Across

Richmond, VA-based Dominion Energy stretched across the Continent to complete its purchase of gas producer Remington Energy Ltd., of Calgary, AB in a deal valued at nearly US$300 million that will give Dominion a stake in Alliance Pipeline. Still to be completed is its $6.3 billion agreement to buy Consolidated Natural Gas (CNG), which was originally announced in February, just days before the Remington buyout was revealed (See NGI March 1, 1999).

The cash market shrugged off Tuesday’s modest weakening toresume an upward climb Wednesday. Yesterday’s gains weren’t aslarge as those on Monday (mostly 5-10 cents compared with 10-20cents, respectively). Also unlike Monday’s trading, there was nogeographical divergence with Western increases being significantlyless than the East’s; the Wednesday upticks were mixed relativelyequally in both areas.

Despite a disappointing storage report and continuedabove-normal temperatures across the country, natural gas futuresbubbled higher yesterday as technical traders found good value inprices near the bottom end of the recent trading range. And byadvancing 6.2 cents to settle at $1.837, the March contract notonly washed clean Wednesday’s declines but also positioned itselfback in the middle of the $1.725-925 trading range. Estimatedvolume was a somewhat lackluster 61,716 contracts.

Despite much-above- normal temperatures across much of the U.S.,natural gas squeezed out small gains at the New York MercantileExchange yesterday in a mostly dull trading session. Throughoutmost of the day the March contract looked as if it would closeunchanged, but a late rally put a positive spin on the day’sevents, nudging the prompt month 2 cents higher to finish at$1.838. Estimated volume, registering a measly 37,697 contracts,confirmed the sluggish nature of the market.

Cash prices across the board Friday displayed softness for thesecond day in a row, reflecting a moderating weather forecast forthe weekend and further into this week. Despite a small late bounceback in some markets, prices in most areas finished the dayaveraging 1 to 10 cents less than Thursday’s levels.

As most players expected for Thursday’s cash market, gas pricestumbled across the board amid moderating temperatures throughoutmajor markets nationwide. Cash prices fell about a dime on averageat most trading points.

Contrary to most expectations, cash prices started-off the newweek with an upward spike across the board, logging gains of morethan a dime – in most areas – from weekend levels. Most sourcesattributed the rise to active buying as many market players weretaking advantage of below index pricing ahead of anticipated coolertemperatures later in the week. Cash prices at some deliverypoints, such as Northern Demarc and Ventura in the Midcontinent andthe PG&E citygate in California, registered gains upwards ofmore than 20 cents.

Coalbed methane leaseholders in Wyoming and across the nationhave been saved from “suffering extensive economic trauma,” Sens.Craig Thomas (R-WY) and Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Rep. Barbara Cubin(R-WY) said in a joint statement last week.

Coalbed methane leaseholders in Wyoming and across the nationhave been saved from “suffering extensive economic trauma,” Sens.Craig Thomas and Mike Enzi and Rep. Barbara Cubin said in a jointstatement yesterday.