ONEOK Announces Higher Second-quarter 2008 Earnings; Raises 2008 Earnings Guidance

August 05, 2008

TULSA, Okla., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) today announced that its second-quarter 2008 net income rose 19 percent to $41.9 million, or 39 cents per diluted share, compared with $35.2 million, or 31 cents per diluted share, in the same period last year.

Net income for the six-month period ending June 30, 2008, was $185.7 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, compared with $188.1 million, or $1.67 per diluted share, in the same period last year.

"ONEOK's performance was driven by continued strong results in our ONEOK Partners segment, which has had another exceptional quarter as a result of higher commodity prices and increased volumes," said John W. Gibson, ONEOK chief executive officer. "New rate mechanisms in Oklahoma continue to benefit our distribution segment. Our energy services segment had lower than expected results due to reduced transportation margins.

"Some of the internally generated growth projects in ONEOK Partners are beginning to come on line, as anticipated, providing additional income opportunities to ONEOK and long-term value to our shareholders," Gibson added.

ONEOK raised its 2008 net income guidance to the range of $2.90 to $3.10 per diluted share from the range of $2.75 to $3.15 per diluted share. The ONEOK Partners segment's guidance was increased to reflect its strong performance in the first half of 2008, combined with the current commodity price environment and hedges in place. The distribution segment's 2008 income guidance has also increased, reflecting the strong performance in the first half of the year, and the energy services segment's guidance has been reduced to reflect lower first-half 2008 results and lower anticipated transportation, storage and marketing margins. Additional information is available in exhibit A.

Operating income for the second quarter 2008 was $173.0 million, compared with $135.7 million for the second quarter 2007. The earnings increase was primarily due to higher realized commodity prices and increased NGL volumes due to new supply connections in the ONEOK Partners segment, as well as earnings from the parternship's North System, an interstate natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products pipeline system that was acquired in October 2007. This increase was partially offset by reduced transportation margins in the energy services segment, primarily from decreased transportation basis differentials between the Rocky Mountain and Mid- Continent regions.

Year-to-date 2008 operating income increased to $506.1 million, compared with $464.0 million for the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to ONEOK Partners' higher realized commodity prices, increased NGL volumes, wider NGL product price differentials and incremental earnings received from the North System. In addition, the distribution segment benefited from new rate mechanisms in Oklahoma and Texas. These increases were partially offset by the energy services segment, which experienced lower transportation, storage and marketing margins than in the previous year.

Operating costs were $188.1 million in the second quarter 2008, compared with $175.9 million in the second quarter 2007. Operating costs for the first six months 2008 were $381.4 million, compared with $358.2 million in the same period last year. Operating costs increased for the three- and six-month periods, primarily as a result of operating expenses associated with ONEOK Partners' acquisition of the North System, as well as increased general operating and employee-related costs in the ONEOK Partners segment.

    SECOND-QUARTER 2008 SUMMARY INCLUDES:

