Forward

Encouraged by the results of recent market tests, El Paso Natural Gas announced two binding open seasons last week for 400-500 MMcf/d of firm transportation capacity on a bi-directional lateral it plans to add to its system within California. It also plans to announce soon additional binding open seasons to expand its mainline.

Encouraged by the results of recent market tests, El Paso Natural Gas announced two binding open seasons yesterday for 400-500 MMcf/d of firm transportation capacity on a bi-directional lateral it plans to add to its system within California. It also plans to announce soon additional binding open seasons to expand its mainline.

As work moved forward Tuesday on two new power sources to come on later this summer, the outlook in the immediate two months darkened with no apparent comprehensive solutions emerging from the state legislature.

Infinity Inc. plans to move forward with its drilling plans in the Green River Basin of Wyoming after the Bureau of Land Management approved three of four drilling permits for its LaBarge project there. Infinity has already drilled one coalbed methane (CBM) well in the basin, and independent engineers estimate net reserves of recoverable gas of more than 550 Bcf — putting cumulative future potential cash flows (10% discount rate and price of $2.69/Mcf) at $374 million.

The Mackenzie Valley and Beaufort offshore pipeline proposals got a slight push forward last week following two days of meetings with all of those responsible for regulating energy developments in the Northwest Territories. The agreement, coordinated by the National Energy Board, would set up a draft framework for a single environmental assessment process to review the proposals.

The Mackenzie Valley and Beaufort offshore pipeline proposals got a slight push forward this week following two days of meetings with all of those responsible for regulating energy developments in the Northwest Territories. The agreement, coordinated by the National Energy Board, would set up a draft framework for a single environmental assessment process to review the proposals.

The vibes were mostly positive in California last week with no blackouts, a new law creating a state power authority, initial work for the state’s record $13.4 billion municipal bond sale and a record $5.7 billion retail electricity rate increase being spread to the largest residential users and businesses of all sizes.

The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on energy and air quality last Thursday voted 17-13 to forward a Republican stopgap bill to aid California to the full panel. The vote on the measure, sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX), was strictly along party lines.

The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on energy and air quality yesterday voted 17-13 to forward a Republican stopgap bill to aid California to the full panel. The vote on the measure, sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX), was strictly along party lines.