Group

PG&E Corp. lured in Thomas Boren, a former top executive atSouthern Co., to lead its PG&E National Energy Group, lastweek, only a few weeks after Boren had announced his retirement atSouthern. Boren, 50, will be president and CEO of the PG&Edivision, which includes PG&E Gas Transmission, PG&E PowerTrading, and PG&E Energy Services.

Columbia Energy Group won a small victory last week when the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware denied NiSource’s motion for expedited discovery in its federal case against Columbia. Meanwhile, NiSource raised legal pressure with yet another suit filed in the state Chancery Court in Delaware. By increasing the legal pressure while pushing its $68/share tender offer to Columbia shareholders, NiSource believes it can force Columbia officials to the negotiating table.

A major pipeline group last week sought rehearing of FERC’sremand decision on Sea Robin Pipeline on the grounds that it failedto include the “behind-the-plant” factor when determining thejurisdictional status of the offshore gas pipeline.

Against the backdrop of NiSource Inc.’s hostile takeover bid forColumbia Energy Group, a number of U.S. and foreign electriccompanies were emerging last week as potential third-party suitorsfor the diversified energy concern.

Columbia Energy Group beat analysts expectations with a 15% jump($3.3 million or five cents per share) in net income during thesecond quarter to $26.1 million, or 32 cents per share. It alsoupped the ante yesterday in its effort to fend off NiSource’s $5.7billion hostile takeover offer by adding $400 million to its stockrepurchase program, which now totals $420 million.

Against the backdrop of NiSource Inc.’s hostile takeover bid forColumbia Energy Group, a number of U.S. and foreign electriccompanies are emerging as potential third-party suitors for thediversified energy concern.

The industry rumblings of a declining gas supply are not far offbase, said a report by David Pursell, an analyst for theinstitutional securities group Simmons & Co. Intl. Judging fromweekly American Gas Association (AGA) storage data and Departmentof Energy (DOE) LNG production figures, the report forecast the gasdecline rate could surpass 4% in the coming months when compared tolast year, unless a sharp increase in gas-directed drilling takesplace. Using these findings, Pursell said gas prices should stayabove $2/Mcf for the near future.

Columbia Energy Group’s (CG) board once again told NiSource, inno uncertain terms, to take a hike last week and urged CGshareholders to reject NiSource’s $68/share ($5.7 billion) hostiletakeover offer. NiSource took its offer to shareholders June 25 andsaid it will continue to fight for the deal. It had no tally ofshares tendered as of last week but said numbers would be availablesoon.

Columbia Energy Group’s (CG) board once again told NiSource, inno uncertain terms, to take a hike yesterday and urged CGshareholders to reject NiSource’s $68/share ($5.7 billion) hostiletakeover offer. NiSource took its offer to shareholders June 25 andsaid it will continue to fight for the deal. It had no tally ofshares tendered as of yesterday but said numbers would be availableby the weekend.