Denver-based MarkWest Hydrocarbon Inc. announced preliminary results for three new gas wells in which it holds interests. In eastern Michigan, the Sims 2-7 well was successfully recompleted, testing at 4.4 MMcf/d of sour gas and 400 bbl/d of condensate and natural gas liquids. The well is the second to be connected to the Au Gres gas plant, modified by MarkWest and its partners in 2000. The well is scheduled to be on production by mid-July. In western Michigan, MarkWest and its partners have made two gas discoveries. The previously drilled Victory 32, in which MarkWest owns 8.5%, successfully tested before being shut in for pipeline connection. The reef play is only a few miles from the company’s sour gas pipeline. The third well, the Victory 21, in which MarkWest holds a 14.6% interest, found a reef and is shut in awaiting equipment to complete and test the well.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) filed testimony with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) in response to the IURC’s investigation into the company’s current base electric rates. “We believe the IURC investigation is unnecessary and we intend to aggressively defend our current base electric rates,” said Jeffrey Yundt, group president for energy distribution at NIPSCO. Yundt noted that the company’s base electric rates have not changed since 1987. “During this period, NIPSCO has controlled and absorbed costs to avoid an increase for our customers.” The NIPSCO executive said that the company believes the best outcome for all parties could come through a negotiated settlement. “However, NIPSCO’s evidence will show that its electric rates should be increased by approximately 24% to reflect a fair return on the fair value of the company’s electric generation and delivery systems.”

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