Extends

Williams said Wednesday it would extend the open season on its Kern River natural gas pipeline system through Sept. 18. The open season, originally set to end Wednesday, seeks binding commitments for seasonal and year-round firm backhaul transportation service from Kern River’s new interconnect near Elberta, UT with Questar Pipeline’s ML No. 104 Project to markets along the Wasatch Front that are upstream of the interconnect, which is scheduled to be completed Nov. 1.

Despite the drop in natural gas prices, Vancouver-based Methanex said Tuesday that the shutdown of its 470,000 tons/year Medicine Hat, AB facility, which uses natural gas in its methanol production, has been extended for an “indeterminate period” because of the plant’s “current non-competitive cost structure.” However, Methanex said it would move ahead on construction of a new facility in Trinidad, which it said will be less costly to operate.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by a 5-0 vote last Monday extended its power market mitigation program across the western states 24 hours a day, seven days a week through September, 2002, with a two-part cost-based formula addressing spot prices during emergency and non-emergency periods (EL00-95-031). The new mitigation program went into effect June 20.

The Texas Railroad Commission has extended tax exemptions for two- and three-year inactive wells that are brought back into production. The rulemaking would amend Texas Statewide Rule 83, which reflects the state’s legislative extension, which originally expired more than a year ago.

Senators from Oregon and Washington State are questioning why a recent FERC order that extends the Commission’s power market mitigation program across the western states 24 hours a day, seven days a week does not allow Pacific Northwest electricity customers to seek refunds for past overcharges dating to last summer.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by a 5-0 vote Monday extended its power market mitigation program across the western states 24 hours a day, seven days a week through September, 2002, with a two part cost-based formula addressing prices during emergency and non-emergency periods. The new mitigation program begins the day after the issuance of the order.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week signed off on requests by ISO New England and the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) to extend the $1,000 per megawatt hour (MWh) bid caps in their energy markets, but only through the end of October. Meanwhile, a FERC official said that in his view, once the caps expire later this year, that may very well spell the end of such caps in both New York and New England.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week signed off on requests by ISO New England and the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) to extend the $1,000 per megawatt hour (MWh) bid caps in their energy markets, but only through the end of October. Meanwhile, a FERC official said that in his view, once the caps expire later this year, that may very well spell the end of such caps in both New York and New England.

Pogo Producing said subsidiary Pogo Onshore Pipeline is up forsale. The subsidiary consists of 108 miles of six-inch diametersteel gas pipeline, which extends from Saginaw, TX, to WichitaFalls. The pipeline, formerly known as the Saginaw Pipeline,traverses parts of Tarrant, Wise, Montague, Clay and Wichitacounties, including the active Barnett Shale play. Also includedare 12 miles of smaller diameter pipeline. Pogo is offering to sellthese assets effective April 1. The property will be sold through anegotiated sale. For further information, contact Clint Wetmore atMadison Energy Advisors, (281) 876-2244 or check Madison’s web sitefor regular status updates at www.MadisonEnergy.com.