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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-181644

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated June 16, 2014

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated May 24, 2012)

$3,000,000,000

of Shares of

 

Common Stock

 

 

The Williams Companies, Inc. is selling $3,000,000,000 of shares of its common stock.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WMB.” The last reported sales price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on June 13, 2014 was $47.18 per share.

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks. Please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement.

 

		Per Share				Total
Public offering price		$				$
Underwriting discount and commissions		$				$
Proceeds to The Williams Companies, Inc. (before expenses)		$				$

We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $450,000,000 of shares of common stock from us on the same terms and conditions as set forth above.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Barclays, on behalf of the underwriters, expects to deliver the shares of common stock on or about June     , 2014 through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

Citigroup		Barclays		UBS Investment Bank

Prospectus Supplement dated June     , 2014

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This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of shares of our common stock. The second part is the accompanying base prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering of shares of our common stock. Generally, when we refer only to the “prospectus,” we are referring to both parts combined. If the information about this offering of shares of our common stock varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

Any statement made in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information” on page S-38 of this prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus relating to this offering of shares of our common stock. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with additional, different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are offering to sell shares of our common stock, and seeking offers to buy shares of our common stock, only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or any free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the dates shown in these documents or that any information we have incorporated by reference herein is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

		Page
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			S-iii
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS			S-vi
SUMMARY			S-1
RISK FACTORS			S-5
USE OF PROCEEDS			S-21
CAPITALIZATION			S-22
PRICE RANGE OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS			S-24
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS			S-25
UNDERWRITING			S-30
LEGAL MATTERS			S-37
EXPERTS			S-37
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			S-38
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE			S-38

Prospectus dated May 24, 2012

 

		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
ABOUT THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.			2
RISK FACTORS			2
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			2
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE			3
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			4
USE OF PROCEEDS			6
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES			6
ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATES ON COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)			7
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			8
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK			16
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS			21
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS			22
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS			23
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS			23
LEGAL MATTERS			23
EXPERTS			23

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain matters discussed in this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated herein by reference, excluding historical information, include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial performance, management’s plans and objectives for future operations, business prospects, outcome of regulatory 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.

All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this prospectus supplement that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will exist or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by various forms of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “continues,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “might,” “goals,” “objectives,” “targets,” “planned,” “potential,” “projects,” “scheduled,” “will,” “assumes,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “in service date” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management and include, among others, statements regarding:

 

•

the closing of, and the sources of funding for, the GIP Purchase (as defined below);

 

•

expected production increases in the producing areas served by Access Midstream Partners, L.P. (“ACMP”), as well as its levels of cash distributions with respect to general partner interests, incentive distribution rights, and limited partner interests;

 

•

increases in our fee-based revenues as a percentage of our gross margin following the GIP Purchase;

 

•

planned increases in our dividends following the GIP Purchase;

 

•

the timing of the drop-down of our remaining NGL & Petchem Services assets and projects;

 

•

the completion of the Proposed Merger (as defined below), including the approval of the Proposed Merger by the conflicts committees of ACMP and Williams Partners L.P. (“WPZ”) and the exchange ratio to be utilized in the Proposed Merger;

 

•

the benefits of the Proposed Merger to unitholders of ACMP and WPZ, respectively, and to our stockholders;

 

•

the operations, performance, levels of distributions, and distribution coverage of the merged partnership following the Proposed Merger;

 

•

our future credit ratings and the future credit ratings of WPZ and ACMP;

 

•

the expected timing for the restart of WPZ’s Geismar, Louisiana olefins plant (the “Geismar Plant”);

 

•

the expected timing of receipt and amounts of proceeds from insurance claims related to the Geismar Plant;

 

•

amounts and the nature of future capital expenditures;

 

•

expansion and growth of our business and operations;

 

•

financial condition and liquidity;

 

•

business strategy;

 

•

cash flow from operations or results of operations, including cash flow per share following the GIP Purchase;

 

•

the levels of dividends to stockholders;

 

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•

natural gas, natural gas liquids and olefins supply, prices and demand; and

 

•

demand for our services.

Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, uncertainties and risks that could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this prospectus supplement or in the documents incorporated herein by reference. You should carefully consider the risk factors discussed below in addition to the other information in this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated herein by reference. If any of the following risks were actually to occur, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In that case, we might not be able to pay dividends to holders of shares of our common stock, the trading price of shares of our common stock could decline, and stockholders could lose all or part of their investment. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

 

•

whether, during the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”), applicable regulatory authorities require that we, ACMP or WPZ divest certain assets under applicable competition laws prior to consummation of the GIP Purchase;

 

•

whether ACMP will produce sufficient cash flows following the GIP Purchase to provide the level of cash distributions we expect;

 

•

ACMP’s reliance on a limited number of customers for a substantial majority of its revenues;

 

•

whether any nationally-recognized credit rating agency lowers our credit ratings or the credit ratings of ACMP or WPZ;

 

•

our ability to achieve our expected increases in the levels of quarterly dividends;

 

•

potential fluctuations in the market prices of WPZ’s or ACMP’s common units following our announcement of the Proposed Merger;

 

•

approval of the Proposed Merger, including by the conflicts committees of ACMP and WPZ;

 

•

our ability to successfully integrate the businesses of ACMP and WPZ in order to achieve the expected benefits of the Proposed Merger;

 

•

our ability to recover expected insurance proceeds related to the Geismar Plant;

 

•

whether we have sufficient cash to enable us to pay current and expected levels of dividends;

 

•

availability of supplies, market demand, and volatility of prices;

 

•

inflation, interest rates, fluctuation in foreign exchange rates and general economic conditions (including future disruptions and volatility in the global credit markets and the impact of these events on our customers and suppliers);

 

•

the strength and financial resources of our competitors and the effects of competition;

 

•

whether we are able to successfully identify, evaluate and execute investment opportunities;

 

•

our ability to acquire new businesses and assets and successfully integrate those operations and assets into our existing businesses, as well as successfully expand our facilities;

 

•

development of alternative energy sources;

 

•

the impact of operational and development hazards and unforeseen interruptions;

 

•

costs of, changes in, or the results of laws, government regulations (including safety and environmental regulations), environmental liabilities, litigation and rate proceedings;

 

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•

our costs and funding obligations for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans;

 

•

changes in maintenance and construction costs;

 

•

changes in the current geopolitical situation;

 

•

our exposure to the credit risk of our customers and counterparties;

 

•

risks related to financing, including restrictions stemming from our debt agreements, future changes in our credit ratings and the availability and cost of capital;

 

•

the amount of cash distributions from and capital requirements of our investments and joint ventures in which we participate;

 

•

risks associated with weather and natural phenomena, including climate conditions;

 

•

acts of terrorism, including cybersecurity threats and related disruptions; and

 

•

additional risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Given the uncertainties and risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, we caution investors not to unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligations to and do not intend to update the above list or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.

In addition to causing our actual results to differ, the factors listed above and referred to below may cause our intentions to change from those statements of intention set forth in or incorporated into this prospectus supplement. Such changes in our intentions may also cause our results to differ. We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon changes in such factors, our assumptions, or otherwise.

Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, we caution that there are important factors, in addition to those listed above, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement.

 

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CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

As used in this prospectus supplement, unless the context otherwise requires or indicates:

“Northwest Pipeline” refers to Northwest Pipeline, LLC.

“Partially Owned Entities” refers to the entities in which we do not own a 100 percent ownership interest and which are accounted for as equity method investments, including principally Aux Sable Liquid Products L.P., Caiman Energy II, LLC, Discovery Producer Services LLC, Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C., Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC, and Overland Pass Pipeline Company LLC, and, prior to the completion of the GIP Purchase (as defined below), Access Midstream Partners GP, L.L.C. and Access Midstream Partners, L.P.

“Pipeline Entities” refers to Williams’ wholly- and partially-owned regulated pipeline entities, including principally Northwest Pipeline, Transco, Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C., Discovery Producer Services LLC, Overland Pass Pipeline Company LLC, and Black Marlin Pipeline LLC.

“Transco” refers to Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC.

“Williams Partners” and “WPZ” refer to Williams Partners L.P.

“Williams,” “we,” “our,” “us” and like terms refer to The Williams Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

In addition, our industry uses many terms and acronyms that may not be familiar to you. To assist you in reading this prospectus supplement, we have provided below definitions of some of these terms.

British Thermal Units (Btu): When used in terms of volumes, Btu is used to refer to the amount of natural gas required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit at one atmospheric pressure.

FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Fractionation: The process by which a mixed stream of natural gas liquids is separated into its constituent products, such as ethane, propane and butane.

LNG: Liquefied natural gas. Natural gas which has been liquefied at cryogenic temperatures.

NGLs: Natural gas liquids. Natural gas liquids result from natural gas processing and crude oil refining and are used as petrochemical feedstocks, heating fuels and gasoline additives, among other applications.

NGL Margins: NGL revenues less Btu replacement cost, plant fuel, transportation and fractionation.

Throughput: The volume of product transported or passing through a pipeline, plant, terminal or other facility.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in shares of our common stock involves risks. Before you invest in shares of our common stock, you should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference in evaluating an investment in shares of our common stock. If any of the risks discussed below or in the foregoing documents were actually to occur, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and, in some cases, our reputation, could be materially adversely affected. In that case, our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders may be reduced, and the trading price of shares of our common stock could decline. In any such case, you may lose all or part of your original investment and not realize any return that you may have expected thereon. See “Certain Definitions” for definitions of certain terms used in this section.

Risks Related to Our Business

Prices for NGLs, olefins, natural gas, oil, and other commodities are volatile and this volatility could adversely affect our financial results, cash flows, access to capital and ability to maintain our existing businesses.

Our revenues, operating results, future rate of growth and the value of certain components of our businesses depend primarily upon the prices of NGLs, olefins, natural gas, oil or other commodities, and the differences between prices of these commodities. Price volatility can impact both the amount we receive for our products and services and the volume of products and services we sell. Prices affect the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow money or raise additional capital. Price volatility can also have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

The markets for NGLs, olefins, natural gas, oil and other commodities are likely to continue to be volatile. Wide fluctuations in prices might result from one or more factors beyond our control, including:

 

•

worldwide and domestic supplies of and demand for natural gas, NGLs, olefins, oil, and related commodities;

 

•

turmoil in the Middle East and other producing regions;

 

•

the activities of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries;

 

•

the level of consumer demand;

 

•

the price and availability of other types of fuels or feedstocks;

 

•

the availability of pipeline capacity;

 

•

supply disruptions, including plant outages and transportation disruptions;

 

•

the price and quantity of foreign imports of natural gas and oil;

 

•

domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes; and

 

•

the credit of participants in the markets where products are bought and sold.

The long-term financial condition of our natural gas transportation and midstream businesses is dependent on the continued availability of natural gas supplies in the supply basins that we access, and demand for those supplies in our traditional markets.

Our ability to maintain and expand our natural gas transportation and midstream businesses depends on the level of drilling and production by third parties in our supply basins. Production from existing wells and natural gas supply basins with access to our pipeline and gathering systems will naturally decline over time. The amount

 

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of natural gas reserves underlying these existing wells may also be less than anticipated, and the rate at which production from these reserves declines may be greater than anticipated. In addition, low prices for natural gas, regulatory limitations, or the lack of available capital could adversely affect the development and production of additional natural gas reserves, the installation of gathering, storage, and pipeline transportation facilities and the import and export of natural gas supplies. The competition for natural gas supplies to serve other markets could also reduce the amount of natural gas supply for our customers. A failure to obtain access to sufficient natural gas supplies will adversely impact our ability to maximize the capacities of our gathering, transportation and processing facilities.

Demand for our services is dependent on the demand for gas in the markets we serve. Alternative fuel sources such as electricity, coal, fuel oils or nuclear energy could reduce demand for natural gas in our markets and have an adverse effect on our business.

A failure to obtain access to sufficient natural gas supplies or a reduction in demand for our services in the markets we serve could result in impairments of our assets and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to grow or effectively manage our growth.

As part of our growth strategy, we consider acquisition opportunities and engage in significant capital projects. We recently implemented our project lifecycle process and refocused our investment evaluation process. These are processes we use to identify, evaluate and execute on acquisition opportunities and capital projects. We may not always have sufficient and accurate information to identify and value potential opportunities and risks or our investment evaluation process may be incomplete or flawed. Regarding potential acquisitions, suitable acquisition candidates may not be available on terms and conditions we find acceptable or, where multiple parties are trying to acquire an acquisition candidate, we may not be chosen as the acquirer. If we are able to acquire a targeted business, we may not be able to successfully integrate the acquired businesses and realize anticipated benefits in a timely manner. Our growth may also be dependent upon the construction of new natural gas gathering, transportation, compression, processing or treating pipelines and facilities, NGL transportation, fractionation or storage facilities or olefins processing facilities, as well as the expansion of existing facilities. We also face all the risks associated with construction. These risks include the inability to obtain skilled labor, equipment, materials, permits, rights-of-way and other required inputs in a timely manner such that projects are completed on time and the risk that construction cost overruns could cause total project costs to exceed budgeted costs. Additional risks associated with growing our business include, among others, that:

 

•

changing circumstances and deviations in variables could negatively impact our investment analysis, including our projections of revenues, earnings and cash flow relating to potential investment targets, resulting in outcomes which are materially different than anticipated;

 

•

we could be required to contribute additional capital to support acquired businesses or assets;

 

•

we may assume liabilities that were not disclosed to us, that exceed our estimates and for which contractual protections are either unavailable or prove inadequate;

 

•

acquisitions could disrupt our ongoing business, distract management, divert financial and operational resources from existing operations and make it difficult to maintain our current business standards, controls and procedures; and

 

•

acquisitions and capital projects may require substantial new capital, either by the issuance of debt or equity, and we may not be able to access capital markets or obtain acceptable terms.

If realized, any of these risks could have an adverse impact on our results of operations, including the possible impairment of our assets, and could also have an adverse impact on our financial position or cash flows.

 

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We do not own all of the interests in the Partially Owned Entities, which could adversely affect our ability to operate and control these assets in a manner beneficial to us.

Because we do not control the Partially Owned Entities, we may have limited flexibility to control the operation of or cash distributions received from these entities. The Partially Owned Entities’ organizational documents require distribution of their available cash to their members on a quarterly basis; however, in each case, available cash is reduced, in part, by reserves appropriate for operating the businesses. At March 31, 2014, our investments in the Partially Owned Entities accounted for approximately 16 percent of our total consolidated assets. Conflicts of interest may arise in the future between us, on the one hand, and our Partially Owned Entities, on the other hand, with regard to our Partially Owned Entities’ governance, business and operations. If a conflict of interest arises between us and a Partially Owned Entity, other owners may control the Partially Owned Entity’s actions with respect to such matter (subject to certain limitations), which could be detrimental to our business. Any future disagreements with the other co-owners of these assets could adversely affect our ability to respond to changing economic or industry conditions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Holders of our common stock may not receive dividends in the amount identified in guidance or any dividends.

We may not have sufficient cash flow each quarter to pay dividends or maintain current or expected levels of dividends. The actual amount of cash we dividend will depend on various factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:

 

•

the amount of cash that WPZ, our other subsidiaries and the Partially Owned Entities distribute to us;

 

•

the amount of cash we generate from our operations, our working capital needs, our level of capital expenditures, and our ability to borrow;

 

•

the restrictions contained in our indentures and credit facility and our debt service requirements; and

 

•

the cost of acquisitions, if any.

A failure either to pay dividends or to pay dividends at expected levels could result in a loss of investor confidence, reputational damage and a decrease in the value of our stock price.

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

Our partnership interest, including the general partner’s holding of incentive distribution rights, in WPZ is our largest cash-generating asset. Therefore, our cash flow is heavily dependent upon the ability of WPZ to make distributions to its partners. Following the consummation of the GIP Purchase, our partnership interest in ACMP will increase, as will the portion of our cash flows generated by ACMP distributions. A significant decline in WPZ’s or ACMP’s earnings and/or distributions would have a corresponding negative impact on us.

Our industry is highly competitive and increased competitive pressure could adversely affect our business and operating results.

We have numerous competitors in all aspects of our businesses, and additional competitors may enter our markets. Some of our competitors are large oil, natural gas and petrochemical companies that have greater access to supplies of natural gas and NGLs than we do. In addition, current or potential competitors may make strategic acquisitions or have greater financial resources than we do, which could affect our ability to make strategic investments or acquisitions. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new laws or regulations or emerging technologies or to devote greater resources to the construction, expansion or refurbishment of their facilities than we can. Similarly, a highly-liquid competitive commodity market in natural gas and increasingly

 

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competitive markets for natural gas services, including competitive secondary markets in pipeline capacity, have developed. As a result, pipeline capacity is being used more efficiently, and peaking and storage services are increasingly effective substitutes for annual pipeline capacity. Failure to successfully compete against current and future competitors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We may not be able to replace, extend, or add additional customer contracts or contracted volumes on favorable terms, or at all, which could affect our financial condition, the amount of cash available to pay dividends, and our ability to grow.

We rely on a limited number of customers and producers for a significant portion of our revenues and supply of natural gas and NGLs. Although many of our customers and suppliers are subject to long-term contracts, if we are unable to replace or extend such contracts or add additional customers, each on favorable terms, if at all, our financial condition, growth plans, and the amount of cash available to pay distributions could be adversely affected. Our ability to replace, extend, or add additional customer or supplier contracts on favorable terms, or at all, is subject to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:

 

•

the level of existing and new competition in our businesses or from alternative fuel sources, such as electricity, coal, fuel oils, or nuclear energy;

 

•

natural gas, NGL, and olefins prices, demand, availability and margins in our markets. Higher prices for energy commodities related to our businesses could result in a decline in the demand for those commodities and, therefore, in customer contracts or throughput on our pipeline systems. Also, lower energy commodity prices could result in a decline in the production of energy commodities resulting in reduced customer contracts, supply contracts, and throughput on our pipeline systems;

 

•

general economic, financial markets and industry conditions;

 

•

the effects of regulation on us, our customers and our contracting practices; and

 

•

our ability to understand our customers’ expectations, efficiently and reliably deliver high quality services and effectively manage customer relationships. The results of these efforts will impact our reputation and positioning in the market.

Our operations are subject to operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions.

There are operational risks associated with the gathering, transporting, storage, processing and treating of natural gas, the fractionation, transportation and storage of NGLs, processing of olefins, and crude oil transportation and production handling, including:

 

•

aging infrastructure and mechanical problems;

 

•

damages to pipelines and pipeline blockages or other pipeline interruptions;

 

•

uncontrolled releases of natural gas (including sour gas), NGLs, brine or industrial chemicals;

 

•

collapse or failure of storage caverns;

 

•

operator error;

 

•

damage caused by third-party activity, such as operation of construction equipment;

 

•

pollution and other environmental risks;

 

•

fires, explosions, craterings and blowouts;

 

•

truck and rail loading and unloading; and

 

•

operating in a marine environment.

 

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Any of these risks could result in loss of human life, personal injuries, significant damage to property, environmental pollution, impairment of our operations, loss of services to our customers, reputational damage and substantial losses to us. The location of certain segments of our facilities in or near populated areas, including residential areas, commercial business centers and industrial sites, could increase the level of damages resulting from these risks. An event such as those described above could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, particularly if the event is not fully covered by insurance.

We do not insure against all potential risks and losses and could be seriously harmed by unexpected liabilities or by the inability of our insurers to satisfy our claims.

In accordance with customary industry practice, we maintain insurance against some, but not all, risks and losses, and only at levels we believe to be appropriate. We currently maintain excess liability insurance with limits of $610 million per occurrence and in the annual aggregate with a $2 million per occurrence deductible. This insurance covers us, our subsidiaries, and certain of our affiliates for legal and contractual liabilities arising out of bodily injury or property damage, including resulting loss of use to third parties. This excess liability insurance includes coverage for sudden and accidental pollution liability for full limits, with the first $135 million of insurance also providing gradual pollution liability coverage for natural gas and NGL operations.

Although we maintain property insurance on certain physical assets that we own, lease or are responsible to insure, the policy may not cover the full replacement cost of all damaged assets or the entire amount of business interruption loss we may experience. In addition, certain perils may be excluded from coverage or be sub-limited. We may not be able to maintain or obtain insurance of the type and amount we desire at reasonable rates. We may elect to self insure a portion of our risks. We do not insure our onshore underground pipelines for physical damage, except at certain locations such as river crossings and compressor stations. Offshore assets are covered for property damage when loss is due to a named windstorm event, but coverage for loss caused by a named windstorm is significantly sub-limited and subject to a large deductible. All of our insurance is subject to deductibles.

In addition to the insurance coverage described above, we are a member of Oil Insurance Limited (“OIL”), an energy industry mutual insurance company, which provides coverage for damage to our property. As an insured member of OIL, we share in the losses among other OIL members even if our property is not damaged.

The occurrence of any risks not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and our ability to repay our debt.

The time required to return WPZ’s Geismar Plant to operation following the explosion and fire at the facility on June 13, 2013, and the extent and timing of costs and insurance recoveries related to the incident could be materially different than we anticipate and could cause our financial results and levels of dividends to be materially different than we project.

Our projections of financial results and expected levels of dividends are based on numerous assumptions and estimates, including but not limited to the time required to return WPZ’s Geismar Plant to operation and complete the expansion project at the facility following the explosion and fire at the plant on June 13, 2013, and the extent and timing of costs and insurance recoveries related to the incident. The current target for initiation of startup of the Geismar Plant rebuild and expansion projects is late July 2014, delayed from the previous expectation of startup initiation in late June due to lower than planned construction labor productivity and other factors on both the rebuild and expansion projects at the Gesimar Plant. Additionally, insurers continue to evaluate WPZ’s claims and have recently raised questions around key assumptions involving our business-interruption claim; as a result, the insurers have elected to make a partial payment pending further assessment of these issues. Although we currently expect to make full recovery of $500 million in insurance proceeds related to the Geismar incident, there can be no assurance that we will recover the full amount of our claims. Upon receipt of the most recently approved payment from our insurers, expected in June, our total receipts to date will be $225 million. Our financial results and levels of dividends could be materially different than we project if our assumptions and estimates related to the incident are materially different than actual outcomes.

 

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Our assets and operations, as well as our customers’ assets and operations, can be adversely affected by weather and other natural phenomena.

Our assets and operations, especially those located offshore, and our customers’ assets and operations can be adversely affected by hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, landslides, tornadoes, fires and other natural phenomena and weather conditions, including extreme or unseasonable temperatures, making it more difficult for us to realize the historic rates of return associated with our assets and operations. A significant disruption in our or our customers’ operations or a significant liability for which we are not fully insured could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Acts of terrorism could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Given the volatile nature of the commodities we transport, process, store and sell, our assets and the assets of our customers and others in our industry may be targets of terrorist activities. A terrorist attack could create significant price volatility, disrupt our business, limit our access to capital markets or cause significant harm to our operations, such as full or partial disruption to our ability to produce, process, transport or distribute natural gas, NGLs or other commodities. Acts of terrorism, as well as events occurring in response to or in connection with acts of terrorism, could cause environmental repercussions that could result in a significant decrease in revenues or significant reconstruction or remediation costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our business could be negatively impacted by security threats, including cybersecurity threats, and related disruptions.

We rely on our information technology infrastructure to process, transmit and store electronic information, including information we use to safely operate our assets. While we believe that we maintain appropriate information security policies, practices and protocols, we face cybersecurity and other security threats to our information technology infrastructure, which could include threats to our operational industrial control systems and safety systems that operate our pipelines, plants and assets. We could face unlawful attempts to gain access to our information technology infrastructure, including coordinated attacks from hackers, whether state-sponsored groups, “hacktivists,” or private individuals. The age, operating systems or condition of our current information technology infrastructure and software assets and our ability to maintain and upgrade such assets could affect our ability to resist cybersecurity threats. We could also face attempts to gain access to information related to our assets through attempts to obtain unauthorized access by targeting acts of deception against individuals with legitimate access to physical locations or information.

Breaches in our information technology infrastructure or physical facilities, or other disruptions including those arising from theft, vandalism, fraud or unethical conduct, could result in damage to our assets, unnecessary waste, safety incidents, damage to the environment, reputational damage, potential liability or the loss of contracts, and have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial position and results of operations.

The natural gas sales, transportation and storage operations of our gas pipelines are subject to regulation by the FERC, which could have an adverse impact on their ability to establish transportation and storage rates that would allow them to recover the full cost of operating their respective pipelines, including a reasonable rate of return.

In addition to regulation by other federal, state and local regulatory authorities, under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, interstate pipeline transportation and storage service is subject to regulation by the FERC. Federal regulation extends to such matters as:

 

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transportation and sale for resale of natural gas in interstate commerce;

 

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rates, operating terms, types of services and conditions of service;

 

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certification and construction of new interstate pipelines and storage facilities;

 

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acquisition, extension, disposition or abandonment of existing interstate pipelines and storage facilities;

 

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accounts and records;

 

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depreciation and amortization policies;

 

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relationships with affiliated companies who are involved in marketing functions of the natural gas business; and

 

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market manipulation in connection with interstate sales, purchases or transportation of natural gas.

Regulatory or administrative actions in these areas, including successful complaints or protests against rates of the gas pipelines, can affect our business in many ways, including decreasing tariff rates and revenues, decreasing volumes in our pipelines, increasing our costs and otherwise altering the profitability of our pipeline business.

Our operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations, including laws and regulations relating to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, which may expose us to significant costs, liabilities and expenditures that could exceed expectations.

Our operations are subject to extensive federal, state, tribal and local laws and regulations governing environmental protection, endangered and threatened species, the discharge of materials into the environment and the security of chemical and industrial facilities. Substantial costs, liabilities, delays and other significant issues related to environmental laws and regulations are inherent in the gathering, transportation, storage, processing and treating of natural gas, fractionation, transportation and storage of NGLs, processing of olefins, and crude oil transportation and production handling as well as waste disposal practices. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations and permits may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial obligations, the imposition of stricter conditions on or revocation of permits, the issuance of injunctions limiting or preventing some or all of our operations and delays in granting permits.

Joint and several, strict liability may be incurred without regard to fault under certain environmental laws and regulations, for the remediation of contaminated areas and in connection with spills or releases of materials associated with natural gas, oil and wastes on, under or from our properties and facilities. Private parties, including the owners of properties through which our pipeline and gathering systems pass and facilities where our wastes are taken for reclamation or disposal, may have the right to pursue legal actions to enforce compliance as well as to seek damages for noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations or for personal injury or property damage arising from our operations. Some sites at which we operate are located near current or former third-party hydrocarbon storage and processing or oil and natural gas operations or facilities, and there is a risk that contamination has migrated from those sites to ours.

We are generally responsible for all liabilities associated with the environmental condition of our facilities and assets, whether acquired or developed, regardless of when the liabilities arose and whether they are known or unknown. In connection with certain acquisitions and divestitures, we could acquire, or be required to provide indemnification against, environmental liabilities that could expose us to material losses, which may not be covered by insurance. In addition, the steps we could be required to take to bring certain facilities into compliance could be prohibitively expensive, and we might be required to shut down, divest or alter the operation of those facilities, which might cause us to incur losses.

In addition, climate change regulations and the costs associated with the regulation of emissions of greenhouse gases (“GHGs”) have the potential to affect our business. Regulatory actions by the EPA or the passage of new climate change laws or regulations could result in increased costs to (i) operate and maintain our facilities, (ii) install new emission controls on our facilities and (iii) administer and manage our GHG compliance program. If we are unable to recover or pass through a significant level of our costs related to complying with

 

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climate change regulatory requirements imposed on us, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. To the extent financial markets view climate change and GHG emissions as a financial risk, this could negatively impact our cost of and access to capital. Climate change and GHG regulation could also reduce demand for our services.

If third-party pipelines and other facilities interconnected to our pipelines and facilities become unavailable to transport natural gas and NGLs or to treat natural gas, our revenues could be adversely affected.

We depend upon third-party pipelines and other facilities that provide delivery options to and from our pipelines and facilities for the benefit of our customers. Because we do not own these third-party pipelines or other facilities, their continuing operation is not within our control. If these pipelines or facilities were to become temporarily or permanently unavailable for any reason, or if throughput were reduced because of testing, line repair, damage to pipelines or facilities, reduced operating pressures, lack of capacity, increased credit requirements or rates charged by such pipelines or facilities or other causes, we and our customers would have reduced capacity to transport, store or deliver natural gas or NGL products to end use markets or to receive deliveries of mixed NGLs, thereby reducing our revenues. Any temporary or permanent interruption at any key pipeline interconnect or in operations on third-party pipelines or facilities that would cause a material reduction in volumes transported on our pipelines or our gathering systems or processed, fractionated, treated or stored at our facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Legal and regulatory proceedings and investigations relating to the energy industry have adversely affected our business and may continue to do so. The operation of our businesses might also be adversely affected by changes in government regulations or in their interpretation or implementation, or the introduction of new laws or regulations applicable to our businesses or our customers.

Public and regulatory scrutiny of the energy industry has resulted in the proposal and/or implementation of increased regulations. Such scrutiny has also resulted in various inquiries, investigations and court proceedings, including litigation of energy industry matters. Both the shippers on our pipelines and regulators have rights to challenge the rates we charge under certain circumstances. Any successful challenge could materially affect our results of operations.

Certain inquiries, investigations and court proceedings are ongoing. Adverse effects may continue as a result of the uncertainty of ongoing inquiries, investigations and court proceedings, or additional inquiries and proceedings by federal or state regulatory agencies or private plaintiffs. In addition, we cannot predict the outcome of any of these inquiries or whether these inquiries will lead to additional legal proceedings against us, civil or criminal fines and/or penalties, or other regulatory action, including legislation, which might be materially adverse to the operation of our business and our results of operations or increase our operating costs in other ways. Current legal proceedings or other matters, including environmental matters, suits, regulatory appeals and similar matters might result in adverse decisions against us which, among other outcomes, could result in the imposition of substantial penalties and fines and could damage our reputation. The result of such adverse decisions, either individually or in the aggregate, could be material and may not be covered fully or at all by insurance.

