Groups

The Mackenzie Delta Producers Group, which includes Imperial Oil Resources, Conoco Canada Limited, Shell Canada Limited and ExxonMobil Canada, has formally announced the signing of a deal with the Aboriginal peoples of the Northwest Territories, as represented by the Mackenzie Valley Aboriginal Pipeline Corp. (MVAPC), that irons out ownership issues, route selection and land access issues involved in development of a Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline.

Support for a Mackenzie River Valley natural gas pipeline through the Northwest Territories made the news again last week, as aboriginal interests — considered key to any plan — began signaling their approval to begin construction of a pipe through their lands. While the producers group on Tuesday touted the support of the Acho Dene Koe in its carefully detailed memorandum of understanding (MOU) to back a C$3 billion pipe, still another group, composed of development corporations and businesses — no producers — emerged on Thursday offering a 100% aboriginal ownership of any pipe built.

Wearing yellow arm bands, consumer activists have hit the lobbying trail in Sacramento last week, hoping to beat back a legislative rescue bill for Southern California Edison and any other new energy legislation that could result in utility rate increases on top of the 4-cent/kwh hikes that took effect in a two-phase process earlier this year.

Anadarko CEO Robert J. Allison, speaking at last week’s Rocky Mountain Natural Gas Strategy Conference, said he believes that in the long term, natural gas prices will stabilize in the $4-$6 Mcf range, although he noted that “$3 is still a pretty darn good gas price” in the overall scheme of things.

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham met with Mexican EnergySecretary Enesto Martens and Canadian Energy Minister Ralph Goodalein Mexico City last week to establish a North American EnergyWorking Group to develop a comprehensive energy strategy for thecontinent.

While various market participants and analysts are advising astepped up construction schedule for new power plants, oneCalifornia community may be getting the message.

Sonat said it will cancel an OFO Type 3 for five groups on itssystem today.

Five groups on the Sonat system (Birmingham Group, South MainZone 2, Atlanta Group, South Main Zone 3 and East of Wrens) becamesubject to an OFO Type 3 Monday.

Sonat said an OFO Type 3 will take effect Friday for thefollowing groups: Birmingham Group, South Main Zone 2, AtlantaGroup, South Main Zone 3 and East of Wrens. It also anticipatesallocations of interruptible capacity starting Friday for theChattanooga Group and North Alabama Group.