Columbia Energy Group is looking for a new executive to head itsColumbia Energy Services after the departure of CES President PaulFeldman. An announcement Friday said Feldman would be leaving topursue other opportunities. “Our CES operation has grownconsiderably over the last two years under Paul’s leadership,” saidColumbia Energy Group Chairman Oliver G. Richard III. “We thank himfor his contributions and wish him well.”

The marketing segment had reported an operating loss of $59million for 1998, versus an operating loss of $13.2 million in1997. Columbia said the 1998 loss stemmed from costs of investmentin infrastructure, a significant investment for customeracquisition and certain trading losses. At the time a spokesmansaid CES experienced an incident where an individual trader”misstated the prices in the forward book.” The trader was firedand “a more aggressive audit program has been [implemented].”

Columbia said the new head of CES also would be responsible forColumbia Electric, Columbia LNG, Columbia Energy Resources andColumbia Propane, which will remain as separate entities.

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