In addition, existing regulations might be revised or reinterpreted, and new laws and regulations might be adopted or become applicable to us, our facilities or our customers. If new laws or regulations are imposed relating to oil and gas extraction, or if additional levels of reporting, regulation or permitting moratoria are required or imposed, including those related to hydraulic fracturing, the volumes of natural gas and other products that we transport, gather, process and treat could decline and our results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

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Certain of our gas pipeline services are subject to long-term, fixed-price contracts that are not subject to adjustment, even if our cost to perform such services exceeds the revenues received from such contracts.

Our gas pipelines provide some services pursuant to long-term, fixed price contracts. It is possible that costs to perform services under such contracts will exceed the revenues our pipelines collect for their services. Although most of the services are priced at cost-based rates that are subject to adjustment in rate cases, under FERC policy, a regulated service provider and a customer may mutually agree to sign a contract for service at a “negotiated rate” that may be above or below the FERC regulated cost-based rate for that service. These “negotiated rate” contracts are not generally subject to adjustment for increased costs that could be produced by inflation or other factors relating to the specific facilities being used to perform the services.

Our operating results for certain components of our business might fluctuate on a seasonal basis.

Revenues from certain components of our business can have seasonal characteristics. In many parts of the country, demand for natural gas and other fuels peaks during the winter. As a result, our overall operating results in the future might fluctuate substantially on a seasonal basis. Demand for natural gas and other fuels could vary significantly from our expectations depending on the nature and location of our facilities and pipeline systems and the terms of our natural gas transportation arrangements relative to demand created by unusual weather patterns.

We do not own all of the land on which our pipelines and facilities are located, which could disrupt our operations.

We do not own all of the land on which our pipelines and facilities have been constructed. As such, we are subject to the possibility of increased costs to retain necessary land use. In those instances in which we do not own the land on which our facilities are located, we obtain the rights to construct and operate our pipelines and gathering systems on land owned by third parties and governmental agencies for a specific period of time. In addition, some of our facilities cross Native American lands pursuant to rights-of-way of limited term. We may not have the right of eminent domain over land owned by Native American tribes. Our loss of these rights, through our inability to renew right-of-way contracts or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Difficult conditions in the global financial markets and the economy in general could negatively affect our business and results of operations.

Our businesses may be negatively impacted by adverse economic conditions or future disruptions in global financial markets. Included among these potential negative impacts are industrial or economic contraction leading to reduced energy demand and lower prices for our products and services and increased difficulty in collecting amounts owed to us by our customers. If financing is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to implement our business plans or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures. In addition, financial markets have recently been affected by concerns over U.S. fiscal policy, including uncertainty regarding federal spending and tax policy, as well as the U.S. federal government’s debt ceiling and the federal deficit. These concerns, as well as actions taken by the U.S. federal government in response to these concerns, could significantly and adversely impact the global and U.S. economies and financial markets, which could negatively impact us in the manners described above.

A downgrade of our credit ratings, which are determined outside of our control by independent third parties, could impact our liquidity, access to capital and our costs of doing business.

A downgrade of our credit ratings might increase our cost of borrowing and could require us to provide collateral to our counterparties, negatively impacting our available liquidity. In addition, our ability to access capital markets could be limited by a downgrade of our credit ratings as well as by economic, market or other

 

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disruptions. Credit rating agencies perform independent analysis when assigning credit ratings. This analysis includes a number of criteria, such as business composition, market and operational risks, as well as various financial tests. Credit rating agencies continue to review the criteria for industry sectors and various debt ratings and may make changes to those criteria from time to time. Credit ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the ratings agencies. Following our announcement of the GIP Purchase, we expect to retain our investment-grade credit ratings at two of the three ratings agencies. We expect the third agency to reduce our credit rating one notch to sub-investment-grade as a result of the agency’s recently announced proposed change in ratings methodology for general partners, along with our announcements of the GIP Purchase and our plans to accelerate our transition to a GP holding company. We expect WPZ to retain its current investment-grade credit ratings.

We are exposed to the credit risk of our customers and counterparties, and our credit risk management may not be adequate to protect against such risk.

We are subject to the risk of loss resulting from nonpayment and/or nonperformance by our customers and counterparties in the ordinary course of our business. Generally, our customers are rated investment grade, are otherwise considered creditworthy or are required to make prepayments or provide security to satisfy credit concerns. However, our credit procedures and policies may not be adequate to fully eliminate customer and counterparty credit risk. Our customers and counterparties include industrial customers, local distribution companies, natural gas producers and marketers whose creditworthiness may be suddenly and disparately impacted by, among other factors, commodity price volatility, deteriorating energy market conditions, and public and regulatory opposition to energy producing activities. If we fail to adequately assess the creditworthiness of existing or future customers and counterparties, unanticipated deterioration in their creditworthiness and any resulting increase in nonpayment and/or nonperformance by them could cause us to write down or write off doubtful accounts. Such write-downs or write-offs could negatively affect our operating results in the periods in which they occur, and, if significant, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Restrictions in our debt agreements and the amount of our indebtedness may affect our future financial and operating flexibility.

Our total outstanding long-term debt (including current portion) as of March 31, 2014, was $12.9 billion.

The agreements governing our indebtedness contain covenants that restrict our and our material subsidiaries’ ability to incur certain liens to support indebtedness and our ability to merge or consolidate or sell all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, certain of our debt agreements contain various covenants that restrict or limit, among other things, our ability to make certain distributions during the continuation of an event of default, the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional debt, and our and our material subsidiaries’ ability to enter into certain affiliate transactions and certain restrictive agreements. Certain of our debt agreements also contain, and those we enter into in the future may contain, financial covenants and other limitations with which we will need to comply.

Our debt service obligations and the covenants described above could have important consequences. For example, they could:

 

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make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, which could in turn result in an event of default on such indebtedness;

 

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impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or other purposes;

 

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diminish our ability to withstand a continued or future downturn in our business or the economy generally;

 

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require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to debt service payments, thereby reducing the availability of cash for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, the payments of dividends, general corporate purposes or other purposes; and

 

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limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate, including limiting our ability to expand or pursue our business activities and preventing us from engaging in certain transactions that might otherwise be considered beneficial to us.

Our ability to comply with our debt covenants, to repay, extend or refinance our existing debt obligations and to obtain future credit will depend primarily on our operating performance. Our ability to refinance existing debt obligations or obtain future credit will also depend upon the current conditions in the credit markets and the availability of credit generally. If we are unable to comply with these covenants, meet our debt service obligations or obtain future credit on favorable terms, or at all, 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.

Our failure to comply with the covenants in the documents governing our indebtedness could result in events of default, which could render such indebtedness due and payable. We may not have sufficient liquidity to repay our indebtedness in such circumstances. In addition, cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions in our debt agreements could cause a default or acceleration to have a wider impact on our liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument. For more information regarding our debt agreements, please read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Liquidity” in Exhibit 99.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 22, 2014 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014, incorporated herein by reference.

Institutional knowledge residing with current employees nearing retirement eligibility or with our former employees might not be adequately preserved.

We expect that a significant percentage of employees will become eligible for retirement over the next three years. In certain areas of our business, institutional knowledge resides with employees who have many years of service. As these employees reach retirement age or their services are no longer available to us, we may not be able to replace them with employees of comparable knowledge and experience. In addition, we may not be able to retain or recruit other qualified individuals, and our efforts at knowledge transfer could be inadequate. If knowledge transfer, recruiting and retention efforts are inadequate, access to significant amounts of internal historical knowledge and expertise could become unavailable to us.

Our hedging activities might not be effective and could increase the volatility of our results.

In an effort to manage our financial exposure related to commodity price and market fluctuations, we have entered, and may in the future enter into contracts to hedge certain risks associated with our assets and operations. In these hedging activities, we have used and may in the future use fixed-price, forward, physical purchase and sales contracts, futures, financial swaps and option contracts traded in the over-the-counter markets or on exchanges. Nevertheless, no single hedging arrangement can adequately address all risks present in a given contract. For example, a forward contract that would be effective in hedging commodity price volatility risks would not hedge the contract’s counterparty credit or performance risk. Therefore, unhedged risks will always continue to exist. While we attempt to manage counterparty credit risk within guidelines established by our credit policy, we may not be able to successfully manage all credit risk and as such, future cash flows and results of operations could be impacted by counterparty default.

 

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The adoption and implementation of new statutory and regulatory requirements for derivative transactions could have an adverse impact on our ability to hedge risks associated with our business and increase the working capital requirements to conduct these activities.

In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was enacted. The Dodd-Frank Act provides for statutory and regulatory requirements for derivative transactions, including oil and gas hedging transactions. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act provides for the creation of position limits for certain derivatives transactions, as well as requiring certain transactions to be transacted on exchanges for which cash collateral will be required. These new rules and regulations could increase the cost of derivative contracts or reduce the availability of derivatives. Although we believe the derivative contracts that we enter into should not be impacted by position limits and should to a large extent be exempt from the requirement to trade these transactions on exchanges and to clear these transactions through a central clearing house or to post collateral, the impact upon our businesses will depend on the outcome of the implementing regulations that are continuing to be adopted by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission.

A number of our financial derivative transactions used for hedging purposes are currently executed on exchanges and cleared through clearing houses that already require the posting of margins based on initial and variation requirements. Final rules promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Act may require us to post additional cash or new margin to the clearing house or to our counterparties in connection with our hedging transactions. Posting such additional cash collateral could impact liquidity and reduce our cash available for capital expenditures or other corporate purposes. A requirement to post cash collateral could therefore reduce our ability to execute hedges to reduce commodity price uncertainty and thus protect cash flows. If we reduce our use of derivatives as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and regulations, our results of operations may become more volatile and our cash flows may be less predictable.

Our costs and funding obligations for our defined benefit pension plans and costs for our other postretirement benefit plans are affected by factors beyond our control.

We have defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of our U.S. employees and other post-retirement benefit plans covering certain eligible participants. The timing and amount of our funding requirements under the defined benefit pension plans depend upon a number of factors that we control, including changes to pension plan benefits, as well as factors outside of our control, such as asset returns, interest rates and changes in pension laws. Changes to these and other factors that can significantly increase our funding requirements could have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

One of our subsidiaries acts as the general partner of a publicly traded limited partnership, Williams Partners L.P., and following the consummation of the GIP Purchase, another of our subsidiaries will act as the general partner of ACMP, a publicly traded limited partnership. As such, these subsidiaries’ operations may involve a greater risk of liability than ordinary business operations.

One of our subsidiaries acts as the general partner of WPZ, a publicly traded limited partnership. Following the consummation of the GIP Purchase, another of our subsidiaries will act as the general partner of ACMP, a publicly traded limited partnership. These subsidiaries may be deemed to have undertaken fiduciary obligations with respect to WPZ and ACMP as the general partner and to the limited partners of WPZ and ACMP, respectively. Activities determined to involve fiduciary obligations to other persons or entities typically involve a higher standard of conduct than ordinary business operations and therefore may involve a greater risk of liability, particularly when a conflict of interest is found to exist. Our control of the general partner of WPZ, and following the consummation of the GIP Purchase, our control of the general partner of ACMP, may increase the possibility of claims of breach of fiduciary duties, including claims brought due to conflicts of interest (including conflicts of interest that may arise between WPZ or ACMP, on the one hand, and its general partner and that general partner’s affiliates, including us, on the other hand). Any liability resulting from such claims could be material.

 

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Our investments and projects located outside of the United States expose us to risks related to the laws of other countries, and the taxes, economic conditions, fluctuations in currency rates, political conditions and policies of foreign governments. These risks might delay or reduce our realization of value from our international projects.

We currently own and might acquire and/or dispose of material energy-related investments and projects outside the United States. The economic, political and legal conditions and regulatory environment in the countries in which we have interests or in which we might pursue acquisition or investment opportunities present risks that are different from or greater than those in the United States. These risks include, among others, delays in construction and interruption of business, as well as risks of renegotiation, trade sanctions or nullification of existing contracts and changes in law or tax policy, including with respect to the prices we realize for the commodities we produce and sell. The uncertainty of the legal environment in certain foreign countries in which we develop or acquire projects or make investments could make it more difficult to obtain nonrecourse project financing or other financing on suitable terms, could adversely affect the ability of certain customers to honor their obligations with respect to such projects or investments and could impair our ability to enforce our rights under agreements relating to such projects or investments.

Operations and investments in foreign countries also can present currency exchange rate and convertibility, inflation and repatriation risk. In certain situations under which we develop or acquire projects or make investments, economic and monetary conditions and other factors could affect our ability to convert to U.S. dollars our earnings denominated in foreign currencies. In addition, risk from fluctuations in currency exchange rates can arise when our foreign subsidiaries expend or borrow funds in one type of currency, but receive revenue in another. In such cases, an adverse change in exchange rates can reduce our ability to meet expenses, including debt service obligations. We may or may not put contracts in place designed to mitigate our foreign currency exchange risks. We have some exposures that are not hedged and which could result in losses or volatility in our results of operations.

Failure of our service providers or disruptions to our outsourcing relationships might negatively impact our ability to conduct our business.

Certain of our accounting and information technology services are currently provided by third party vendors, and sometimes from service centers outside of the United States. Service provided pursuant to these agreements could be disrupted. Similarly, the expiration of such agreements or the transition of services between providers could lead to loss of institutional knowledge or service disruptions.

If there is a determination that the spin-off of WPX Energy, Inc. (“WPX”) stock to our stockholders is taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes because the facts, representations or undertakings underlying an U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) private letter ruling or a tax opinion are incorrect or for any other reason, then we and our stockholders could incur significant income tax liabilities.

In connection with our original separation plan that called for an initial public offering (“IPO”) of stock of WPX and a subsequent spin-off of our remaining shares of WPX to our stockholders, we obtained a private letter ruling from the IRS and an opinion of our outside tax advisor, to the effect that the distribution by us of WPX shares to our stockholders, and any related restructuring transaction undertaken by us, would not result in recognition for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of income, gain or loss to us or our stockholders under section 355 and section 368(a)(1)(D) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), except for cash payments made to our stockholders in lieu of fractional shares of WPX common stock. In addition, we received an opinion from our outside tax advisor to the effect that the spin-off pursuant to our revised separation plan which was ultimately consummated on December 31, 2011, which did not involve an IPO of WPX shares, would not result in the recognition, for federal income tax purposes, of income, gain or loss to us or our stockholders under section 355 and section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, except for cash payments made to our stockholders in lieu of fractional shares of WPX. The private letter ruling and opinion have relied on or will rely on certain facts, representations, and undertakings from us and WPX regarding the past and future conduct of the

 

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companies’ respective businesses and other matters. If any of these facts, representations, or undertakings are, or become, incorrect or are not otherwise satisfied, including as a result of certain significant changes in the stock ownership of us or WPX after the spin-off, or if the IRS disagrees with any such facts and representations upon audit, we and our stockholders may not be able to rely on the private letter ruling or the opinion of our tax advisor and could be subject to significant income tax liabilities.

The spin-off may expose us to potential liabilities arising out of state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws and legal dividend requirements that we did not assume in our agreements with WPX.

The spin-off is subject to review under various state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws. A court could deem the spin-off or certain internal restructuring transactions undertaken by us in connection with the separation to be a fraudulent conveyance or transfer. Fraudulent conveyances or transfers are defined to include transfers made or obligations incurred with the actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud current or future creditors or transfers made or obligations incurred for less than reasonably equivalent value when the debtor was insolvent, or that rendered the debtor insolvent, inadequately capitalized or unable to pay its debts as they become due. A court could void the transactions or impose substantial liabilities upon us, which could adversely affect our financial condition and our results of operations. Whether a transaction is a fraudulent conveyance or transfer will vary depending upon the jurisdiction whose law is being applied. Under the separation and distribution agreement between us and WPX, from and after the spin-off, each of WPX and we are responsible for the debts, liabilities and other obligations related to the business or businesses which each owns and operates. Although we do not expect to be liable for any such obligations not expressly assumed by us pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement, it is possible that a court would disregard the allocation agreed to between the parties, and require that we assume responsibility for obligations allocated to WPX, particularly if WPX were to refuse or were unable to pay or perform the subject allocated obligations.

Risks Related to the GIP Purchase

We may be unable to realize the expected benefits from the GIP Purchase, and the value of our investment in ACMP may decrease.

The value of our investment in ACMP equity interests and the cash distributions we will receive with respect to these equity interests may not match our expectations or justify our investment in ACMP. For example, ACMP may not have sufficient cash flow from operations each quarter to pay the cash distributions we expect to receive on a quarterly basis. The amount of cash ACMP can distribute principally depends upon the amount of cash it generates from its operations, which will fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on, among other things: the volume of natural gas it gathers, treats and compresses; the level of production of and demand for natural gas; its operating and general and administrative costs; regulatory actions; prevailing economic conditions; the level of capital expenditures it makes; fluctuations in working capital needs; and the amount of cash reserves established by its general partner. If the levels of cash distributions from ACMP do not meet our expectations, the resulting decrease in cash flow and reduction in liquidity could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Further, subject to certain limitations, the agreement governing the GIP Purchase requires WPZ or ACMP to divest assets if necessary to cause the closing conditions under the GIP Purchase Agreement to become satisfied, including if the Federal Trade Commission or the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice requires the divestiture of certain assets by WPZ or ACMP in order to cause the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act to terminate or expire. We cannot predict if any divestitures will be required, what the terms of divestiture could be and any impact on our operations and future financial results.

In addition, we may never realize the expected benefits from the GIP Purchase, and we may lose all or a part of the value of our investment in ACMP. The accuracy of our assessments concerning the value of ACMP’s business is inherently uncertain. In connection with our assessments, we have performed a review of ACMP’s business that we believe to be generally consistent with industry practices. Such review may not have revealed all

 

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existing or potential problems and may not have permitted us to become sufficiently familiar with ACMP’s business to fully assess any and all risks related to ACMP’s business. The value of our investment in ACMP may decrease due to the risks associated with ACMP’s business, including the fact that ACMP is dependent on Chesapeake Energy Corporation (“Chesapeake”) for a substantial majority of its revenues and is therefore indirectly subject to the business risks of Chesapeake and to the credit risks associated with Chesapeake. ACMP has no control over Chesapeake’s business decisions and operations, and Chesapeake is under no obligation to adopt a business strategy that favors ACMP. Furthermore, in addition to Chesapeake, ACMP is dependent on Total Gas & Power North America, Inc. and other third-party producers for a significant amount of the natural gas that it gathers, treats and compresses. A material reduction in one or more other third-party producers’ production gathered, treated or compressed by ACMP may result in a material decline in its revenues and ability to make cash distributions to its unitholders, including us.

As a result of the foregoing risks, ACMP may not pay the level of distributions we expect, we may need to contribute additional capital to support ACMP’s operations, the GIP Purchase may not produce the benefits that we expect and the value of our investment in ACMP may decrease.

The GIP Purchase could trigger a mandatory repurchase offer under certain of ACMP’s existing indentures and an event of default under ACMP’s existing revolving credit facility.

The GIP Purchase, if followed by a decrease in the rating of ACMP’s outstanding 5.875% Senior Notes due 2021 and 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022 (collectively, the “Applicable ACMP Notes”) by either Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services within ninety days of the consummation of the GIP Purchase, will result in a change of control as defined in the indentures governing the Applicable ACMP Notes (the “Applicable ACMP Notes Indentures”). While no ACMP ratings downgrade is anticipated, we can provide no assurance that a downgrade will not occur. The occurrence of a change of control under the Applicable ACMP Notes Indentures triggers an obligation for ACMP to offer to purchase all or any part of each series of Applicable ACMP Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of each series of Applicable ACMP Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of repurchase. The occurrence of a change of control under the Applicable ACMP Notes Indentures would also result in an event of default under ACMP’s existing revolving credit facility. Under those circumstances, there can be no assurance that ACMP would have sufficient financial resources available to satisfy its obligations to repurchase the Applicable ACMP Notes or to satisfy any obligations under the existing ACMP revolving credit facility. ACMP’s failure to purchase the Applicable ACMP Notes as required under the Applicable ACMP Notes Indentures would result in a default under the Applicable ACMP Notes Indentures, which could have material adverse consequences for ACMP, and consequently our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In the event that the GIP Purchase does not close, the net proceeds of this offering will be used for general corporate purposes that may result in returns that are less than those anticipated from the GIP Purchase.

The closing of this offering is not conditioned on the closing of the GIP Purchase. The GIP Purchase Agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including that the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act terminates or expires. In the event that the GIP Purchase does not close, we intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may result in returns that are less than those anticipated from the GIP Purchase.

Risks Related to the Proposed Merger

There can be no assurance that the Proposed Merger will be approved by the WPZ Conflicts Committee and the ACMP Conflicts Committee or the terms on which such approval would be granted.

In connection with the announcement of the GIP Purchase, we proposed that, subsequent to the GIP Purchase, ACMP acquire WPZ pursuant to the terms of the Proposed Merger. Prior to entering into a definitive agreement with respect to the Proposed Merger, each of the WPZ Conflicts Committee and the ACMP Conflicts

 

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Committee will be required to approve the Proposed Merger. In connection with obtaining such approval, the terms of the Proposed Merger, including the exchange ratio by which WPZ common units would be converted into ACMP common units in connection with the Proposed Merger, will be subject to negotiation with each of the WPZ Conflicts Committee and the ACMP Conflicts Committee. There can be no assurance that the WPZ Conflicts Committee and the ACMP Conflicts Committee will approve the Proposed Merger, or if such approval is granted, the terms on which the Proposed Merger will be approved. Further, there can be no assurance as to how the market prices of WPZ’s and ACMP’s common units will be affected following our announcement of the Proposed Merger or how any potential changes in the market prices of WPZ’s or ACMP’s common units could affect whether the WPZ Conflicts Committee and the ACMP Conflicts Committee will approve the Proposed Merger, or if such approval is granted, the terms on which the Proposed Merger will be approved.

The successful execution of the integration strategy following the consummation of the Proposed Merger will involve considerable risks and may not be successful.

If the Proposed Merger is consummated, the success of the Proposed Merger will depend, in part, on the ability of the combined company to realize the anticipated benefits from combining ACMP’s and WPZ’s businesses. Realizing the benefits of the Proposed Merger will depend in part on the integration of assets, operations, functions and personnel while maintaining adequate focus on the core businesses of the combined company. There can be no assurance that any cost savings, economies of scale, enhanced liquidity or other operational efficiencies, as well as revenue enhancement opportunities anticipated from the combination of WPZ and ACMP, or other synergies, will occur. The full benefit of the Proposed Merger is also based on an expected upgrade of ACMP’s credit rating by independent credit rating agencies following the consummation of the Proposed Merger. There can be no assurance that this upgrade will occur.

The combined company’s management team will face challenges inherent in efficiently managing an increased number of employees over larger geographic distances, including the need to implement appropriate systems, policies, benefits and compliance programs. If management of the combined company is unable to minimize the potential disruption of the combined company’s ongoing business and the distraction of management during the integration process, the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Merger may not be realized or may only be realized to a lesser extent than expected. In addition, the inability to successfully manage the implementation of appropriate systems, policies, benefits and compliance programs for the combined company or the geographically more diverse and substantially larger combined organization could have an adverse effect on the combined company after the Proposed Merger. These integration-related activities also could have an adverse effect on each of ACMP and WPZ pending the completion of the Proposed Merger.

ACMP and WPZ have operated and, until the completion of the Proposed Merger, will continue to operate independently. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, as well as the disruption of each of WPZ’s and ACMP’s ongoing businesses or the creation of inconsistencies between their standards, controls, procedures and policies. Any or all of those occurrences could adversely affect the combined company’s ability to maintain relationships with service providers, customers and employees after the Proposed Merger or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Merger.

The combined company’s operating expenses may increase significantly over the near term due to the increased headcount, expanded operations and expenses or other changes related to the Proposed Merger. In addition, the actual integration may result in additional and unforeseen expenses, which could reduce the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Merger and materially and adversely affect the combined company’s business, operating results and financial condition.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of the $3,000,000,000 of shares of our common stock offered hereby will be approximately $             billion, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock in full, we estimate that the net proceeds to us, calculated on the same basis, will be approximately $             billion. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering, together with the incurrence of new indebtedness as described under “Summary — Recent Developments — Purchase of Equity Interests of Access Midstream Partners, L.P.” and cash on hand, or some combination of the foregoing, to fund the consideration for the GIP Purchase and to pay related transition and transaction expenses. In the event that the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock, we intend to use the net proceeds of such exercise for the same purposes or for other general corporate purposes.

If the GIP Purchase were to fail to close, we intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our historical cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of March 31, 2014 and our pro forma cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of March 31, 2014, as adjusted to reflect the following assumptions:

 

•

the sale of $3,000,000,000 of shares of our common stock offered hereby, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us, and the expected application of the net proceeds of this offering as described under “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement; and

 

•

the expected incurrence of new indebtedness by us in order to fund the balance of the consideration for the GIP Purchase and our related transition and transaction expenses.

Depending on the final size of the GIP Purchase and the ultimate mix of funding available to us at the closing of the GIP Purchase, we may elect to utilize the net proceeds of an offering of capital markets debt, our revolving credit facility, the Bridge Facility, cash on hand, or some combination of the foregoing to fund our payment of the balance of the consideration for the GIP Purchase.

This table is derived from and should be read together with our historical consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2014, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. You should also read this table in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2014, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 

		As of March 31, 2014
		Historical				As Adjusted
		($ in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,064			$	(1	)
Short-term debt:
Long-term debt due within one year		$	751			$	751
WPZ commercial paper notes			—				—	(2)
Bridge Facility			—					(1)
Total short-term debt			751				751	(1)
Long-term debt (less unamortized debt discount):
Williams revolving credit facility			—					(1)
WPZ revolving credit facility			—				—
New Williams indebtedness			—					(1)
Williams notes and debentures with various interest rates ranging from 3.7% to 10.25% and maturities from 2019 to 2033			2,296				2,296
WPZ notes with various interest rates ranging from 3.35% to 7.25% and maturities from 2015 to 2044			7,681				7,681
Transco notes and debentures with various interest rates ranging from 4.45% to 7.25% and maturities from 2016 to 2042			1,428				1,428
Northwest Pipeline notes and debentures with various interest rates ranging from 5.95% to 7.125% and maturities from 2016 to 2025			694				694
Total long-term debt			12,099				(1	)(3)

 

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		As of March 31, 2014
		Historical				As Adjusted
		($ in millions)
Equity:
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock (960 million shares authorized at $1 par value; 720 million shares issued at March 31, 2014)			720
Capital in excess of par value			11,545
Retained deficit			(6,385	)			(6,385	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(223	)			(223	)
Treasury stock, at cost (35 million shares of common stock)			(1,041	)			(1,041	)
Total stockholders’ equity			4,616
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries			4,101				4,101	(3)
Total equity			8,717
Total capitalization (including current maturities of long-term debt)		$	21,567			$

 

(1)

We may elect to utilize the net proceeds of an offering of capital markets debt, our revolving credit facility, the Bridge Facility, cash on hand, or some combination of the foregoing, to fund our payment of the balance of the consideration for the GIP Purchase and to pay related transition and transaction expenses. The amount available for borrowing under the Bridge Facility will be reduced by an amount equal to the net proceeds of this offering and any net proceeds of an offering of capital markets debt by us.

 

(2)	As of June 13, 2014, there were approximately $460 million in principal amount of short-term notes outstanding under WPZ’s commercial paper program. The outstanding commercial paper notes have a weighted-average maturity of approximately seven days.

 

(3)

At March 31, 2014, ACMP had outstanding $3.656 billion of notes with various interest rates ranging from 4.875% to 6.125% and maturities from 2021 to 2024. Our ownership interest in ACMP is currently and, until the completion of the GIP purchase, will be accounted for as an equity method investment. Upon completion of the GIP Purchase, ACMP will become our consolidated subsidiary for accounting purposes, at which time ACMP’s outstanding indebtedness will be reflected at fair value in total long-term debt. Upon consolidation, noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries will also be adjusted to reflect the public ownership interest in ACMP.

 

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PRICE RANGE OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS

As of the close of business on June 13, 2014, there were 686,038,623 shares of our common stock outstanding, held by approximately 8,267 record holders. Shares of our common stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “WMB.”

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for shares of our common stock, as reported on the NYSE, and dividends per share declared by quarter on our common stock. The last reported sales price of our common stock on the NYSE on June 13, 2014 was $47.18 per share.

 

		High				Low				Dividend
2014
Second Quarter (through June 13, 2014)		$	48.00			$	39.31			$	0.4250	(1)
First Quarter			42.94				37.77				0.4025
2013
Fourth Quarter		$	38.68			$	33.98			$	0.38
Third Quarter			36.94				32.36				0.36625
Second Quarter			38.57				31.25				0.3525
First Quarter			38.00				33.09				0.33875
2012
Fourth Quarter		$	37.56			$	30.55			$	0.325
Third Quarter			35.39				28.47				0.3125
Second Quarter			34.63				27.25				0.30
First Quarter			32.09				26.21				0.25875

 

(1)

On May 22, 2014, we declared a regular dividend of $0.4250 per share of common stock, payable June 30, 2014, to holders of record at the close of business on June 13, 2014. On June 15, 2014, we announced that, contingent upon consummation of the GIP Purchase, we expect to increase our third quarter 2014 cash dividend amount by 32 percent to $0.56 per share and further provided new dividend growth guidance of approximately 15 percent annually (from the higher third quarter 2014 baseline) through 2017, although there can be no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different.

 

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the shares of our common stock, as of the date hereof. This summary deals only with shares of our common stock purchased in this offering for cash and held as capital assets. Additionally, this summary does not deal with special situations. For example, this summary does not address:

 

•

tax consequences to holders who may be subject to special tax treatment, such as dealers in securities or currencies, financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, expatriates, tax-exempt entities, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, or insurance companies;

 

•

tax consequences to persons holding shares of our common stock as part of a hedging, integrated, or conversion transaction or a straddle or persons deemed to sell shares of our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

 

•

tax consequences to persons who at any time hold more than 5% of the total fair market value of any class of our stock;

 

•

tax consequences to U.S. holders of shares of our common stock whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar;

 

•

tax consequences to partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes and investors in such entities; or

 

•

alternative minimum tax consequences, if any.