    --  Operating income of $173.0 million, compared with $135.7 million in
        the second quarter 2007;
    --  ONEOK Partners segment operating income of $163.7 million, compared
        with $107.6 million in the second quarter 2007;
    --  Distribution segment operating income of $12.0 million, compared with
        $11.8 million in the second quarter 2007;
    --  Energy services segment operating loss of $4.4 million, compared with
        operating income of $10.2 million in the second quarter 2007;
    --  Operating costs of $188.1 million, compared with $175.9 million in the
        second quarter 2007;
    --  Distributions declared on the company's general partner interest in
        ONEOK Partners of $20.9 million for the second quarter 2008;
        distributions declared on the company's limited partner interest in
        ONEOK Partners of $44.9 million for the second quarter 2008;
    --  ONEOK, on a stand-alone basis, at June 30, 2008, having $681.5 million
        in short-term debt, $22.3 million of cash and cash equivalents and
        $570.7 million of gas in storage;
    --  Year-to-date ONEOK stand-alone cash flow from continuing operations,
        before changes in working capital, of $289.2 million, which exceeded
        capital expenditures and dividends of $194.7 million by $94.5 million;
    --  Declaring a quarterly dividend of 40 cents in July 2008, an increase
        of 25 percent since January 2007;
    --  Filing for recovery of, and a return on, the capital costs incurred
        between rate cases to expand and maintain the natural gas distribution
        system in the distribution segment's Oklahoma and El Paso, Texas,
        jurisdictions for approximately $5.0 million and  $1.1 million,
        respectively;
    --  Appointing James C. Kneale president and chief operating officer of
        ONEOK Partners, in addition to his duties as president and chief
        operating officer of ONEOK, Inc.;
    --  ONEOK Partners being awarded for achieving three years of excellence
        in employee health and safety from the Occupational Safety and Health
        Administration at its Mont Belvieu fractionators; and
    --  ONEOK's three distribution companies being named leading performers in
        emergency response by the American Gas Association.


    SECOND-QUARTER 2008 BUSINESS UNIT RESULTS

    ONEOK Partners

The ONEOK Partners segment's second-quarter 2008 operating income increased 52 percent to $163.7 million, compared with $107.6 million in the second quarter last year. For the first six months 2008, operating income increased 48 percent to $314.3 million, compared with $211.9 million in the same period a year earlier.

The second-quarter and year-to-date 2008 operating income increases were primarily due to higher realized commodity prices in the natural gas gathering and processing business and increased volumes from new supply connections and wider regional product price differentials in the natural gas liquids gathering and fractionation business. In addition, earnings increased in the natural gas liquids pipelines business primarily due to the North System acquired last fall.

Second-quarter 2008 operating costs were $87.2 million, compared with $81.6 million in the second quarter 2007. Six-month 2008 operating costs were $175.2 million, compared with $157.3 million in the same period a year earlier. The increase in operating costs for the three- and six-month periods was primarily due to incremental operating expenses associated with the North System, as well as increased expenses associated with outside services, chemicals and employee-related costs.

Equity earnings from investments for the second quarter 2008 were $17.6 million, compared with $18.8 million in the same period a year earlier. The decrease was primarily a result of lower throughput from ONEOK Partners' 50 percent interest in Northern Border Pipeline.

Equity earnings from investments for the 2008 six-month period increased to $45.4 million, compared with $42.8 million in the same period a year earlier, primarily due to higher gathering revenues in ONEOK Partners' natural gas gathering and processing investments in the Rocky Mountain region.

Distribution

The distribution segment reported operating income of $12.0 million in the second quarter 2008, compared with operating income of $11.8 million in the second quarter 2007.

Second-quarter 2008 earnings increased as a result of the implementation of new capital and expense recovery mechanisms, which includes $3.8 million in Oklahoma. This increase was partially offset by higher operating costs, which were $93.9 million in the second quarter 2008, compared with $91.6 million in the second quarter 2007. The higher operating costs were primarily the result of a $3.3 million non-recurring expense reimbursement in 2007, partially offset by a reduction of $1.1 million in bad debt expense in Oklahoma and Texas during the second quarter 2008.

For the six months, operating income was $120.6 million, compared with $115.0 million in the same period a year earlier.

Six-month 2008 results reflect the implementation of new rate mechanisms, including $6.1 million in Oklahoma, primarily due to new capital and expense recovery mechanisms, and $1.3 million in Texas. Both residential and transportation volumes increased, compared with the same period in 2007. Colder temperatures in the Oklahoma and Kansas services territories resulted in the increased residential volumes.

Six-month 2008 operating costs were $188.1 million, relatively flat compared with costs in the same period a year earlier.

Energy Services

The energy services segment reported a second-quarter operating loss of $4.4 million, compared with operating income of $10.2 million in the same period in 2007.

The second-quarter 2008 earnings decline was the result of a decrease of $18.9 million in transportation margins, primarily due to decreased transportation basis differentials between the Rocky Mountain and Mid- Continent regions. This was partially offset by an increase of $2.9 million in financial trading margins and an increase of $1.9 million in storage and marketing margins.

Operating income for the six months was $69.9 million, compared with operating income of $130.3 million in the same period in 2007.

The six-month 2008 earnings decline was due primarily to $46.1 million in reduced storage and marketing margins, $11.9 million in reduced transportation margins and $4.9 million in reduced financial trading margins. Commodity prices and weather provided a more favorable environment during the first half of 2007, which improved storage margins during that period. Transportation margins declined primarily due to decreased transportation basis differentials between the Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions. These decreases were partially offset by $1.4 million in improved retail margins.

At June 30, 2008, total natural gas in storage was 41.2 bcf, compared with 64.4 bcf a year earlier. At July 31, 2008, total natural gas in storage was 50.2 bcf. Total natural gas storage capacity under lease was 91 bcf in the second quarter of 2008, compared with 96 bcf in the same period 2007.

    The net margin for the energy services segment was derived from the
following sources:


                                       Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                            June 30,            June 30,
                                         2008     2007       2008      2007
                                              (Thousands of dollars)
    Marketing and storage, gross        $51,152  $59,172   $188,830  $236,279
    Less:  Storage and transportation
     costs                              (54,283) (45,306)  (108,558)  (98,019)
       Marketing and storage, net        (3,131)  13,866     80,272   138,260
    Retail marketing                      2,404    3,179      7,617     6,173
    Financial trading                     4,900    2,013      1,149     6,029
    Net margin                           $4,173  $19,058    $89,038  $150,462



    EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

ONEOK and ONEOK Partners management will conduct a joint conference call on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (10 a.m. Central Daylight Time). The call will also be carried live on ONEOK's and ONEOK Partners' Web sites.

To participate in the telephone conference call, dial 866-847-7861, pass code 1250710, or log on to www.oneok.com or www.oneokpartners.com.

If you are unable to participate in the conference call or the webcast, the replay will be available on ONEOK's Web site, www.oneok.com, and ONEOK Partners' Web site, www.oneokpartners.com, for 30 days. A recording will be available by phone for seven days. The playback call may be accessed at 866- 837-8032, pass code 1250710.

ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) is a diversified energy company. We are the general partner and own 47.7 percent of ONEOK Partners, L.P. (NYSE: OKS), one of the largest publicly traded limited partnerships, which is a leader in the gathering, processing, storage and transportation of natural gas in the U.S. and owns one of the nation's premier natural gas liquids (NGL) systems, connecting much of the natural gas and NGL supply in the Mid-Continent with key market centers. ONEOK is among the largest natural gas distributors in the United States, serving more than 2 million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. Our energy services operation focuses primarily on marketing natural gas and related services throughout the U.S. ONEOK is a Fortune 500 company.

    For information about ONEOK, Inc., visit the Web site: www.oneok.com.

Some of the statements contained and incorporated in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 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. We make these forward- looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 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 news release identified by words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "should," "goal," "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;
    --  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 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;
        -  availability of additional storage capacity;
        -  weather conditions; and
        -  competitive developments by Canadian and U.S. natural gas
           transmission peers;
    --  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 Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. 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. OKE-FE

    Analyst Contact:  Dan Harrison
                      918-588-7950

    Media Contact:    Megan Washbourne
                      918-588-7572



    ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                 Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                      June 30,                June 30,
    (Unaudited)                   2008        2007        2008        2007
                              (Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

