Launched

ScottishPower subsidiary PPM Energy announced the purchase of the 4.5 Bcf Grama Ridge gas storage field in southeastern New Mexico from ConocoPhillips on Thursday and launched plans for a storage expansion at Grama Ridge and at PPM’s proposed Waha storage field, which is currently on file at the Texas Railroad Commission.

FERC last week launched Federal Power Act Section 206 investigations of Tampa Electric Co. and the Empire District Electric Co. after filings made by the two utilities indicated that they had failed a FERC wholesale market share screen. The Section 206 proceedings will examine whether the utilities have market power in generation.

A unit of San Diego-based Sempra Energy, Port Arthur Pipeline LP, launched an open season to seek market interest in capacity on its proposed pipeline project that is scheduled to be operational in the 2008-09 winter heating season in conjunction with Sempra’s Gulf Coast LNG terminals starting commercial operations.

A unit of San Diego-based Sempra Energy, Port Arthur Pipeline, L.P., Friday launched an open season to seek market interest in capacity on its proposed pipeline project that is scheduled to be operational in the 2008-09 winter heating season in conjunction with Sempra’s Gulf Coast LNG terminals starting commercial operations.

The February aftermarket got launched Monday on a quiet note and with losses outweighing gains. Weather trends were toward moderation in several regions, although parts of the Southeast were still recovering from a weekend ice storm that had left thousands without power.

Bill Barrett Corp. was one of the biggest gainers on the New York Stock Exchange Friday after the company launched its initial public offering (IPO) on Thursday. The three-year-old Denver explorer raised $325 million on Thursday — more than expected — after pricing 13 million shares at $25/share, which was above the $20-23 price originally set.

Bill Barrett Corp. was one of the biggest gainers on the New York Stock Exchange Friday after the company launched its initial public offering (IPO) on Thursday. The three-year-old Denver explorer raised $325 million on Thursday — more than expected — after pricing 13 million shares at $25/share, which was above the $20-23 price originally set.

The New York State Public Service Commission (NYPSC) has launched a special buyer’s guide for energy consumers that will be updated monthly with gas and electricity services and prices offered by the state’s utilities and retail marketing companies. Consumers in other states with competitive retail markets, including Georgia and Ohio, have found the comparative listings useful in selecting energy providers.

The New York State Public Service Commission (NYPSC) has launched a special buyer’s guide for energy consumers that will be updated monthly with gas and electricity services and prices offered by the state’s utilities and retail marketing companies. Consumers in other states with competitive retail markets, including Georgia and Ohio, have found the comparative listings useful in selecting energy providers.