Finally, this summary does not address U.S. federal tax consequences other than income taxes (such as estate and gift tax consequences) or any state, local or foreign tax consequences. In addition, it does not address tax consequences arising from the acquisition and exercise of rights under our stockholder rights plan.

The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, and U.S. Treasury regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, or interpreted differently so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation and does not deal with all tax consequences that may be relevant to holders in light of their personal circumstances.

If an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding shares of our common stock, you should consult your tax advisor.

If you are considering the purchase of shares of our common stock, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you in light of your particular facts and circumstances and any consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign or other taxing jurisdiction.

Consequences to U.S. Holders

The following is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that will apply to a U.S. holder of shares of our common stock. “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of common stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is:

 

•

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

•

a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

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•

an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

•

a trust if (1) it is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

Distributions

A distribution in respect of shares of our common stock generally will be treated as a dividend to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Subject to certain holding period requirements, dividends that constitute qualified dividend income received by non-corporate U.S. holders generally will be subject to taxation at the lower applicable capital gains rate. If a U.S. holder is a U.S. corporation, it may be eligible to claim the deduction allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations equal to a portion of any dividends received, subject to generally applicable limitations on that deduction.

If the distribution exceeds current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a nontaxable return of capital reducing the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common stock to the extent of the U.S. holder’s tax basis in that stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain from the sale or exchange of our common stock.

U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the holding period and other requirements that must be satisfied in order to qualify for the dividends-received deduction and the reduced maximum tax rate for qualified dividend income.

Sale, Exchange, Certain Redemptions or Other Taxable Dispositions of our Common Stock

Upon a sale, exchange, redemption (provided the redemption is treated as a sale or exchange) or certain other taxable dispositions of our common stock, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received upon such taxable disposition and (ii) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock will generally equal its cost for the stock, decreased by the amount of any distributions treated as nontaxable return of capital, as described above. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if a U.S. holder’s holding period in the common stock is more than one year at the time of the taxable disposition. In the case of certain non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals), long-term capital gain generally will be subject to tax at a reduced rate of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Medicare Tax

A U.S. person that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, will be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the U.S. person’s “net investment income” for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of the U.S. person’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000 depending on the individual’s circumstances). Net investment income generally includes dividends and net gains from the disposition of our common stock, unless such dividend or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). A U.S. holder that is an individual, estate or trust should consult its tax advisor regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to its income and gains in respect of its investment in the common stock.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

When required, we or our paying agent will report to the U.S. holders of our common stock and to the IRS amounts paid on or with respect to the common stock during each calendar year and the amount of tax, if any, withheld from such payments. A U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding on any dividends paid on our

 

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common stock and proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock at the applicable rate if the U.S. holder (a) fails to provide us or our paying agent with a correct taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status, (b) has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding as a result of the failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends, or (c) in certain circumstances, has failed to certify under penalty of perjury that it is not subject to backup withholding. A U.S. holder may be eligible for an exemption from backup withholding by providing a properly completed IRS Form W-9 to us or our paying agent. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is properly furnished to the IRS by the U.S. holder on a timely basis.

Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

The term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of shares of common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an individual, corporation, trust or estate that is not a U.S. holder.

Distributions

Any distributions treated as dividends (see “Consequences to U.S. Holders — Distributions” above) paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to the shares of our common stock will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty. To receive the benefit of a reduced treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must furnish to us or our paying agent a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or suitable successor or substitute form) certifying such non-U.S. holder’s qualification for the reduced rate. Non-U.S. holders that do not timely provide us or our paying agent with the required certification, but that qualify for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

If a non-U.S. holder holds shares of our common stock in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and dividends paid on the shares of our common stock are effectively connected with such non-U.S. holder’s United States trade or business (and if required by an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States), the non-U.S. holder will be exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax. To claim the exemption, the non-U.S. holder must generally furnish to us or our paying agent a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or suitable successor or substitute form). However, dividends paid on shares of our common stock that are effectively connected with a non-U.S. holder’s United States trade or business (and if required by an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates in much the same manner as if such non-U.S. holder were a U.S. holder. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and in excess of a non-U.S. holder’s tax basis in its shares of our common stock will be treated as described under “—Sale, Exchange, Certain Redemptions or Other Taxable Dispositions of our Common Stock” below.

Sale, Exchange, Certain Redemptions or Other Taxable Dispositions of our Common Stock

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, any gain realized by a non-U.S. holder upon the sale, exchange, redemption (provided the redemption is treated as a sale or exchange) or other taxable disposition of shares of our common stock will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain unless:

 

•

that gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder);

 

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•

the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or

 

•

we are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation” during the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period (the “applicable statutory period”) and either (a) our common stock is not regularly traded on an established securities market, or (b) our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, and the non-U.S. holder actually or constructively held more than 5% of our common stock at any time during the applicable statutory period. For this purpose, our common stock will be treated as regularly traded on an established securities market for a calendar quarter if either (1) (i) trades in our common stock are effected other than in de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during the quarter and (ii) the aggregate number of shares of our common stock traded is at least 7.5% of the average number of shares of our common stock outstanding during the quarter, or (2) our common stock is traded on an established securities market in the United States during which it is regularly quoted by brokers or dealers making a market in our common stock. We may be treated as a U.S. real property holding corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, our common stock is currently treated as regularly traded on an established securities market for this purpose.

A non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the net gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition at the regular graduated rates generally in the same manner as a U.S. holder. If a non-U.S. holder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty between the United States and its country of residence, any such gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the manner specified by the treaty. To claim the benefit of a treaty, a non-U.S. holder must properly submit an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or suitable successor or substitute form). A non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation and is described in the first bullet point above in addition may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for that taxable year, or at a lower rate if so specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

An individual non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point above will be subject to a flat 30% U.S. federal income tax on the gain derived from the sale, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses (even though such holder is not considered a resident of the United States) provided such non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

If we are treated as a “U.S. real property holding corporation” and if gain from the sale or exchange of shares of our common stock is subject to tax based on our status as a U.S. real property holding corporation, the non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the net gain generally in the same manner as a U.S. holder and the transferee of such shares may be required to deduct and withhold a tax equal to 10% of the amount realized on the disposition, unless certain exceptions apply. Any tax withheld may be credited against the U.S. federal income tax owed by the non-U.S. holder for the year in which the sale or exchange occurs. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own advisors about the consequences that could result if we are, or become, a U.S. real property holding corporation.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Generally, we must report to the IRS and to non-U.S. holders the amount of dividends and non-dividend distributions paid to the non-U.S. holder and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.

In general, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of dividends that we make to the holder if the non-U.S. holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is not a U.S. person (and we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person, such as by

 

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furnishing a valid IRS form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption. A non-U.S. holder will be subject to information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding with respect to the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of shares of our common stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related payors, unless the payor of the proceeds receives the statement described above (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code) or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption.

Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (which we refer to as “FATCA”) provides that a 30% withholding tax will be imposed on certain payments (including dividends as well as gross proceeds from sales or other dispositions of stock giving rise to such dividends) made to a foreign financial institution (as specifically defined in the Code) and certain other foreign entities if such entity fails to satisfy certain new disclosure and reporting rules or otherwise qualify for an exemption from these rules. FATCA generally requires that (i) in the case of a foreign financial institution, the entity identifies and provides information in respect of financial accounts with such entity held (directly or indirectly) by U.S. persons and U.S.-owned foreign entities and (ii) in the case of a non-financial foreign entity, the entity identifies and provides information in respect of substantial U.S. owners of such entity. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (i) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain U.S. persons or U.S.-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders.

The IRS has released regulations generally providing that withholding under FATCA will not apply with respect to payments of dividends made prior to July 1, 2014, or to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of stock made prior to January 1, 2017. The U.S. Treasury is also in the process of signing Intergovernmental Agreements with other countries to implement the exchange of information required under FATCA. Investors are strongly encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the potential application and impact of FATCA and any Intergovernmental Agreement between the United States and their home jurisdiction in connection with FATCA compliance.

The preceding discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences is for general information only and is not tax advice. Accordingly, each investor should consult its own tax advisor as to particular tax consequences to it of purchasing, holding and disposing of shares of our common stock, including the applicability and effect of any state, local or foreign tax laws, and of any pending or subsequent changes in applicable laws.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc. and UBS Securities LLC are acting as our joint book-running managers for this offering and as representatives (the “Representatives”) for the underwriters named below. Under the terms of an underwriting agreement, which will be filed by us as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, each of the underwriters named below has severally agreed to purchase from us the respective number of shares of our common stock shown opposite its name below:

 

Underwriters		Number of Shares
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Barclays Capital Inc.
UBS Securities LLC
Total

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters’ obligation to purchase shares of our common stock depends on the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement including:

 

•

the obligation to purchase all of the shares of our common stock offered hereby (other than those shares covered by their option to purchase additional shares described below), if any of the shares are purchased;

 

•

the representations and warranties made by us to the underwriters are true;

 

•

there is no material change in the financial markets; and

 

•

we deliver customary closing documents to the underwriters.

Commissions and Expenses

The following table summarizes the underwriting discounts and commissions we will pay to the underwriters. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock. The underwriting fee is the difference between the initial price to the public and the amount the underwriters pay to us for the shares.

 

		No Exercise				Full Exercise
Per Share		$				$
Total		$				$

The representatives of the underwriters have advised us that the underwriters propose to offer the shares directly to the public at the public offering price on the cover of this prospectus supplement and to selected dealers, which may include the underwriters, at such offering price less a selling concession not in excess of $             per share. After the offering, the representative may change the offering price and other selling terms. The offering of the shares by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

We estimate that total expenses for this offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $500,000.

Option to Purchase Additional Shares of our Common Stock

We have granted the underwriters an option exercisable for 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of $450,000,000 of additional shares of our common stock at the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions. This

 

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option may be exercised if the underwriters sell more than $3,000,000,000 of shares in connection with this offering. To the extent that this option is exercised, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase its pro rata portion of these additional shares based on the underwriter’s percentage underwriting commitment in the offering as indicated in the table at the beginning of this Underwriting section.

Lock-Up Agreements

We and all of our directors and executive officers have agreed that, without the prior written consent of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., we and they will not, directly or indirectly, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of our common stock (including, without limitation, shares that may be deemed to be beneficially owned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and shares that may be issued upon exercise of any option or warrant) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock (other than, in our case, the issuance of the shares in this offering and the issuance of any shares pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified option plans or other employee compensation plans existing on the date hereof or pursuant to currently outstanding options, warrants or rights), or, in our case, sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock (other than the grant of options pursuant to option plans existing on the date hereof), (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) cause to be filed a registration statement (other than any registration statement on Form S-8 or any registration statement on Form S-3 that replaces an expiring registration statement on Form S-3) with respect to the registration of any shares of our common stock or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into shares of our common stock or any other securities of Williams or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing, in each case, for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement (the “Lock-Up Period”).

These lock-up agreements will provide, where applicable, exceptions to the foregoing restrictions for (A) transactions in connection with certain trading plans established by certain of our directors and executive officers pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act (“10b5-1 plans”), (B) the establishment of a 10b5-1 plan, provided that such plan does not provide for the sale of common stock during the Lock-Up Period, (C) transactions for the purpose of covering tax liabilities arising from or related to the vesting during the Lock-Up Period of shares of, or options to purchase shares of, our common stock awarded to our directors and executive officers pursuant to our existing equity compensation plans, or (D) transactions relating to the cashless exercise of options to purchase shares of our common stock awarded to our directors and executive officers pursuant to our existing equity compensation plans. Our lock-up agreement also provides for exceptions for transactions in connection with the private issuance of common stock as full or partial consideration for an acquisition to recipients who agree in writing to a lock-up period that ends after the Lock-Up Period. Citigroup Global Markets Inc., in its sole discretion, may release the shares of our common stock subject to lock-up agreements in whole or in part at any time with or without notice. When determining whether or not to release shares of our common stock from lock-up agreements, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. will consider, among other factors, our reasons for requesting the release, the number of shares for which the release is being requested, and market conditions at the time.

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.

 

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Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

The representatives may engage in stabilizing transactions, short sales and purchases to cover positions created by short sales, and penalty bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the shares, in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act:

 

•

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

•

A short position involves a sale by the underwriters of shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriters are obligated to purchase in the offering, which creates the syndicate short position. This short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares involved in the sales made by the underwriters in excess of the number of shares they are obligated to purchase is not greater than the number of shares that they may purchase by exercising their option to purchase additional shares.

 

•

In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares in their option to purchase additional shares. The underwriters may close out any short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares and/or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through their option to purchase additional shares. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

•

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.

 

•

Penalty bids permit the representatives to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the shares originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our shares of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the shares. As a result, the price of the shares may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the NYSE or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the shares. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the Internet sites or through other online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters and/or selling group members participating in this offering, or by their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and, depending upon the particular underwriter or selling group member, prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of shares of our common stock for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the representative on the same basis as other allocations.

Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s or selling group member’s web site and any information contained in any other web site maintained by an underwriter or selling

 

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group member is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter or selling group member in its capacity as underwriter or selling group member and should not be relied upon by investors.

Relationships / FINRA Conduct Rules

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging financing and brokerage activities. Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking (including as lenders to us and our affiliates), investment banking or financial advisory transactions with us and our affiliates, in the ordinary course of their business. For example, each of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc. and UBS Securities LLC is acting as a financial advisor to us in connection with the GIP Purchase and certain underwriters and their affiliates, including each of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Capital Inc. and UBS Securities LLC, are expected to act as arrangers and lenders for the Bridge Facility. Such underwriters and their affiliates have received customary compensation and reimbursement of their expenses for these commercial banking, investment banking or financial advisory transactions.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments, including serving as counterparties to certain derivative and hedging arrangements, and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and/or instruments. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Listing

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “WMB.”

Selling Restrictions

Public Offer Selling Restrictions Under the EEA and Prospectus Directive

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of securities described in this prospectus supplement may not be made to the public in that relevant member state other than:

 

•

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

•

to fewer than 100 or, if the relevant member state has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives; or

 

•

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of securities shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of securities to the public” in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities, as

 

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the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the relevant member state) and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state. The expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the securities as contemplated in this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, no purchaser of the securities, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the securities on behalf of us or the underwriters.

Selling Restrictions Addressing Additional United Kingdom Securities Laws

We may constitute a “collective investment scheme” as defined by section 235 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) that is not a “recognised collective investment scheme” for the purposes of FSMA (“CIS”) and that has not been authorised or otherwise approved. As an unregulated scheme, it cannot be marketed in the United Kingdom to the general public, except in accordance with FSMA. This prospectus supplement is only being distributed in the United Kingdom to, and are only directed at:

 

(i)

if we are a CIS and are marketed by a person who is an authorised person under FSMA, (a) investment professionals falling within Article 14(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Promotion of Collective Investment Schemes) Order 2001, as amended (the “CIS Promotion Order”) or (b) high net worth companies and other persons falling with Article 22(2)(a) to (d) of the CIS Promotion Order; or

 

(ii)

otherwise, if marketed by a person who is not an authorised person under FSMA, (a) persons who fall within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”) or (b) Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order; and

 

(iii)

in both cases (i) and (ii) to any other person to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made, (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). Shares of our common stock are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement or any of its contents.

An invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement will only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply to us.

Selling Restrictions Addressing Additional Switzerland Securities Laws

This prospectus supplement is being communicated in Switzerland to a small number of selected investors only. Each copy of this prospectus supplement is addressed to a specifically named recipient and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or passed on to third parties. Shares of our common stock are not being offered to the public in Switzerland, and neither this prospectus supplement, nor any other offering materials relating to the shares may be distributed in connection with any such public offering.

We have not been registered with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA as a foreign collective investment scheme pursuant to Article 120 of the Collective Investment Schemes Act of June 23, 2006 (“CISA”). Accordingly, shares of our common stock may not be offered to the public in or from Switzerland, and neither this prospectus supplement, nor any other offering materials relating to the shares may be made available

 

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through a public offering in or from Switzerland. Shares of our common stock may only be offered and this prospectus supplement may only be distributed in or from Switzerland by way of private placement exclusively to qualified investors (as this term is defined in the CISA and its implementing ordinance).

Selling Restrictions Addressing Additional Netherlands Securities Laws

Shares of our common stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the Netherlands, other than to qualified investors (gekwalificeerde beleggers) within the meaning of Article 1:1 of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

Selling Restrictions Addressing Additional German Securities Laws

This prospectus supplement has not been prepared in accordance with the requirements for a securities or sales prospectus under the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz), the German Sales Prospectus Act (Verkaufsprospektgesetz), or the German Investment Act (Investmentgesetz). Neither the German Federal Financial Services Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht — BaFin) nor any other German authority has been notified of the intention to distribute shares of our common stock in Germany. Consequently, the shares may not be distributed in Germany by way of public offering, public advertisement or in any similar manner and this prospectus supplement and any other document relating to this offering, as well as information or statements contained therein, may not be supplied to the public in Germany or used in connection with any offer for subscription of the shares to the public in Germany or any other means of public marketing. The shares are being offered and sold in Germany only to qualified investors which are referred to in Section 3, paragraph 2 no. 1, in connection with Section 2, no. 6, of the German Securities Prospectus Act, Section 8f paragraph 2 no. 4 of the German Sales Prospectus Act, and in Section 2 paragraph 11 sentence 2 no. 1 of the German Investment Act. This prospectus supplement is strictly for use of the person who has received it. It may not be forwarded to other persons or published in Germany.

This offering of shares of our common stock does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation or an offer to sell shares in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.

Selling Restrictions for Hong Kong and Singapore

The shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of shares of our common stock may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

 

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Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

Selling Restrictions for Australia

No prospectus or other disclosure document (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia (‘‘Corporations Act’’)) in relation to the common stock has been or will be lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (‘‘ASIC’’). This document has not been lodged with ASIC and is only directed to certain categories of exempt persons. Accordingly, if you receive this document in Australia:

 

(a)

you confirm and warrant that you are either:

 

(i)

a ‘‘sophisticated investor’’ under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act;

 

(ii)

a ‘‘sophisticated investor’’ under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant’s certificate to us which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made;

 

(iii)

a person associated with the company under section 708(12) of the Corporations Act; or

 

(iv)

a ‘‘professional investor’’ within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act, and to the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act any offer made to you under this document is void and incapable of acceptance; and

 

(b)

you warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the common stock for resale in Australia within 12 months of that common stock being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Certain legal matters in connection with the shares offered hereby will be passed upon for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of The Williams Companies, Inc. appearing in The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2014, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference which, as to the consolidated financial statements for the years 2013, 2012 and 2011, is based in part on the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP and as to the consolidated financial statements for the year 2013, is based in part on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, each an independent registered public accounting firm. The effectiveness of The Williams Companies Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon included in The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and The Williams Companies, Inc.’s management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act that registers the offer and sale of the shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus supplement. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. In addition, we file annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Unless specifically listed below, the information contained on the SEC website is not intended to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and you should not consider that information a part of this prospectus supplement. You also can obtain information about us at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we have filed with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. Information that we later provide to the SEC, and which is deemed to be “filed” with the SEC, will automatically update information previously filed with the SEC, and may replace information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC.

We incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement the following documents that we have previously filed with the SEC:

 

•

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-04174) for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed on February 26, 2014 (provided, however, Items 6, 7, 7A, and 8 of the Form 10-K and Exhibit 12 thereto, which were subsequently recast in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2014, are not incorporated herein);

 

•

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-04174) for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, filed on May 1, 2014;

 

•

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K (File No. 1-04174) filed on January 28, 2014, February 11, 2014, February 25, 2014 (as amended by a Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on March 19, 2014), March 24, 2014, May 22, 2014, May 28, 2014, and June 16, 2014 (excluding for all such Current Reports the information, if any, furnished under Item 7.01 thereof and corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit thereto);

 

•

The information included in our definitive proxy statement filed on April 11, 2014 under the headings “Proposal 1 — Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Questions and Answers About the Annual Meeting and Voting,” “Corporate Governance and Board Matters,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation and Other Information,” “Compensation of Directors,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Equity Compensation Stock Plans,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and the subheading “Principal Accounting Fees and Services” in Proposal 4 — Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Auditors;

 

•

The description of our common stock, par value $1.00 per share, contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-B (File No. 1-04174) filed on August 20, 1987, and any subsequent amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

 

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•

The description of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock Purchase Rights (currently traded with our common stock) contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on February 5, 1996 (File No. 001-4174), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on September 22, 2004 (File No. 001-4174), including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

These reports contain important information about us, our financial condition and our results of operations.

All documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of this offering will also be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus supplement. Nothing in this prospectus supplement shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K (or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit).

We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website, http://www.williams.com, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Information contained on our Internet website is not part of this prospectus supplement and does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.

You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement from the SEC through the SEC’s website at the address provided above. You also may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement (excluding any exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in this document), at no cost, by visiting our Internet website at http://www.williams.com, or by writing or calling us at the following address:

Investor Relations

The Williams Companies, Inc.

One Williams Center

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172-0172

Telephone: (918) 573-2078

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with any information. You should not assume that the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of each document.

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.

DEBT SECURITIES

PREFERRED STOCK

COMMON STOCK

PURCHASE CONTRACTS

WARRANTS

UNITS

We or selling securityholders to be named in a prospectus supplement may from time to time offer to sell debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, purchase contracts, warrants, or units. This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. Each time we or a selling securityholder sells securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the specific terms of the securities offered. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein carefully before you invest in our securities.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “WMB.”

We will sell these securities directly to investors, or through agents, dealers, or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods, on a continuous or delayed basis.

This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless it is accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information or to make additional representations. We are not making or soliciting an offer of any securities other than the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We are not making or soliciting an offer of these securities in any state or jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted or in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representations to the contrary are a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is May 24, 2012.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
About This Prospectus			1
About The Williams Companies, Inc.			2
Risk Factors			2
Where You Can Find More Information			2
Incorporation by Reference			3
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			4
Use of Proceeds			6
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges			6
Adoption of Accounting Standards Updates on Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)			7
Description of Debt Securities			8
Description of Capital Stock			16
Description of Purchase Contracts			21
Description of Warrants			22
Description of Units			23
Selling Securityholders			23
Legal Matters			23
Experts			23

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. We or selling securityholders to be named in a prospectus supplement may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus from time to time, either separately or in units, in one or more offerings.

Each time we or selling securityholders sell securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe in a prospectus supplement, which will be delivered with this prospectus, specific information about the offering and the terms of the particular securities offered.

In addition, the prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change the information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information contained in this prospectus and any information incorporated by reference herein, on the one hand, and the information contained in any applicable prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference therein, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference therein.

Wherever references are made in this prospectus to information that will be included in a prospectus supplement, to the extent permitted by applicable law, rules, or regulations, we may instead include such information or add, update, or change the information contained in this prospectus by means of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, through filings we make with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus or by any other method as may then be permitted under applicable law, rules, or regulations.

Statements made in this prospectus, in any prospectus supplement, or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete. In each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as an exhibit to the documents incorporated by reference. You may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made under it implies that there has been no change in our affairs or that the information in this prospectus is correct as of any date after the date of this prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, including any information incorporated in this prospectus by reference, the accompanying prospectus supplement, or any free writing prospectus prepared by us, is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since that date.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of such securities is not permitted.

In this prospectus, Williams (which includes The Williams Companies, Inc. and, unless the context otherwise requires, all of our subsidiaries) is at times referred to in the first person as “we,” “us,” or “our.” We also sometimes refer to Williams as the “Company.”

 

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ABOUT THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.

We are an energy infrastructure company focused on connecting North America’s hydrocarbon resource plays to growing markets for natural gas, NGLs, and olefins. Our operations span from the deepwater Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian oil sands.

Our interstate gas pipeline and domestic midstream interests are largely held through our significant investment in Williams Partners L.P. (“WPZ”), one of the largest energy master limited partnerships. We own the approximate 2.0 percent general-partner interest and a 66.3 percent limited-partner interest in WPZ. We also own a Canadian midstream and domestic olefins production business, which processes oil sands off-gas and produces olefins for petrochemical feedstocks.

We were founded in 1908, originally incorporated under the laws of the state of Nevada in 1949 and reincorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware in 1987. Our principal executive offices are located at One Williams Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172, and our telephone number is (918) 573-2000.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in the securities described herein involves risk. We urge you to carefully consider the risk factors described in our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus used in connection with an offering of our securities, as well as the information relating to us identified below under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” before making an investment decision.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and file reports and other information with the SEC. The public may read and copy any reports or other information that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room, 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-2521. The public may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Unless specifically listed under “Incorporation by Reference” below, the information contained on the SEC web site is not intended to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and you should not consider that information a part of this prospectus.

Our SEC filings can also be inspected and copied at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. We will also provide to you, at no cost, a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any exhibits specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You may request copies of these filings from us by mail at the following address, or by telephone at the following telephone number:

The Williams Companies, Inc.

Investor Relations

One Williams Center

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172-0172

Telephone Number: (918) 573-2000

We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website, http://www.williams.com, our reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC as referred to above and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Information contained on our website is not intended to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and you should not consider that information a part of this prospectus.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

We are incorporating by reference into this prospectus information we file with the SEC, which means we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information we incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, unless we update or supersede that information by the information contained in this prospectus or the information we file subsequently that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We are incorporating by reference the following documents that we have filed with the SEC:

 

•

our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC on February 27, 2012, as amended by Amendment No. 2 on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on May 1, 2012 (including the portions of our proxy statement for our 2012 annual meeting of stockholders specifically incorporated by reference therein);

 

•

our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012;

 

•

our current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 6, 2012, January 25, 2012, February 13, 2012 (excluding the information furnished under Item 7.01 thereof and corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit thereto), March 20, 2012 (excluding the information furnished under Item 7.01 thereof and corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit thereto), March 30, 2012, April 2, 2012 (excluding the information furnished under Item 7.01 thereof and corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit thereto), April 20, 2012 (excluding the information furnished under Item 7.01 thereof and corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit thereto), May 1, 2012 and May 21, 2012;

 

•

the description of our common stock, par value $1.00 per share, contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed on August 20, 1987 (File No. 001-4174), including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating the description of our common stock; and

 

•

the description of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock Purchase Rights (currently traded with our common stock) contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on February 5, 1996 (File No. 001-4174), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on September 22, 2004 (File No. 001-4174), including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of all offerings made pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement also will be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference. Nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished to but not filed with the SEC, including pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K (or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit). Any statements made in incorporated documents will automatically update and supersede the information contained in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, and any statements made in this prospectus update and supersede the information contained in past SEC filings incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial performance, management’s plans and objectives for future operations, business prospects, outcome of regulatory proceedings, market conditions, and other matters. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “continues,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “planned,” “potential,” “projects,” “scheduled,” “should,” and other similar expressions identify those statements that are forward-looking. These statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management and include, among others, statements regarding:

 

•

amounts and nature of future capital expenditures;

 

•

expansion and growth of our business and operations;

 

•

financial condition and liquidity;

 

•

business strategy;

 

•

cash flow from operations or results of operations;

 

•

the levels of dividends to stockholders;

 

•

seasonality of certain business components; and

 

•

natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil prices and demand.

Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, uncertainties, and risks that could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this prospectus. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

 

•

whether we have sufficient cash to enable us to pay current and expected levels of dividends;

 

•

availability of supplies, market demand, volatility of prices, and the availability and cost of capital;

 

•

inflation, interest rates, fluctuation in foreign exchange, and general economic conditions (including future disruptions and volatility in the global credit markets and the impact of these events on our customers and suppliers);

 

•

the strength and financial resources of our competitors;

 

•

ability to acquire new businesses and assets and integrate those operations and assets into our existing businesses, as well as expand our facilities;

 

•

development of alternative energy sources;

 

•

the impact of operational and development hazards;

 

•

costs of, changes in, or the results of laws, government regulations (including safety and climate change regulation and changes in natural gas production from exploration and production areas that we serve), environmental liabilities, litigation and rate proceedings;

 

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•

our costs and funding obligations for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans;

 

•

changes in maintenance and construction costs;

 

•

changes in the current geopolitical situation;

 

•

our exposure to the credit risk of our customers and counterparties;

 

•

risks related to strategy and financing, including restrictions stemming from our debt agreements, future changes in our credit ratings and the availability and cost of credit;

 

•

risks associated with future weather conditions;

 

•

acts of terrorism, including cybersecurity threats and related disruptions; and

 

•

additional risks described in our filings with the SEC.

Given the uncertainties and risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, we caution investors not to unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligations to and do not intend to update the above list or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.

In addition to causing our actual results to differ, the factors listed above and referred to below may cause our intentions to change from those statements of intention set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. Such changes in our intentions may also cause our results to differ. We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon changes in such factors, our assumptions, or otherwise.

Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, we caution that there are important factors, in addition to those listed above, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of securities by us as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities by selling securityholders.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated.

 

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2012				Year Ended December 31,
						2011				2010				2009				2008				2007
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(a)			4.17				2.77				1.52				1.69				2.24				2.37

 

(a)

The ratio has been computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For purposes of computing these ratios, earnings means the following: income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, less equity earnings, excluding proportionate share from 50% owned investees and unconsolidated majority-owned investees; plus fixed charges (discussed below) and distributed income of equity-method investees, excluding proportionate share from 50% owned investees and unconsolidated majority-owned investees; less capitalized interest. Fixed charges means the sum of the following: interest accrued, including proportionate share from 50% owned investees and unconsolidated majority-owned investees; and rental expense representative of interest factor.

 

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ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATES ON COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

In January 2012, we adopted Accounting Standards Update No. (ASU) 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” and ASU 2011-12, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.” As a result of our adoption of these updates, beginning with first-quarter 2012 we now present a separate consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The new guidance does not change the items in other comprehensive income or the measurement of those items. The following table displays the retrospective application of these standards to periods presented in the financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, as amended on May 1, 2012, which are incorporated by reference into this filing.