    Revenues                   $4,172,866  $2,876,241  $9,074,942  $6,682,449
    Cost of sales and fuel      3,752,038   2,508,542   8,068,202   5,749,900
    Net Margin                    420,828     367,699   1,006,740     932,549
    Operating Expenses
      Operations and maintenance  171,431     158,016     339,423     316,659
      Depreciation and
       amortization                59,701      55,644     119,180     112,094
      General taxes                16,680      17,925      42,011      41,584
    Total Operating Expenses      247,812     231,585     500,614     470,337
    Gain (Loss) on Sale of
     Assets                            (4)       (369)          9       1,834
    Operating Income              173,012     135,745     506,135     464,046
    Equity earnings from
     investments                   17,610      18,758      45,393      42,813
    Allowance for equity funds
     used during construction      11,676       1,658      20,172       2,995
    Other income                      704      10,684       3,936      15,688
    Other expense                    (407)       (914)     (5,015)     (1,559)
    Interest expense              (59,059)    (62,816)   (121,920)   (124,828)
    Income before Minority
     Interests and Income
     Taxes                        143,536     103,115     448,701     399,155
    Minority interests in
     income of consolidated
     subsidiaries                 (71,097)    (44,702)   (140,057)    (90,015)
    Income taxes                  (30,574)    (23,210)   (122,942)   (121,057)
      Net Income                  $41,865     $35,203    $185,702    $188,083

    Earnings Per Share of
     Common Stock
      Net Earnings Per Share,
       Basic                        $0.40       $0.32       $1.78       $1.70
      Net Earnings Per Share,
       Diluted                      $0.39       $0.31       $1.75       $1.67

    Average Shares of Common
     Stock (Thousands)
       Basic                      104,340     110,879     104,255     110,874
       Diluted                    106,072     112,986     105,947     112,858

    Dividends Declared Per
     Share of Common Stock          $0.38       $0.34       $0.76       $0.68



    ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                 June 30,         December 31,
    (Unaudited)                                    2008               2007
    Assets                                          (Thousands of dollars)

    Current Assets
      Cash and cash equivalents                    $98,744           $19,105
      Trade accounts and notes receivable, net   1,507,639         1,723,212
      Gas and natural gas liquids in storage       902,129           841,362
      Commodity exchanges and imbalances           156,581            82,938
      Energy marketing and risk management
       assets                                      263,386           168,609
      Fair value of firm commitments               221,826            19,179
      Other current assets                         118,222            97,070
        Total Current Assets                     3,268,527         2,951,475

    Property, Plant and Equipment
      Property, plant and equipment              8,609,681         7,893,492
      Accumulated depreciation and
       amortization                              2,133,100         2,048,311
        Net Property, Plant and Equipment        6,476,581         5,845,181

    Investments and Other Assets
      Goodwill and intangible assets             1,042,059         1,043,773
      Energy marketing and risk management
       assets                                       35,194             3,978
      Investments in unconsolidated affiliates     752,952           756,260
      Other assets                                 593,759           461,367
        Total Investments and Other Assets       2,423,964         2,265,378

          Total Assets                         $12,169,072       $11,062,034



    ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                  June 30,        December 31,
    (Unaudited)                                     2008              2007
    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity            (Thousands of dollars)

    Current Liabilities
      Current maturities of long-term debt        $118,186          $420,479
      Notes payable                                801,493           202,600
      Accounts payable                           1,730,041         1,436,005
      Commodity exchanges and imbalances           379,619           252,095
      Energy marketing and risk management
       liabilities                                 389,542           133,903
      Other current liabilities                    310,717           436,585
        Total Current Liabilities                3,729,598         2,881,667

    Long-term Debt, excluding current
     maturities                                  4,104,994         4,215,046

    Deferred Credits and Other
     Liabilities
      Deferred income taxes                        755,818           680,543
      Energy marketing and risk management
       liabilities                                 127,428            26,861
      Other deferred credits                       495,231           486,645
        Total Deferred Credits and Other
         Liabilities                             1,378,477         1,194,049

    Commitments and Contingencies

    Minority Interests in Consolidated
     Subsidiaries                                  972,705           801,964

