Distributors

Northeastern local gas distributors NiSource, National Fuel and Equitable Resources reported improved financial results for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2003, with NiSource Inc. delivering the largest quarterly improvement, a 70% gain in net income to $139.8 million, but also reporting a substantial decline for the year because of a charge for discontinued operations.

Gas distributors across the northwestern U.S. — from Washington state to Colorado — were back in a normal operations mode Friday, at the same time adding up record natural gas send-outs prompted by a freezing arctic storm that drove through the region at the beginning of the week.

Despite a disappointing fourth quarter, full year operating earnings in 2001 for 39 natural gas distribution companies, including elements of larger gas and electric companies, were up 6% over 2000 on a revenue increase of 19%, according to Energy Performance Review (EPR).

Natural gas pipelines, local distributors and industrial customers said they backed FERC’s current inquiry that potentially may limit the public’s access to sensitive critical energy infrastructure information (CEII), but some cautioned the agency not to go overboard in its effort. A few legal experts, however, adopted the surprising position that the Commission should use “all available legal means” to limit access to certain details about energy facilities in the wake of Sept. 11.

The warm winter in the East is showing up in financials from distribution companies up and down the East Coast, but at least one of them will be collecting on its weather insurance. New Jersey-based NUI Corp., Washington, DC-based WGL Holdings Inc. and North Carolina-based Piedmont Natural Gas Co., said warmer than normal temperatures in their natural gas service areas and the current economic recession are having an effect on earnings in 2002.

Central Canadian distributors have won the right to stake a claim on natural gas from offshore of Nova Scotia, after a hard-fought contest against production and transportation interests primarily bent on expanding deliveries to the United States.

Central Canadian distributors have won the right to stake a claim on natural gas from offshore of Nova Scotia, after a hard-fought contest against production and transportation interests primarily bent on expanding deliveries to the United States.

New England natural gas officials and key distributors predict that the region will have ample gas supplies to meet this winter’s heating demand, even if the existing embargo on liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers into Boston Harbor should remain in effect for a prolonged period.

With natural gas wholesale prices at a two-and-a-half-year low, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Southern California Gas Co. told their more than nine million customers they can expect much lower monthly utility bills this winter. For the immediate winter, supply and prices should be fairly stable, according to both national and state reports.