 

		Years Ended December 31,
(Millions)		2011				2010				2009
Net income (loss)		$	661			$	(922	)		$	361
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Cash flow hedging activities:
Net unrealized gain (loss) from derivative instruments, net of taxes of ($152), ($185) and ($99) in 2011, 2010, and 2009			243				303				163
Reclassifications into earnings of net derivative instrument (gain) loss, net of taxes of $124, $131 and $234 in 2011, 2010, and 2009			(190	)			(211	)			(384	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(18	)			29				83
Pension and other postretirement benefits:
Prior service credit (cost) arising during the year, net of taxes of ($1) in 2011			1				-				7
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) included in net periodic benefit expense, net of taxes of $1 and $2 in 2011 and 2010			(2	)			(2	)			(3	)
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during the year, net of taxes of $89, $27 and ($16) in 2011, 2010, and 2009			(152	)			(56	)			27
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss included in net periodic benefit expense, net of taxes of ($16), ($13), and ($16) in 2011, 2010, and 2009			27				23				26
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities, net of taxes of ($2) in 2011			3				-				-
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(88	)			86				(81	)
Comprehensive income (loss)			573				(836	)			280
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			285				175				83
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.		$	288			$	(1,011	)		$	197

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the base indenture under which the debt securities are to be issued, unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement. The particular terms of the debt securities to be sold will be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities.

The debt securities will represent unsecured general obligations of the Company, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement. As indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will either be senior debt or subordinated debt. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued under an indenture to be entered into between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. that has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, subject to such amendments or supplemental indentures as are adopted from time to time. The following summary of certain provisions of that indenture does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, reference to all the provisions of that indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Wherever particular sections or defined terms of the indenture are referred to, it is intended that such sections or defined terms shall be incorporated herein by reference.

General

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder. The applicable prospectus supplement with respect to any debt securities will set forth the following terms of the debt securities offered pursuant thereto:

 

•

the title and series of such debt securities;

 

•

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of such debt securities of such series;

 

•

whether such debt securities will be in global or other form;

 

•

the date or dates and method or methods by which principal and any premium on such debt securities is payable;

 

•

the interest rate or rates (or method by which such rate will be determined), if any;

 

•

the dates on which any such interest will be payable and the method of payment;

 

•

whether and under what circumstances any additional amounts are payable with respect to such debt securities;

 

•

the notice, if any, to holders of such debt securities regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate debt security;

 

•

the basis upon which interest on such debt securities shall be calculated, if other than that of a 360 day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

•

the place or places where the principal of and interest or additional amounts, if any, on such debt securities will be payable;

 

•

any redemption or sinking fund provisions, or the terms of any repurchase at the option of the holder of the debt securities;

 

•

the denominations of such debt securities, if other than $1,000 and integral multiples thereof;

 

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•

any rights of the holders of such debt securities to convert the debt securities into other securities or property;

 

•

the terms, if any, on which payment of principal or any premium, interest or additional amounts on such debt securities will be payable in a currency other than U.S. dollars;

 

•

the terms, if any, by which the amount of payments of principal or any premium, interest or additional amounts on such debt securities may be determined by reference to an index, formula, financial or economic measure or other methods;

 

•

if other than the principal amount hereof, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or provable in bankruptcy;

 

•

any events of default or covenants in addition to or in lieu of those described herein and remedies therefor;

 

•

whether such debt securities will be subject to defeasance or covenant defeasance;

 

•

the terms, if any, upon which such debt securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants;

 

•

any trustees other than The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., and any authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to such debt securities;

 

•

the terms, if any, on which such debt securities will be subordinate to other debt of the Company;

 

•

whether such debt securities will be guaranteed and the terms thereof;

 

•

whether such debt securities will be secured by collateral and the terms of such security; and

 

•

any other specific terms of such debt securities and any other deletions from or additions to or modifications of the indenture with respect to such debt securities.

Debt securities may be presented for exchange, conversion or transfer in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities and the prospectus supplement. Such services will be provided without charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith, but subject to the limitations provided in the indenture.

The indenture does not contain any covenant or other specific provision affording protection to holders of the debt securities in the event of a highly leveraged transaction or a change in control of the Company, except to the limited extent described below under “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets.”

Modification and Waiver

The indenture provides that supplements to the indenture and the applicable supplemental indentures may be made by the Company and the trustee for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of debt securities of a series under the indenture or the debt securities of such series, with the consent of the holders of a majority (or such greater amount as is provided for a particular series of debt securities) in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities issued under such indenture that are affected by the supplemental indenture, voting as a single class; provided that no such supplemental indenture may, without the consent of the holder of each such debt security affected thereby, among other things:

 

(a)

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any premium, interest or additional amounts on, such debt securities, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment

 

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of interest or any additional amounts thereon, or reduce any premium payable on redemption thereof or otherwise, or reduce the amount of the principal of debt securities issued with original issue discount that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy, or change the redemption provisions or adversely affect the right of repayment at the option of the holder, or change the place of payment or currency in which the principal of, or any premium, interest or additional amounts with respect to any debt security is payable, or impair or affect the right of any holder of debt securities to institute suit for the payment after such payment is due (except a rescission and annulment of acceleration with respect to a series of debt securities by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of such series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(b)

reduce the percentage of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver or reduce the quorum required for voting;

 

(c)

modify any of the provisions of the sections of such indenture relating to supplemental indentures with the consent of the holders, waivers of past defaults or securities redeemed in part, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of such indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of each holder affected thereby; or

 

(d)

make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any security into or for common stock or other securities, cash or other property in accordance with the terms of the applicable debt security.

The indenture provides that a supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of the indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of debt securities, or that modifies the rights of the holders of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under the indenture of the holders of debt securities of any other series.

The indenture provides that the Company and the applicable trustee may, without the consent of the holders of any series of debt securities issued thereunder, enter into additional supplemental indentures for one of the following purposes:

 

(a)

to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company in such indenture and in the debt securities issued thereunder;

 

(b)

to add to the covenants of the Company or to surrender any right or power conferred on the Company pursuant to the indenture;

 

(c)

to establish the form and terms of debt securities issued thereunder;

 

(d)

to evidence and provide for a successor trustee under such indenture with respect to one or more series of debt securities issued thereunder or to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under such indenture by more than one trustee;

 

(e)

to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in the indenture that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of the indenture or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under such indenture; provided that no such action pursuant to this clause (e) shall adversely affect the interests of the holders of any series of debt securities issued thereunder in any material respect;

 

 

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(f)

to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of securities under the indenture;

 

(g)

to add any additional events of default with respect to all or any series of debt securities;

 

(h)

to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture as may be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities, provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of an outstanding debt security of such series or any other security in any material respect;

 

(i)

to make provisions with respect to the conversion or exchange rights of holders of debt securities of any series;

 

(j)

to pledge to the trustee as security for the debt securities of any series any property or assets;

 

(k)

to add guarantees in respect of the debt securities of one or more series;

 

(l)

to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture, provided that any such change or elimination become effective only when there is no security of any series outstanding created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision;

 

(m)

to provide for certificated securities in addition to or in place of global securities;

 

(n)

to qualify such indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended;

 

(o)

with respect to the debt securities of any series, to conform the text of the indenture or the debt securities of such series to any provision of the description thereof in the Company’s offering memorandum or prospectus relating to the initial offering of such debt securities, to the extent that such provision, in the good faith judgment of the Company, was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture or such securities; or

 

(p)

to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of holders of any series of debt securities issued thereunder in any material respect.

Events of Default

Unless otherwise provided in any prospectus supplement, the following will be events of default under the indenture with respect to each series of debt securities issued thereunder:

 

(a)

default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or any additional amount in respect of, any series of debt securities;

 

(b)

default in the payment of principal or any premium on any series of the debt securities outstanding under the indenture when due;

 

(c)

default in the payment, if any, of any sinking fund installment when and as due by the terms of any debt security of such series, subject to any cure period that may be specified in any debt security of such series;

 

(d)

failure by the Company for 60 days after receipt by registered or certified mail of written notice from the trustee upon instruction from holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of such series to comply with any of the other agreements in the indenture and stating

 

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that such notice is a “Notice of Default” under the indenture; provided, that if such failure cannot be remedied within such 60-day period, such period shall be automatically extended by another 60 days so long as (i) such failure is subject to cure and (ii) the Company is using commercially reasonable efforts to cure such failure; and provided, further, that a failure to comply with any such other agreement in the indenture that results from a change in generally accepted accounting principles shall not be deemed to be an event of default;

 

(e)

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company; and

 

(f)

any other event of default provided in a supplemental indenture with respect to a particular series of debt securities, provided that any event of default that results from a change in generally accepted accounting principles shall not be deemed to be an event of default.

In case an event of default specified in clause (a) or (b) above shall occur and be continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, holders of at least 25%, and in case an event of default specified in any clause other than clause (a), (b) or (e) above shall occur and be continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, holders of at least a majority, in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding may declare the principal (or, in the case of discounted debt securities, the amount specified in the terms thereof) of such series to be due and payable. If an event of default described in (e) above shall occur and be continuing then the principal amount (or, in the case of discounted debt securities, the amount specified in the terms thereof) of all the debt securities outstanding shall be and become due and payable immediately, without notice or other action by any holder or the applicable trustee, to the full extent permitted by law. Any past or existing default or event of default with respect to particular series of debt securities under such indenture may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, except in each case a continuing default (1) in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any additional amounts with respect to, any debt security of such series, or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder affected thereby.

The indenture provides that the applicable trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any default with respect to any series of debt securities (except in payment of principal of or interest or premium on, or sinking fund payment in respect of, the debt securities) if the applicable trustee considers it in the interest of holders to do so.

The indenture contains a provision entitling the applicable trustee to be indemnified by the holders before proceeding to exercise any trust or power under the indenture at the request of such holders. The indenture provides that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the applicable trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the applicable trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series; provided, however, that the applicable trustee may decline to follow any such direction if, among other reasons, the applicable trustee determines in good faith that the actions or proceedings as directed may not lawfully be taken or would be unduly prejudicial to the holders of the debt securities of such series not joining in such direction. The right of a holder to institute a proceeding with respect to a series of debt securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent including, without limitation, that in case of an event of default specified in clause (a), (b) or (e) of the first paragraph above under “—Events of Default,” holders of at least 25%, or in case of an event of default other than specified in clause (a), (b) or (e) of the first paragraph above under “—Events of Default”, holders of at least a majority, in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding make a written request upon the applicable trustee to exercise its powers under such indenture, indemnify the applicable trustee and afford the applicable trustee reasonable opportunity to act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder has an absolute right to receipt of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest when due on the debt securities, to require conversion of debt securities if such indenture provides for convertibility at the option of the holder and to institute suit for the enforcement thereof.

 

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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

The indenture provides that the Company may not directly or indirectly consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets and properties and the assets and properties of its subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to another person in one or more related transactions unless the successor person is a person organized under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and assumes the Company’s obligations on the debt securities issued thereunder, and under the indenture, and after giving effect thereto no event of default, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing, and that certain other conditions are met.

Certain Covenants

Payment of Principal, any Premium, Interest or Additional Amounts. The Company will duly and punctually pay the principal of, and premium and interest on or any additional amounts payable with respect to, any debt securities of any series in accordance with their terms.

Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will be required to maintain an office or agency in each place of payment for each series of debt securities for notice and demand purposes and for the purposes of presenting or surrendering debt securities for payment, registration of transfer, or exchange.

Reports. So long as any debt securities of a particular series are outstanding, the Company will file with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company has filed the same with the Commission, unless such reports are available on the Commission’s EDGAR filing system (or any successor thereto), copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations.

Additional Covenants. Any additional covenants of the Company with respect to any series of debt securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

Conversion Rights

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities are convertible into common stock or preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders or the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of redemption of such debt securities and any restrictions on conversion.

Redemption; Repurchase at the Option of the Holder; Sinking Fund

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which (a) the debt securities are redeemable at the option of the Company, (b) the holder of debt securities may cause the Company to repurchase such debt securities or (c) the debt securities are subject to any sinking fund will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto.

 

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Repurchases on the Open Market

The Company or any affiliate of the Company may at any time or from time to time repurchase any debt security in the open market or otherwise. Such debt securities may, at the option of the Company or the relevant affiliate of the Company, be held, resold or surrendered to the trustee for cancellation.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The indenture provides, with respect to each series of debt securities issued thereunder, that the Company may satisfy and discharge its obligations under such debt securities of a series and such indenture with respect to debt securities of such series if:

 

(a)

all debt securities of such series previously authenticated and delivered, with certain exceptions, have been accepted by the applicable trustee for cancellation; or

 

(b)    (i)

the debt securities of such series have become due and payable, or mature within one year, or all of them are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the applicable trustee for giving the notice of redemption and the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the applicable trustee, as trust funds solely for the benefit of the holders of such debt securities, for that purpose, money or governmental obligations or a combination thereof sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the applicable trustee) to pay the entire indebtedness on the debt securities of such series to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and pays all other sums payable by it under such indenture; and

 

(ii)

the Company delivers to the applicable trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for in such indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of such indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series have been complied with.

Notwithstanding such satisfaction and discharge, the obligations of the Company to compensate and indemnify the trustee, to pay additional amounts, if any, in respect of debt securities in certain circumstances and to convert or exchange debt securities pursuant to the terms thereof and the obligations of the Company and the trustee to hold funds in trust and to apply such funds pursuant to the terms of the indenture, with respect to issuing temporary debt securities, with respect to the registration, transfer and exchange of debt securities, with respect to the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and with respect to the maintenance of an office or agency for payment, shall in each case survive such satisfaction and discharge.

Unless inapplicable to debt securities of a series pursuant to the terms thereof, the indenture provides that (i) the Company will be deemed to have paid and will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities issued thereunder of any series, and the provisions of such indenture will, except as noted below, no longer be in effect with respect to the debt securities of such series (“defeasance”) and (ii) (1) the Company may omit to comply with the covenant under “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and any other additional covenants established pursuant to the terms of such series, and such omission shall be deemed not to be an event of default under clause (d) or (f) of the first paragraph of “—Events of Default” and (2) the occurrence of any event described in clause (f) of the first paragraph of “—Events of Default” shall not be deemed to be an event of default, in each case with respect to the outstanding debt securities of such series ((1) and (2) of this clause (ii), “covenant defeasance”); provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied with respect to such series:

 

(a)

the Company has irrevocably deposited in trust with the applicable trustee as trust funds solely for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities of such series, for payment of the principal of and interest

 

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of the debt securities of such series, money or government obligations or a combination thereof sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the applicable trustee) without consideration of any reinvestment to pay and discharge the principal of and accrued interest on the outstanding debt securities of such series to maturity or earlier redemption (irrevocably provided for under arrangements satisfactory to the applicable trustee), as the case may be;

 

(b)

such defeasance or covenant defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, such indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(c)

no event of default or event which with notice or lapse of time would become an event of default with respect to such debt securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

 

(d)

the Company shall have delivered to such trustee an opinion of counsel as described in the indenture to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this provision of such indenture and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred;

 

(e)

the Company has delivered to the applicable trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for in such indenture relating to the defeasance contemplated have been complied with;

 

(f)

if the debt securities are to be redeemed prior to their maturity, notice of such redemption shall have been duly given or in another manner satisfactory to the trustee; and

 

(g)

any such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall comply with any additional or substitute terms provided for by the terms of such debt securities of such series.

