Blames

NiSource Inc. Chairman Gary L. Neale said Thursday he has had his fill of what he called the “flag-wavers” who continue to warn that short-term natural gas supplies are at dangerously low levels.

Saying that it is time to stop “playing politics” and work with federal regulators to create a viable wholesale energy market, the head of Arizona’s Corporation Commission lashed out Monday at neighboring California officials from the governor on down to the regulators. He made his comments as part of a presentation to a regional energy conference in Las Vegas, NV.

Saying that it is time to stop “playing politics” and work with federal regulators to create a viable wholesale energy market, the head of Arizona’s Corporation Commission lashed out Monday at neighboring California officials from the governor on down to the regulators. He made his comments as part of a presentation to a regional energy conference in Las Vegas, NV.

Following on its announcement that it will report a loss for the quarter ending June 30, primarily due to a decline in energy trading, New Jersey-based NUI Corp. said Tuesday it will take immediate steps to cease operations of its TIC Enterprises LLC venture’s unprofitable divisions, including TIC’s telecom equipment and shipping divisions.

Following on its announcement that it will report a loss for the quarter ending June 30, primarily due to a decline in energy trading, New Jersey-based NUI Corp. said Tuesday it will take immediate steps to cease operations of its TIC Enterprises LLC venture’s unprofitable divisions, including TIC’s telecom equipment and shipping divisions.

Tropical Storm Isidore may not have gained the speed that Hurricane Lili is producing, but it was strong enough to blow a hole into BP plc’s production forecast for 2002. The company, which will still have to tally Lili’s consequences, blamed the September storm for a predicted year-end production growth of 4% over a year ago, which is 1% less than its forecast a month ago.

Tropical Storm Isidore may not have gained the speed that Hurricane Lili is producing, but it was strong enough to blow a hole into BP plc’s production forecast for 2002. The company, which will still have to tally Lili’s consequences, blamed the September storm for a predicted year-end production growth of 4% over a year ago, which is 1% less than its forecast a month ago.

Looking to calm investor and credit rating agency jitters about energy trading operations, Aquila, Inc. on Friday said that it estimates that 70% of its 2002 operating earnings and 75% of its 2003 operating earnings will come from the more traditional side of its business mix. The company also said it intends to maintain its dividend at $1.20 per share.

In a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing last Wednesday, Houston-based EOG Resources Inc. said it is adjusting its production and drilling activity downward through the rest of the year and now does not expect to meet its earlier production forecast because of falling natural gas prices.