After a convincing 7-cent gain to kick off the week, the futuresmarket forged higher yesterday morning amid continuedshort-covering mixed with some fresh buying activity. The Aprilcontract was bumping up against the March 12 high of $1.825 inmid-day trading, but in the afternoon the buying dried up, leavingonly sellers to determine the market direction. The resulting priceslide-7 cents in 45 minutes-send the prompt month spiraling lowerto finish at $1.754.
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Transportation Notes
El Paso’s Waha GE will be down for emergency maintenance at 6p.m. today through Thursday, March 25, for field gas compressorbearing replacement.
Hydro Spin-Down May Threaten CA Power Projects
Bold plans by Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas andElectric Co. to transfer $2 billion in hydroelectric powergeneration assets to non-utility affiliates could threaten thecompetitiveness and profitability of the state’s emerging merchantpower business if allowed by state regulators. The proposals havesparked calls for a statewide investigation by the CaliforniaPublic Utilities Commission. Potential violations of market powerand utility affiliate transaction rules are being loudly raised bya growing number of opponents.
West Tends to Withstand Overall Price Downturn
Most points fell between a nickel and a dime Monday, draggeddown by the anchor of a weaker Henry Hub futures contract, sourcessaid. A chilly West was most resistant to the general softeningwith prices that tended to be flat to off only a couple of cents.
Futures Yo-Yo in Quiet Trading Session
The futures market was pressured lower Tuesday as sellers sentthe February contract tumbling back down to support clustered inthe $1.73-74 area. But once again the move failed to produce a newcontract low, which set off a short-covering rally that bid theprompt month higher just prior to the close. February settled at$1.817, a fraction of a penny off its high for the day and 2.1cents higher than last week’s closing price.
EIA Sees Demand Down 6% in 4Q
The Energy Information Administration is projecting gas demandin the fourth quarter to be 5%-6% lower than it was in 4Q 1997,which was a colder-than-normal quarter. It sees 8.9% fewer heatingdegree-days this quarter than during the prior year’s period. Allsectors are showing lower gas demand in this quarter, except forelectric utility gas demand, which may hold to levels seen in 4Q1997. Overall natural gas demand growth this year is now projectedto be 2.9% below the 1997 level.
EIA Expects Demand to be Down 6% in 4Q
The Energy Information Administration is projecting gas demandin fourth quarter to be 5-6% lower than it was in 4Q97, which was acolder-than-normal quarter. It sees 8.9% fewer heating degree-daysthis quarter than during the prior year’s period. All sectors areshowing lower gas demand in this quarter, except for electricutility gas demand, which may hold to levels seen in 4Q97. Overallnatural gas demand growth this year is now projected to be 2.9%below the 1997 level.
PG&E Still Fighting TX Franchise Fee Case
PG&E Gas Transmission Texas (PG&E GT-T), a subsidiary ofPG&E Corp., said it will appeal a judgment handed down lastweek in the 92nd district court in Hildalgo County, TX, regardingfranchise fees, even though the judge reduced the August 1998 juryverdict.
TriState Files to Build 650 MMcf/d Gas Line
CMS Energy and Westcoast Energy filed an application with FERClast week for the U.S portion of their TriState Pipeline project, a650 MMcf/d gas pipeline that would extend to the Dawn Hub inOntario from Joliet, IL, near Chicago.
Hurricane Loses Its Price-Bolstering Touch
Though still one of the most dangerous hurricanes to come downthe pike in many years, Mitch was unable to to sustain its positiveinfluence on cash prices Tuesday. Incremental quotes ranged fromslightly higher to as much as 7-8 cents lower, with the majority ofpoints registering downticks. A diving futures screen set theexample for cash to emulate, sources said.