Bruce

Bruce Henning of Energy and Environmental Analysis Inc.(EEA) told a Senate committee last Thursday that while the financial failure of Enron Corp. caused some disruptions in the natural gas and electricity markets, the disruptions remained “relatively minor.”

Bruce Henning of Energy and Environmental Analysis Inc.(EEA) told a Senate committee Thursday that while the financial failure of Enron Corp. caused some disruptions in the natural gas and electricity markets, the disruptions remained “relatively minor.”

Bruce Birchman, the FERC administrative law judge (ALJ) overseeing proceedings related to possible refunds for electricity overcharges in California, last Thursday issued a revised trial schedule related to the proceeding under which he now plans to certify proposed findings of fact in mid-December.

Bruce Birchman, the FERC administrative law judge (ALJ) overseeing proceedings related to possible refunds for electricity overcharges in California, recently issued a trial schedule under which Birchman plans to certify proposed findings of fact in early November.

Calling a natural gas supply shortage in the coming year “a veryreal possibility,” Dr. Bruce M. Bell, chairman of the Mid-ContinentOil & Gas Association of Oklahoma, said there is an “urgentneed” for increased drilling activity, particularly in Oklahoma.But to increase the drilling activity you need more people, andthat shortage is directly related to the natural gas shortage. Sortof like a Catch 22.

Calling a natural gas shortage in the coming year “a very realpossibility,” Dr. Bruce M. Bell, chairman of the Mid-Continent Oil& Gas Association of Oklahoma said there is an “urgent need”for increased drilling activity, particularly in Oklahoma. But toincrease the drilling activity you need more people, and thatshortage is directly related to the natural gas shortage. Sort oflike a Catch 22.

In a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt this weekSen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) urged Interior’s Minerals ManagementService to shutdown exploration on 40 offshore California leases,for which producers paid $1.25 billion initially.

The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) praisedthe action of Interior Secretary Bruce Babbit in allowing marginaloil well operators producing on public lands to suspend operationsfor up to two years without losing their leases. The announcementcame Thursday on the heels of the release of an IPAA survey showinghistorically low oil prices have increased the number of shut-insand the industry unemployment rate.

The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) praisedthe action of Interior Secretary Bruce Babbit in allowing marginaloil well operators producing on public lands to suspend operationsfor up to two years without losing their leases. The announcementcame Thursday on the heels of the release of an IPAA survey showinghistorically low oil prices have increased the number of shut-insand the industry unemployment rate.