Come

It should come as no surprise to anyone following the gasindustry that a recent survey of companies found the gas world tobe of “two minds” when it comes to supply-demand issues.

After a $297 million net loss in 1998, it should come as nosurprise that Baker Hughes is cutting capital spending this yearand will not be out shopping for assets or new combinations likemany other industry companies. Drilling activity continues to plumbnew depths (figuratively, not literally), reaching a record lowlast week with 498 rotary rigs operating in the U.S.

If you build it, a corporate sponsor will come. This time aroundit’s Houston’s new baseball stadium, and Enron Corp. said last weekit will pay $100 million over 30 years for naming rights to theballpark to be known as Enron Field. Enron Energy Services (EES)also will provide energy management to the facility.

If you build it, a corporate sponsor will come. This time aroundit’s Houston’s new baseball stadium and Enron Corp., which saidWednesday it will pay $100 million over 30 years for naming rightsto the ballpark to be known as Enron Field. Enron Energy Services(EES) also will provide energy management to the facility.

One of the most significant regulatory events at FERC in 1998went by practically unnoticed: the word “proposed” was put backinto the notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR), said CommissionerCurt Hebert Jr. in reflecting on his first full year at the agency.Commissioner Linda K. Breathitt, who also just ended her initialyear, agreed “proposed” took on a “stronger meaning” in a specificNOPR last year, but she hardly found it to be precedent-setting.

Like an irate mother ordering her child to come inside while theother children play, the Georgia Public Service Commissionunanimously voted Tuesday to order a full hearing into Atlanta GasLight’s (AGL) rate charging operations. The hearings will beginFeb.3 and a decision is expected by Feb. 9. The vote took placeduring a regular session of the commission.

Though still one of the most dangerous hurricanes to come downthe pike in many years, Mitch was unable to to sustain its positiveinfluence on cash prices Tuesday. Incremental quotes ranged fromslightly higher to as much as 7-8 cents lower, with the majority ofpoints registering downticks. A diving futures screen set theexample for cash to emulate, sources said.

At Massachusetts’ Eastern Enterprises, “consolidation” is theword of the day, and of the days to come. Fresh from itsacquisition of Essex County Gas, the Boston Gas parent Monday saidit will buy nearby Colonial Gas Co. at a 27% premium to Colonial’sFriday closing price.

Qatargas Liquefied Gas Co. and Duke Energy LNG Sales , a unit ofDuke Energy International, agreed for Duke to buy one cargo ofliquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatargas.