David

Reps. James L. Oberstar (D-MN), John D. Dingell (D-MI) and David R. Obey (D-WI) sent letters to President Clinton and House Democratic Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt last week urging rejection of an effort to include the Senate’s pipeline safety bill (S. 2438) as a rider to an appropriations bill or other “must-pass” legislation.

Millennium Pipeline President David Pentzien said yesterday it ismore evident now than ever before that significant additional capacityis needed to the Northeast. His remarks ran contrary to theconclusions of a recent Energy Information Administration report (seeDaily GPI, May 25), which found onlyabout 840 MMcf/d of additional capacity is needed in the near term incontrast to the more than 2 Bcf/d of capacity that is planned. ButPentzien noted recent market indicators show an undeniable need forlots more supply access.

Duke Energy Gas Transmission has named Tom O’Connor, TheopolisHoleman, Dorothy Ables and Richard Kruse to new positions as seniorvice presidents. This new market-oriented executive team willreport to Robert B. Evans, president of Duke Energy GasTransmission, and will be responsible for the management of DukeEnergy’s interstate natural gas pipelines.

Houston-based Newfield Exploration Co. made David A. Trice CEOeffective today, replacing Joe B. Foster who resigned as CEO butwill remain as chairman and be involved with the company in anon-executive role. Foster, a director of Baker Hughes Inc. since1990, has been made interim CEO of that company in the wake of theresignation of Max L. Lukens. Foster resigned his Newfield positiontwo weeks ahead of the planned date of Feb. 15 to accept thetemporary post at Baker Hughes. Foster founded Newfield in 1989after serving as executive vice president of Tenneco Inc. andChairman of Tenneco Oil.

David A. Trice was named Joe B. Foster’s successor as CEO ofHouston-based Newfield Exploration Co. effective Feb. 15 whenFoster vacates the position as part of his retirement plans.Foster, a principal founder of Newfield, will continue as chairman.Newfield is an independent oil and gas company active in the Gulfof Mexico, along the U.S. Gulf Coast and off Australia.

Southern Energy Inc., a unit of Southern Company named David T.Gallaspy CEO of its Southern Energy Texas/Louisiana division,managing power generation operations in Texas and directingbusiness development activities in the region. He also will remaina vice president of Southern Energy.

UtiliCorp United subsidiary Aquila Energy has formed Natural GasPartners Development to develop midstream gas assets. David Hookeris the general manager of the new group. “It is our goal to expandAquila’s midstream assets book in a manner complementary to itssuccessful trading operation, supporting the company’s commitmentto always remain on that leading edge providing the best customersservice in the industry,” Hooker said.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge nominated Republican utilitylawyer Terrance J. Fitzpatrick to replace David W. Rolka on thePennsylvania Public Utility Commission. “He is a common-senseenvironmentalist with a rich breadth of experience in energy andutility law and policy,” Ridge said in a statement. As a lawyer,Fitzpatrick has represented GPU Energy, owner of the Three MileIsland nuclear plant

The industry rumblings of a declining gas supply are not far offbase, said a report by David Pursell, an analyst for theinstitutional securities group Simmons & Co. Intl. Judging fromweekly American Gas Association (AGA) storage data and Departmentof Energy (DOE) LNG production figures, the report forecast the gasdecline rate could surpass 4% in the coming months when compared tolast year, unless a sharp increase in gas-directed drilling takesplace. Using these findings, Pursell said gas prices should stayabove $2/Mcf for the near future.