Administration

The Energy Information Administration is preparing take over the American Gas Association’s (AGA) storage survey at the end of the winter. But it first must get clearance from the Office of Management and Budget for the reporting burden placed on storage companies, EIA’s survey methodology and the budget requirements for conducting the survey. It also has to arrange the staffing and resources and perform an operational test before it can get a green light.

The Energy Information Administration is preparing take over the American Gas Association’s (AGA) storage survey at the end of the winter. But it first must get clearance from the Office of Management and Budget for the reporting burden placed on storage companies, EIA’s survey methodology and the budget requirements for conducting the survey. It also has to arrange the staffing and resources and perform an operational test before it can get a green light.

The Annual Energy Outlook 2002 (AEO) report issued Wednesday by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects a rise in natural gas use through 2020, with the share of generation for natural gas projected to increase to 32% from the 16% level in 2000. Meanwhile, the share from coal is projected to decline to 46% from 52% because of more competitive electricity industry investments in the less capital-intensive and more efficient natural gas generation technologies.

In contrast to forecasts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Salomon Smith Barney of a colder-than-normal winter in key eastern consuming regions, WSI Corp.’s end-of-October update to its seasonal forecast for November, December and January predicts warmer-than-normal temperatures in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and in the central and southern Plains. WSI, however, said it expects cooler-than-normal temperatures in the Gulf Coast states, Northern Plains, Great Lakes states, and all areas west of the Rocky Mountains.

Interior Secretary Gale Norton has dashed any industry hopes that the Bush administration might consider restoring the pared-down eastern Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 181 to its original larger size in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the nation.

In contrast to forecasts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Salomon Smith Barney of a colder-than-normal winter in key energy consuming regions, WSI Corp.’s end-of-October update to its seasonal forecast for November, December and January predicts warmer-than-normal temperatures in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and in the central and southern Plains. WSI, however, said it expects cooler-than-normal temperatures in the Gulf Coast states, Northern Plains, Great Lakes states, and all areas west of the Rocky Mountains.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) will take over where the American Gas Association leaves off, conducting weekly surveys of natural gas in storage in the United States, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said Tuesday.

Interior Secretary Gale Norton on Friday dashed any industry hopes that the Bush administration might consider restoring the pared-down eastern Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 181 to its original larger size in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the nation.

Citing a host of poor fundamentals for the natural gas market, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) last week projected that spot gas prices will drop 62% to an average of $2.21/Mcf this winter from $5.78/Mcf a year ago. It said it doesn’t see spot prices rising above the $2.50/Mcf level anytime during the fourth quarter and 2002. The EIA now estimates the average spot price for 2001 will be about $4/Mcf.