Launching

Enbridge Energy Partners LP and Atmos Pipeline and Storage LLC are launching an open season Monday to solicit firm transportation for Barnett Intrastate Gas (BIG) Pipeline, which, as proposed, would carry up to 1 Bcf/d and connect Atmos’ Line X in Johnson County, TX, to Enbridge’s Double D and Clarity pipes at Bethel, TX, in Anderson County.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) Tuesday went on an environmental and climate change shopping spree by launching a wildlife protection program in its ongoing utility operations and purchasing more than $2 million in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions credits for forest conservation in two separate areas of Northern California. PG&E touted the effort as a potential model for other utilities.

Looking to boost its midstream natural gas services in the Texas Panhandle, Houston-based Eagle Rock Energy Partners LP is launching a two-phase, $25 million midstream project that would consolidate volumes and operations in the partnership’s West Panhandle System and enhance the partnership’s capacity and recovery efficiencies in the fast-growing East Panhandle System.

Looking to boost its midstream natural gas services in the Texas Panhandle, Houston-based Eagle Rock Energy Partners LP is launching a two-phase, $25 million midstream project that will consolidate volumes and operations in the partnership’s West Panhandle System and enhance the partnership’s capacity and recovery efficiencies in the fast-growing East Panhandle System.

The Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (REX) is muscling in on the growing list of contenders to carry natural gas further east by launching an open season to solicit market interest for the Northeast Express Project, a 375-mile extension that would carry gas from the original REX endpoint in Clarington, OH, to Princeton, NJ.

The Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (REX) is muscling in on the growing list of contenders to carry natural gas further east by launching an open season to solicit market interest for the Northeast Express Project, a 375-mile extension that would carry gas from the original REX endpoint in Clarington, OH, to Princeton, NJ.

With the New York Mercantile Exchange on Monday launching side-by-side trading of Nymex Division energy futures contracts on CME Globex, the electronic trading platform of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), traders across the country are divided on the move’s impact on the energy markets. Cash-settled energy futures contracts will be offered for all listed months on June 11 for trade date June 12.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) said late last week it has voted 5-0 in favor of launching an investigation into a PG Energy request to increase gas rates by about $29.8 million. Based in Wilkes-Barre, PA, PG Energy is a division of Southern Union Co.

After four years of field trials, Alberta’s fledgling coalbed methane industry is launching its first foray into commercial production of the biggest untapped natural gas deposit in the province. A C$400 million (US$320 million) pioneer drilling campaign is under way into the vast Mannville coal formation by Trident Exploration Corp., Nexen Inc. and Red Willow Production Co.