2005

Comments are being sought on an energy industry petition that calls on FERC to initiate a rulemaking to make a series of permanent regulatory and policy changes aimed at spurring the construction of interstate natural gas pipeline expansions, new storage capacity and takeaway facilities related to liquefied natural gas (LNG) import projects. The agency’s action is procedurally somewhat unusual, given that FERC is seeking comments ahead of its decision on whether to conduct the requested rulemaking proceeding.

Trading at the Opal Hub in western Wyoming was brought to a screeching halt during the week after Williams Field Services data systems were shut down due to a flood at Williams’ Tulsa headquarters building. Williams said Friday that essential commercial operations continue despite the flooding and power outages earlier in the week.

FERC on Thursday denied the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) plea for a 30-day extension of the deadline to file supplemental comments on the joint federal-Port of Long Beach draft environmental impact report (EIR) addressing the concerns associated with a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to be sited in Long Beach harbor.

Comments are being sought on an energy industry petition that calls on FERC to initiate a rulemaking to make a series of permanent regulatory and policy changes aimed at spurring the construction of interstate natural gas pipeline expansions, new storage capacity and takeaway facilities related to liquefied natural gas (LNG) import projects. The agency’s action is procedurally somewhat unusual, given that FERC is seeking comments ahead of its decision on whether to conduct the requested rulemaking proceeding

With freezes expected to penetrate much of the South Wednesday night and not lightening up much Thursday, there was plenty of cold weather to go around in sending cash prices skyrocketing Wednesday. Triple-digit gains were recorded across the board, and several points soared by $3 or more. The impact on NGI’s Daily Cash Market price chart was significant, with $9 and $10 readings replacing the $7 and $8 marks that dominated trading Tuesday.

EnCana Marketing USA has signed a binding agreement for 500 MMcf/d of natural gas capacity on the proposed 2 Bcf/d Rockies Express Pipeline with project partners Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP (KMP) and Sempra Pipelines & Storage. In addition, KMP and Sempra entered into a purchase and sale agreement with EnCana Corp. for its KMP-operated subsidiary, Entrega Gas Pipeline Inc. Financial details of the transactions were not disclosed.

A little colder weather had a significant impact on gas prices Wednesday as some points in the Northeast and Gulf Coast jumped more than $1. Midcontinent and Midwest markets were up 20-50 cents, and the West also posted gains between a few cents and about 35 cents depending on the location.

The Senate last Thursday voted to open up the coastal plain of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil and natural gas leasing as part of its $35 billion budget reconciliation package, with the measure surviving several challenges by Democrats. ANWR also advanced in the House last week, but its fate may be iffy as the budget package reaches the floor.

El Paso Corp. said Friday it has signed a letter of intent to lease 750,000 Dth/d of capacity on the Enogex pipeline system in Oklahoma for its proposed Continental Connector project, which would extend from Wyoming to Mississippi. El Paso said the lease could cut a year off construction time for Continental Connector.