Entry

California’s closely watched entry into the long-term, bulkpower market turned up 39 bidders at an average 6.9 cents/kWhprice, the governor’s office reported late Wednesday, as the stategovernment finished its whirlwind 27-hour, sealed-bid powerauction.

“Wanted: entry-level workers, roustabouts, floorhands, mechanicsand electricians. Training, benefits provided.” It’s a virtualposting in drilling companies’ offices across North America.Unemployment is so low, and jobs so plentiful across nearly everyjob sector that finding potential employees who are willing to workfor low-end wages in the oil and gas industry has reached acritical stage.

“Wanted: entry-level workers, roustabouts, floorhands, mechanicsand electricians. Training, benefits provided.” It’s a virtualposting in drilling companies’ offices across North America.Unemployment is so low, and jobs so plentiful across nearly everyjob sector that finding potential employees who are willing to workfor low-end wages in the oil and gas industry has reached acritical stage.

Development is accelerating on Canada’s newest gas frontier as athird production project steps forward to tap discoveries in thesouthern Northwest Territories.

Development is accelerating on Canada’s newest natural gasfrontier, as a third production project steps forward to tapdiscoveries in the southern Northwest Territories.

Oneok Inc. plans to enter the electric generation and powermarketing businesses with an Oklahoma generating facility. Thecompany signed a contract with General Electric to buy four gasturbine generators with a capacity of 300 MW. A generation facilityencompassing the four units will be constructed and in service byJune 1, 2001.

Saying it wants to focus on its core gas business, PhiladelphiaGas Works (PGW) has abandoned its entry into electricity marketingand several other retail marketing ventures and will reduce thesize of its marketing staff. PGW is the nation’s largestmunicipally owned utility.

Round one of a developing battle over Canada’s last virginmarket for natural gas has been won by the first entry, even beforeothers have a chance to set up shop. The National Energy Boardauthorized Maritimes &amp Northeast Pipeline to serve the firstindustrial customers in Nova Scotia, with a branch line thatbypasses prospective local distributors.

A steep price spike highlighted a lasting change in natural gasprices at Sumas, the Washington state entry point for exports fromBritish Columbia, say Canadian producers and marketers.