    Shareholders' Equity
      Common stock, $0.01 par value:
       authorized 300,000,000 shares; issued
       121,528,787 shares and outstanding
       104,429,175 shares at June 30, 2008;
       issued 121,115,217 shares and outstanding
       103,987,476 shares at December 31, 2007       1,215             1,211
      Paid in capital                            1,286,461         1,273,800
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss        (113,396)           (7,069)
      Retained earnings                          1,517,982         1,411,492
      Treasury stock, at cost: 17,099,612
       shares at June 30, 2008 and 17,127,741
       shares at December 31, 2007                (708,964)         (710,126)
         Total Shareholders' Equity              1,983,298         1,969,308

           Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
            Equity                             $12,169,072       $11,062,034


    ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                        Six Months Ended
                                                            June 30,
    (Unaudited)                                       2008            2007
    Operating Activities                             (Thousands of dollars)

      Net income                                    $185,702       $188,083
      Depreciation and amortization                  119,180        112,094
      Allowance for equity funds used during
       construction                                  (20,172)        (2,995)
      Gain on sale of assets                              (9)        (1,834)
      Minority interests in income of consolidated
       subsidiaries                                  140,057         90,015
      Equity earnings from investments               (45,393)       (42,813)
      Distributions received from unconsolidated
       affiliates                                     39,904         57,066
      Deferred income taxes                           65,374         34,731
      Stock-based compensation expense                14,416         17,491
      Allowance for doubtful accounts                  6,965          8,301
      Changes in assets and liabilities (net of
       acquisition and disposition effects):
         Trade accounts and notes receivable         194,146        311,221
         Gas and natural gas liquids in storage      (85,083)       137,544
         Accounts payable                            261,530         11,658
         Commodity exchanges and imbalances, net      53,881         15,026
         Energy marketing and risk management
          assets and liabilities                      60,977         42,110
         Fair value of firm commitments             (350,626)       (34,703)
         Other assets and liabilities               (106,044)        24,154
         Cash Provided by Operating Activities       534,805        967,149

    Investing Activities
      Changes in investments in unconsolidated
       affiliates                                      6,480         (7,653)
      Capital expenditures (less allowance for equity
       funds used during construction)              (640,048)      (281,434)
      Changes in short-term investments                    -          5,088
      Proceeds from sale of assets                       201          3,763
      Proceeds from insurance                          9,792              -
      Other                                            2,450              -
        Cash Used in Investing Activities           (621,125)      (280,236)

    Financing Activities
      Borrowing (repayment) of notes payable, net    598,893         99,000
      Payment of debt                               (408,789)        (3,887)
      Repurchase of common stock                         (29)      (390,152)
      Issuance of common stock                         5,786          9,081
      Issuance of common units, net of discounts     146,969              -
      Dividends paid                                 (79,212)       (75,444)
      Distributions to minority interests            (97,659)       (90,491)
        Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing
         Activities                                  165,959      (451,893)
        Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents           79,639        235,020
        Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of
         Period                                       19,105         68,268
        Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period   $98,744       $303,288



    ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    INFORMATION AT A GLANCE
                                         Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                              June 30,            June 30,
    (Unaudited)                              2008     2007     2008     2007
                                                   (Millions of dollars)

