Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. received approval fromthe Texas Railroad Commission for field rule amendments that willenable the company to more aggressively develop its Barnett Shalegas reserves in North Texas. The new field rules permit Mitchell todrill wells in the Newark East (Barnett Shale) field on as littleas 40-acre spacing. As a result of increased well density, or”in-fill drilling,” the company expects as many as 100 wells withabout 80 Bcf of estimated net gas reserves will be added to theproved undeveloped category. The new locations bring totalundeveloped well locations to about 200 for the field. The companyalso has identified another 100 probable locations that may beadded in the future.
Approval
Articles from Approval
SEC Allows Cinergy to Keep Gas Distribution
After a four-year wait, Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co. and PSIResources finally received unconditional approval of their mergerinto Cinergy Corp. from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Afinal decision on the merger was held up by potential Congressionalaction on the Public Utility Holding Company Act.
Vector Gets Preliminary Green Light from FERC
The 1 Bcf/d Vector Pipeline project won preliminary approval onnon-environmental grounds from FERC yesterday. The Commission saidno evidence was produced to demonstrate the Midwest project, whichwould link the Chicago, IL, and Dawn, ON, gas transportation hubs,was not required by the public convenience and necessity.
Jackson Prairie Storage Facelift Gets Green Light from FERC
FERC last week gave conditional approval to a major expansionand upgrade of Jackson Prairie Storage that would add 3.2 Bcf ofworking gas capacity and would boost the firm deliverability rateof the Pacific Northwest storage facility by 300 MMcf/d, both ofwhich would heighten its peak-shaving capabilities.
ANR Wisconsin Project Wins Approval at FERC
FERC last week gave the green light for ANR Pipeline to moveahead with construction of its Wisconsin Loop Expansion Project,which would provide about 116 MMcf/d of additional capacity toLDCs, marketers and power generators in the state. This puts ANRout in front of competing projects that also intend to vie for themarket.
FERC Approves Bondad Expansion, Rejects Allocation Plan
FERC’s approval of El Paso’s $3.6 million Bondad Line expansion,which would increase capacity by 117 MMcf/d in October, likely willprovide some relief to Bondad shippers, who have struggled throughmany days of constraints and allocations on the San Juan Basinsystem.
Niagara Mohawk Reveals New Structure
Niagara Mohawk Power’s new holding company structure, which isexpected to receive regulatory approval in the first quarter of1999, will be called Niagara Mohawk Holdings Inc. William E. Davis,currently Niagara Mohawk Power chairman and CEO, will becomechairman and CEO of Niagara Mohawk Holdings. Niagara MohawkHoldings will succeed Niagara Mohawk Power as the sole entity inwhich common stock is held.
Destin Pipeline’s Lateral Projects Win FERC Approval
FERC last week gave the go-ahead for Destin Pipeline Co. L.L.C.to build lateral pipeline facilities that would connect offshoreproduction with its new 1 Bcf/d mainline system for eventualdelivery into downstream markets.
Enova, Pacific Enterprise Complete Merger
The $6.2 billion merger of Enova Corp. and Pacific Enterprisesfinally became official last week following approval of theSecurities and Exchange Commission. The merger creates SempraEnergy, a new San Diego-based Fortune 500 energy services holdingcompany with 12,000 employees, $10 billion in assets and thelargest regulated utility customer base in the nation.
South Jersey Expands Residential Choice
South Jersey Gas received approval from the New Jersey Board ofPublic Utilities to expand its residential transportation programallowing 12,500 more customers to select an independent natural gasmarketer. “Last year, 13,000 customers tested the uncharted watersof deregulation by signing up with an independent marketer,” saidCharles Biscieglia, president of South Jersey. “Finding ways tohelp our customers reduce energy costs is important to us andanything we can do to create a potential for savings is a positivestep.” Enrollment for the expanded program closes July 31, 1999.South Jersey serves 260,000 residential, commercial and industrialcustomers in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, and significantportions of Camden, Gloucester and Burlington counties.