Holdings

Columbia Energy Group has entered into an agreement with Orion Power Holdings of Baltimore, MD, to sell all of the outstanding shares of its subsidiary Columbia Electric Corp. for approximately $200 million in cash plus the assumption of project-related debt. Included in the deal is 4,000 MW of capacity in construction and development phases.

Taking the first step to move across the Canadian border, NSPower Holdings Inc. announced plans to merge with its U.S.neighbor, Maine’s Bangor Hydro-Electric Co.

Taking the first step to move across the Canadian border, NSPower Holdings Inc. said Friday it will merge with its U.S.neighbor, Maine’s Bangor Hydro-Electric Co.

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd., through its wholly-owned subsidiary,TransCanada OSP Holdings Ltd., reported last week it has purchasedan additional 29.9% interest in an Ocean State Power (OSP) plantfrom National Grid USA for an estimated $61 million, bringing itsfull ownership interest in the OSP facility to 100%. Thetransaction is expected to close by September, pending regulatoryapprovals. The 560 MW, combined-cycle plant, which is located inBurrville, RI, is considered one of the largest gas-firedfacilities in the Northeast region. It is fueled by 100 MMcf/d ofgas from western Canada.In addition to full ownership in the OSPplant, TransCanada announced last week that it plans to build twonew gas-fired co-generation plants in Alberta.TransCanada PowerL.P. owns a total of six power plants in Ontario, British Columbiaand New York State, with a seventh plant nearing completion.

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd., through its wholly-owned subsidiary,TransCanada OSP Holdings Ltd., reported last week it purchased anadditional 29.9% interest in an Ocean State Power (OSP) plant fromNational Grid USA for an estimated $61 million, making it the soleowner of the OSP facility. The transaction is expected to close bySeptember, pending regulatory approvals.

Coastal Oil and Gas has announced it is selling its interests in36 offshore oil and gas holdings. The offshore leases are locatedin the Gulf of Mexico, in blocks ranging from offshore of Alabamato south of Texas. When asked about the reasons for selling theseleases, spokesperson Dorothy Beeler said it was just “ongoingportfolio asset management,” and that it had nothing to do withCoastal’s planned merger with El Paso Energy.

The FERC Wednesday approved the acquisition of MidAmericanEnergy Holdings Co. by an investor group made up of Inc., Omahabusinessman Walter Scott, and David L. Sokol, MidAmerican CEO.MidAmerican filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory CommissionNov. 8. On Nov. 29, MidAmerican received early termination of thewaiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust ImprovementAct after filing Nov. 12. The transaction is still subject toMidAmerican shareholder approval as well as clearance by the IowaUtilities Board, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the IllinoisCommerce Commission. Closing is expected in the first quarter.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. has purchased from Chevron deepexploration rights on 19,834 acres of land adjacent to its ElkHills holdings. Called the Buena Vista field, the Kern County, CA,property is seen by Oxy and some other producers as having hugepotential oil and gas reserves. Terms of the transaction were notdisclosed.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. has purchased from Chevron deepexploration rights on 19,834 acres of land adjacent to its ElkHills holdings. Called the Buena Vista field, the Kern County, CA,property is seen by Oxy and some other producers as having hugepotential oil and gas reserves. Terms of the transaction were notdisclosed.