    ONEOK Partners
    Net margin                              $280.9   $217.6   $549.5   $422.9
    Operating costs                          $87.2    $81.6   $175.2   $157.3
    Depreciation and amortization            $30.0    $28.0    $60.0    $55.5
    Operating income                        $163.7   $107.6   $314.3   $211.9
    Natural gas gathered (BBtu/d)            1,185    1,188    1,188    1,178
    Natural gas processed (BBtu/d)             651      619      637      614
    Natural gas transported (MMcf/d)         3,455    3,333    3,706    3,639
    Natural gas sales (BBtu/d)                 281      273      279      271
    Natural gas liquids gathered (MBbl/d)      253      224      252      217
    Natural gas liquids sales (MBbl/d)         265      221      275      221
    Natural gas liquids fractionated (MBbl/d)  371      349      381      334
    Natural gas liquids transported (MBbl/d)   308      227      305      216
    Capital expenditures                    $257.5   $131.8   $524.6   $206.4
    Conway-to-Mount Belvieu OPIS average
     price differential
       Ethane/Propane mixture ($/gallon)     $0.13    $0.05    $0.11    $0.05
    Natural Gas Gathering and Processing:
    Realized composite NGL sales prices
     ($/gallon)                              $1.49    $0.99    $1.41    $0.91
    Realized condensate sales price
     ($/Bbl)                               $102.77   $59.79   $95.82   $58.06
    Realized natural gas sales price
     ($/MMBtu)                               $9.42    $6.83    $8.41    $6.71
    Realized gross processing spread
     ($/MMBtu)                               $6.69    $4.55    $7.06    $4.08

    Distribution
    Net margin                              $135.0   $130.4   $366.7   $357.6
    Operating costs                          $93.9    $91.6   $188.1   $187.3
    Depreciation and amortization            $29.1    $27.0    $58.0    $55.2
    Operating income                         $12.0    $11.8   $120.6   $115.0
    Customers per employee                     727      733      729      739
    Capital expenditures                     $39.7    $42.8    $70.4    $68.2
    Natural gas volumes (Bcf)
      Gas Sales                               22.1     24.5    102.9    103.3
      Transportation                          47.1     43.1    109.2    100.7
    Natural gas margins
      Gas Sales                             $105.8   $104.5   $299.8   $298.0
      Transportation                         $18.8    $17.0    $46.0    $41.7

    Energy Services
    Net margin                                $4.2    $19.1    $89.0   $150.5
    Operating costs                           $8.4     $8.4    $18.5    $19.1
    Depreciation and amortization             $0.2     $0.5     $0.6     $1.1
    Operating income (loss)                  $(4.4)   $10.2    $69.9   $130.3
    Natural gas marketed (Bcf)                 265      258      605      595
    Natural gas gross margin ($/Mcf)         $0.01    $0.07    $0.10    $0.22
    Physically settled volumes (Bcf)           561      550    1,196    1,189



    ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENT

                                    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
                                        ONEOK     Consolidating
    (Unaudited)              ONEOK     Partners      Entries    Consolidated
                                          (Millions of dollars)
    Operating Income
      ONEOK Partners            $-         $164           $-         $164
      Distribution              12            -            -           12
      Energy Services           (4)           -            -           (4)
      Other                      1            -            -            1
    Operating Income             9          164            -          173

    Equity in earnings of
     ONEOK Partners             84            -          (84)           -
    Other income (expense)       -           30            -           30
    Interest expense           (24)         (35)           -          (59)
    Minority interest            -            -          (71)         (71)
    Income taxes               (27)          (4)           -          (31)

    Net Income                 $42         $155        $(155)         $42

                                      Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
                                        ONEOK     Consolidating
    (Unaudited)              ONEOK     Partners      Entries    Consolidated
                                         (Millions of dollars)
    Operating Income
      ONEOK Partners            $-         $314           $-         $314
      Distribution             121            -            -          121
      Energy Services           70            -            -           70
      Other                      1            -            -            1
    Operating Income           192          314            -          506

    Equity in earnings of
     ONEOK Partners            160            -         (160)           -
    Other income (expense)      (1)          66            -           65
    Interest expense           (49)         (73)           -         (122)
    Minority interest            -            -         (140)        (140)
    Income taxes              (116)          (7)           -         (123)

    Net Income                $186         $300        $(300)        $186



    ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENT

                                    Three Months Ended June 30, 2007
                                          ONEOK     Consolidating
    (Unaudited)                ONEOK     Partners      Entries   Consolidated
                                          (Millions of dollars)

