Commitments

The Interior Department has opened an investigation into allegations that Utah Bureau of Land Management (BLM) officials made commitments to “fix” new land-use plans to assure more oil and natural gas development on wilderness-quality lands in the state.

The Interior Department has opened an investigation into allegations that Utah Bureau of Land Management (BLM) officials made commitments to “fix” new land-use plans to assure more oil and natural gas development on wilderness-quality lands in the state.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is seeking comments on whether to change its weekly Commitments of Traders (COT) reports, which show aggregate trader positions in certain futures and option markets. The reports provide a breakdown of each Tuesday’s open interest for all futures and option markets in which 20 or more traders hold positions equal to or above minimum reporting levels established by the CFTC. Over time, both the trading activity that is the subject of the COT reports and the reports themselves, have continued to evolve. As a result of changing market conditions, the commission is undertaking a comprehensive review of the COT reporting program. The notice in the Federal Register, which can be found at http://www.cftc.gov/foia/fedreg06/foi060621a.htm,provides background information on the COT reports and lays out various issues and questions. The comment deadline is Aug. 21. For details contact the CFTC’s Donald Heitman at (202) 418-5041, email, dheitman@cftc.gov.

With firm commitments for a 537,200 Dth/d expansion/extension of Guardian Pipeline, Northern Border Partners LP decided it was an opportune time to enlarge its stake in the Wisconsin pipeline system. The company announced Thursday that it paid $77 million to Wisconsin Energy Corp. and WPS Resources Corp. for their separate 33.3% shares in Guardian. The deals give Northern Border 100% ownership of Guardian.

Millennium Pipeline said late Monday that it has launched an open season to finalize capacity commitments on its new natural gas pipeline system, which is designed to meet growing energy needs in the U.S. Northeast.

Stone Energy Corp. has committed $50 million to cover its share of costs and drilling commitments in a joint venture with Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Corp., which was announced Tuesday. Stone and the Kerr-McGee Corp. subsidiary signed exploration agreements covering interests in 30 leases held by Kerr-McGee in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. is holding a binding open season to obtain commitments for firm capacity on its proposed Northeast ConneXion-New England expansion project. The open season began Friday (Oct. 15) and will conclude on Dec. 15.

Stone Energy Corp. has committed $50 million to cover its share of costs and drilling commitments in a joint venture with Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Corp., which was announced Tuesday. Stone and the Kerr-McGee Corp. subsidiary signed exploration agreements covering interests in 30 leases held by Kerr-McGee in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. said Monday it is holding a binding open season to obtain commitments for firm capacity on its proposed Northeast ConneXion-New England expansion project. The open season began Friday and will conclude on Dec. 15.