UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Date of report)
May 25, 2017
(Date of earliest event reported)
May 24, 2017

ONEOK, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Oklahoma
 
001-13643
 
73-1520922
(State or other jurisdiction
 
(Commission
 
(IRS Employer
of incorporation)
 
File Number)
 
Identification No.)

100 West Fifth Street; Tulsa, OK
(Address of principal executive offices)

74103
(Zip code)

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

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[] Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

In dicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company __

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.__




Item 5.07
 
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
 
 
 
 
 
We held our 2017 annual meeting of shareholders on May 24, 2017. The matters voted upon at the meeting and the results of such voting are set forth below.
 
 
 
 
 
1. The individuals set forth below were elected to the Board of Directors of the Company by a majority of the votes cast to serve one-year terms expiring at the later of our annual meeting of shareholders in 2018 or upon a successor being elected and qualified, as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Director
Votes For
Votes Against
Abstain
Broker Non-Votes
 
 
 
 
 
Brian L. Derksen
154,109,875
1,073,295
717,935
31,932,277
Julie H. Edwards
154,499,221
899,323
502,562
31,932,277
John W. Gibson
149,337,350
5,693,080
870,676
31,932,277
Randall J. Larson
154,181,304
1,097,384
622,418
31,932,277
Steven J. Malcolm
153,520,770
1,699,163
681,173
31,932,277
Jim W. Mogg
153,460,894
1,633,497
806,715
31,932,277
Pattye L. Moore
152,449,373
2,782,834
668,898
31,932,277
Gary D. Parker
151,785,660
3,460,758
654,688
31,932,277
Eduardo A. Rodriguez
152,153,774
3,063,052
684,279
31,932,277
Terry K. Spencer
153,522,193
1,821,724
557,188
31,932,277
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. The appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent auditor for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017, was ratified by a majority of the votes cast as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Votes For
184,995,908
Votes Against  
2,223,657
Abstain
613,817
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. The advisory vote on compensation paid to our named executive officers as disclosed in our Proxy Statement for the 2017 annual meeting, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, was approved by a majority of the votes cast as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Votes For
148,834,618
Votes Against
5,464,497
Abstain
1,601,713
Broker Non-Votes
31,932,555
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4. The advisory votes on the frequency of the advisory shareholder vote on executive compensation were cast as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Year
136,100,589
2 Years
1,791,476
3 Years
16,689,748
Abstain
1,319,014
Broker Non-Votes
31,932,555
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Based on these results, we intend to provide shareholders with an annual, non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation until the next required non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation as required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2



Item 7.01
 
Regulation FD Disclosure
 
 
 
 
 
On May 24, 2017, we issued a news release relating to the remarks made by Terry K. Spencer, President and Chief Executive Officer, at our annual meeting of shareholders on May 24, 2017. A copy of the news release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information disclosed in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1 hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
 
 
 
Item 9.01
 
Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
 
 
 
(d)
Exhibits
 
 
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
 
99.1
 
News release issued by ONEOK, Inc. dated May 24, 2017 - President and CEO Remarks at Annual Meeting.

3



SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 
 
 
ONEOK, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 25, 2016
By:
/s/ Walter S. Hulse III
 
 
 
Walter S. Hulse III
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Strategic Planning and Corporate Affairs


4



EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
 
99.1
 
News release issued by ONEOK, Inc. dated May 24, 2017 - President and CEO Remarks at Annual Meeting.



5
Exhibit 99.1 News ONEOK President and Chief Executive Officer Provides Update at Annual Meeting of Shareholders TULSA, Okla. – May 24, 2017 – ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) President and Chief Executive Officer Terry K. Spencer today provided an update on the company’s business operations at the company’s annual meeting of shareholders. Spencer discussed the previously announced ONEOK and ONEOK Partners (NYSE: OKS) merger transaction and the long-term value it will create for shareholders. “This acquisition of the balance of ONEOK Partners underscores the strategic value we place on the business we have successfully built since we ventured into the midstream space nearly 20 years ago," said Spencer. "A broad asset footprint, stable cash flows and attractive growth prospects remain core to our long-term growth strategy. Through the acquisition of the 60 percent of the limited partner interests in ONEOK Partners that ONEOK does not already own, ONEOK becomes a standalone operating company with a lower cost of funding and stronger cash flow generation.” Spencer touted the company’s earnings growth during 2016 with net income attributable to ONEOK and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (adjusted EBITDA) increasing 44 and 17 percent, respectively, compared with 2015. “Increased fee-based earnings drove double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth in all three of our business segments,” he said. “Multi-service capability in growing basins was a key driver of this growth. We have significantly increased our fee-based earnings since 2015 as a result of our contract restructuring efforts in the natural gas gathering and processing segment; increased fee- based natural gas liquids gathered and fractionated volumes in the natural gas liquids segment; and completed fee-based projects in the natural gas pipelines segment. “With this line of sight into growth opportunities and improving market fundamentals, we have many future potential growth projects in the development phase,” he continued. May 24, 2017 Analyst Contact: Megan Patterson 918-561-5325 Media Contact: Stephanie Higgins 918-591-5026


