WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. 10-K

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Disclosure Controls and Procedures Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - 15(e) of the Exchange Act) (Disclosure Controls) or our internal control over financial reporting (Internal Controls) will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. We monitor our Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls and make modifications as necessary; our intent in this regard is that the Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls will be modified as systems change and conditions warrant. Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our Disclosure Controls was performed as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these Disclosure Controls are effective at a reasonable assurance level. As disclosed in Note 3 – Acquisitions and Divestitures, we acquired MountainWest on February 14, 2023, and its total revenues constituted approximately 2 percent of total revenues as shown on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. MountainWest’s total assets constituted approximately 3 percent of total assets as shown on our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023. We also acquired Cureton on November 30, 2023, and its total revenues constituted approximately zero percent of total revenues as shown on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. Cureton’s total assets constituted approximately 1 percent of total assets as shown on our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023. We excluded MountainWest and Cureton’s disclosure controls and procedures that are subsumed by its internal control over financial reporting from the scope of management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. This exclusion is in accordance with the guidance issued by the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that an assessment of recent business combinations may be omitted from management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting for one year following the acquisition. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Other than as set forth above, there have been no changes during the fourth quarter of 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(f) and 15d - 15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our internal control over financial 146 reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of our management and board of directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2023, based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessment, which excluded MountainWest and Cureton’s internal control over financial reporting as previously discussed, we concluded that, at December 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting was effective. Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our internal control over financial reporting, as stated in their report which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 147 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of The Williams Companies, Inc. Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting We have audited The Williams Companies, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, The Williams Companies, Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the COSO criteria. As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of MountainWest Pipelines Holding Company or Cureton Front Range, LLC, which are included in the 2023 consolidated financial statements of the Company and constituted three and one percent of total assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2023. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of MountainWest Pipelines Holding Company or Cureton Front Range, LLC. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15(a) and our report dated February 21, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. Basis for Opinion The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 148 Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Tulsa, Oklahoma February 21, 2024 149 Item 9B. Other Information During the three months ended December 31, 2023, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K. Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections Not applicable. PART III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance The information regarding our directors and nominees for director required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K will be presented under the heading “Corporate Governance and Board Matters” in our definitive proxy statement prepared for the solicitation of proxies in connection with our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 30, 2024, which shall be filed no later than March 21, 2024 (Proxy Statement), which information is incorporated by reference herein. Information regarding our executive officers required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K is presented at the end of Part I herein and captioned “Information About Our Executive Officers,” as permitted by General Instruction G(3) and the Instruction to Item 401 of Regulation S-K. Information required by paragraphs (c)(3), (d)(4) and (d)(5) of Item 407 of Regulation S-K will be included under the heading “Questions and Answers About the Annual Meeting and Voting” and “Corporate Governance and Board Matters” in our Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated by reference herein. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the charters for each of our board committees, and our Code of Business Conduct applicable to all employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer, or persons performing similar functions, are available on our Internet website at www.williams.com. We will provide, free of charge, a copy of our Code of Business Conduct or any of our other corporate documents listed above upon written request to our Corporate Secretary at Williams, One Williams Center, Suite 4700, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers, in each case, of the Code of Business Conduct on behalf of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and persons performing similar functions on the corporate governance section of our Internet website at www.williams.com , promptly following the date of any such amendment or waiver. Item 11. Executive Compensation The information required by Item 402 and paragraphs (e)(4) and (e)(5) of Item 407 of Regulation S-K regarding executive compensation will be presented under the headings “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation Tables and Other Information,” “Director Compensation,” “Compensation and Management Development Committee Report on Executive Compensation,” and “Compensation and Management Development Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in our Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated by reference herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the information provided under the heading “Compensation and Management Development Committee Report on Executive Compensation” in our Proxy Statement is furnished and shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, is not subject to the liabilities of that section and is not deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters The information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K and the security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management required by 150 Item 403 of Regulation S-K will be presented under the headings “Equity Compensation Stock Plans” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in our Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated by reference herein. