International

Calling the increase in natural gas demand “phenomenal” both nowand for the foreseeable future, Simmons & Co. InternationalVice President David Pursell predicted it is “unlikely” thatproducers will see gas prices return anywhere near to $2 for atleast three to five years. He said $2 prices were “in the rear viewmirror” for gas producers.

Coral Energy entered into an energy alliance with TerraIndustries Inc., an international chemicals company, to increasethe energy efficiency of Terra’s Blytheville, AR, chemical facilityusing Coral Site Advantage, Coral’s proprietary measurement,benchmarking and energy modeling program. Terms of the arrangementwere not released. The program will begin with a comprehensiveanalysis of energy requirements throughout the chemical complex.This information will be used in the development of a modelingprogram to establish a benchmark for optimal energy usage. “Energyis the major cost component at each of our manufacturingcomplexes,” said Mike Bennett, executive vice president for Terra.”The first step in that process is determining our precise energyneeds, which is a strength of the Coral Energy program. We expectto quickly achieve savings by becoming a more efficient energyuser.” Once the modeling system is in place, Coral will work withTerra to develop a multi-year energy savings plan, initiallyfocusing on energy utilized within existing plant processes. Coralwill receive compensation for its Coral Site Advantage servicesbased upon a portion of Terra’s measured energy savings.

Coral Energy has entered into an energy alliance with TerraIndustries Inc., an international chemicals company, to increasethe energy efficiency of Terra’s Blytheville, AR, chemical facilityusing Coral Site Advantage, Coral’s proprietary measurement,benchmarking and energy modeling program. Terms of the arrangementwere not released.

After studying the financial and operational situations of 15major oil and gas producers, the international credit agency FitchIBCA recently published a report indicating the industry isrebounding from the financially depressed timeframe between 1998and early 1999, but new challenges are just around the corner.

Seeking to improve on their various generation plays across thecountry, Panda Energy International, Inc., signed an $800 millionlong-term service agreement contract with GE Power Systems coveringsix power plants currently under development, Panda said yesterday.The service agreements and commitment represents purchases of 24gas turbines and 12 steam turbines.

Reliant Energy International Inc. said it has sold its 50%indirect interest in a natural gas distribution company alongMexico’s Gulf Coast. Tractebel purchased Gas Natural de Rio Panucofrom an indirect subsidiary of Reliant and its Mexican partner,Corporacion Gutsa SA de CV (Gutsa) for $8.5 million. NorAm Energy,which was acquired by Reliant Energy in August 1997, partnered withGutsa to win a 30-year concession to build, operate and maintain anatural gas system in the northeastern Mexican state of Tamaulipas.The area includes the cities of Tampico, Ciudad Madero andAltamira, which lie in the Panuco River Basin, and has a totalpopulation of one million.

Canada’s National Energy Board has sent a message toparticipants in the international natural gas trade: Stay cool andgreet predictions of Canadian supply shortages with healthyskepticism.

Canada’s National Energy Board has sent a message toparticipants in the international natural gas trade: Stay cool andgreet predictions of Canadian supply shortages with healthyskepticism.

In the first of its kind for the hotel industry, PG&E EnergyServices has signed a five-year, $165 million deal with theprocurement arm of Marriott International to provide natural gas,electricity and various energy services to 130 properties inCalifornia. As other states open their energy markets, PG&Ehopes to do other deals with the huge Bethesda, MD-based hoteloperator, which has 1,800 properties worldwide.