 2007, we eliminated the restored option feature for outstanding stock option grants.


Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors


The ONEOK, Inc. Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the DSCP) provides for the granting of stock options, stock bonus awards, including performance unit awards, restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards.  Under the DSCP, these awards may be granted by the Committee at any time, until grants have been made for all shares authorized under the DSCP.  We have reserved a total of 700,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the DSCP.  The maximum number of shares of common stock which can be issued to a participant under the DSCP during any year is 20,000.  No performance unit awards or restricted stock awards have been made to non-employee directors under the DSCP.


Options - Options may be exercisable in full atgranted to non-employee directors on the time of grant or may become exercisable in one or more installments. Options must be exercised no later than ten years aftersame terms as those granted under the date of grant of the option. In the event of retirement or termination, the optionee may exercise the option within a period determined by the Committee. Effective January 1, 2007, we eliminated the restored option feature for outstanding stock option grants. In the event of death, the option may be exercised by the personal representative of the optionee over a period of time determined by the Committee.LTIP.


General


Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted Statement 123R.  See Note A for additional information.  For all awards outstanding, we used a forfeiture rate ranging from zero percent to 22.613 percent based on historical forfeitures under our share-based payment plans.  We use a combination of issuances from treasury stock and repurchases in the open market to satisfy our share-based payment obligations.


Compensation cost expensed for our share-based payment plans described below was $19.5$13.1 million, $28.8$12.0 million and $13.6$17.6 million 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005,2006, respectively, which includesis net of $8.3 million, $7.5 million $11.2 million and $5.3$11.2 million of tax benefits, respectively.  No compensation cost was capitalized for 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005.

2006.


Cash received from the exercise of awards under all share-based payment arrangements was $3.8 million and $7.4 million for 2007.2008 and 2007, respectively.  The actual tax benefit realized for the anticipated tax deductions of the exercise of share-based payment arrangements totaled $1.4 million and $4.6 million for 2007.2008 and 2007, respectively.  No cash was used to settle the equity portion of the restricted stock unit and performance unit awards granted under share-based payment arrangements.


Stock Option Activity

The total fair value of stock options vested during 2007 was $1.0 million.


The following table sets forth the stock option activity for employees and non-employee directors for the periods indicated.

    Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average Price
    

Outstanding December 31, 2006

  1,460,668  $24.90  

Exercised

  (494,229) $25.20  

Expired

  (13,293) $29.15  
       

Outstanding December 31, 2007

  953,146  $24.69  
 

Exercisable December 31, 2007

  953,146  $24.69  
 



  Number of  Weighted 
  Shares  Average Price 
Outstanding December 31, 2007  953,146  $24.69 
Exercised  (176,215) $25.72 
Expired  (2,625) $28.69 
Outstanding December 31, 2008  774,306  $24.44 
         
Exercisable December 31, 2008  774,306  $24.44 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table below represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on our year-end closing stock price of $44.77,$29.12, that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of December 31, 2007.

   Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable

Range of

Exercise Prices

  Number
of Awards
  

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Life (yrs)

  

Weighted

Average
Exercise Price

  

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

(in 000’s)

    

$14.58 to $ 21.87

  441,910  3.85  $16.99  $12,276  

$21.88 to $ 32.82

  242,384  2.66  $24.97  $4,799  

$32.83 to $ 43.67

  268,852  2.77  $37.09  $2,065   

2008.


   Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable 
      Weighted     Aggregate 
      Average  Weighted  Intrinsic 
Range of  Number  Remaining  Average  Value 
Exercise Prices  of Awards  Life (yrs)  Exercise Price  (in 000's) 
$14.58 to $21.87  376,485  3.04  $16.98  $4,571 
$21.88 to $32.82  179,666  1.86  $24.69  $796 
$32.83 to $43.67  218,155  2.15  $37.11  $- 
The fair value of each restored option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model and the assumptions in the table below.

   December 31,  December 31,   
    2006  2005    

Volatility (a)

  15.43% to 25.23%  14.90% to 18.51%  

Dividend Yield

  3.24% to 4.00%  3.57% to 4.05%  

Risk-free Interest Rate

  4.39% to 5.18%  3.47% to 4.43%   
(a) - Volatility was based on historical volatility over twelve months using daily stock price observations.  


December 31, 2006
Volatility (a)15.43% to 25.23%
Dividend Yield3.24% to 4.00%
Risk-free Interest Rate4.39% to 5.18%
(a) - Volatility was based on historical volatility over twelve months
        using daily stock price observations.

The expected lifeweighted-average period of outstanding options ranged from one to 10 years based upon experience to date and the make-up of the optionees.is 2.5 years.  As of December 31, 2007,2008, all stock options were fully vested and expensed.  The following table sets forth various statistics relating to our stock option activity.

    

December 31,

2007

  

December 31,

2006

  

December 31,

2005

    

Weighted average grant date fair value of options restored (per share)

   (a) $5.57  $3.65  

Intrinsic value of options exercised (thousands of dollars)

  $12,129  $10,246  $12,716  

Fair value of options granted (thousands of dollars)

   (a) $1,990  $1,975   
(a) - Due to our elimination of the restored option feature effective January 1, 2007, no grants were restored in 2007.



  December 31, 2008  December 31, 2007  December 31, 2006 
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options restored (per share) (a)  (a)  $5.57 
Intrinsic value of options exercised (thousands of dollars) $3,652  $12,129  $10,246 
Fair value of options granted (thousands of dollars) (a)  (a)  $1,990 
(a) - Due to our elimination of the restored option feature effective January 1, 2007, no grants were restored in 2007 or 2008. 
Restricted Stock Unit Activity


The total fair value of shares vested during 20072008 was $8.3$5.9 million.  As of December 31, 2007,2008, there was $7.7$5.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to our nonvested restricted stock unit awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.01.5 years.  The following tables set forth activity and various statistics for the equity portion of the restricted stock unit awards.

    Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average Price
    

Nonvested December 31, 2006

  369,686  $23.45  

Granted

  264,350  $36.82  

Released to participants

  (132,331) $20.65  

Forfeited

  (40,078) $27.43  
       

Nonvested December 31, 2007

  461,627  $31.56  
 

    December 31,
2007
  December 31,
2006
  December 31,
2005
    

Weighted average grant date fair value (per share)

  $36.82  $25.98  $25.19  

Fair value of shares granted (thousands of dollars)

  $9,733  $3,761  $2,896   



  Number of  Weighted 
  Shares  Average Price 
Nonvested December 31, 2007  461,627  $31.56 
Granted  53,550  $47.44 
Released to participants  (86,076) $25.34 
Forfeited  (1,969) $38.16 
Nonvested December 31, 2008  427,132  $34.78 
  December 31, 2008  December 31, 2007  December 31, 2006 
Weighted-average grant date fair value (per share) $43.22  $36.82  $25.98 
Fair value of shares granted (thousands of dollars) $2,314  $9,733  $3,761 

The following table sets forth activity for the liability portion of the restricted stock unit awards.

    Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average Price
    

Nonvested December 31, 2006

  112,516  $22.45  

Released to participants

  (64,016) $20.45  

Forfeited

  (7,917) $25.19  
       

Nonvested December 31, 2007

  40,583  $25.07  
 



  Number of  Weighted 
  Shares  Average Price 
Nonvested December 31, 2007  40,583  $25.07 
Released to participants  (40,583) $25.19 
Forfeited  -  $- 
Nonvested December 31, 2008  -  $- 

Performance Unit Activity


The total fair value of shares vested during 20072008 was $10.7$14.9 million.  As of December 31, 2007,2008, there was $10.8$14.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the nonvested performance unit awards, which is expected to be recognized
over a weighted-average period of 1.21.1 years.  The following tables set forth activity and various statistics related to the performance unit equity awards and the assumptions used in the valuations of the 2008, 2007 2006 and 20052006 grants at the grant date.

    Number of
Units
  Weighted
Average Price
    

Nonvested December 31, 2006

  876,015  $24.73  

Granted

  329,050  $37.58  

Released to participants (a)

  (168,836) $20.21  

Forfeited

  (99,313) $28.79  
       

Nonvested December 31, 2007

  936,916  $29.63  
 

(a)

-Performance awards granted in 2004 and released in 2007 were adjusted with a 150 percent performance factor; for the equity awards, this resulted in an additional 84,335 shares released to participants.

    2007  2006  2005    

Volatility (a)

  20.30% 18.80% (b) 

Dividend Yield

  3.79% 3.70% 3.34% 

Risk-free Interest Rate

  4.80% 4.32% 4.16%  

(a)

-Volatility was based on historical volatility over three years using daily stock price observations.
(b)-Volatility was not a factor used for the 2005 grants.

    December 31,
2007
  December 31,
2006
  December 31,
2005
    

Weighted average grant date fair value (per share)

  $37.58  $25.98  $25.50  

Fair value of shares granted (thousands of dollars)

  $12,366  $12,444  $6,804   


  Number of  Weighted 
  Units  Average Price 
Nonvested December 31, 2007  936,916  $29.63 
Granted  387,125  $47.44 
Released to participants (a)  (211,517) $25.48 
Forfeited  (20,975) $38.32 
Nonvested December 31,  2008  1,091,549  $36.58 
(a) - Performance awards granted in 2005 and released in 2008 were adjusted with
 a 150 percent performance factor; for the equity awards, this resulted in an
 additional 105,760 shares released to participants.
 

  2008  2007 2006
Volatility (a) 22.50%  20.30% 18.80%
Dividend Yield 3.20%  3.79% 3.70%
Risk-free Interest Rate 2.46%  4.80% 4.32%
(a) - Volatility was based on historical volatility over three years using daily stock price observations.
  December 31, 2008  December 31, 2007  December 31, 2006 
Weighted-average grant date fair value (per share) $43.88  $37.58  $25.98 
Fair value of shares granted (thousands of dollars) $16,987  $12,366  $12,444 

The following tables set forth activity for the performance unit liability awards and the assumptions used in the valuations at the end of each period indicated.

    Number of
Units
  Weighted
Average Price
    

Nonvested December 31, 2006

  202,885  $23.28  

Released to participants (a)

  (84,418) $20.21  

Forfeited

  (12,328) $25.35  
       

Nonvested December 31, 2007

  106,139  $25.48  
 

(a)

-Performance awards granted in 2004 and released in 2007 were adjusted with a 150 percent performance factor; for the liability awards, this resulted in an additional 42,167 shares released to participants.

    2007  2006  2005    

Volatility (a)

  21.80% 20.30% (b) 

Dividend Yield

  3.05% 3.62% (b) 

Risk-free Interest Rate

  3.07% 4.74% (b)  

(a)

-Volatility was based on historical volatility over three years using daily stock price observations.

(b)

-Valuation for 2005 was based upon year-end stock price.



  Number of  Weighted 
  Units  Average Price 
Nonvested December 31, 2007  106,139  $25.48 
Released to participants (a)  (105,758) $25.48 
Forfeited  (381) $26.57 
Nonvested December 31, 2008  -  $- 
(a) - Performance awards granted in 2005 and released in 2008 were adjusted with
 a 150 percent performance factor; for the liability awards, this resulted in an
 additional 52,880 liability units released to participants.
 
  2008  2007 2006
Volatility (a) (b)  21.80% 20.30%
Dividend Yield (b)  3.05% 3.62%
Risk-free Interest Rate (b)  3.07% 4.74%
(a) - Volatility was based on historical volatility over three years using daily stock price observations.
(b) - Nonvested balance at December 31, 2008 was zero.




Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The


We have reserved a total number of 4.8 million shares of our common stock available and remaining for issuance under our ONEOK, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP) is approximately 0.6 million of the initially authorized and reserved 3.8 million shares..  Subject to certain exclusions, all full-time employees are eligible to participate in the ESPP.  Employees can choose to have up to 10 percent of their annual base pay withheld to purchase our common stock, subject to terms and limitations of the plan.  The Committee may allow contributions to be made by other means, provided that in no event will contributions from all means exceed 10 percent of the employee’s annual base pay.  The purchase price of the stock is 85 percent of the lower of its grant date or exercise date market price.  Approximately 52 percent, 59 percent and 63 percent of employees participated in the plan in 2008, 2007 while 63 percent of employees participated in bothand 2006, and 2005.respectively.  Under the plan, we sold 297,864 shares at $24.41 in 2008, 217,369 shares at $36.85 per share in 2007, and 340,364 shares at $22.57 per share in 2006, and 289,558 shares at $22.57 per share in 2005.

2006.


Employee Stock Award Program


Under our Employee Stock Award Program, we issued, for no consideration, to all eligible employees (all full-time employees and employees on short-term disability) one share of our common stock when the per-share closing price of our common stock on the NYSE was for the first time at or above $26 per share, and we have issued and will continue to issue, for no consideration, one additional share of our common stock to all eligible employees when the closing price on the NYSE is for the first time at or above each one dollar increment above $26 per share.  TheWe have reserved a total number of 300,000 shares of our common stock available and remaining for issuance under this program.

There were no shares issued to employees under this program is approximately 56,000 of the initially authorized and reserved 200,000 shares.

in 2008.  Shares issued to employees under this program totaled 44,099 40,705 and 32,73440,705 for the years ended December 31, 2007 2006 and 2005,2006, respectively.  Compensation expense related to the Employee Stock Award Plan was $2.2 million $1.6 million and $1.1$1.6 million in 2007 and 2006, and 2005, respectively.


Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors


The ONEOK, Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors provides our directors, who are not our employees, the option to defer all or a portion of their compensation for their service on our Board of Directors.  Under the plan, directors may elect either a cash deferral option or a phantom stock option.  Under the cash deferral option, directors may defer the receipt of all or a portion of their annual retainer and/or meeting fees, plus accrued interest.  Under the phantom stock option, directors may defer all or a portion of their annual retainer and/or meeting fees and receive such fees on a deferred basis in the form of shares of common stock under our Long-Term Incentive Plan or Equity Compensation Plan.  Shares are distributed to non-employee directors at the fair market value of our common stock at the date of distribution.

  In December 2008, we amended the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors in accordance with Internal Revenue Code section 409A requirements.

O.           UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

P.
UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - The following table sets forth our investments in unconsolidated affiliates for the periods indicated.

    

Net

Ownership

Interest

  

December 31,

2007

  

December 31,

2006

    
      (Thousands of dollars)   

Northern Border Pipeline

  50% $418,982  $437,518  

Bighorn Gas Gathering, L.L.C.

  49%  97,716   98,299  

Fort Union Gas Gathering

  37%  85,197   82,220  

Lost Creek Gathering Company, L.L.C. (a)

  35%  75,612   74,151  

Other

  Various   78,753   56,691   

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

   $756,260  (b) $748,879  (b) 
 
(a)-ONEOK Partners is entitled to receive an incentive allocation of earnings from third-party gathering services revenue recognized by Lost Creek Gathering Company, L.L.C. As a result of the incentive, ONEOK Partners’ share of Lost Creek Gathering Company, L.L.C.’s income exceeds its 35 percent ownership interest.
(b)-Equity method goodwill (Note E) was $185.6 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


  Net         
   Ownership   December 31,    December 31,  
   Interest  2008   2007  
     (Thousands of dollars)  
Northern Border Pipeline  50 %  $392,601   $418,982  
Bighorn Gas Gathering, L.L.C.  49 %   97,289    97,716  
Fort Union Gas Gathering  37 %   108,642    85,197  
Lost Creek Gathering Company, L.L.C. (a)  35 %   77,773    75,612  
Other Various   79,187    78,753  
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates     $755,492 (b) $756,260 (b)
               
(a) - ONEOK Partners is entitled to receive an incentive allocation of earnings from third-party gathering services revenue recognized by Lost Creek Gathering Company, L.L.C. As a result of the incentive, ONEOK Partners’ share of Lost Creek Gathering Company, L.L.C.'s income exceeds its 35 percent ownership interest.
(b) - Equity method goodwill (Note E) was $185.6 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007.       
Equity Earnings from Investments- The following table sets forth our equity earnings from investments for the periods indicated.  All 2007 and 2006 amounts in the table below are equity earnings from investments in our ONEOK Partners segment.

   Years Ended December 31,   
    2007  2006  2005    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Northern Border Pipeline (a)

  $62,008  $72,393  $-    

Bighorn Gas Gathering, L.L.C.

   7,416   8,223   -    

Fort Union Gas Gathering

   9,681   9,030   -    

Lost Creek Gathering Company, L.L.C.

   4,790   5,363   -    

ONEOK Partners (b)

   -     -     10,132  

Other

   6,013   874   (1,511)  

Equity Earnings From Investments

  $89,908  $95,883  $8,621  
 

(a)

-Beginning January 1, 2006, ONEOK Partners’ interest in Northern Border Pipeline is accounted for as an investment under the equity method (Note B). For the first three months of 2006, ONEOK Partners included 70 percent of Northern Border Pipeline’s income in equity earnings from investments. After the sale of a 20 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline in April 2006, ONEOK Partners included 50 percent of Northern Border Pipeline’s income in equity earnings from investments.

(b)

-ONEOK Partners was consolidated beginning January 1, 2006, in accordance with EITF 04-5. Prior to January 1, 2006, ONEOK Partners was accounted for as an investment under the equity method.



  Years Ended December 31, 
  2008  2007  2006 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Northern Border Pipeline (a) $65,912  $62,008  $72,393 
Bighorn Gas Gathering, L.L.C.  8,195   7,416   8,223 
Fort Union Gas Gathering  14,172   9,681   9,030 
Lost Creek Gathering Company, L.L.C.  5,365   4,790   5,363 
Other  7,788   6,013   874 
Equity Earnings From Investments $101,432  $89,908  $95,883 
             
(a) - For the first three months of 2006, ONEOK Partners included 70 percent of Northern Border Pipeline’s income in equity earnings from investments. After the sale of a 20 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline in April 2006, ONEOK Partners included 50 percent of Northern Border Pipeline’s income in equity earnings from investments (Note B). 

Unconsolidated Affiliates Financial Information- Summarized combined financial information of our unconsolidated affiliates is presented below.

   December 31,   
    2007  2006    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Balance Sheet

     

Current assets

  $102,805  $76,376  

Property, plant and equipment, net

   1,724,330   1,678,099  

Other noncurrent assets

   25,882   24,109  

Current liabilities

   79,593   240,358  

Long-term debt

   717,301   492,017  

Other noncurrent liabilities

   10,278   2,494  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   (2,441)  978  

Owners’ equity

   1,048,286   1,042,737  
   Years Ended December 31,   
    2007  2006    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

Income Statement

     

Operating revenue

  $404,399  $386,448  

Operating expenses

   172,997   159,452  

Net income

   184,434   183,732  

Distributions paid to us

  $103,785  $123,427   



  December 31, 
  2008  2007 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Balance Sheet      
Current assets $106,833  $102,805 
Property, plant and equipment, net $1,777,350  $1,724,330 
Other noncurrent assets $27,547  $25,882 
Current liabilities $279,996  $79,593 
Long-term debt $543,894  $717,301 
Other noncurrent liabilities $14,360  $10,278 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $(5,708) $(2,441)
Owners' equity $1,079,188  $1,048,286 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2008  2007  2006 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Income Statement         
Operating revenue $415,552  $404,399  $386,448 
Operating expenses $179,380  $172,997  $159,452 
Net income $209,915  $184,434  $183,732 
             
Distributions paid to us $118,010  $103,785  $123,427 



P.           EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION

Q.
EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS from continuing operations for the periods indicated.

   Year Ended December 31, 2007   
    Income  Shares  Per Share
Amount
    
Basic EPS from continuing operations  (Thousands, except per share amounts)   

Income from continuing operations available for common stock

  $304,921  107,346  $2.84  

Diluted EPS from continuing operations

        

Effect of dilutive securities:

        

Options and other dilutive securities

   -    1,952    
           

Income from continuing operations available for common stock and common stock equivalents

  $304,921  109,298  $2.79  
 

   Year Ended December 31, 2006   
    Income  Shares  Per Share
Amount
    
Basic EPS from continuing operations  (Thousands, except per share amounts)   

Income from continuing operations available for common stock

  $306,677  112,006  $2.74  

Diluted EPS from continuing operations

        

Effect of other dilutive securities:

        

Mandatory convertible units

   -    629    

Options and other dilutive securities

   -    1,842    
           

Income from continuing operations available for common stock and common stock equivalents

  $306,677  114,477  $2.68  
 

   Year Ended December 31, 2005   
    Income  Shares  Per Share
Amount
    
Basic EPS from continuing operations  (Thousands, except per share amounts)   

Income from continuing operations available for common stock

  $403,148  100,536  $4.01  

Diluted EPS from continuing operations

        

