Approve

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) on Thursday proposed rules that would allow natural gas development projects — with conditions — in affected areas of the Marcellus Shale.

After looking for better deals and getting no offers, Houston-based Dynegy Inc. urged its shareholders Tuesday to approve the pending merger with an affiliate of private equity firm The Blackstone Group LP and its $4.50/share offer at an upcoming special shareholders meeting Nov. 17.

Louisiana parishes want a bigger share of the Haynesville Shale revenue pie, and they might get it if the state’s voters approve a measure on the statewide Nov. 2 ballot.

Louisiana parishes want a bigger share of the Haynesville Shale revenue pie, and they might get it if the state’s voters approve a measure on the statewide Nov. 2 ballot.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved a $77.8 million refund for Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania customers. The PUC voted 5-0 to approve the refunds to residential, commercial and industrial customers who received service between Oct. 1, 2008 and Sept. 30, 2009. The amount received by each customer will vary depending on usage. According to Columbia’s filing, the overcollection resulted from a large, sustained reduction in gas prices, which occurred after Columbia had filed its quarterly adjustment. Those customers will receive a one-time credit on their bills during the November billing cycle. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania serves about 413,000 customers in 26 Pennsylvania counties.

A pair of Energy East Corp. subsidiaries have asked the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) to approve rate increases for both natural gas and electricity that they said are necessary to cover increasing operation and maintenance costs and to help pay for significant infrastructure investments.

Canadian Superior Energy Inc. shareholders voted to approve the acquisition of Challenger Energy Corp. and voted in favor of a new board of directors, which now includes Kerry R. Brittain, Marvin M. Chronister, James Funk, William Roach, Gregory G. Turnbull and Richard Watkins. All other annual meeting resolutions also were approved by shareholders, the Calgary-based producer said. Canadian Superior, which restructured after filing for bankruptcy in April, said in June it would acquire Challenger in a friendly transaction worth an estimated C$78 million, including debt (see Daily GPI, June 22). The combined company would produce an estimated 3,050 boe/d, 85% weighted to natural gas. Besides undeveloped assets in Alberta and British Columbia, the company would hold diversified assets in Trinidad and Tobago and North Africa.

Colorado may approve 38% fewer natural gas and oil drilling permits this year than it did in 2008, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation (COGCC) staff said in a report issued on Tuesday.

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline LLC has asked FERC to approve “as soon as possible” its request to reverse flow on its pipeline system so that it can export natural gas from the United States to Canada.