Exec

ConocoPhillips is “pretty well positioned” to be a major player in the U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) market in the years ahead, said a top-level executive with the energy company last Wednesday.

ConocoPhillips is “pretty well positioned” to be a major player in the U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) market in the years ahead, said a top-level executive with the energy company Wednesday.

The former director of investor relations for Enron Corp. agreed to pay a $1.49 million fine to settle fraud charges, while the former COO of Enron Broadband Services (EBS) pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and securities fraud last week, in the latest settlements with former executives at the bankrupt company.

Dynegy Inc.’s new management team said restoring investor confidence and focusing on business remain key following the resignation last week of founder Chuck Watson, CEO and chairman. No strategic shifts are expected, but the executive team is now led by ChevronTexaco Vice Chairman Glenn F. Tilton. Steve Bergstrom, Watson’s right-hand man, remains COO and president — already seen by many as a good sign that the board of directors was loyal to Dynegy’s direction, but not its 17-year leader.

Noting that the economic indicators driving electricity demand growth were all up in the second quarter, an executive with San Jose, CA-based Calpine Corp. told financial analysts Thursday that coal operators are likely to have to buy more power on the open market in the near-term to hedge increased competitive pressures on coal-fired power.

Noting that the economic indicators driving electricity demand growth were all up in the second quarter, an executive with San Jose, CA-based Calpine Corp. told financial analysts Thursday that coal operators are likely to have to buy more power on the open market in the near-term to hedge increased competitive pressures on coal-fired power.

Kenneth Rice, 45, who formerly was co-CEO of Enron Corp.’s broadband division, pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of securities fraud. He agreed to pay a $13.7 million fine, and now faces up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing is set for Jan. 31, 2005.

Kenneth Rice, 45, who formerly was co-CEO of Enron Corp.’s broadband division, pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of securities fraud. He agreed to pay a $13.7 million fine, and now faces up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing is set for Jan. 31, 2005.

Joseph H. Bryant, a 27-year veteran of the oil and gas industry, has been named Unocal Corp.’s president and COO, effective Sept. 1. In his new position, the BP executive will lead the company’s domestic and international exploration and production units, as well as Unocal’s reservoir and production engineering, exploration technology, drilling procurement and logistics, engineering and construction, and corporate information groups.