Effect of other dilutive securities:

        

Mandatory convertible units

   -    6,366    

Options and other dilutive securities

   -    1,104    
           

Income from continuing operations available for common stock and common stock equivalents

  $403,148  108,006  $3.73  
 



 Year Ended December 31, 2008
       Per Share
  Income  Shares Amount
Basic EPS from continuing operations(Thousands, except per share amounts)
Income from continuing operations available for common stock $311,909   104,369  $2.99 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations            
Effect of dilutive securities:            
Options and other dilutive securities  -   1,391     
Income from continuing operations available for common stock            
and common stock equivalents $311,909   105,760  $2.95 
  Year Ended December 31, 2007
       Per Share
  Income  Shares Amount
Basic EPS from continuing operations(Thousands, except per share amounts)
Income from continuing operations available for common stock $304,921   107,346  $2.84 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations            
Effect of other dilutive securities:            
Options and other dilutive securities  -   1,952     
Income from continuing operations available for common stock            
and common stock equivalents $304,921   109,298  $2.79 
  Year Ended December 31, 2006
       Per Share
  Income  Shares Amount
Basic EPS from continuing operations(Thousands, except per share amounts)
Income from continuing operations available for common stock $306,677   112,006  $2.74 
Diluted EPS from continuing operations            
Effect of other dilutive securities:            
Mandatory convertible units  -   629     
Options and other dilutive securities  -   1,842     
Income from continuing operations available for common stock            
and common stock equivalents $306,677   114,477  $2.68 

There were 64,989, 4,601 66,463 and 28,10766,463 option shares excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005,2006, respectively, since their inclusion would be antidilutive.

R.anti-dilutive.

Q.           ONEOK PARTNERS

Ownership Interest in ONEOK Partners
ONEOK PARTNERS

General Partner Interest - See Note B for discussion of the April 2006 acquisition of the additional general partner interest in ONEOK Partners. The limited partner units


In April 2006, we received from ONEOK Partners were newly created Class B limited partner units.

units from ONEOK Partners.  As of April 7, 2007, the Class B limited partner units are no longer subordinated to distributions on ONEOK Partners’ common units and generally have the same voting rights as the common units and are entitled to receive increased quarterly distributions and distributions on liquidation equal to 110 percent of the distributions paid with respect to the common units.  On June 21, 2007, we, as the sole holder of ONEOK Partners Class B limited partner units, waived our right to receive the increased quarterly distributions on the Class B units for the period April 7, 2007, through December 31, 2007, and continuing thereafter until we give

ONEOK Partners no less than 90 days advance notice that we have withdrawn our waiver.  Any such withdrawal of the waiver will be effective with respect to any distribution on the Class B units declared or paid on or after 90 days following delivery of the notice.


Under the ONEOK Partners’ partnership agreement and in conjunction with the issuance of additional common units by ONEOK Partners, we, as the general partner, are required to make equity contributions in order to maintain our representative general partner interest.


Our investmentownership interest in ONEOK Partners is shown in the table below for the periods presented.

   December 31,  December 31,  December 31,   
    2007  2006  2005    

General partner interest

  2.00% 2.00% 1.65% 

Limited partner interest

  43.70(a) 43.70% (a) 1.05% (b)  

Total ownership interest

  45.70% 45.70% 2.70% 
 

(a) - Represents approximately 0.5 million common units and 36.5 million Class B units.

(b) - Represents approximately 0.5 million common units.

  December 31, December 31, December 31,
  2008 2007 2006
General partner interest 2.00%  2.00%  2.00% 
Limited partner interest 45.70%(a) 43.70%(b) 43.70%(b)
Total ownership interest 47.70%  45.70%  45.70% 
(a) - Represents 5.9 million common units and approximately 36.5 million Class B units, which are convertible, at our option, into common units.
(b) - Represents 0.5 million common units and approximately 36.5 million Class B units, which are convertible, at our option, into common units.
In March 2008, we purchased from ONEOK Partners, in a private placement, an additional 5.4 million of ONEOK Partners’ common units for a total purchase price of approximately $303.2 million.  In addition, ONEOK Partners completed a public offering of 2.5 million common units at $58.10 per common unit and received net proceeds of $140.4 million after deducting underwriting discounts but before offering expenses.  In conjunction with ONEOK Partners’ private placement and public offering of common units, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $9.4 million to ONEOK Partners in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest.  We and ONEOK Partners GP funded these amounts with available cash and short-term borrowings.

In April 2008, ONEOK Partners sold an additional 128,873 common units at $58.10 per common unit to the underwriters of the public offering upon their partial exercise of their option to purchase additional common units to cover over-allotments.  ONEOK Partners received net proceeds of approximately $7.2 million from the sale of these common units after deducting underwriting discounts but before offering expenses.  In conjunction with the partial exercise by the underwriters, ONEOK Partners GP contributed $0.2 million to ONEOK Partners in order to maintain its 2 percent general partner interest.

Cash Distributions - Under the ONEOK Partners’ partnership agreement, distributions are made to the partners with respect to each calendar quarter in an amount equal to 100 percent of available cash.  Available cash generally consists of all cash receipts adjusted for cash disbursements and net changes to cash reserves.  Available cash will generally be distributed 98 percent to limited partners and 2 percent to the general partner.  As an incentive, theThe general partner’s percentage interest in quarterly distributions is increased after certain specified target levels are met.  Under the incentive distribution provisions, the general partner receives:

15 percent of amounts distributed in excess of $0.605 per unit,
25 percent of amounts distributed in excess of $0.715 per unit, and
·  15 percent of amounts distributed in excess of $0.605 per unit;
50 percent of amounts distributed in excess of $0.935 per unit.
·  25 percent of amounts distributed in excess of $0.715 per unit; and

·  50 percent of amounts distributed in excess of $0.935 per unit.

ONEOK Partners’ income is allocated to the general and limited partners in accordance with their respective partnership ownership percentages.  The effect of any incremental income allocations for incentive distributions that are allocated to the general partner is calculated after the income allocation for the general partner’s partnership interest and before the income allocation to the limited partners.




The following table shows ONEOK Partners’ general partner and incentive distributions related to the periods indicated.

   Years Ended December 31,
    2007  2006  2005    
   (Thousands of dollars)   

General partner distributions

  $7,842  $6,228  $2,632  

Incentive distributions

   50,627   31,102   6,568   

Total distributions from ONEOK Partners

  $58,469  $37,330  $9,200  
 

  Years Ended December 31,
  2008  2007  2006 
 (Thousands of dollars)
General partner distributions $9,456  $7,842  $6,228 
Incentive distributions  76,042   50,627   31,102 
Total distributions to general partner $85,498  $58,469  $37,330 

The quarterly distributions paid by ONEOK Partners to limited partners in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 20072008 were $0.98$1.025 per unit, $0.99$1.04 per unit, $1.00$1.06 per unit, and $1.01$1.08 per unit, respectively.


