Improved

Williams credited strong results in all of its core gas businesses and the absence of a $248.7 million litigation charge in 2Q2006 for substantially improved second quarter results. Net income was $433.1 million (71 cents/share) compared with a net loss of $76 million (-13 cents/share) in 2Q2006.

Williams credited strong results in all of its core gas businesses and the absence of a $248.7 million litigation charge in 2Q2006 for substantially improved second quarter results. Net income was $433.1 million (71 cents/share) compared with a net loss of $76 million (-13 cents/share) in 2Q2006.

A pair of leading Gulf of Mexico (GOM) pipeline operators and a pair of GOM producers said last week they will collaborate to provide improved access to systems and equipment needed to conduct pipeline repairs in water depths of up to 10,000 feet.

A pair of leading Gulf of Mexico (GOM) pipeline operators and a pair of GOM producers said Wednesday they will collaborate to provide improved access to repair systems and equipment needed to conduct pipeline repairs in water depths of up to 10,000 feet.

According to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), satisfaction with energy utilities improved by 1% from a year ago, largely due to lower prices, particularly for natural gas. Contributing to the improvement was milder winter weather in many parts of the country and an easing of gas prices. With prices dropping and less gas needed for heating, utilities that offer gas service only or in combination with electric service gained the most in customer satisfaction scores.

According to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), satisfaction with energy utilities improved by 1% from a year ago, largely due to lower prices, particularly for natural gas. Contributing to the improvement was milder winter weather in many parts of the country and an easing of gas prices. With prices dropping and less gas needed for heating, utilities that offer gas service only or in combination with electric service gained the most in customer satisfaction scores.

BP Energy Co.’s ability to market natural gas in the western United States has improved with the completion of its acquisition of Salt Lake City-based marketer Wasatch Energy LLC. The acquisition was announced in December (see NGI, Dec. 25, 2006). The deal, for an undisclosed amount, gives BP Energy all of Wasatch’s natural gas business and assets, including commercial and industrial sales contracts and producer services contracts. Wasatch’s 42 employees also were offered the opportunity to transfer to BP Energy. Wasatch has a portfolio of 350,000 MMBtu/d of gas purchase, transportation and sales activity across 10 western states that serve about 500 commercial and industrial customers and 100 producers. Its sales offices are located in New Mexico, Colorado, Washington, and California.

BP Energy Co.’s ability to market natural gas in the western United States has improved with the completion of its acquisition of Salt Lake City-based marketer Wasatch Energy LLC. The acquisition was announced in December (see Daily GPI, Dec. 22, 2006).

El Paso said conditions had improved sufficiently to allow it to end Thursday the Strained Operating Condition that was declared Tuesday. “Linepack has stabilized and maximum withdrawals from Washington Ranch storage facility are no longer required to support system operations,” the pipeline said.