 
ONEOK President and Chief Executive Officer Provides Update at Annual Meeting of Shareholders Page 2 Spencer also discussed continued growth opportunities for the remainder of 2017 and beyond. “Our 2017 financial guidance reflects continued growth across our asset footprint as market fundamentals continue to improve and producer customers are increasing their activity in the NGL-rich shale plays where ONEOK is well-positioned,” he said. Spencer also noted that ONEOK’s natural gas liquids segment is positioned to benefit from the growing petrochemical demand for ethane over the next two to three years as additional ethane cracking facilities are completed, without significant capital costs to the partnership. Spencer thanked and recognized the company’s employees for the company’s continued success. “The safe, reliable and environmentally responsible operation of our assets is dependent upon our workforce, which is our greatest resource,” he said. “Their hard work and commitment delivered solid results for the company, our customers and our investors.” Shareholders approved the following proposals at today’s annual meeting:  The election of 10 director nominees to the ONEOK board of directors;  The ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of ONEOK for the year ending Dec. 31, 2017;  The company’s compensation of its named executive officers on a nonbinding, advisory basis; and  An annual frequency of the shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation on a nonbinding, advisory basis. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ONEOK, Inc. (pronounced ONE-OAK) (NYSE: OKE) is the general partner and as of March 31, 2017, owns 41.2 percent of ONEOK Partners, L.P. (NYSE: OKS), one of the largest publicly traded master limited partnerships, which owns one of the nation's premier natural gas liquids (NGL) systems, connecting NGL supply in the Mid-Continent, Permian and Rocky Mountain regions with key market centers and is a leader in the gathering, processing, storage and transportation of natural gas in the U.S. ONEOK is a FORTUNE 500 company and is included in Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 index. For information about ONEOK, Inc., visit the website: www.oneok.com. For the latest news about ONEOK, follow us on Twitter @ONEOKNews. This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. Words such as "anticipates", "believes," "expects", "intends", "plans", "projects", "will", "would", "should", "may", and similar expressions may be used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and reflect ONEOK's and ONEOK Partners’ current views about future events. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed transaction involving ONEOK and ONEOK Partners, including future financial and operating results, ONEOK's and ONEOK Partners’ plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, the expected timing of completion of the transaction, and other statements that are not historical facts, including future results of operations, projected cash flow and liquidity,


 
ONEOK President and Chief Executive Officer Provides Update at Annual Meeting of Shareholders Page 3 business strategy, expected synergies or cost savings, and other plans and objectives for future operations. No assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements contained in this news release will occur as projected and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and are not guarantees of future results. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements and, therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such statements and caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following:  the ability to obtain the requisite ONEOK stockholder and ONEOK Partners unitholder approvals relating to the proposed transaction;  the risk that ONEOK or ONEOK Partners may be unable to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals required for the proposed transaction, if any, or required governmental and regulatory approvals, if any, may delay the proposed transaction or result in the imposition of conditions that could cause the parties to abandon the proposed transaction;  the risk that a condition to closing of the proposed transaction may not be satisfied;  the timing to consummate the proposed transaction;  the risk that cost savings, tax benefits and any other synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected;  disruption from the transaction may make it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers;  the possible diversion of management time on merger-related issues;  the impact and outcome of pending and future litigation, including litigation, if any, relating to the proposed transaction;  the effects of weather and other natural phenomena, including climate change, on OKE’s and/or OKS’ operations, demand for OKE’s and/or OKS’ services and energy prices;  competition from other United States and foreign energy suppliers and transporters, as well as alternative forms of energy, including, but not limited to, solar power, wind power, geothermal energy and biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel;  the capital intensive nature of our businesses;  the profitability of assets or businesses acquired or constructed by us;  our ability to make cost-saving changes in operations;  risks of marketing, trading and hedging activities, including the risks of changes in energy prices or the financial condition of our counterparties;  the uncertainty of estimates, including accruals and costs of environmental remediation;  the timing and extent of changes in energy commodity prices;  the effects of changes in governmental policies and regulatory actions, including changes with respect to income and other taxes, pipeline safety, environmental compliance, climate change initiatives and authorized rates of recovery of natural gas and natural gas transportation costs;  the impact on drilling and production by factors beyond our control, including the demand for natural gas and crude oil; producers' desire and ability to obtain necessary permits; reserve performance; and capacity constraints on the pipelines that transport crude oil, natural gas and NGLs from producing areas and our facilities;  difficulties or delays experienced by trucks, railroads or pipelines in delivering products to or from our terminals or pipelines;  changes in demand for the use of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil because of market conditions caused by concerns about climate change;  conflicts of interest between OKE, OKS, ONEOK Partners GP, and related parties of OKE, OKS, and ONEOK Partners GP;  the impact of unforeseen changes in interest rates, debt and equity markets, inflation rates, economic recession and other external factors over which OKE and OKS have no control, including the effect on pension and postretirement expense and funding resulting from changes in equity and bond market returns;  our indebtedness could make us vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions, limit our ability to borrow additional funds and/or place us at competitive disadvantages compared with our competitors that have less debt, or have other adverse consequences;  actions by rating agencies concerning the credit ratings of ONEOK and ONEOK Partners;


 
ONEOK President and Chief Executive Officer Provides Update at Annual Meeting of Shareholders Page 4  the results of administrative proceedings and litigation, regulatory actions, rule changes and receipt of expected clearances involving any local, state or federal regulatory body, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the National Transportation Safety Board, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC);  our ability to access capital at competitive rates or on terms acceptable to us;  risks associated with adequate supply to our gathering, processing, fractionation and pipeline facilities, including production declines that outpace new drilling or extended periods of ethane rejection;  the risk that material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting could emerge or that minor problems could become significant;  the impact and outcome of pending and future litigation;  the ability to market pipeline capacity on favorable terms, including the effects of:  future demand for and prices of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil;  competitive conditions in the overall energy market;  availability of supplies of Canadian and United States natural gas and crude oil; and  availability of additional storage capacity;  performance of contractual obligations by our customers, service providers, contractors and shippers;  the timely receipt of approval by applicable governmental entities for construction and operation of our pipeline and other projects and required regulatory clearances;  our ability to acquire all necessary permits, consents or other approvals in a timely manner, to promptly obtain all necessary materials and supplies required for construction, and to construct gathering, processing, storage, fractionation and transportation facilities without labor or contractor problems;  the mechanical integrity of facilities operated;  demand for our services in the proximity of our facilities;  our ability to control operating costs;  acts of nature, sabotage, terrorism or other similar acts that cause damage to our facilities or our suppliers' or shippers' facilities;  economic climate and growth in the geographic areas in which we do business;  the risk of a prolonged slowdown in growth or decline in the United States or international economies, including liquidity risks in United States or foreign credit markets;  the impact of recently issued and future accounting updates and other changes in accounting policies;  the possibility of future terrorist attacks or the possibility or occurrence of an outbreak of, or changes in, hostilities or changes in the political conditions in the Middle East and elsewhere;  the risk of increased costs for insurance premiums, security or other items as a consequence of terrorist attacks;  risks associated with pending or possible acquisitions and dispositions, including our ability to finance or integrate any such acquisitions and any regulatory delay or conditions imposed by regulatory bodies in connection with any such acquisitions and dispositions;  the impact of uncontracted capacity in our assets being greater or less than expected;  the ability to recover operating costs and amounts equivalent to income taxes, costs of property, plant and equipment and regulatory assets in our state and FERC-regulated rates;  the composition and quality of the natural gas and NGLs supplied to OKS’s gathering system, processed in OKS’s plants and transported on OKS’s pipelines;  the efficiency of our plants in processing natural gas and extracting and fractionating NGLs;  the impact of potential impairment charges;  the risk inherent in the use of information systems in our respective businesses, implementation of new software and hardware, and the impact on the timeliness of information for financial reporting;  our ability to control construction costs and completion schedules of our pipelines and other projects; and  the risk factors listed in the reports OKE and OKS have filed and may file with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference. These reports are also available from the sources described below. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. Neither ONEOK nor ONEOK Partners undertakes any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the Risk Factors included in


 
ONEOK President and Chief Executive Officer Provides Update at Annual Meeting of Shareholders Page 5 the most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and other documents of ONEOK and ONEOK Partners on file with the SEC. ONEOK's and ONEOK Partners’ SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Additional Information And Where To Find It This communication is not a solicitation of any vote, approval, or proxy from any ONEOK stockholder or ONEOK Partners unitholder. In connection with the proposed transaction, ONEOK filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a registration statement on Form S-4, as amended (the "Form S-4") which includes a prospectus of ONEOK and a joint proxy statement of ONEOK and ONEOK Partners. The Form S-4 was declared effective by the SEC on May 11, 2017, and the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus was filed with the SEC by both ONEOK and ONEOK Partners on May 19, 2017. Each of ONEOK and ONEOK Partners may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus was mailed to ONEOK stockholders and ONEOK Partners unitholders on or about May 25, 2017. This document is not a substitute for any prospectus, proxy statement or any other document which ONEOK or ONEOK Partners may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. ONEOK and ONEOK Partners urge investors and their respective stockholders and unitholders to read the Form S-4 and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, including the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus that is part of the Form S-4, because they contain important information. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding this transaction (when they become available), free of charge, at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, from ONEOK's website (www.oneok.com) under the tab "Investors" and then under the heading "SEC Filings." You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, from ONEOK Partners’ website (www.oneokpartners.com) under the tab "Investors" and then under the heading "SEC Filings." ###