Discussion

Following three days of hearings and discussion, the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council recently gave a heavily conditioned approval on a final route for a proposed $94 million Northwest Natural Gas Co. 24-inch diameter transmission pipeline.

Following three days of hearings and discussion last week, the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council on Friday gave a heavily conditioned approval on a final route for a proposed $94 million Northwest Natural Gas Co.24-inch diameter transmission pipeline.

There has been much discussion of the stall in gas-directed drilling in the United States despite expectations of higher prices going forward, but gas drilling also has failed to gain momentum in Canada, Raymond James analysts noted in their “Stat of the Week” equity research report. The analysts predict Canadian gas production and U.S. gas imports will fall by about 500 MMcf/d or 2-3% this winter compared to last winter.

There has been much discussion of the stall in gas-directed drilling in the United States despite expectations of higher prices going forward, but gas drilling also has failed to gain momentum in Canada, Raymond James analysts noted in their “Stat of the Week” equity research report. The analysts predict Canadian gas production and U.S. gas imports to fall by about 500 MMcf/d or 2-3% this winter compared to last winter.

Prefacing an hour-long discussion with investors on Friday,Enron Corp. COO Jeffrey Skilling said the rumors about theHouston-based energy giant, which have sent the company’s stockspiraling to a 52-week low, are mostly “noise,” with no basis infact. Skilling, who said his comments would be “short and sweet,”reiterated more than once that business from all four sectors is in”great shape.”

Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) was expected to send out a “discussion draft” of his widely anticipated emergency legislation for California to members of the House Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee late yesterday, which means that it’s “still very open to change,” said Barton press aide Samantha Jordan. While “it’s more likely than not” that Barton will introduce a bill to aid California, “it’s not definite.” If he decides in favor of legislation, she said he will probably come out with it in late April after the congressional recess. Barton would then hold one hearing on the bill and move quickly to mark-up. Barton also is hoping to unveil omnibus energy legislation in the House by late May or early June, Jordan noted, and forward it to the White House by early fall.

Prefacing an hour-long discussion with investors on Friday, Enron Corp. COO Jeffrey Skilling said the rumors about the Houston-based energy giant, which have sent the company’s stock spiraling to a 52-week low, are mostly “noise,” with no basis in fact. Skilling, who said his comments would be “short and sweet,” reiterated more than once that business from all four sectors is in “great shape.”

While an agreement is still under discussion and nothing hasbeen finalized, a Coral Energy official confirmed Friday thatparent company Royal Dutch/Shell and U.S. construction giantBechtel Enterprises will fold InterGen, InterGen North America andcertain assets of Coral Energy into one business.

While an agreement is still under discussion and nothing hasbeen finalized, a Coral Energy official confirmed Friday thatparent company Royal Dutch/Shell and U.S. construction giantBechtel Enterprises will fold InterGen, InterGen North America andcertain assets of Coral Energy into one business.