Critical

“I think we are at the critical moment in the development of our energy markets and energy infrastructure for the future economy of this country,” FERC Commissioner Nora Mead Brownell said last week. “This is an economy made competitive in part by its access to cheap and reliable power.”

Citing the critical role that imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) will play in bridging the gap between domestic natural gas supply and demand over the next two decades, major LNG developers called on FERC Friday to exempt import terminals from the agency’s open-access and open-season regulations to encourage an influx of foreign LNG supplies into the United States. Without a more favorable regulatory regime, they warned overseas suppliers will go to the “place of least resistance” — Japan and western Europe, for example.

Citing the critical role that imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) will play in bridging the gap between domestic natural gas supply and demand over the next two decades, major LNG developers called on FERC Friday to exempt import terminals from the agency’s open-access and open-season regulations to encourage an influx of foreign LNG supplies into the United States.

Iroquois Pipeline, having reached a critical point in development of its Eastern Long Island (ELI) expansion project, has asked FERC to defer further action on its application until at least January when Iroquois will provide a status update.

Iroquois Pipeline, having reached a critical point in development of its Eastern Long Island (ELI) expansion project, has asked FERC to defer further action on its application until at least January when Iroquois will provide a status update.

Unconventional gas sources, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), will play a critical role in supplying a projected 33-34 Tcf gas market over the next two decades, according to a new study by an Alexandria, VA-based energy consulting firm. But even with added supply from non-traditional sources, Energy Ventures Analysis Inc. (EVA) believes the industry will be challenged to meet future demand requirements.

Unconventional gas sources, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), will play a critical role in supplying a projected 33-34 Tcf gas market over the next two decades, according to a new study by an Alexandria, VA-based energy consulting firm. But even with added supply from non-traditional sources, Energy Ventures Analysis Inc. (EVA) believes the industry will be challenged to meet future demand requirements.

According to a seasoned gas trader and analyst, natural gas prices will have some difficult times in the upcoming late summer and fall period. With expected low shoulder month demand, accompanied by abundant supplies, something has to give.

Following critical reviews by two major investment houses, Hagerstown, MD-based Allegheny Energy last week announced it is slashing its expected 2002 earnings guidance and is executing plans to reduce operating and capital expenditures for the rest of the year and beyond, including the cancellation of a combined 1,168 MW of planned generation in Arizona and Indiana and the elimination of about 10% of its workforce, or 600 jobs. Having already eliminated eight positions from its energy marketing and trading division in the second quarter, officials with Allegheny Energy last week weren’t ruling out the possibility of further cuts from that part of company as part of the overall head count reduction.