Energy East Corp. said it has extended a supply and asset optimization alliance with BP, which will continue supplying gas, market intelligence, financial products and information technology to support Energy East’s four natural gas distribution companies — New York State Electric & Gas, Connecticut Natural Gas, Southern Connecticut Gas and Berkshire Gas.

“Over the years, our companies have done an excellent job managing natural gas acquisition and supply with the goal of providing competitive prices and exceptional reliability,” said Denis Wickham, senior vice president at Energy East. “Continuing the relationship with BP takes our capabilities to a higher level, and benefits our shareholders and customers.”

Orlando Alvarez, vice president of BP Energy’s East Region, called it an “excellent marriage of skills and assets in the strategic Northeast market.” He said it “provides both companies with greater supply flexibility and the opportunity to further optimize Energy East’s assets.”

Energy East’s utilities serve 1.4 million electricity and 600,000 natural gas customers in upstate New York and New England over a 32,000-square-mile service area. The company also is in the process of buying RGS Energy Group, the parent company of Rochester Gas & Electric Corp., which would build its customer base to nearly three million consumers, including 1.8 million electricity customers, almost one million natural gas customers and 200,000 other retail energy customers.

BP produces 4 Bcf/d and sells more than 10 Bcf/d in North America.

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