In January 2008,2009, ONEOK Partners declared a cash distribution of $1.025$1.08 per unit payable in the first quarter.  On February 14, 2008,13, 2009, we received the related incentive distribution of $14.1$20.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2007,2008, which is included in the table above.


Relationship- We own 45.747.7 percent of ONEOK Partners and consolidate ONEOK Partners in our consolidated financial statements; however, we are restricted from the assets and cash flows from ONEOK Partners except for our distributions.  Distributions are declared quarterly by ONEOK PartnersPartners’ general partner based on the terms of its partnership agreement, and foragreement.  For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 2006 and 2005,2006, cash distributions declared from ONEOK Partners to us totaled $266.1 million, $207.4 million $145.1 million and $10.8$145.1 million, respectively.  See Note M for more information on ONEOK Partners results.


Affiliate Transactions - We have certain transactions with our ONEOK Partners affiliate and its subsidiaries, which comprise our ONEOK Partners segment.


ONEOK Partners sells natural gas from its natural gas gathering and processing operations to our Energy Services segment.  In addition, a large portion of ONEOK Partners’ revenues from its natural gas pipelines businesses are from our Energy Services and Distribution segments, which utilize ONEOK Partners’ natural gas transportation and storage services.

As part of the transaction between us and  ONEOK Partners also purchases natural gas from our Energy Services segment for its natural gas liquids operations and its gathering and processing operations.


ONEOK Partners acquiredhas certain contractual rights to the Bushton Plant from us through a Processing and Services Agreement with us, which sets out the terms for processing and related services we provide at the Bushton Plant through 2012.  ONEOK Partners has contracted for all of the capacity of the Bushton Plant from OBPI.  In exchange, ONEOK Partners pays us for all direct costs and expenses of the Bushton Plant, including reimbursement of a portion of our obligations under equipment leases covering the Bushton Plant.


We provide a variety of services to our affiliates, including cash management and financingfinancial services, employee benefits provided through our benefit plans, administrative services provided by our employees and management, insurance and office space leased in our headquarters building and other field locations.  Where costs are specifically incurred on behalf of an affiliate, the costs are billed directly to the affiliate by us.  In other situations, the costs aremay be allocated to the affiliates through a variety of methods, depending upon the nature of the expenses and the activities of the affiliates.  For example, a benefitservice that applies equally to all employees is allocated based upon the number of employees in each affiliate.  However, an expense benefiting the consolidated company but having no direct basis for allocation is allocated through aby the modified Distrigas method, a method using a combination of ratios ofthat include gross plant and investment, operating incomeearnings before interest and wages.

taxes and payroll expense.




The following table shows transactions with ONEOK Partners for the periods shown.

   Years Ended December 31,
    2007  2006  2005    

Revenue

  $626,764  $595,702  $7,683  
 

Expense

        

Administrative and general expenses

  $171,741  $175,270  $52,579  

Interest expense

   -     21,372   -     

Total expense

  $171,741  $196,642  $52,579  
 

S.QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Total operating revenues are consistently greater during the heating season from November through


  Years Ended December 31, 
  2008  2007  2006 
  (Thousands of dollars) 
Revenues $744,886  $626,764  $595,702 
             
Expenses            
  Cost of sales and fuel $107,983  $89,792  $177,367 
  Administrative and general expenses  191,798   171,741   175,270 
  Interest expense  -   -   21,372 
  Total expenses $299,781  $261,533  $374,009 

See “Ownership Interest in ONEOK Partners” above for additional discussion of our purchase of common units and ONEOK Partners GP’s additional general partner contributions in March due to the large volume of natural gas sold to customers for heating. The following tables set forth the unaudited quarterly results of operations for the periods indicated.

Year Ended December 31, 2007  

First

Quarter

  Second
Quarter
  Third
Quarter
  Fourth
Quarter
    
   (Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Total Revenues

  $3,806,208  $2,876,241  $2,809,997  $3,984,968  

Net Margin

  $564,850  $367,699  $340,160  $537,399  

Operating Income

  $328,301  $135,745  $102,770  $255,727  

Net Income

  $152,880  $35,203  $13,914  $102,924  

Earnings per share from continuing operations

       

Basic

  $1.38  $0.32  $0.13  $0.99  

Diluted

  $1.36  $0.31  $0.13  $0.98   

Year Ended December 31, 2006

  

First

Quarter

  

Second

Quarter

  

Third

Quarter

  

Fourth

Quarter

    
   (Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Total Revenues

  $3,765,424  $2,436,415  $2,644,835  $3,073,652  

Net Margin

  $501,652  $399,559  $349,770  $471,003  

Operating Income

  $270,376  $269,569  $119,571  $202,686  

Income from Continuing Operations

  $129,739  $77,945  $24,413  $74,580  

Income (loss) from operations of discontinued components, net of tax

  $(247) $(150) $(13) $45  

Net Income

  $129,492  $77,795  $24,400  $74,625  

Earnings per share from continuing operations

       

Basic

  $1.21  $0.66  $0.22  $0.68  

Diluted

  $1.17  $0.65  $0.21  $0.66   

Total revenues and net margin for the first and second quarters in the tables above were restated to be consistent with the classification used in our September 30, 2007 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The change was not material.

ITEM 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

April 2008.


R.           QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

  First  Second  Third  Fourth 
Year Ended December 31, 2008 Quarter  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter 
  (Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) 
Total Revenues $4,902,076  $4,172,866  $4,239,246  $2,843,245 
Net Margin $585,912  $420,828  $455,026  $473,761 
Operating Income $333,123  $173,012  $192,179  $218,690 
Net Income $143,837  $41,865  $58,033  $68,174 
Earnings per share from continuing operations                
Basic $1.38  $0.40  $0.56  $0.65 
Diluted $1.36  $0.39  $0.55  $0.65 
  First  Second  Third  Fourth 
Year Ended December 31, 2007 Quarter  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter 
  (Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) 
Total Revenues $3,806,208  $2,876,241  $2,809,997  $3,984,968 
Net Margin $564,850  $367,699  $340,160  $537,399 
Operating Income $328,301  $135,745  $102,770  $255,727 
Net Income $152,880  $35,203  $13,914  $102,924 
Earnings per share from continuing operations                
Basic $1.38  $0.32  $0.13  $0.99 
Diluted $1.36  $0.31  $0.13  $0.98 
ITEM 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


ITEM 9A.                   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures


We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us, including our consolidated entities, in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Under the supervision and with the
participation of senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“Principal Executive Officer”) and our Chief Financial Officer (“Principal Financial Officer”), we evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act.  Based on this evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2007, to ensure the timely disclosure of required information in our periodic SEC filings.

2008.


Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting


Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f).  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework inInternal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  Based on our evaluation under that framework and applicable SEC rules, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007.2008.


Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007,2008, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein (Item 8).


Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting


We have made no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the yearquarter ended December 31, 2007,2008, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting as described below.

In September 2007, we implemented a new software system to support our accounting for hedging instruments. This system replaced a manually intensive process for reviewing and calculating hedge ineffectiveness.

reporting.

