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Atmos Energy (ATO) last week became the country’s largest gas-only utility company by completing its $1.9 billion purchase of the natural gas distribution and pipeline operations of TXU Gas Co.

Atmos Energy (ATO) on Friday became the country’s largest gas-only utility company by completing its $1.9 billion purchase of the natural gas distribution and pipeline operations of TXU Gas Co.

Former Enron Corp. Chairman Kenneth Lay will not receive his requested mid-September trial date. However, the Houston judge presiding over the case said he will likely decide by early October whether Lay will be tried with his alleged co-conspirators, ex-CEO Jeffrey Skilling and former chief accountant Richard Causey.

While some areas of the country appear to be out of the woods as far as heat is concerned, a majority of the East Coast still appears to be in for some warmer than normal temperatures from August through October, according to WSI Corp.

The Oil & Gas Asset Clearinghouse sold more than $18.2 million in properties at its hybrid auction in May, which offered 113 lots across the country. Approximately 260 registered bidders competed on the properties, with 30% bidding on the Internet. The Clearinghouse’s hybrid auction process allows Internet bidders the opportunity to compete simultaneously and on a real-time basis against floor bidders. Some of the notable properties were sold to Geodyne Nominee, the Jay-Lec Unit in Florida, $750,000; Swift Energy, North Creole and Broussard Field in Cameron Parish, LA, $500,000; Giddings Field in Fayette County, TX, $575,000; John Mecom III et al, Second Bayou Field in Cameron Parish, $1 million; Lance Ruffel Oil & Gas, Golden Trend Field in Grady County, OK, $2.5 million; Noble Energy, Algoa West Field in Brazoria County, TX, $600,000; Cosmonaut Field in Fort Bend County, TX, $1.4 million; Sugar Valley Field in Matagorda County, TX, $625,000; Mission Resources, Buna Field in Jasper County, TX, $725,000. The next hybrid auction will be held on July 14 at the Sheraton North Houston Hotel in Houston. Information on the upcoming auction may be found at www.ogclearinghouse.com.

Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) said Thursday that natural gas requirements for the country’s expanding oilsands industry will grow substantially from the 0.6 Bcf/d recorded in 2003 to a range of 1.4-1.6 Bcf/d by 2015. However, rising gas prices are forcing producers to find alternatives to reduce their dependence on gas as the major source of energy and hydrogen for their operations, the report said.

Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) said Thursday that natural gas requirements for the country’s expanding oilsands industry will grow substantially from the 0.6 Bcf/d recorded in 2003 to a range of 1.4-1.6 Bcf/d by 2015. However, rising gas prices are forcing producers to find alternatives to reduce their dependence on gas as the major source of energy and hydrogen for their operations, the report said.

Cash prices tumbled 10-15 cents at nearly all locations across the country Wednesday in response to mild weather and early futures market weakness, but few observers seemed ready to call it a sign of an upcoming market reversal. In fact, the crude oil and gas futures markets ended the day even higher, leaving many in disbelief. June gas ended up 4.1 cents to $6.310, while June oil hit a new high for the contract of $39.30.

Cash prices galloped 35-40 cents higher across the country on Tuesday in response to Monday’s wild 37-cent jump in June gas futures and the continued strength in the gas and oil futures markets on Tuesday.