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence The information regarding certain relationships and related transactions required by Item 404 and Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K will be presented under the heading “Corporate Governance and Board Matters” in our Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated by reference herein. Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services The information regarding our principal accounting fees and services required by Item 9(e) of Schedule 14A will be presented under the heading “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” in our Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated by reference herein. 151 PART IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules (a) 1 and 2. Page Covered by report of independent auditors (PCAOB ID: 42 ): Consolidated statement of income for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023 79 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023 80 Consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023 and 2022 81 Consolidated statement of changes in equity for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023 82 Consolidated statement of cash flows for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023 83 Notes to consolidated financial statements 84 Schedule for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023: II — Valuation and qualifying accounts 145 All other schedules have been omitted since the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the financial statements and notes thereto. (a) 3 and (b). The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this annual report. INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit No. Description 3.1 — Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, (filed on May 26, 2010, as Exhibit 3.(i)1 to The Williams Companies Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 3.2 — Certificate of Designations of Series B Preferred Stock of the Williams Companies, Inc. (filed on July17, 2018, as Exhibit 3.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc. current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and Incorporated herein by reference). 3.3 — Certificate of Amendment dated August 10, 2018 (filed on August 10, 2018, as Exhibit 3.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 3.4 — By-laws of The Williams Companies, Inc., as last amended effective October 25, 2022 (filed on October 31, 2022, as Exhibit 3.4 to The Williams Companies Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10 - Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.1 — Senior Indenture, dated February 25, 1997, between MAPCO Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (formerly The First National Bank of Chicago), as Trustee (filed on February 25, 1997, as Exhibit 4.5.1 to MAPCO Inc.’s Amendment No. l to registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-20837) and incorporated herein by reference). 152 Exhibit No. Description 4.2 — Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated March 5, 1997, between MAPCO Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (formerly The First National Bank of Chicago), as Trustee (filed on March 4, 1998, as Exhibit 4(p) to MAPCO Inc.’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 (File No. 001-05254) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.3 — Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated March 31, 1998, among MAPCO Inc., Williams Holdings of Delaware, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (formerly The First National Bank of Chicago), as Trustee (filed on March 30, 1999, as Exhibit 4(J) to Williams Holdings of Delaware, Inc.’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 000-20555) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.4 — Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 31, 1999, among Williams Holdings of Delaware, Inc., The Williams Companies, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (formerly The First National Bank of Chicago), as Trustee (filed on March 28, 2000, as Exhibit 4(q) to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.5 — Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 1, 2010, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (filed on February 2, 2010, as Exhibit 4.3 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.6 — Fifth Supplemental Indenture between The Williams Companies, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of January 17, 2001 (filed on March 12, 2001, as Exhibit 4(k) to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.7 — Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated March 19, 2002, between The Williams Companies, Inc. as Issuer and Bank One Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee (filed on May 9, 2002, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.8 — Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 1, 2010, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (filed on February 2, 2010, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.9 — Indenture, dated December 18, 2012, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as trustee (filed on December 20, 2012, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.10 — Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 24, 2014, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on June 24, 2014, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.11 — Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2020, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on May 14, 2020, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.12 — Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 2, 2021, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on March 2, 2021, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 153 Exhibit No. Description 4.13 — Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 8, 2021, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on October 8, 2021, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference) . 4.14 — Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 8, 2022, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on August 8, 2022, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.15 — S ev enth Supplemental Inden ture, dated as of March 2, 2023, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N . A . , as trustee (filed on Marc h 2, 2023, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc. ’ s current report on Form 8 -K ( File No. 001 - 04174 ) and incorporated herein by refe rence ) . 4.16 — Ei ghth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 10 , 2023, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on August 10 , 2023, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001- 0 4174 ) and incorporated herein by reference ) . 4.17 — Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 5, 2024, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on January 5, 2024, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174 ) and incorporated herein by reference ) . 4.18 — Indenture, dated as of February 9, 2010, between Williams Partners L.P. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (filed on February 10, 2010, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.19 — First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 2, 2015, between Williams Partners L.P. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (filed on February 3, 2015, as Exhibit 4.5 to Williams Partners L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.20 — Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 10, 2018, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (filed on August 10, 2018, as Exhibit 4.2 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.21 — Indenture, dated as of November 9, 2010, between Williams Partners L.P. