Investment

In somewhat of an irony, Enron Corp. last week filed a complaint against six of its former banks and investment institutions, claiming that they gave the bankrupt company bad financial advice, which in turn contributed to its demise in late 2001.

In somewhat of an irony, Enron Corp. this week filed a complaint against six of its former banks and investment institutions, claiming that they gave the bankrupt company bad financial advice, which in turn contributed to its demise in late 2001.

Cheniere Energy Inc. has closed on two investment agreements for 70% interest in its proposed Freeport, TX liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal project, bringing the facility one step closer to fruition. The Houston-based Cheniere will retain a 30% interest. In one agreement, Cheniere will sell a 60% stake to Freeport Investments LLC. Freeport Investments, run by Michael S. Smith, agreed to pay Cheniere $5 million in four installments and contribute an additional $9 million for development of the project without further capital contribution by Cheniere. Cheniere and Smith’s company formed Freeport LNG Development LP, a to develop the project. Smith is the CEO of Freeport LNG Development LP. Also, Houston-based Contango Oil & Gas Co. has exercised its option to acquire a 10% interest in the proposal for $2.3 million, payable in installments. Since acquiring the option on the Freeport site, Cheniere has conducted technical, feasibility, marketing, engineering and environmental studies to validate the project. The company holds a 30-year lease at the site and expects to file its application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in March. Cheniere also has secured options on three additional sites for LNG receiving terminals in Sabine Pass, Corpus Christi and Brownsville, TX.

The financial storm enveloping Aquila Corp. — cuts in its credit rating to below investment grade, forced asset sales, restructuring of its operations and widespread federal investigations into its trading — will have “possible negative impacts” on the company’s regulated natural gas distribution facilities and power utilities in Missouri, but an immediate rate hike doesn’t appear to be in the cards for customers, according to a Missouri Public Service Commission staff report.

The below-investment-grade credit ratings plaguing many energy suppliers right now have substantially shrunk the pool of natural gas suppliers that California can tap to meet the 15 Bcf annual supply needs of a coalition of major state and local government facilities, which aggregate their loads through the state General Services Department’s gas-buying program.

The below-investment-grade credit ratings plaguing many energy suppliers right now have substantially shrunk the pool of natural gas suppliers that California can tap to meet the 15 Bcf annual supply needs of a coalition of major state and local government facilities, which aggregate their loads through the state General Services Department’s gas-buying program.

Investment banker UBS Warburg last week lowered its estimates for Marathon Oil Corp.’s 12-month price target and earnings-per-share (EPS) in 2003 and 2004 following the producer’s announcement last week that it expects lower production levels in the next two years.

Investment banker UBS Warburg lowered its estimates for Marathon Oil Corp.’s 12-month price target and earnings-per-share (EPS) in 2003 and 2004 following the producer’s announcement last week that it expects lower production levels in the next two years.

Aquila Inc. said last Thursday it has exited its investment in the Lodi Gas Storage Project in northern California as part of its continuing effort to pull out of non-core businesses and return to its regulated utility roots.