Computer

There has been an “active series” of cyber attacks on natural gas pipeline companies’ computer networks over the past four months, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The department said it is working with the FBI and other federal agencies, as well as pipelines, to bring down the cyber intruders.

February natural gas futures made it two days in a row of double-digit losses as traders were forced to factor in weather forecasts based on computer model runs showing less agreement than previously seen and concerted technical selling. At the close February tumbled 10.7 cents to $4.473 and March shed 10.8 cents to $4.490. March crude oil also continued its losing ways, dropping $1.68 to $86.19/bbl.

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) said that despite a four-month, court-ordered computer network shutdown, the government agency has distributed more than $318 million to 32 states during the first six months of 2002. Leading the pack for MMS distributions received so far this year was Wyoming with $164.7 million, New Mexico $88.5 million, Colorado $16.4 million and Utah with $11.1 million. The money represents the states’ cumulative share of revenues collected for mineral production on federal lands located within their borders and from federal offshore oil and gas tracts adjacent to their shores. “This year’s halfway total is less than last year’s record $656 million, but is close to the 2000 figure of $362 million,” said Interior Secretary Gale Norton. “The numbers largely reflect a recent decline in prices of crude oil and natural gas.”

With ceremonial taps on two cordless computer mice to power upthe high-tech control room in Calgary, Alliance Pipeline enteredservice amid forecasts that it will rapidly be put to full use.Alliance did not immediately announce the opening amount of gas inits 2,300-mile route from Fort St. John in northeastern BritishColumbia to Chicago. But industry sources said it was filling uprapidly after curing startup glitches that postponed the event fora month, with about 800 MMcf/d flowing or 60% of its scheduledvolumes. The line was installed with ability to take up to 1.5Bcf/d in order to guarantee service on its 1.325 Bcf/d inlong-term, firm transportation contracts.

Hoping to benefit in both efficiency and cost savings, CompaqComputer Corp. inked an agreement with Enron Corp.’s Enron EnergyServices yesterday, a deal in which Enron will manage theelectricity, natural gas and energy-related management services forCompaq’s facilities in Texas, California and Massachusetts.Financial details for the five-year agreement were not disclosed.The deal between the two Houston-based corporations adds to thegrowing list of energy service management contracts Enron has inkedduring the past few years, which has ramped up this year. In earlySeptember, Enron Energy Services secured a 10-year $1 billionenergy management service agreement with Starwood Hotels andResorts Worldwide (see Daily GPI, Sept. 7). The energy services armof the marketing giant remains on track to reach its goal of $16billion in agreements this year, nearly double 1999’s total of $8.5billion. That’s up from $3.8 billion in energy agreements in 1998(see Daily GPI, May 31).

After a two-year delay because of computer snafus related tobilling, East Ohio Gas finally is preparing to join the state’s twoother major gas distribution companies in offering customer choiceacross its entire system. It also has agreed to stop sellingnatural gas entirely by 2004.

After a two-year delay because of computer snafus related tobilling, East Ohio Gas finally is preparing to join the state’s twoother major gas distribution companies in offering customer choiceacross its entire system. It also has agreed to stop sellingnatural gas entirely by 2004.

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) saidmember companies plan to complete their Year 2000 (Y2K) computeranalysis, modification and testing by October and will havecontingencies in place should the new millennium bring problems.