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on November 12, 2010, as Exhibit 4.1 to Williams Partners L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32599) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.22 — Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 4, 2014, between Williams Partners L.P. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on March 4, 2014, as Exhibit 4.1 to Williams Partners L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32599) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.23 — Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 27, 2014, between Williams Partners L.P. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on June 27, 2014, as Exhibit 4.1 to Williams Partners L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32599) and incorporated herein by reference). 154 Exhibit No. Description 4.24 — Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 2, 2015, between Williams Partners L.P. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (filed on February 3, 2015, as Exhibit 4.4 to Williams Partners L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.25 — Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 3, 2015, between Williams Partners L.P. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on March 3, 2015, as Exhibit 4.1 to Williams Partners L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.26 — Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 5, 2017, between Williams Partners L.P. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on June 5, 2017, as Exhibit 4.1 to Williams Partners L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.27 — Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 5, 2018, between Williams Partners L.P. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on March 5, 2018, as Exhibit 4.1 to Williams Partners L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-34831) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.28 — Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 10, 2018, between The Williams Companies Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (filed on August 10, 2018, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.29 — Senior Indenture, dated as of November 30, 1995, between Northwest Pipeline Corporation and Chemical Bank, Trustee (filed September 14, 1995, as Exhibit 4.1 to Northwest Pipeline’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 033-62639) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.30 — Indenture, dated as of April 3, 2017, between Northwest Pipeline LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on April 3, 2017, as Exhibit 4.1 to Northwest Pipeline’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-07414) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.31 — Senior Indenture, dated as of July 15, 1996, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee (filed on April 2, 1996, as Exhibit 4.1 to Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-02155) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.32 — Indenture, dated as of August 12, 2011, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on August 12, 2011, as Exhibit 4.1 to Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.33 — Indenture, dated as of July 13, 2012, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on July 16, 2012 as Exhibit 4.1 to Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-07584) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.34 — Indenture, dated as of January 22, 2016, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on January 22, 2016, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.35 — Indenture, dated as of March 15, 2018, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on March 15, 2018, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 155 Exhibit No. Description 4.36 — Indenture, dated as of May 8, 2020, between Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (filed on May 8, 2020, as Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 4.37 — I ndenture, dated August 17, 1998, between Questar Pipeline Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as successor trustee (filed on August 17, 1998, as Exhib it 4.01 to the Questar Pipeline Company Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-61621) and incorporated herein by reference. 4.38 — O fficer ’ s Certificate (including the form of Questar Pipeline Company ’ s 4.875% Senior Notes due 2041) (filed on December 6, 2011, as Exhib it 4.1 to the Questar Pipeline Company current report on Form 8-K ( File No. 001-14147) and incorporated herein by reference) . 4.39* — Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline Note Purchase Agreement 4.40 — Description of Securities . 10.1*§ — The Williams Companies Amended and Restated Retirement Restoration Plan amended effective as of January 1, 20 24 . 10.2§ — Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement (filed on September 24, 2008, as Exhibit 10.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.3§ — Form of 2013 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement among Williams and certain employees and officers (filed on February 27, 2013, as Exhibit 10.6 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.4§ — Form of 2013 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among Williams and certain nonmanagement directors (filed on February 26, 2014, as Exhibit 10.11 to The Williams Companies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.5§ — Form of 2014 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement among Williams and certain employees and officers (filed on February 26, 2014, as Exhibit 10.8 to The Williams Companies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.6§ — Form of 2014 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among Williams and certain nonmanagement directors (filed on February 25, 2015, as Exhibit 10.12 to The Williams Companies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.7§ — Form of 2015 Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among Williams and certain employees and officers (filed on February 25, 2015, as Exhibit 10.16 to The Williams Companies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.8§ — Form of 2015 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement among Williams and certain employees and officers (filed on February 25, 2015, as Exhibit 10.17 to The Williams Companies, Inc. annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.9§ — Form of 2016 Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among Williams and certain non-management directors (filed on February 22, 2017, as Exhibit 10.21 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.10§ — Form of 2016 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement among Williams and certain employees and officers (filed on February 22, 2017, as Exhibit 10.22 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 156 Exhibit No. Description 10.11§ — Form of 2017 Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among Williams and certain non-management directors (filed on February 22, 2017, as Exhibit 10.24 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.12§ — Form of 2017 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement among Williams and certain employees and officers (filed on February 22, 2017, as Exhibit 10.25 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.13 — Form of 2018 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement among Williams and certain employees and officers (filed on May 3, 2018, as Exhibit 10.5 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.14§ — Form of 2018 Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among