ITEM 9B.                   OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.
PART III.

ITEM 9B.OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

PART III.

ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE


Directors of the Registrant


Information concerning our directors is set forth in our 20082009 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.


Executive Officers of the Registrant


Information concerning our executive officers is included in Part I, Item 1. Business, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act


Information on compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is set forth in our 20082009 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.


Code of Ethics


Information concerning the code of ethics, or code of business conduct, is set forth in our 20082009 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.


Nominating Committee Procedures


Information concerning the nominating committee procedures is set forth in our 20082009 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.



Audit Committee


Information concerning the Audit Committee is set forth in our 20082009 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.


Audit Committee Financial Expert


Information concerning the Audit Committee Financial Expert is set forth in our 20082009 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


ITEM 11.                      EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information on executive compensation is set forth in our 20082009 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS


ITEM 12.                      SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
       RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners


Information concerning the ownership of certain beneficial owners is set forth in our 20082009 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.


Security Ownership of Management


Information on security ownership of directors and officers is set forth in our 20082009 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.


Equity Compensation Plan Information

Information


The following table sets forth certain information concerning our equity compensation plans is included in Part II, Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchasesas of Equity Securities,December 31, 2008.

        Number of Securities
        Remaining Available For
  Number of SecuritiesWeighted-AverageFuture Issuance Under
  to be Issued UponExercise Price ofEquity Compensation
  Exercise of OutstandingOutstanding Options,Plans (Excluding
 Options, Warrants and RightsWarrants and RightsSecurities in Column (a))
Plan Category(a)(b)(c)
Equity compensation plans         
approved by security holders (1) 2,300,035  $31.71  6,053,331 
Equity compensation plans         
not approved by security holders (2) 179,133  $27.03  (3) 4,153,578 
Total 2,479,168  $31.37  10,206,909 
           
(1) -Includes shares granted under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Stock Award Program, stock options, restricted stock incentive units and performance unit awards granted under our Long-Term Incentive Plan and Equity Compensation Plan.  For a brief description of the material features of these plans, see Note N of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Column (c) includes 1,408,443, 155,648, 2,120,616 and 2,368,624 shares available for future issuance under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Stock Award Program, Long-Term Incentive Plan and Equity Compensation Plan, respectively.
(2) -Includes our Employee Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors and Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.  For a brief description of the material features of these plans, see Note N of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Column (c) includes 503,602, 2,707,003 and 942,973 shares available for future issuance under our Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, Thrift Plan and Profit Sharing Plan, respectively.
(3) -Compensation deferred into our common stock under our Employee Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors is distributed to participants at fair market value on the date of distribution.  The price used for these plans to calculate the weighted-average exercise price in the table is $29.12, which represents the year-end closing price of our common stock on the NYSE.
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE


Information on certain relationships and related transactions and director independence is set forth in our 20082009 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.

ITEM 14.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES


ITEM 14.               PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Information concerning the principal accountant’s fees and services is set forth in our 20082009 definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by this reference.


PART IV.

ITEM 15.               EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

ITEM 15.(1)  Financial Statements
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Documents Filed as Part of this Report

(1) Exhibits

Page No.
    2.1  (a)
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
67-68
    (b)
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
69
    (c)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007
70-71
    (d)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 200
73
    (e)
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive
Income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
74-75
    (f)Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements76-117
(2)  Financial Statement Schedules

All schedules have been omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required.

(3)  Exhibits

 Purchase3Not used.

3.1Not used.

3.2Not used.

3.3Not used.

3.4Amended and Sale Agreement by and between TransCan Northwest Border Ltd. and Northern Plains Natural Gas Company, LLC, dated February 14, 2006Restated Bylaws of ONEOK, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3099.1 to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed March 13, 2006).

  2.2Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between ONEOK, Inc. and Northern Border Partners, L.P., dated February 14, 2006 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.31 to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed March 13, 2006).
  2.3Contribution Agreement by and among ONEOK, Inc., Northern Border Partners, L.P. and Northern Border Intermediate Limited Partnership, dated February 14, 2006 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.32 to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed March 13, 2006).
  2.4First Amendment to Contribution Agreement by and among ONEOK, Inc., Northern Border Partners, L.P. and Northern Border Intermediate Limited Partnership dated April 6, 2006 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.4 to our Form 8-K filed April 12, 2006)January 20, 2009).


  2.5 First Amendment to Purchase3.5Amended and Sale Agreement by and among ONEOK, Inc., Northern Border Partners, L.P. and Northern Border Intermediate Limited Partnership, dated April 6, 2006 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.5 to our Form 8-K filed April 12, 2006).
  2.6Second Amendment to Contribution Agreement by and between ONEOK, Inc. and ONEOK Partners, L.P. dated January 16, 2007 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.6 to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed March 1, 2007).
  2.7  Second Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between ONEOK, Inc. and ONEOK Partners, L.P. dated January 16, 2007 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.7 to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed March 1, 2007).
  3   Certificate of Incorporation of WAI, Inc. (now ONEOK, Inc.) filed May 16, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed August 6, 1997, Commission File No. 333-27467).
  3.1Certificate of Merger of ONEOK, Inc. (formerly WAI, Inc.) filed November 26, 1997 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit (1)(b) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 1998, filed June 26, 1998).
  3.2AmendedRestated Certificate of Incorporation of ONEOK, Inc. filed January 16, 1998 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit (1)(a) to Form 10-Q for the quarter endeddated May 31, 1998, filed June 26, 1998).
  3.3Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of ONEOK, Inc. filed May 23, 2001 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.15 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed July 19, 2001, as amended, Commission File No. 333-65392).
  3.4Bylaws of ONEOK, Inc., as amended and restated15, 2008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed October 22, 2007)May 19, 2008).

 4   3.6Certificate of Correction form dated November 5, 2008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed November 21, 2008).
4Certificate of Designation for Convertible Preferred Stock of WAI, Inc. (now ONEOK, Inc.) filed November 26, 199721, 2008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.3 to Amendment No 3.4.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-4S-3 filed August 6, 1997,November 21, 2008, Commission File No. 333-27467)333-155593).

 4.14.1Certificate of Designation for Series C Participating Preferred Stock of ONEOK, Inc. filed November 26, 199721, 2008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit No. 14.2 to Registration Statement on Form 8-AS-3 filed November 28, 1997)21, 2008).

 4.24.2Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1 to Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed November 21, 1997).

 4.34.3Indenture, dated September 24, 1998, between ONEOK, Inc. and Chase Bank of Texas (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed August 26, 1998, Commission File No. 333-62279).


4.4Indenture dated December 28, 2001, between ONEOK, Inc. and SunTrust Bank (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed December 28, 2001, Commission File No. 333-65392).

