Having invested more than $650 million in Mexico since 1997, Sempra Energy International is looking to continue developments to keep pace with the 8-10% annual energy growth expected in Baja, Mexico over the next ten years.
1997
Articles from 1997
Cal-ISO, Two Utilities File RTO Plan Under Protest
Capping off a week in which California took center stage, the state-wide independent system operator (Cal-ISO), Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) Friday filed — under protest — their plan to form a single-state regional transmission organization (RTO).
People
Apache Corp. reported that Jon W. Sauer has been promoted to vice president-tax. Sauer joined Apache as manager of tax in August 1992. He was promoted to director in 1997. Prior to joining Apache, he was tax manager at Swift Energy Co.
NRG, Dynegy Gamble On Sierra Pacific Units
In the sixth asset alliance since their 50-50 venture was formed in 1997, NRG Energy Inc. and Dynegy Inc. expanded their generation portfolio in the western United States last week with the purchase of one power plant and buying most of the generating capacity of another plant from Nevada Power Co. for $634 million. Minneapolis-based NRG will be operator and Houston-based Dynegy will serve as power marketer and fuel supplier.
Court Strikes Down Royalty Valuation Provision
A federal district court has struck down a controversial part ofthe Interior Department’s 1997 royalty valuation rule under whichroyalties were calculated on the market price of the gas even if itwas a delivered price downstream from the lease, the IndependentPetroleum Association of America said yesterday.
‘Ex Parte’ Rule Issued; New Collaborative Process Approved
FERC commissioners last week finalized revisions to rules foroff-the-record communications between commissioners and key staffand persons outside the Commission. Chairman James Hoecker said thenew rule (Order No. 607) provides a balance that “will supply theclarity and precision we need. They should facilitate better accessto information while ensuring the integrity of our processes.”
BP Amoco to Cut More Jobs Despite Strong 2Q99
Not even the best financial quarter since the fourth quarter of1997 could prevent BP Amoco from following through with itsjob-cutting plan as the company said it will cut 2,000 morepredominantly US jobs before the year is over. The integratedenergy giant has already slashed 12,500 jobs from the pay roll. Itwould not elaborate on which US jobs would be eliminated.
Plug Power Builds Fuel Cell Factory
Are fuel cells catching on? Plug Power, a pioneer in the fuelcell industry incorporated in 1997 with 25 employees, now has 250.The company broke ground this week for a 50,000 square feetmanufacturing facility that will double its current space.
Producer, Consultant Disagree on Outlook
Producers predicting gloom and doom for gas supply based on 1997reserve replacement estimates are being way too pessimistic,according to Tom Woods, Ziff Energy Group vice president for U.S.gas services. He told attendees at GasMart/Power ’98 Wednesday inNew Orleans the reason gas prices have been so high is that themarket is spooked. “How much of what we are seeing is the substanceof what is occurring and how much of what we are seeing is reallythe form it is taking because of some change maybe in industrybooking practices? I would suggest to you that industry bookingpractices are beginning to resemble a more traditional inventoryapproach to life rather than the very long-term reserve toproduction ratios that we traditionally used to have in terms ofrecovery…”
Columbia Choice Saves PA Customers $1.8 M
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania’s supplier-choice program savedparticipating customers in Washington and Allegheny counties about$1.8 million during the 1997-98 winter heating season, the companysaid. Paula Frauen, manager of energy services, said the 37,000residential and small commercial customers enrolled in the programeach saved about $9 a month, 8.6% less than what they would havepaid had they bought gas from Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania.