Diverse

When a holding company has regulated and non-regulated businesses, its opportunities are more diverse; so are its challenges. On the regulated side, Integrys Energy Group CEO Charlie Schrock is fighting rising costs in an era of slow customer growth. However, the nation’s shale gas abundance is convincing customers — both regulated and non — to rely more heavily on gas.

When a holding company has regulated and non regulated businesses, its opportunities are more diverse; so are its challenges. On the regulated side, Integrys Energy Group CEO Charlie Schrock is fighting rising costs in an era of slow customer growth. However, the nation’s shale gas abundance is convincing customers — both regulated and non — to rely more heavily on gas.

While Talisman Energy Inc. has a diverse portfolio of international exploration and production (E&P) interests, in North America the company is focused largely on the Marcellus, Montney and Eagle Ford shales, plays in which its activities are in various stages of development. In the Marcellus, where its shale activities are the most mature, Talisman is enjoying improved well results as it continues to learn the play.

While Talisman Energy Inc. has a diverse portfolio of international exploration and production (E&P) interests, in North America the company is focused largely on the Marcellus, Montney and Eagle Ford shales, plays in which its activities are in various stages of development. In the Marcellus, where its shale activities are the most mature, Talisman is enjoying improved well results as it continues to learn the play.

In response to what it said is growing demand to connect Columbia Gulf Transmission’s diverse supply mix with growing markets in the southeast, NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage announced an open season for expanded capacity to Florida Gas Transmission. The project will expand Columbia Gulf’s existing facilities near Lafayette, LA, by 180,000 Dth/day for a total deliverability of 300,000 Dth/day. The increase will be achieved through the addition of compression at Columbia Gulf’s Rayne compressor station and pipeline facilities on its East Lateral in south Louisiana. The new service is projected to be available beginning June 1, 2008. Columbia Gulf is soliciting binding offers for firm contracts for transportation capacity sourced from the Columbia Gulf Mainline rate zone and delivered to the newly expanded FGT-Lafayette interconnect in Columbia Gulf’s Onshore rate zone. Interested parties should submit bids for minimum contract terms of one year by Nov. 2 by contacting Beth Medlin at (713) 267-4756, bmedlin@nisource.com, or Pete Brastrom at (713) 267-4735, pbrastrom@nisource.com.

Duke Energy Gas Transmission (DEGT) said Thursday that a “robust and diverse response” to its recently completed Lebanon East open season has confirmed that additional capacity is necessary to better serve Ohio and Pennsylvania markets. During the open season, shippers expressed interest in more than 1.2 Bcf/d through nonbinding firm transportation agreements. The solicitation ran from Dec. 1, 2005 to March 1, 2006.

Industrial customers, associations and environmental/energy efficiency activists have become unlikely allies to pressure Congress and the Bush administration to take steps to bridge the gap between natural gas supply and demand, promote the construction of new gas pipelines and storage facilities and foster greater conservation and energy efficiency by consumers.

Industrial customers, associations and environmental/energy efficiency activists have become unusual allies in order to press Congress and the Bush administration to take steps to bridge the gap between natural gas supply and demand, promote the construction of new gas pipelines and storage facilities and foster greater conservation and energy efficiency by consumers.

While THE vote recount continues and with little change dictatedby the elections in the energy leadership in the House and Senate,energy industry pundits were at leisure to explore energy policyscenarios under Democratic or Republican regimes and potentialcandidates to fill the top slots in either eventuality.