Agreement

Aquila Energy, a subsidiary of UtiliCorp United, said yesterdayit has reached a definitive agreement to buy GPU Inc.’s subsidiaryGPU International Inc., including its interests in six U.S.-basedgenerating plants and a development generating project, for $225million.

Columbia Energy Group has entered into an agreement with Orion Power Holdings of Baltimore, MD, to sell all of the outstanding shares of its subsidiary Columbia Electric Corp. for approximately $200 million in cash plus the assumption of project-related debt. Included in the deal is 4,000 MW of capacity in construction and development phases.

To expand its exploration and development projects, Calgary’sWestminster Resources Ltd. will sell all of its Canadian oil andgas assets to AEC Oil & Gas for $62.7 million in cash under anagreement reached yesterday by the companies. Closing is set forOct. 19.

Duke Energy Gas Transmission (DEGT) announced it has enteredinto a definitive agreement to purchase Market Hub Partners (MHP)and its 23 Bcf of natural gas salt cavern storage. The unit isbeing spun off by NiSource Inc. as a result of its planned mergerwith Columbia Energy.

TranCanada continued its divestiture program yesterday byreaching an agreement with GDF International, a subsidiary of Gazde France, to sell its Netherlands assets for about C$501 million.TransCanada also expects to see almost C$51 million in proceedsfrom the assets’ activity during the first half of 2000.

Transocean Sedco Forex reached a definitive agreement to acquireR&B Falcon Corp. in a 100% stock transaction for a total costof $8.8 billion. The transaction will result in what the companiesclaim will be the largest offshore drilling contractor.

International Oil & Gas Inc. has announced it has entered into an agreement with Trans Energy Inc. of St. Marys, WV, and Jayhawk Resources LLC of Arlington, TX, to lease over 5,000 acres in West Virginia to test the Trenton and Black River formations.

International Oil & Gas Inc. has announced it has enteredinto an agreement with Trans Energy Inc. of St. Marys, WV, andJayhawk Resources LLC of Arlington, TX, to lease over 5,000 acresin West Virginia to test the Trenton and Black River formations.

Blue Dolphin Energy has signed an agreement to build a gaspipeline in the Gulf of Mexico to transport 120 MMcf/d ofproduction for Vastar Resources. The new 3.4-mile, 12-inch diameterline will be designed to accommodate production from High IslandA-5 to Blue Dolphin’s Black Marlin Pipeline in High Island BlockA-6. Transportation service is expected to commence in 60 days.Blue Dolphin will own a 50% interest in the new pipeline at anestimated net cost of $1.1 million. It owns a 50% interest andoperates the Black Marlin Pipeline system, which currentlytransports 120 MMcf/d. Black Marlin has capacity to transport 200MMcf/d. Blue Dolphin Energy Company is engaged in the acquisitionand exploration of oil and gas properties, and the gathering andtransportation of natural gas and condensate.