TULSA, Okla., Dec 20, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) recently was named a Platts Top 250 Global Energy Company for 2006 and was named one of the 40 best energy companies in 2006 by Public Utilities Fortnightly magazine, a leading utility trade publication.
"Our focus on growth and delivering shareholder value are at the core of our long-term strategy," said David Kyle, chairman, president and CEO of ONEOK. "We appreciate the recognition of our efforts to achieve these goals."
From Platts, a leading provider of energy information, ONEOK earned the rank of 105 on overall global performance, up from 134 last year. And among gas utilities, ONEOK ranked third worldwide and 45 overall in the Americas region. The Platts Top 250 is a global survey that measures financial performance by examining each company's assets, revenues, profits and return on invested capital.
According to Public Utilities Fortnightly, ONEOK was ranked in the top 10 for delivering three-year average return on equity of 17.55 percent and achieving a three-year average of sustainable growth of 12.24 percent. The magazine measured the three-year performance of more than 100 energy companies from 2003-2005, ranking them on profit, dividend yield, free cash flow, return on equity, return on assets and sustainable growth. ONEOK ranked No. 37 out of 100 companies.
Public Utilities Fortnightly Magazine annually ranks publicly traded natural gas and electric utilities, pipelines and distribution companies on a number of financial performance factors over a three-year period.
ONEOK is one of the largest natural gas distributors in the country serving more than two million customers, and its energy services business markets natural gas and related services throughout the United States. It is the sole general partner and owner of 45.7 percent of ONEOK Partners (NYSE: OKS), one of the largest publicly traded master limited partnerships in the country. ONEOK Partners is involved in the natural gas gathering, processing, storage and transportation of natural gas and operates one of the premier natural gas liquids systems in the Midwest.
ONEOK, Inc. is a diversified energy company. We are the general partner and own 45.7 percent of ONEOK Partners, L.P., 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: http://www.oneok.com .
Some of the statements contained and incorporated in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements relate to: anticipated financial performance; management's plans and objectives for future operations; business prospects; outcome of regulatory and legal proceedings; market conditions and other matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements in certain circumstances. OKE-G
Analyst Contact: Dan Harrison
918-588-7950
Media Contact: Megan Washbourne
918-588-7572
SOURCE ONEOK, Inc.
analysts, Dan Harrison, +1-918-588-7950, or media, Megan Washbourne, +1-918-588-7572,
both of ONEOK, Inc.
http://www.oneok.com