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Though additional wells need to be drilled before the total proved reserves are accurately measured, Murphy Oil Co. announced Thursday that its Front Runner South prospect in Green Canyon Block 339 offshore Louisiana has exceeded expectations. The reserve estimate is expected to be more than the pre-drill projection of 40-60 MMboe.

Leaping another hurdle Tuesday en route to a successfully completed merger, FirstEnergy Corp.and GPU Inc. announced they have reached a stipulated settlement with several parties in their pending merger case, and have filed the agreement with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).

Despite turning downward again Friday, the screen’s uptick of nearly 15 cents the day before had a residual supportive effect for Friday’s cash prices in eastern and Permian/Waha markets. They ranged from flat at a couple of Northeast points to 15 cents or so higher (Gulf South was a rare softer point in Louisiana), with most gains between a nickel and a dime. Most western points declined by various amounts ranging from small to huge.

An attempt to score a quick tax coup by TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. set off a flurry of activity among legal and regulatory experts before the National Energy Board. Savings of C$8 million (US$5.3 million) per year off continuing taxes — plus a reduction of C$75 million (US$50 million) off deferred tax liabilities — are projected by the company if it can carry out its plan.

An attempt to score a quick tax coup by TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. has set off a flurry of activity among legal and regulatory experts before the National Energy Board. Savings of C$8 million (US$5.3 million) per year off continuing taxes — plus a reduction of C$75 million (US$50 million) off deferred tax liabilities — are projected by the company if it can carry out its plan.

An attempt to score a quick tax coup by TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. has set off a flurry of activity among legal and regulatory experts before the National Energy Board. Savings of C$8 million (US$5.3 million) per year off continuing taxes — plus a reduction of C$75 million (US$50 million) off deferred tax liabilities — are projected by the company if it can carry out its plan.

Before a packed crowd of the Who’s Who in Washington, D.C.energy circles, Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and other SenateRepublicans last week touted their omnibus energy legislation asboth “sound” and “well balanced.” The mix of tax credits,incentives, royalty relief and other measures offered in the bill,they vowed, will reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil toless than 50% by 2010 by increasing domestic production ofconventional energy fuels and improving energy efficiency andconservation.

To strengthen its capital structure before an anticipated spinoff this year, Tulsa-based Williams Communications exchanged assetsfor shares of stock with its parent company Williams yesterday. Inthe agreement, Williams received 24.3 million common shares ofWilliams Communications, bringing its total ownership to 420million shares, or 86% of the outstanding stock. In return forequity, Williams Communications will purchase its outstandingpromissory note from Williams and acquire the 15-story,750,000-square-foot Williams Technology Center, scheduled forcompletion this summer adjacent to Williams’ headquarters in Tulsa.

Before a packed crowd of the Who’s Who in Washington, D.C.energy circles, Senate leaders yesterday formally introduced theirlong-awaited comprehensive legislation aimed at boosting domesticsupplies of conventional energy fuels and improving energyefficiency and conservation efforts in the nation.