 4.54.5First Supplemental Indenture dated September 24, 1998, between ONEOK, Inc. and Chase Bank of Texas (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 5(a) to Form 8-K filed September 24, 1998).
  4.6 4.6
Second Supplemental Indenture dated September 25, 1998, between ONEOK, Inc. and Chase Bank of Texas (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 5(b) to Form 8-K filed September 24, 1998).
 4.74.7Third Supplemental Indenture dated February 8, 1999, between ONEOK, Inc. and Chase Bank of Texas (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 to Form 8-K filed February 8, 1999).

 4.84.8Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated February 17, 1999, between ONEOK, Inc. and Chase Bank of Texas (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.5 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed April 15, 1999, Commission File No. 333-76375).

  4.9 Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated August 17, 1999, between ONEOK, Inc. and Chase Bank of Texas (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 to Form 8-K filed August 17, 1999).4.9Not used.

  4.10 Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated March 1, 2000, between ONEOK, Inc. and Chase Bank of Texas (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.11 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed March 13, 2000, Commission File No. 333-32254).4.10Not used.

  4.11 Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated April 24, 2000, between ONEOK, Inc. and Chase Bank of Texas (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4 to Form 8-K filed April 26, 2000).4.11Not used.

 4.124.12Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated April 6, 2001, between ONEOK, Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.9 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed July 19, 2001, Commission File No. 333-65392).

 4.134.13First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 28, 2003, between ONEOK, Inc. and SunTrust Bank (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.22 to Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed January 31, 2003).

 4.144.14Second Supplemental Indenture, dated June 17, 2005, between ONEOK, Inc. and SunTrust Bank (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed June 17, 2005).

 4.154.15Third Supplemental Indenture, dated June 17, 2005, between ONEOK, Inc. and SunTrust Bank (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to Form 8-K filed June 17, 2005).
 4.164.16Form of Senior Note Due 2008 (included in Exhibit 4.13).
 4.174.17Form of 5.20 percent Notes Due 2015 (included in Exhibit 4.14).
 4.184.18Form of 6.00 percent Notes due 2035 (included in Exhibit 4.15).
  4.19 Not used.
  4.20Not used.
  4.21Not used.
  4.22Not used.
  4.234.19Not used.


4.20                     Not used.

4.21Not used.

 4.244.22Not used.

4.23Not used.

4.24Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated as of February 5, 2003, between ONEOK, Inc. and UMB Bank, N.A., as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1 to Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A (Amendment No. 1) filed February 6, 2003).

10ONEOK, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(a) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, filed March 14, 2002).

10.1ONEOK, Inc. Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99 to Form S-8 filed January 25, 2001).

10.2ONEOK, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan terminated and frozen December 31, 2004 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2004).

10.3ONEOK, Inc. 2005 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated, dated January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2004).18, 2008.

10.4Form of Termination Agreement between ONEOK, Inc. and ONEOK, Inc. executives, as amended, dated January 1, 2003 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, filed March 10, 2003).

10.5Form of Indemnification Agreement between ONEOK, Inc. and ONEOK, Inc. officers and directors, as amended, dated January 1, 2003 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, filed March 10, 2003).

10.6ONEOK, Inc. Annual Officer Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(f) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, filed March 14, 2002).

10.7ONEOK, Inc. Employee Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated December 16, 2004 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K filed December 20, 2004).

10.8ONEOK, Inc. 2005 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, dated January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K filed December 20, 2004).18, 2008.

10.9ONEOK, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended and restated, November 19, 1998 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7 to Form 10-K for the fiscal year endeddated December 31, 2002, filed March 10, 2003).18, 2008.

10.10Ground Lease between ONEOK Leasing Company and Southwestern Associates dated May 15, 1983 (incorporated by reference from Form 10-K dated August 31, 1983).Not used.

10.11First Amendment to Ground Lease between ONEOK Leasing Company and Southwestern Associates dated October 1, 1984 (incorporated by reference from Form 10-K dated August 31, 1984).Not used.

10.12Sublease between RMZ Corp. and ONEOK Leasing Company dated May 15, 1983 (incorporated by reference from Form 10-K dated August 31, 1984).Not used.

10.13First Amendment to Sublease between RMZ Corp. and ONEOK Leasing Company dated October 1, 1984 (incorporated by reference from Form 10-K dated August 31, 1984).Not used.

10.14ONEOK Leasing Company Lease Agreement with Oklahoma Natural Gas Company dated August 31, 1984 (incorporated by reference from Form 10-K dated August 31, 1985).Not used.

10.15$1,000,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 2005, among ONEOK, Inc., as the Borrower, Citibank, N.A, as the Administrative Agent and as a Lender, and the Lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed June 29, 2005).Not used.



10.16Not used.

 First Amendment to Credit Agreement among ONEOK, Inc., Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and as a Lender, and the Lenders party thereto, dated September 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, filed November 4, 2005).
10.17$1,200,000,000 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 14, 2006 among ONEOK, Inc., as the Borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, Citibank, N.A., as L/C Issuer, and the Lenders party hereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, filed August 4, 2006).

10.18 364-day Credit Agreement dated April 6, 2006, by and among ONEOK Partners, L.P., the several banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto, SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent, Citicorp North America, Inc., as Syndication Agent, and Bank of Montreal (doing business as Harris Nesbitt), UBS Loan Finance LLC, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Co- Documentation Agents (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2006 (File No. 1-12202)).
10.19Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated March 30, 2006, among ONEOK Partners, L.P., the lenders from time to time party thereto, SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent, Bank of Montreal (doing business as Harris Nesbit), Barclays Bank PLC and Citibank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to ONEOK Partners, L.P. Form 8-K filed March 31, 2006 (File No. 1-2202)).
10.20First Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement among ONEOK Partner, L.P., the lenders from time to time party thereto, SunTrust Bank as administrative agent, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, and BMO Capital Markets Financing, Inc., Barclays Bank PLC and Citibank, N.A. as co-documentation agents, dated December 13, 2006 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.20 to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed March 1, 2007).
10.2110.18Not used.

10.22 Purchase Agreement between CCE Holdings, LLC and ONEOK, Inc.10.19Not used.

10.20Not used.

10.21First Amendment, dated as of September 16, 2004 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2526, 2008, to the Form 10-K forAmended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2006, among ONEOK, Inc., as the year ended December 13, 2004, filed March 8, 2005).
10.23Purchase Agreement between Koch Hydrocarbon Management Company, LLCBorrower, Bank of America, N.A., as the Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and ONEOK, Inc. dated May 9, 2005L/C Issuer, Citibank N.A., as L/C Issuer and the financial institutions named therein as lenders (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to theour Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, filed August 3, 2005)November 6, 2008).

10.22Not used.

10.23Not used.

10.24Asset Purchase Agreement between Koch Pipeline Company, L.P. and ONEOK, Inc. dated May 9, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, filed August 3, 2005).Not used.

10.25Amendment No. 1 to Asset Purchase Agreement between Koch Pipeline Company, L.P. and ONEOK, Inc. dated June 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.25 to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed March 1, 2007).Not used.

10.26Limited Liability Company Membership Interest Purchase Agreement between Koch Holdings Enterprises, LLC and ONEOK, Inc. dated May 9, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, filed August 3, 2005).Not used.

