Finds

Competition is, for the most part, flourishing in New York’s electricity markets, but significant levels of new generation will need to be added to the state’s system in the near future in order for New Yorkers to avoid incurring higher electricity prices, according to a report recently issued by Dr. David Patton, market adviser to the New York independent system operator (NYISO).

Competition is, for the most part, flourishing in New York’s electricity markets, but significant levels of new generation will need to be added to the state’s system in the near future in order for New Yorkers to avoid incurring higher electricity prices, according to a report recently issued by Dr. David Patton, market adviser to the New York independent system operator (NYISO).

In a race to produce increasing amounts of natural gas to keep up with the nation’s growing demand, Anadarko Petroleum Corp. reported last Tuesday that it is continuing its work to find and produce new gas reserves from oil fields. The company announced its Fife Unit #2 well in Central Texas, which just came online, is producing natural gas at a rate of 51 MMcf/d.

Land restrictions and the availability of adequate drilling services — including qualified personnel — pose the greatest challenge to increasing North American gas production, according to Ziff Energy Group’s Third Annual Gas Industry Survey, unveiled in Houston at the North American Gas Strategies Conference. Ironically, last year’s biggest challenge was considered to be low prices.

In a race to produce increasing amounts of natural gas to keep up with the nation’s growing demand, Anadarko Petroleum Corp. reported Tuesday that it is continuing its work to find and produce new gas reserves from oil fields. The company announced its Fife Unit #2 well in Central Texas, which just came online, is producing natural gas at a rate of 51 MMcf/d.

Land restrictions and the availability of adequate drilling services — including qualified personnel — pose the greatest challenge to increasing North American gas production, according to Ziff Energy Group’s Third Annual Gas Industry Survey, unveiled in Houston yesterday at the kickoff of its North American Gas Strategies Conference. Ironically, last year’s biggest challenge was considered to be low prices.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission came out divided lastweek on whether regional price caps should be imposed on thewholesale power market in the West. FERC Chairman Curt Hebert andthe Commission staff maintained opposition to price caps, whileCommissioner William Massey came out strongly in favor of some formof temporary regional price caps until permanent solutions to thecurrent crisis can be found.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission came out divided lastweek on whether regional price caps should be imposed on thewholesale power market in the West. FERC Chairman Curt Hebert andthe Commission staff maintained opposition to price caps, whileCommissioner William Massey came out strongly in favor of some formof temporary regional price caps until permanent solutions to thecurrent crisis can be found.

In what has to be a wilder ride than anything available atDisneyland’s soon-to-open new “California Experience,” theelectricity high jinx caromed all over the nation’s most populousstate last week. It included: rolling blackouts through northernCalifornia; enactment of crisis legislation, the most immediate ofwhich provides $400 million to the state water resources agency soit can buy bulk power for California; a last minute temporaryrestraining order by the California Public Utilities Commissionrequiring Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edisonto continue supplying power to all their customers; variousfinancial downgradings and defaults; and suggestions for compromiseactions by outgoing FERC Chairman James Hoecker.