Cash prices hinted Thursday that they’re not ready to settleinto the same kind of stagnation period that characterized much ofFebruary’s activity. Riding the momentum of a rising Henry Hubfutures contract, stronger crude oil futures (back over $13/bbl)and snowy weather in various regions, nearly all points roseanywhere from 2 cents to a dime with most increases in the vicinityof a nickel.
Consent
Articles from Consent
Bulls Make it Two in a Row with Another Small Victory
Fresh after receiving a boost from a hefty storage withdrawalWednesday afternoon, natural gas futures continued higher yesterdayin yet another tumultuous trading session. And for the second dayin a row locals were seen as the catalyst, using buy stops toorchestrate a gap higher opening. But overhead resistance at $1.77held and the market was left to ebb and flow within the 4-centtrading range, which was set in the first hour of trading. TheApril contract finished up 3.9 cents to $1.762.
FERC Schedules ‘Discussion Only’ for Northeast Pipes
The fate of the Millennium, Independence, SupplyLink andMarketLink pipeline expansion projects, which together representabout 1.7 Bcf/d of new pipeline capacity directed at northeasternmarkets from the Midwest, have been scheduled for discussion onlyat FERC’s next regular meeting March 10. That move has sparked aconsiderable degree of speculation among FERC observers andpipeline representatives.
Construction Begins on Alliance Pipeline
Moving one step closer to bringing 1.325 Bcf/d of gas fromWestern Canada to Chicago, Alliance Pipeline announced the start ofconstruction with the clearing of 410 miles of forestedrights-of-way for mainlines and laterals in northwestern Albertaand northeastern British Columbia. The entire system is expected tobe completed and in service by October, 2000. Alliance said italready has commitments from 37 shippers for 15-year contractsworth a total of $8.2 billion.
NM Allows Closer Well Spacing in the San Juan
Burlington Resources (BR) announced that its plan for 80-acrein-fill drilling of the Mesaverde Formation in the San Juan Basinof New Mexico has been approved by the New Mexico Oil ConservationDivision. The 80-acre well spacing order could open up anadditional 7,000 drilling locations in the San Juan and be a majorfactor contributing to production growth in the basin over the nextfew years, according to basin analyst George Lippman, who hasstudied the San Juan for the last 30 years. To date, BR has drilled38 Mesaverde 80-acre in-fill wells and plans to drill 50 additionalwells in 1999.
Small Gains Prompt Locals, Producers to Draw Line in Sand
After apparently teasing volatility-loving traders Monday,natural gas futures have returned to the somewhat unspectaculartrading which marred the month of February by chopping lazilysideways for the past two days. Only subtle differences-Tuesday’slate decline vs. Wednesday’s late uptick-were seen asdistinguishing features in an otherwise featureless market. TheApril contract saw the largest gains, notching a 2.7-cent gain tofinish at $1.723 in light to moderate trading Wednesday.
Hydropower in the Midst of Another Big Year
Adding insult to injury for gas producers suffering through awarm winter, reports from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)and California’s Department of Water Resources indicate the PacificNorthwest’s snow pack is thicker than normal, meaning hydropower isprimed for another productive year.
Con Edison Sells Rest of NYC Generation Assets
Completing an asset sell-off started last month, ConsolidatedEdison Co. announced Baltimore, MD-based Orion Power Holdings asthe winning bidder in the auction for three New York citygenerating facilities. Orion’s winning bid was $550 million. MorganStanley Dean Witter advised Con Edison on the sale. Orion officialssaid the deal will close by mid-1999.
Nicor to Test Performance Against a Benchmark
Nicor Gas has filed a performance-based rate proposal with theIllinois Commerce Commission that would allow the company and itscustomers to save money if Nicor’s commodity, transportation andstorage costs are lower than a fluctuating benchmark. The benchmarkwill be based on a bushel of published gas price indexes, plusaverage transportation costs over the prior year and actual storagecosts. The PBR is expected to be in place starting next January.
Producers Take Case to Capitol Hill, White House
Independent producers plan to present a resolution later thismonth to congressional lawmakers and others in the federalgovernment, asking them to support measures to lift the oil and gasindustry from its currently depressed state.