Notwithstanding a defeasance or covenant defeasance, the Company’s obligations with respect to the following in respect of debt securities of such series will survive with respect to such securities until otherwise terminated or discharged under the terms of the indenture or no debt securities of such series are outstanding:

 

(a)

the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities of such series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, interest on or premium or additional amounts, if any, payable in respect of, such debt securities when such payments are due from the trust referred in clause (a) in the preceding paragraph;

 

(b)

the issuance of temporary debt securities, the registration, transfer and exchange of debt securities, the replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and holding payments in trust;

 

(c)

the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee, and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and

 

(d)

the defeasance or covenant defeasance provisions of the indenture.

Applicable Law

The indenture provides that the debt securities and the indenture will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

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About the Trustee

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is the trustee under the indenture.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Preferred Stock

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as supplemented, we are authorized to issue up to 30,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, in one or more series. As of May 24, 2012, there were no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.

The following description of preferred stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the series of preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock will describe certain other terms of such series of preferred stock. If so indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, the terms of any such series of preferred stock may differ from the terms set forth below. The description of preferred stock set forth below and the description of the terms of a particular series of preferred stock set forth in the related prospectus supplement are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the certificate of incorporation and to the certificate of designation relating to that series of preferred stock.

The rights of the holders of each series of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of our general creditors.

General Terms of the Preferred Stock

The certificate of incorporation will set forth the designations, preferences, and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series. To the extent the certificate of incorporation does not set forth the rights and limitations, they will be fixed by the certificate of designation relating to the series. A prospectus supplement relating to each series will specify the terms of the preferred stock as follows:

 

•

the distinctive designation of the series and the number of shares which shall constitute the series;

 

•

the rate of dividends, if any, payable on shares of the series, the date, if any, from which the dividends shall accrue, the conditions upon which and the date when the dividends shall be payable, and whether the dividends shall be cumulative or noncumulative;

 

•

the amounts which the holders of the preferred stock of the series shall be entitled to be paid in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of Williams; and

 

•

whether or not the preferred stock of the series shall be redeemable and at what times and under what conditions and the amount or amounts payable thereon in the event of redemption.

The prospectus supplement may, in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation:

 

•

limit the number of shares of the series that may be issued;

 

•

provide for a sinking fund for the purchase or redemption or a purchase fund for the purchase of shares of the series, set forth the terms and provisions governing the operation of any fund, and establish the status as to reissue of shares of preferred stock purchased or otherwise reacquired or redeemed or retired through the operation of the sinking or purchase fund;

 

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•

grant voting rights to the holder of shares of the series, in addition to and not inconsistent with those granted by the certificate of incorporation to the holders of preferred stock;

 

•

impose conditions or restrictions upon the creation of indebtedness of Williams or upon the issue of additional preferred stock or other capital stock ranking equally with or prior to the preferred stock or capital stock as to dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation;

 

•

impose conditions or restrictions upon the payment of dividends upon, the making of other distributions to, or the acquisition of junior stock;

 

•

grant to the holders of the preferred stock of the series the right to convert the preferred stock into shares of another series or class of capital stock; or

 

•

grant other special rights to the holders of shares of the series as the board of directors may determine and as shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.

Dividends

Holders of the preferred stock of any series shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the board of directors, preferential dividends in cash at the annual rate, if any, fixed for the series. Their entitlement will be subject to any limitations specified in the certificate of incorporation and in the certificate of designation providing for the issuance of a particular series of preferred stock. The certificate of designation providing for the issuance of preferred stock of the series may specify the date on which the preferential dividends are payable. The preferential dividends shall further be payable to stockholders of record on a date which precedes each dividend payment date which the board of directors has fixed in advance of each particular dividend.

Each share of preferred stock shall rank on a parity with each other share of preferred stock, irrespective of series, with respect to preferential dividends accrued on the shares of the series. We will not declare or pay any dividend nor will we set apart a dividend for payment for the preferred stock of any series unless at the same time we declare, pay, or set apart a dividend in like proportion to the dividends accrued upon the preferred stock of each other series. This does not, however, prevent us from authorizing or issuing one or more series of preferred stock bearing dividends subject to contingencies as to the existence or amount of our earnings during one or more fiscal periods, or as to other events, to which dividends on other series of preferred stock are not subject.

So long as any shares of preferred stock remain outstanding, we will not, unless all dividends accrued on outstanding shares of preferred stock for all past dividend periods shall have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of the dividends set apart:

 

•

pay or declare any dividends whatsoever, whether in cash, stock, or otherwise;

 

•

make any distribution on any class of junior stock; or

 

•

purchase, retire, or otherwise acquire for valuable consideration any shares of preferred stock (subject to certain limitations) or junior stock.

As a holding company, our ability to pay dividends on the preferred stock will depend upon the payment of dividends, interest, or other charges by our subsidiaries to us. Debt instruments of certain of our subsidiaries may limit the amount of payments to us, which could affect the amount of funds available to us to pay dividends on the preferred stock.

The registrar, transfer agent, and dividend disbursing agent for the preferred stock will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Redemption

With the approval of our board of directors, we may redeem all or any part of the preferred stock of any series that by its terms is redeemable. Redemption will take place at the time or times and on the terms and conditions fixed for the series. We must duly give notice in the manner provided in the certificate of designation providing for the series. We must pay for preferred stock in cash the sum fixed for the series, together, in each case, with an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends on the series of preferred stock. The certificate of designation providing for a series of preferred stock that is subject to redemption may provide, upon the two conditions discussed below, that the shares will no longer be deemed outstanding, and all rights with respect to the shares will cease, including the accrual of further dividends, other than the right to receive the redemption price of the shares without interest, when:

 

•

we have given notice of redemption of all or part of the shares of the series; and

 

•

we have set aside or deposited with a suitable depositary for the proportionate benefit of the shares called for redemption the redemption price of the shares, together with accrued dividends to the date fixed as the redemption date.

Redemption will terminate the right of holders of the preferred stock to accrual of further dividends. Redemption will not, however, terminate the right of holders of the shares redeemed to receive the redemption price for the shares without interest.

Voting Rights

The preferred stock will have no right or power to vote on any question or in any proceeding or to be represented at or to receive notice of any meeting of stockholders, except as:

 

•

stated in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement;

 

•

expressly provided by law; or

 

•

provided in the certificate of designation of the series of preferred stock.

On any matters on which the holders of the preferred stock or any series thereof shall be entitled to vote separately as a class or series, they shall be entitled to one vote for each share held.

So long as any shares of preferred stock are outstanding, we must not, during the continuance of any default in the payment of dividends on the preferred stock, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any shares of the preferred stock or of any other stock ranking on a parity with the preferred stock concerning dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation. Holders of a majority of the number of shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time may, however, permit such a redemption by giving their consent in person or by proxy, either in writing or by vote at any annual meeting or any special meeting called for the purpose.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the affairs of Williams, the holders of the preferred stock of the respective series are entitled to be paid in full the following amounts:

 

•

the amount fixed in the certificate of designation providing for the issue of shares of the series; plus

 

•

a sum equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends on the shares of preferred stock to the date of payment of the dividends.

 

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We must have made this payment in full to the holders of the preferred stock before we may make any distribution or payment to the holders of any class of stock ranking junior to the preferred stock as to dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation. After we have made this payment in full to the holders of the preferred stock, our remaining assets and funds will be distributed among the holders of our stock ranking junior to the preferred stock according to their rights. If our assets available for distribution to holders of preferred stock are sufficient to make the payment required to be made in full, these assets will be distributed to the holders of shares of preferred stock proportionately to the amounts payable upon each share of preferred stock.

Common Stock

As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 960,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of May 23, 2012, we had 660,636,847 issued and outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, as of May 22, 2012, 12,190,144 shares of common stock were subject to options or deferred rights outstanding under various stock and compensation incentive plans. The outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. The holders of common stock are not entitled to preemptive or redemption rights. Shares of common stock are not convertible into shares of any other class of capital stock. Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “WMB.”

Dividends

The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as, and if declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally available for their payment subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding preferred stock.

Voting Rights

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.

Rights Upon Liquidation

In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the affairs of Williams, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to share equally in any assets available for distribution after the payment in full of all debts and distributions and after the holders of all series of outstanding preferred stock have received their liquidation preferences in full.

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

On September 21, 2004, we entered into an amended and restated rights agreement (as amended, the “Rights Agreement”) with UMB Bank N.A. (successor to EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.), as rights agent. The Rights Agreement provides for a one-third preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of our common stock (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with respect to our common stock). The rights trade automatically with shares of common stock and become exercisable only under the circumstances described below. The rights are designed to protect the interests of us and our stockholders against coercive takeover tactics. The purpose of the rights is to encourage potential acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors prior to attempting a takeover and to provide the board of directors with leverage in negotiating on behalf of all stockholders the terms of any proposed takeover. The rights may have anti-takeover effects. The rights should not, however, interfere with a merger or other business combination approved by our board of directors.

Until a right is exercised, the right does not entitle the holder to additional rights as a stockholder, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. Upon becoming exercisable, each right entitles its holder to purchase from us one two-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an

 

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exercise or purchase price of $50.00 per right, subject to adjustment. Each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitles the holder to receive quarterly dividends payable in cash of an amount per share equal to the greater of:

 

•

(a) $120 (reflecting adjustments for stock splits subsequent to the adoption of the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock), or

 

•

(b) 1,200 (reflecting adjustments for stock splits subsequent to the adoption of the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock) times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends declared since the immediately preceding quarterly dividend payment date; plus 1,200 (reflecting adjustments for stock splits subsequent to the adoption of the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock) times the aggregate per share amount payable in kind of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than dividends payable in common stock declared since the immediately preceding quarterly dividend payment date.

The dividends on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are cumulative. Holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock have voting rights entitling them to 1,200 (reflecting adjustments for stock splits subsequent to the adoption of the Certificate of Designations for the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock) votes per share on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders.

In general, the rights will not be exercisable until the distribution date, which is the earlier of (a) the date of the first Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as defined below) or the date of the first Section 13 Event (as defined below) and (b) the close of business on the 10th business day (or such later date as our board shall determine) after the commencement of a tender or exchange offer for 15% or more of our outstanding common stock. A person or group acquiring at least 15% of our common stock is referred to as an “acquiring person” below.

In the event that a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock as described in Section 11(a)(ii) of the Rights Agreement (a “Section 11(a)(ii) Event”) and the expiration date has not occurred prior to the tenth business day after a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, each holder of a right will have the right to exercise and receive common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. The exercise price is the purchase price times the number of shares of common stock associated with each right. Any rights that are at any time beneficially owned by an acquiring person will be null and void and any holder of such right will be unable to exercise or transfer the right.

In the event that at any time prior to the earlier of the redemption date or the expiration date as defined in the Rights Agreement, a Section 13 Event as described in Section 13 of the Rights Agreement occurs, each right becomes exercisable and each right will entitle its holder to receive common stock of the principal party having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. A Section 13 Event is where we either (a) engage in a merger or other business combination in which we are not the surviving corporation, (b) engage in a merger or other business combination in which we are the surviving corporation but all or a part of our common stock is changed or exchanged, or (c) sell or transfer 50% or more of our assets, cash flow or earning power.

The rights will expire at the close of business on September 21, 2014, unless redeemed before that time. At any time prior to the earlier of (a) a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, (b) the date of the first Section 13 Event, and (c) September 21, 2014, our board may redeem the rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 per right. Prior to the date of the first Section 11(a)(ii) Event or the date of the first Section 13 Event, we may amend the Rights Agreement in any respect without the approval of the rights holders. However, after the date of the first Section 11(a)(ii) Event or the date of the first Section 13 Event, the Rights Agreement may not be amended in any way that would adversely affect the holders of rights (other than any acquiring person or a principal party). The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock ranks junior to all other existing and future series of our preferred stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets unless the terms of the series specify otherwise. Holders should refer to the applicable provisions of the Rights Agreement, which we filed with the SEC as Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 21, 2004.

 

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Certain Certificate of Incorporation Provisions

We currently have the following provisions in our charter or bylaws that could be considered to be “anti-takeover” provisions:

 

•

an article in our charter providing that until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2013, directors cannot be removed except for cause and by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the outstanding shares of common stock;

 

•

an article in our charter requiring the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the outstanding shares of common stock for certain merger and asset sale transactions with holders of more than five percent of the voting power of Williams;

 

•

a bylaw that only permits our chairman of the board, president or a majority of the board to call a special meeting of the stockholders; and

 

•

a bylaw requiring stockholders to provide prior notice for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters which can be acted upon at stockholders meetings.

We are a Delaware corporation and are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prevents an interested stockholder, which is defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock, from engaging in a business combination with us for three years following the date that person became an interested stockholder unless:

 

•

before that person became an interested stockholder, our board of directors approved the transaction in which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder or approved the business combination;

 

•

upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding stock held by persons who are both directors and officers of Williams or by certain employee stock plans); or

 

•

on or following the date on which that person became an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a least 66 2/3% of our outstanding voting stock (excluding shares held by the interested stockholder).

A business combination includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder.

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of:

 

•

debt or equity securities issued by us or securities of third parties, a basket of such securities, an index or indices of such securities or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement;

 

•

currencies; or

 

•

commodities.

 

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Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such securities, currencies or commodities at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, however, satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the property otherwise deliverable or, in the case of purchase contracts on underlying currencies, by delivering the underlying currencies, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, currencies or commodities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.

The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, which payments may be deferred to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and those payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require the holders thereof to secure their obligations in a specified manner to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued. Our obligation to settle such pre-paid purchase contracts on the relevant settlement date may constitute indebtedness. Accordingly, pre-paid purchase contracts will be issued under the indenture, a form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

•

the title of such warrants;

 

•

the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

•

the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

•

the currency or currencies in which the price of such warrants will be payable;

 

•

the securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;

 

•

the price at which and the currency or currencies, in which the securities or other rights purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;

 

•

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

•

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

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•

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;

 

•

if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; and

 

•

any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock, or any combination of such securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

 

•

the terms of the units and of the purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, preferred stock, and common stock comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately;

 

•

a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and

 

•

a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units.

SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

Information about selling securityholders, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Any agents or underwriters will be represented by their own legal counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of The Williams Companies, Inc. appearing in The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Amendment No. 2 on Form 10-K/A to the Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2011 (including schedules appearing therein) filed with the SEC on May 1, 2012, and the effectiveness of The Williams Companies, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, which report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting concludes, among other things, that The Williams Companies, Inc. did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, because of the effects of the material weakness described therein, included in the Form 10-K/A, and incorporated herein by reference which, as to their report on the consolidated financial statements for the years 2011 and 2010, is based in part on the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. Such consolidated financial statements and The Williams Companies, Inc.’s management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, which concludes, among other things, that The Williams Companies, Inc. did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, because of the effects of the material weakness described therein, are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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$3,000,000,000

of Shares of

 

Common Stock

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

June     , 2014

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

Citigroup

Barclays

UBS Investment Bank