Focuses

While being bullish about adding major generation assets in its two principal markets in Minnesota and Colorado, Xcel Energy is looking to sell some of its assets in other states where its presence is much smaller, said Xcel COO Dick Kelly, speaking Wednesday at the Banc of America Securities Energy & Power Conference in Las Vegas.

A leaner Williams Cos. has set its sights on its three core natural gas businesses, exploration and production (E&P), midstream and interstate gas pipelines, going forward, the head of the company told analysts last Thursday. The company is trying to exit the power business, but it’s unlikely that it will be able to do so in the near term.

A leaner Williams Cos. has set its sights on its three core natural gas businesses, exploration and production (E&P), midstream and interstate gas pipelines, going forward, the head of the company told analysts Thursday. The company is trying to exit the power business, but it’s unlikely that it will be able to do so in the near term.

Stone Energy Corp., which focuses its operations offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Rocky Mountains, reported a 25% increase in earnings in the second quarter, but its natural gas output was down and oil equivalent barrels were flat compared with a year earlier.

Alberta, source of four-fifths of Canadian natural gas production, has reached its natural upper limit as a supplier and its industry will have to scramble to maintain current output, the National Energy Board says.

Alberta, source of four-fifths of Canadian natural gas production, has reached its natural upper limit as a supplier and its industry will have to scramble to maintain current output, the National Energy Board says.

London-based BP plc’s oil and gas output is expected to grow at least 5% globally through 2008, and the company expects to grow its natural gas sales volumes 3-5% a year, Sir John Browne, CEO, said last week. Browne also noted that because of the expected strong organic growth in the next four years, excess cash will be given to shareholders.

London-based BP plc’s oil and gas output is expected to grow at least 5% globally through 2008, and the company expects to grow its natural gas sales volumes 3-5% a year, the CEO said Monday. Sir John Browne added that because of the expected strong organic growth in the next four years, excess cash will be given to shareholders.

Tractebel North America (TNA), a subsidiary of Paris-based SUEZ, said it is increasing its focus on its U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) and retail energy businesses and is selling Ripon Cogeneration, which operates two gas-fired cogeneration plants in California.