UtiliCorp United energy marketing subsidiary Aquila Energylaunched The Exchange Center, a new business to offer customersaccess to gas storage and transportation without the need fortraditional service contracts. “We are in a unique position tooffer services that provide utilities, end users and marketingcompanies the ability to meet their commercial and operationalobjectives in a more cost-effective, market-responsive manner,”said Robert Poehling, Exchange Center senior vice president.

Current services offered under The Exchange Center umbrella aredeferred deliveries (firm, suspendable, interruptible), exchanges,park and loan, park and draft, and title transfer. The first phaseof The Exchange Center launch will focus on services in Texas. InMarch, Aquila acquired a 27.2 Bcf storage facility in Katy, TX,which interconnects with 12 pipelines. Aquila also is the co-ownerof the Oasis Pipe Line, a 600-mile system that connects the PermianBasin producing area of West Texas to marketing pipelines at theKaty Hub near Houston. Aquila said The Exchange Center is expectedto expand into other regions.

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