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Although “storm hype” was a popular phrase in market discussionsThursday, the hype factor was beginning to fade in the afternoon asTropical Storm Bret achieved named status, prompting the Mexicangovernment to post coastal storm warnings from Tampico southward.Some strengthening of Bret is likely over the next 24 hours, theNational Hurricane Center said in a 4 p.m. CDT advisory.

Don’t put your duck tape and plywood away just yet. Althoughthere’s been a lull so far in the hurricane season, the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and renowned ColoradoState University forecaster Dr. William M. Gray both still arepredicting a whopper season this year in the North Atlantic andCaribbean Sea during the peak period from mid-August throughmid-October.

Although no panic buttons have been pushed yet, the Kansas City Board of Trade (KCBT) is getting increasingly worried about the recent lack of activity on its gas futures contract. There has been no estimated volume since July 29, and as a result, open interest has been stuck at 669 positions.

Although no panic buttons are being pushed yet, the Kansas CityBoard of Trade (KCBT) is getting increasingly worried about therecent lack of activity on its gas futures contract. There has beenno estimated volume since July 29, and as a result, open interesthas been stuck at 669 positions.

While FERC’s recent decision to call a technical conference onTriState Pipeline “obviously was not advantageous for us,” leadsponsor CMS Gas Transmission and Storage isn’t ready “at thispoint” to throw in the towel on the project, a company spokesmansaid.

Although the Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) is about to embark on another gas royalty in kind (RIK) pilot in the Gulf of Mexico, that doesn’t mean producers there will be completely relieved of gas sales price reporting requirements.

Although the Department of the Interior’s Minerals ManagementService (MMS) is about to embark on another gas royalty in kind(RIK) pilot in the Gulf of Mexico, it doesn’t mean producers therewill be completely relieved of gas sales price reportingrequirements.

While FERC’s decision last week to call a technical conferenceon TriState Pipeline “obviously was not advantageous for us,” leadsponsor CMS Gas Transmission and Storage isn’t ready “at thispoint” to throw in the towel on the project, a company spokesmansaid.

Although the much-touted electricity restructuring billintroduced by Reps. Steve Largent (R-OK) and Edward Markey (D-MA)would slash the renewable portfolio mandate proposed by the Clintonadministration by more than half, natural gas producers stillaren’t quite satisfied.