Advised

FERC Chairman Joseph Kelliher on Thursday said that energy attorneys would be well advised to quickly pick up and read a rule FERC moved to adopt this week. The rule requires that issues raised in pleadings and requests for rehearing be set forth in a separate section entitled “Statement of Issues” listing each issue presented in a separate paragraph and referencing representative precedent on which a filer is relying.

The Process Gas Consumers (PGC), representing end users whose processes require the use of natural gas, has advised FERC Chairman Pat Wood it is “strongly” opposed to the federal government taking a hand in the price reporting process for natural gas, which is currently performed by independent publishers (such as NGI).

Florida Gas Transmission advised shippers that it has received gas “at certain receipt points” in Zones 1, 2 and 3 containing high concentrations of hexane and heavier components that may interfere with operation of pipeline facilities. If the composition of the gas containing the objectionable components does not change, FGT said it may be required to limit such receipts. “If necessary, FGT will advise of the specific locations where these limits may be imposed,” a bulletin board posting said Wednesday.

Parroting the responses of Dynegy Inc. and Mirant a day earlier, Aquila Inc. and Reliant Resources Inc. on Thursday advised their shareholders to beware of the unsolicited mini-tender offers of Main Street AC, which is seeking to buy 4.9% of all four companies (see Daily GPI, Sept. 5).

Based on the weather forecast and projected system demand, Sonat advised shippers that the OFO Type 3 implemented Wednesday for eight market-area groups, along with capacity allocations for four other groups, are being canceled today.

Houston-based Burlington Resources Inc. said Friday that the Investment Canada Agency has advised the company that it will not be able complete its review of Burlington’s application under the Investment Canada Act to acquire Calgary-based Canadian Hunter Exploration Ltd. prior to the Nov. 20 deadline. Burlington said it intends to extend its takeover bid for the common shares of Canadian Hunter until Dec. 3 in order to accommodate the full 45-day review period provided by the act, and will mail notices of extension to Canadian Hunter shareholders. The board of directors of Canadian Hunter has unanimously recommended that company shareholders accept the offer. Canadian Hunter is an oil and natural gas producer, with gas comprising approximately 97% of its production and reserves. Burlington, a leading independent oil and gas firm, owns properties in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South America, Africa and China. The $2.1 billion in cash (C$3.3 billion) takeover bid was first announced in early October (see Daily GPI, Oct. 10).

Just days after it advised Ohioans to review their gas choice programs because of recent rate reduction requests filed by Columbia Gas of Ohio and Dominion East Ohio, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) warned natural gas customers of Dominion East Ohio that they stand to lose under a proposal currently being considered by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

Consumers may want to review their gas supply options as their current contracts expire, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) advised, following up on announcements late last month that Columbia Gas of Ohio and Dominion East Ohio have filed requests to lower their regulated gas rates for the upcoming quarter beginning October 26.

Consumers may want to review their gas supply options as their current contracts expire, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) advised, following up on announcements late last month that Columbia Gas of Ohio and Dominion East Ohio have filed requests to lower their regulated gas rates for the upcoming quarter beginning October 26.