10.27Limited Liability Company Membership Interest Purchase Agreement between Koch Hydrocarbon Management Company, LLC and ONEOK, Inc. dated May 9, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, filed August 3, 2005).Not used.

10.28Limited Liability Company Membership Interest Purchase Agreement between TXOK Acquisition, Inc. and ONEOK Energy Resources Company dated September 19, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, filed November 4, 2005).Not used.


10.29Amendment No. 1 to Limited Liability Company Membership Interest Purchase Agreement between TXOK Acquisition, Inc. and ONEOK Energy Resources Company dated September 27, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, filed November 4, 2005).Not used.

10.30Stock Purchase Agreement between TXOK Acquisition, Inc. and ONEOK, Inc., dated September 19, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, filed November 4, 2005).Not used.

10.31Not used.

 Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase Agreement between TXOK Acquisition, Inc. and ONEOK, Inc., dated September 27, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, filed November 4, 2005).
10.32Services Agreement among ONEOK, Inc. and its affiliates and Northern Border Partners, L.P. and Northern Border Intermediate Limited Partnership executed April 6, 2006, but effective as of April 1, 2006 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 8-K filed April 12, 2006).

10.33Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of ONEOK Partners, L.P. dated as of September 15, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Form 8-K filed on September 19, 2006 (File No. 1-12202)).

10.34Purchase Agreement dated August 7, 2006, by and between ONEOK, Inc., and UBS AG, London Branch acting through UBS Securities LLC as agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 10- Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed November 3, 2006).Not used.

10.35Amendment No. 1 to Purchase Agreement dated January 2, 2007 by and between ONEOK, Inc. and UBS AG, London Branch acting through UBS Securities LLC as agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.35 to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed March 1, 2007).Not used.

10.36Not used.

 Underwriting Agreement by and between ONEOK Partners, L.P., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc. as representatives of the underwriters dated September 20, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2006 (File No. 1-12202)).
10.37ONEOK, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan dated January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed December 30, 2004).
10.38ONEOK, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan as amended and restated February 17, 2005effective as of December 20, 2007 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.24.2 to theRegistration Statement on Form 8-KS-8 filed February 23, 2005)August 4, 2008).

10.39Form of Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10- Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, filed November 3, 2004).
10.40Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, filed November 3, 2004).

10.40Not used.

10.41Form of Performance Shares Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, filed November 3, 2004).Not used.

10.42Form of Restricted Stock Incentive Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, filed November 3, 2004).Not used.

10.43Not used.

 Form of Performance Shares Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, filed November 3, 2004).
10.44ONEOK, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, dated effective February 17, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed February 23, 2005).December 18, 2008.


10.45Form of Restricted Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.45 to Form 10-K filed February 28, 2007).

10.46Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.46 to Form 10-K filed February 28, 2007).

10.47First Amendment to Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement by and between KBC Bank N.V. and ONEOK, Inc. dated December 19, 2005 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.47 to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed March 1, 2007).

10.48Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated March 30, 2007, among ONEOK Partners, L.P., as Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto, SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent, and BMO Capital Markets, Barclays Bank PLC, and Citibank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 10-Q filed May 2, 2007).

10.49Purchase Agreement dated June 27, 2007, by and between ONEOK, Inc. (the “Issuer”), and Bank of America, N.A., acting through Banc of America Securities LLC (“Agent”) as agent (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 10-Q filed August 3, 2007).

10.50Thrift Plan for Employees of ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries as Amendedamended and Restated Effectiverestated effective as of January 1, 20072008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.14.3 to ourRegistration Statement on Form S-8 filed February 12, 2007)August 4, 2008).

10.51Amendment No. 1 to Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of ONEOK Partners, L.P. dated July 20, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to ONEOK Partners, L.P.’s Form 10-Q filed on August 3, 2007 (File No. 1-12202)).

12 Computation10.52$400,000,000 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of RatioAugust 6, 2008, among ONEOK, Inc., as Borrower, Bank of EarningsAmerica, N.A., as the Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender, the lenders named therein, Barclays Bank, PLC, BNP Paribas, Suntrust Bank and UBS Loan Finance LLC as Co-Documentation Agents, and Banc of America Securities LLC as sole Lead Arranger and sole Book Manager (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirementsthe Form 10-Q for the yearsquarter ended December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004June 30, 2008, filed August 6, 2008).

10.53Common Unit Purchase Agreement between ONEOK, Inc. and 2003.ONEOK Partners, L.P. dated March 11, 2008 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1.1 to our Form 8-K filed March 12, 2008).

10.54Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement dated January 15, 2009.

12.110.55Form of Restricted Unit Stock Bonus Award Agreement dated January 15, 2009.


12Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 2004 and 2003.2004.
16.1Letter from KPMG LLP dated May 2, 2007, to the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding change in certifying accountant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16.1 to our Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2007).
21Required information concerning the registrant’s subsidiaries.
23.1Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - KPMG LLP.
31.1Certification of John W. Gibson pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2Certification of Curtis L. Dinan pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1Certification of John W. Gibson pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished only pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)).

32.2Certification of Curtis L. Dinan pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished only pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)).

(2) Financial StatementsPage No.
(a)Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms59-60
(b)Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 200562
(c)Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 200663-64
(d)Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 200565
(e)Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 200566-67
(f)Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements68-109
(3) Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules have been omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required.







Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


ONEOK, Inc.
Registrant

Date: February 24, 2009                                                                                                By: /s/ Curtis L. Dinan
Curtis L. Dinan
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)


Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on this 24th day of February 2009.


ONEOK, Inc.
Registrant
Date: February 27, 2008By:

/s/ Curtis L. Dinan

Curtis L. Dinan
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on this 27th day of February 2008.

/s/ John W. Gibson

 

/s/ David L. Kyle

John W. Gibson David L. Kyle
Chief Executive Officer Chairman of the
 Chairman of the Board of Directors
 

/s/ Caron A. Lawhorn

 

/s/ William M. Bell

James C. Day
Caron A. Lawhorn William M. BellJames C. Day
Senior Vice President andDirector
Chief Accounting Officer 
 Director

/s/ James C. Day

/s/ Julie H. Edwards

 /s/ William L. Ford
James C. DayJulie H. Edwards William L. Ford
Director Director
  Director

/s/ William L. Ford

/s/ Bert H. Mackie

 /s/ Jim W. Mogg
William L. FordBert H. Mackie Jim W. Mogg
Director Director
  Director

/s/ Jim W. Mogg

/s/ Pattye L. Moore

 /s/ Gary D. Parker
Jim W. MoggPattye L. Moore Gary D. Parker
Director Director
  Director

/s/ Gary D. Parker

/s/ Eduardo A. Rodriguez

 /s/ David J. Tippeconnic
Gary D. ParkerEduardo A. Rodriguez David J. Tippeconnic
Director Director
  
/s/ Mollie B. Williford Director

/s/ David J. Tippeconnic

David J. TippeconnicMollie B. Williford 
Director Director

119







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