Nipsco Industries Inc. said subsidiary Energy USA Inc. completedits acquisition of TPC Corp., including its 66% interest in MarketHub Partners LP. The deal was finalized April 1 and is valued atabout $150 million.

Houston-based TPC is a major gas marketer, utility gas assetportfolio manager and a leading developer of salt cavern storage.MHP is the largest independent owner and operator of salt caverngas storage in North America with facilities near Houston and inAcadia Parish, LA. The facilities have combined working storage ofmore than 20 Bcf with potential for additional cavern expansion.This year in Tioga County, PA, construction is scheduled to beginon a new 15 Bcf salt cavern facility that will initially provide2.5 Bcf of storage by 2001.

“This acquisition enhances NI’s strategy to link gas storagefacilities to the growing Southwest, Midwest and Northeast naturalgas market centers. Nipsco Industries continues to develop diversenatural gas supply and storage options for the growing gasmarketplace,” said James K. Abcouwer, NI senior vice president andpresident of Energy USA.

NI’s other energy marketing and gas portfolio managementoperations will become part of TPC’s operation.

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