Charles

Unocal Corp. CEO Charles R. Williamson told analysts last Wednesday at Lehman Brothers’ 15th annual CEO Energy Conference in New York City that the company’s worldwide net oil and gas production could average nearly 800,000 boe/d in 2007, a 63% boost from the company’s average production last year.

Unocal Corp. CEO Charles R. Williamson told analysts on Wednesday at Lehman Brothers’ 15th annual CEO Energy Conference in New York City that the company’s worldwide net oil and gas production could average nearly 800,000 boe/d in 2007, a 63% boost from the company’s average production last year.

U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) urged the New York PublicService Commission (PSC) last week to quickly approve thecompromise route for the 442-mile Millennium Pipeline, which hasbeen languishing in a regulatory quagmire since December 1997. TheFederal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a supplemental draftenvironmental impact statement last month approving the new routefor the project, which would bring 715 MMcf/d of gas to New YorkCity from connections with the Canadian pipeline grid under LakeErie.

Texas Railroad Commissioner Charles Matthews yesterday proposedthat the commission look into “all possible solutions” regardingthe high cost of natural gas. Discussions with representatives fromthe exploration and production sector, gas utilities and customergroups had convinced him that the state has to consider long-termsolutions to ensure the gas supply is reliable and affordable.

Yankee Energy’s board has named Michael G. Morris president andCEO, succeeding Charles E. Gooley, who died two weeks ago followinga long battle with cancer. Morris currently is chairman, presidentand CEO of Northeast Utilities and Chairman of Yankee EnergySystem. In addition, Dennis E. Welch was elected senior vicepresident, COO and director of Yankee Energy and subsidiaries.Welch, formerly vice president of environment, safety and ethics atNU, will run the day-to-day operations of Yankee.

Capitol Hill observers who had expected the electricderegulation legislation of Sens. Phil Gramm (R-TX) and CharlesSchumer (D-NY) to be more aggressive and comprehensive than otherbills languishing in the Senate weren’t disappointed last week.

Capitol Hill observers who had expected the electricderegulation legislation of Sens. Phil Gramm (R-TX) and CharlesSchumer (D-NY) to be more aggressive and comprehensive than theother bills pending in the Senate weren’t disappointed yesterday.

Forcenergy Inc. reported a blowout yesterday on an exploratorywell at West Cameron Block 317, located 65 miles south of LakeCharles, LA, in the Gulf of Mexico. The blowout occurred duringcompletion operations, but it has not ignited. All personnel havebeen safely evacuated from the Marine Drilling Rig No. 4.Forcenergy has notified all of the proper governmental authoritiesand is cooperating fully with each respective agency.

“1999 was a very good year for Vastar,” according to VastarResources President Charles D. Davidson, who had the numbers toback up the boast: a 56% increase in earnings over 1998, along witha 170% replacement of reserves.