    Operating Income
      ONEOK Partners            $-         $108           $-         $108
      Distribution              12            -            -           12
      Energy Services           10            -            -           10
      Other                      6            -            -            6
    Operating Income            28          108            -          136

    Equity in earnings of
     ONEOK Partners             50            -          (50)           -
    Other income (expense)       7           23            -           30
    Interest expense           (29)         (34)           -          (63)
    Minority interest            -            -          (45)         (45)
    Income taxes               (21)          (2)           -          (23)

    Net Income                 $35          $95         $(95)         $35


                                      Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
                                          ONEOK     Consolidating
     (Unaudited)              ONEOK      Partners      Entries   Consolidated
                                         (Millions of dollars)

    Operating Income
      ONEOK Partners            $-         $212           $-         $212
      Distribution             115            -            -          115
      Energy Services          130            -            -          130
      Other                      7            -            -            7
    Operating Income           252          212            -          464

    Equity in earnings of
     ONEOK Partners            100            -         (100)           -
    Other income (expense)      11           49            -           60
    Interest expense           (59)         (66)           -         (125)
    Minority interest            -            -          (90)         (90)
    Income taxes              (116)          (5)           -         (121)

    Net Income                $188         $190        $(190)        $188



    ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    REGULATION G GAAP RECONCILIATION
    ONEOK, Inc. Stand-Alone Cash Flow, Before Changes in Working Capital

                                                           Six Months Ended
    (Unaudited)                                              June 30, 2008
                                                         (Millions of dollars)
    Net income                                                         $185.7
    Depreciation and amortization                                        59.2
    Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates               117.3
    Income from equity investments, net                                (159.8)
    Deferred income taxes                                                65.4
    Stock based compensation expense                                     14.4
    Allowance for doubtful accounts                                       7.0
    Cash flow, before changes in working capital (a)                   $289.2

    (a) ONEOK, Inc. stand-alone cash flow, before changes in working capital,
        is a non-GAAP financial measure used by management, industry analysts,
        investors, lenders, and rating agencies to assess the financial
        performance and the operating results of our fundamental business
        activities.  ONEOK, Inc. stand-alone cash flow, before changes in
        working capital, should not be considered in isolation or as a
        substitute for net income, income from operations, or other measures
        of cash flow.


    ONEOK, Inc. and Subsidiaries                                 Exhibit A
    EARNINGS GUIDANCE*

                                            Updated     Previous
                                              2008        2008
                                            Guidance    Guidance     Change
                                          (Millions of dollars, except per
                                                   share amounts)
    Operating Income
      ONEOK Partners                            $624        $521       $103
      Distribution                               186         180          6
      Energy Services                            142         180        (38)
      Other                                       (3)         (2)        (1)
    Operating Income                             949         879         70
    Other income (expense)                       121         130         (9)
    Interest expense                            (273)       (284)        11
    Minority interest                           (259)       (207)       (52)
    Income taxes                                (219)       (205)       (14)
    Net Income                                  $319        $313         $6

    Net Earnings Per Share, Diluted            $3.00       $2.95      $0.05

    Average Shares of Common Stock,
     Diluted (Millions)                          106         106          -

    Capital Expenditures
      ONEOK Partners                          $1,314        $945       $369
      Distribution                               170         170          -
      Other                                       12          12          -
    Total Capital Expenditures                $1,496      $1,127       $369

    *  Amounts shown are midpoints of ranges provided.
SOURCE  ONEOK, Inc.
    -0-                             08/05/2008
    /CONTACT:  Analysts, Dan Harrison, +1-918-588-7950, or Media, Megan
Washbourne, +1-918-588-7572, both of ONEOK, Inc./
    /Web site:  http://www.oneok.com /
    (OKE OKS)

CO:  ONEOK, Inc.
ST:  Oklahoma
IN:  OIL
SU:  ERN CCA

EW-DE
-- LATU075 --
4958 08/05/2008 16:10 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com