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Kinder Morgan, Inc. reported “a spectacular 2000,” with a 75%increase over 1999 and a 65% increase in fourth quarter earnings.In the fourth quarter KMI beat the consensus estimate of 41 cents ashare, coming in with earnings of 43 cents.

Kinder Morgan, Inc. reported “a spectacular 2000,” with a 75%increase over 1999 and a 65% increase in fourth quarter earnings.In the fourth quarter KMI beat the consensus estimate of 41 cents ashare, coming in with earnings of 43 cents.

Responding to investor concerns related to California’s energycrisis, Tulsa-based Williams Cos. said Tuesday that its fourthquarter earnings will be well above expected earnings estimates.Shares of the company had dropped to a 52-week low last week afternews surfaced that California’s utilities — one of Williams’largest markets — might not be able to pay their power bills.

Houston-based Dynegy Marketing and Trade has beat out some ofthe top natural gas producers in the nation in the latest round ofbidding for Minerals Management Service’s royalty-in kind gasproduced from federal leases in the Gulf of Mexico.

Houston-based Dynegy Marketing and Trade has beat out some ofthe top natural gas producers in the nation in the latest round ofbidding for Minerals Management Service’s royalty-in kind gasproduced from federal leases in the Gulf of Mexico.

Better than expected profits lifted ExxonMobil and Chevron to more than double their second-quarter earnings of a year ago, as they reaped the benefit of surging oil and natural gas prices.

Better than expected profits lifted ExxonMobil and Chevron tomore than double their second-quarter earnings of a year ago, asthey reaped the benefit of surging oil and natural gas prices.

Opening near its daily high and closing just off its low, themarket took on the trajectory of a safe pushed out a 10-storybuilding Friday, as traders pressured prices to their lowest levelsince April 12. The June contract was hardest hit late in thesession, when a wave of sell-stops exacerbated the price slide. Theprompt month closed down 8.2 cents at $3.025.

Still up for sale, Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. beatanalyst earnings forecasts by 25% in the fourth quarter with netearnings of $35.3 million. This compares to a net loss of $47.3million in the prior-year period. The prior period’s loss wascaused by low commodity prices and included after-tax charges of$46.9 million for asset impairments and personnel reduction. Thecurrent quarter’s results included a $0.7 million after-taxreversal of previous litigation provisions.