Foreign

Foreign suppliers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) could bypass U.S. energy markets if the standards for the Btu-enriched product entering interstate pipelines are set too high, a Department of Energy (DOE) official warned Wednesday.

Over the next five years, San Diego-based Sempra Energy, which envisions itself becoming a major North American LNG importer, plans to sell numerous natural gas distribution assets that it has built and acquired in other states and Latin America, according to senior executives who briefed financial analysts at an all-day conference Wednesday in San Diego. In the same briefings, the company officials also reaffirmed that they are looking hard for “good acquisitions,” saying there are plenty of potential ones available.

Over the next five years, San Diego-based Sempra Energy, which envisions itself becoming a major North American LNG importer, plans to sell numerous natural gas distribution assets that it has built and acquired in other states and Latin America, according to senior executives who briefed financial analysts at an all-day conference Wednesday in San Diego. In the same briefings, the company officials also reaffirmed that they are looking hard for “good acquisitions,” saying there are plenty of potential ones available.

British Gas Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. (BGTTL) may get an earlyChristmas present. It has asked FERC to issue a preliminarydetermination (PD) on Southern LNG’s proposal to recommission itsliquefied natural gas terminal facility at this Wednesday’smeeting. FERC has placed the project on the agenda — so BGTTL ishalf way there — but whether it will issue a PD is quite anothermatter.

Columbia Energy Group is planning some significant investmentsin wholesale power generation and possibly foreign utilities andhas filed a request with the Securities and Exchange Commission toexpand its authority under the Public Utility Holding Companies Actto make such investments. Columbia told the commission it wants tobe able to invest an amount equal to 100% of its annual earnings.It currently is authorized to invest only 50% of its earnings insuch projects.