Except

Except for moderate California upticks, the cash marketcontinued to soften Friday but by much smaller amounts than the daybefore. Most points ranged from flat to down about 30 cents, butdeclines were larger at Stanfield and several Northeast citygates.

Except for some upticks in San Juan Basin and at Northeastcitygates (especially strong in both of Transco’s Zone 6 pools),late-December swing prices stayed on a downhill slide Wednesday.Declines ranged from mildly softer to more than $2 lower atStanfield, but most were within the range of 40-70 cents.

Except for declines at several of the highest-priced westernpoints, the cash market stayed in an upbeat mood Friday. Gainsranged from about a dime to more than 30 cents, with most between20 and 30 cents. Malin joined the three primary Pacific Northwestpoints (Sumas, Stanfield and Kingsgate) in falling from their loftyheights.

Except in the Rockies and Southwest, prices kept rising Tuesdaybut not nearly as spectacularly as on the day before. Californiawas still registering triple-digit increases, but otherwise, mostpoints went up between a nickel and 15 cents. The Pacific Northwestand Northeast citygates saw most of the non-California gainsgreater than 20 cents.

Except for still-tumbling prices in the Northeast and in theRockies, which ironically were among the chillier regionsWednesday, most of the cash market pulled out of the tailspin thathad characterized Tuesday’s start of November swing trading. Otherareas tended to range from mildly lower to mildly higher.

Except for moderate firmness for intra-Alberta and Rockiespoints Monday, the cash market tended to stay on the downward slopethat had developed Friday. However, Monday’s declines were smallerthan those for the weekend, ranging mostly between a nickel and adime.

Except for a few western points, the September aftermarket gotoff to a generally strong beginning. In swing deals done Thursdayfor the first (and in some cases for flow through Tuesday), mostmarkets registered double-digit increases over last-of-Augustlevels and also were well above September indexes.

Except for the deep-water Gulf of Mexico, major producers haveessentially “thrown in the towel” in the U.S. oil and gas marketand are traipsing overseas to find their fortunes, a top executivewith The Coastal Corp. said last week. As a result, he believesmost of the burden to supply a 30 Tcf natural gas market in theUnited States will fall to independent producers.

Except for the deep-water Gulf of Mexico, major producers haveessentially “thrown in the towel” in the U.S. oil and gas marketand are traipsing overseas to find their fortunes, a top executivewith The Coastal Corp. said yesterday. As a result, he believesmost of the burden to supply a 30 Tcf natural gas market will fallto the independent producers.