Williams and certain non-management directors (filed on August 2, 2018, as Exhibit 10.2 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.15§ — Form of Amended 2019 Executive Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on November 1, 2021, as Exhibit 10.4 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.16§ — Form of 2019 Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among Williams and certain non-management directors (filed on May 2, 2019, as Exhibit 10.4 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.17§ — Form of 2020 Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on May 4, 2020, as Exhibit 10.2 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.18§ — Form of Amended 2020 Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on November 1, 2021, as Exhibit 10.6 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.19§ — Form of 2020 Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on May 4, 2020, as Exhibit 10.3 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.20§ — Form of Amended 2020 Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on November 1, 2021, as Exhibit 10.5 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.21§ — Form of 2020 Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain non-management directors (filed on May 4, 2020, as Exhibit 10.4 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.22§ — Form of Amended 2021 Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on November 1, 2021, as Exhibit 10.7 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 157 Exhibit No. Description 10.23§ — Form of 2021 Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on May 3, 2021, as Exhibit 10.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.24§ — Form of Amended 2021 Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on November 1, 2021, as Exhibit 10.8 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.25§ — Form of 2021 Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on February 24, 2021, as Exhibit 10.28 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.26§ — Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on February 28, 2022, as Exhibit 10.31 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Form 10-K (File No.001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.27§ — Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain non-management directors (filed on February 24, 2021, as Exhibit 10.29 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.28§ — Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on February 28, 2022, as Exhibit 10.33 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Form 10-K (File No.001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference. 10.29§ — F orm of Two-Year Ratable Restricted Stock Unit Agreement amo ng The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on May 3, 2023, as Exhibit 10.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc. ’ s Form 10- Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference. 10.30§ — Form of Three -Year Ratable Restricted Stock Unit Agreement among The Williams Companies, Inc. and certain employees and officers (filed on May 3, 2023, as Exhibit 10. 2 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Form 10- Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference. 10.31§ — Change in Control and Restrictive Covenant Agreement between certain executive officers (Tier One Executives) and The Williams Companies, Inc. (filed on February 24, 2020, as Exhibit 10.29 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.32§ — Change in Control and Restrictive Covenant Agreement between certain executive officers (Tier Two Executives) and The Williams Companies, Inc. (filed on February 24, 2020, as Exhibit 10.30 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference) . 10.33§ — The Williams Companies, Inc. Executive Severance Pay Plan, as amended and restated, effective August 1, 2022 (filed October 31, 2022, as Exhibit 10.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.34§ — The Williams Companies, Inc. 2007 Incentive Plan as amended and restated effective October 26, 2021 (filed on November 1, 2021, as Exhibit 10.9 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 10.35 — Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 8, 2021, between The Williams Companies, Inc., Northwest Pipeline LLC, and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC, as borrowers, the lenders named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (filed on October 8, 2021, as Exhibit 10.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 158 Exhibit No. Description 10.36 — Form of Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement, dated as of August 10, 2018, between The Williams Companies, Inc., as Issuer, and the Dealer party thereto (filed on August 10, 2018, as Exhibit 10.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) and incorporated herein by reference). 21* — Subsidiaries of the registrant. 23.1* — Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Ernst & Young LLP. 31.1* — Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-l4(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Item 601(b)(3l) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 31.2* — Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and l5d-l4(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32** — Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 97.1* — The Williams Companies, Inc. Financial Statement Compensation Recoupment Policy . 101.INS* — XBRL Instance Document. The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document. 101.SCH* — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema. 101.CAL* — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase. 101.DEF* — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase. 101.LAB* — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase. 101.PRE* — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase. 104* — Cover Page Interactive Data File. The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document (contained in Exhibit 101). ______________ * Filed herewith ** Furnished herewith § Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement 159 Item 16. Form 10-K Summary Not applicable. 160 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. T HE W ILLIAMS C OMPANIES , I NC . (Registrant) By: /s/ MARY A. HAUSMAN Mary A. Hausman Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller Date: February 21, 2024 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date /s/ ALAN S. ARMSTRONG President, Chief Executive Officer and Director February 21, 2024 Alan S. Armstrong (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ JOHN D. PORTER Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer February 21, 2024 John D. Porter (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ MARY A. HAUSMAN Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller February 21, 2024 Mary A. Hausman (Principal Accounting Officer) /s/ STEPHEN W. BERGSTROM Chairman of the Board February 21, 2024 Stephen W. Bergstrom /s/ MICHAEL A. CREEL Director February 21, 2024 Michael A. Creel /s/ STACEY H. DORÉ Director February 21, 2024 Stacey H. Doré /s/ CARRI A. LOCKHART Director February 21, 2024 Carri A. Lockhart /s/ RICHARD E. MUNCRIEF Director February 21, 2024 Richard E. Muncrief /s/ PETER A. RAGAUSS Director February 21, 2024 Peter A. Ragauss /s/ ROSE M. ROBESON Director February 21, 2024 Rose M. Robeson /s/ SCOTT D. SHEFFIELD Director February 21, 2024 Scott D. Sheffield 161 Signature Title Date /s/ MURRAY D. SMITH Director February 21, 2024 Murray D. Smith /s/ WILLIAM H. SPENCE Director February 21, 2024 William H. Spence /s/ JESSE J. TYSON Director February 21, 2024 Jesse J. Tyson 162