Asset

There is a global theme with a mixture of hard asset and financial players in some of the recent consolidation among energy marketing/trading firms, according to the representatives speaking on a natural gas buying panel at GasMart 2007 in Chicago Thursday. Fortis Energy Marketing/Trading, Integrys Energy Services Inc. and ScottishPower’s U.S.-based PPM Energy all are the product of recent consolidations.

The proliferation of midstream master limited partnerships (MLP) and their pursuit of gathering, processing, pipeline and storage have driven asset valuations to exceptional heights and made compelling deals harder to find.

The proliferation of midstream master limited partnerships (MLP) and their pursuit of gathering, processing, pipeline and storage have driven asset valuations to exceptional heights and made compelling deals harder to find.

Living up to its Encore Acquisition Co. moniker, the Fort Worth-based company announced late Thursday its second $400 million oil and natural gas asset acquisition in a little more than a week. The company’s latest agreement is with Howell Petroleum Corp. and Kerr-McGee Oil and Gas Onshore LP, subsidiaries of Anadarko Petroleum Corp., to purchase oil and natural gas properties in the Williston Basin in Montana and North Dakota for $410 million in cash.

Living up to its Encore Acquisition Co. moniker, the Fort Worth-based company announced late Thursday its second $400 million oil and natural gas asset acquisition in a little more than a week. The company’s latest agreement is with Howell Petroleum Corp. and Kerr-McGee Oil and Gas Onshore LP, subsidiaries of Anadarko Petroleum Corp., to purchase oil and natural gas properties in the Williston Basin in Montana and North Dakota for $410 million in cash.

Under pressure from its largest independent shareholder, hedge fund Sandell Asset Management, Southern Union (SUG) has amended its bylaws to allow shareholders to nominate independent board members. Sandell affiliate Castlerigg Master Investments filed a complaint against the midstream operator late last year, claiming the energy company stripped shareholders of their rights.

Under pressure from its largest independent shareholder, hedge fund Sandell Asset Management, Southern Union (SUG) has amended its bylaws to allow shareholders to nominate independent board members. Sandell affiliate Castlerigg Master Investments filed a complaint against the midstream operator late last year, claiming the energy company stripped shareholders of their rights.

The Oil & Gas Asset Clearinghouse sold $56.3 million of oil and natural gas properties at its recent auction in Houston. More than 233 registered bidders competed for the 156 lots offered, and 35% were purchased by Internet bidders.

The Oil & Gas Asset Clearinghouse sold $56.3 million of oil and natural gas properties at its recent auction in Houston. More than 233 registered bidders competed for the 156 lots offered, and 35% were purchased by Internet bidders.