Despite

Burned so badly that it subsequently got out of the gas andelectric marketing business, LG&E Energy nevertheless has urgedthe Federal Energy Regulatory Commission not to interfere with theinfant electric market by imposing price caps. The marketer, whichhad been among the largest in the business, said the price run-upin June to the neighborhood of $7,000 per MWh for gas deliveredinto Cinergy was part of the “growing pains” of an immaturecommodities market.

UtiliCorp United reported a 15% second-quarter earnings risedespite weakened performance in its energy delivery segment,sharply diminished results from Aquila Gas Pipeline, and anelectric rate cut in Missouri. Growth in wholesale energy marketingand international operations get the thanks for boosting 1998second quarter earnings to $23.4 million from $20.3 million a yearearlier.

Dynegy CEO Chuck Watson attributed his company’s improved secondquarter performance to stronger margins in the wholesale gas andelectric businesses despite weaker margins in the company’s liquidsbusiness.

Despite a stinging second quarter net income loss of $17.3million, or $0.07 per share, compared to last year’s second quarternet income of $74 million, or $0.30 per share, Union PacificResources noted the addition of Norcen Energy assets helped pushdiscretionary cash flow up 20% ($56 million) to $332 million ($1.34per share). Producing property volumes increased to nearly 2.8Bcf/d, a 72% increase over the same period last year. The drop innet income was a result of lower commodity prices, higherexploration expenses and interest expense from the Norcenacquisition, UPR said. Included in the company’s second quarterresults were a pre-tax gain of $26 million on the sale of DJ Basinproperties, a settlement of gas supply agreements which addedpre-tax income of $30 million and an $11 million pre- tax gain on aforeign currency exchange.

Announcements of new pipeline projects are booming despiterecently voiced concerns by pipeline executives that return onequity is not sufficient to justify new construction (see NGI, Feb.2). A recent NGI survey of projects announced over the last threeyears indicates more than 7 Bcf/d of new capacity has already beenconstructed in the U.S. and Canada, with nearly 21 Bcf/d ofcombined capacity additions approved or under consideration. Thisis in addition to projects canceled or put on hold indefinitely.

Despite an El Nino winter and lower gas liquids prices, NGCCorp. enjoyed a first quarter substantially better than one yearago. CEO Chuck Watson attributed the improvement to better gas andliquids marketing operations in the U.S. and the U.K.

Despite one marketer’s assertion that not too much is happeningin the May bidweek market yet, activity was far from lacking at theNew York Mercantile Exchange Monday. The spot May contract lostanother 7.6 cents to $2.266 yesterday, as traders continue to getout of their May positions before the contract goes off the boardat 3:10 EDT this afternoon. An estimated 93,800 total contractschanged hands.

Despite Tuesday’s overall price losses, the rising trend astrading progressed carried over into Wednesday and resulted inmoderate to strong rebounds. Increases mostly were in the range of5-10 cents and tended to cancel out the Tuesday declines.

Despite $15 oil and the whopping $810 million federal CentralGulf of Mexico lease sale three weeks ago, oil and gas prospectorshad enough shekels remaining to make the Texas General Land Officesale April 7 the largest high bids sale in 22 years and the seventhlargest in the history of the 150-plus-year old agency.