Major

With a little holiday cheer, the American Gas Association handedout an extremely optimistic 1999 gas consumption forecast last weekas a gift to those whose spirits may be down with gas demand thisChristmas season. The association told those attending its year-endreview conference in Washington, D.C. to expect 5% growth inconsumption in 1999, led by a 13% increase in the residentialsector and a 6.8% jump in the commercial sector. This rosy glow,however, would be fueled by normal weather, something that’s beenin short supply over the past year. Given above normal wintertemperatures next year (10% fewer heating degree days) and severalother negative factors such as $10/bbl oil prices, AGA expects an0.4% drop in gas demand.

A major pipeline group fired off an angry letter Friday askingthe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider a “policydecision” that would force pipelines to shell out at least $280million – money that would have to be diverted from expansionprojects – for “unproven” technology to meet a 90%-reduction targetfor nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

Westcoast Energy said its St. Clair Pipelines subsidiary filedthe last major component required for the Millennium Pipelineproject yesterday with the National Energy Board in Canada. Thecompany filed an application for a $165 million pipeline that wouldlink Union Gas’ Dawn Hub in Ontario to lake crossing facilities tobe built by TransCanada. TransCanada filed an application for thelake crossing facilities earlier this week. St. Clair’s 50-mileMillennium West Pipeline would deliver about 700 MMcf/d of gas toPatrick Point on the shores of Lake Erie.

A joint study to be released today reveals that the price datareported by the gas industry’s three major publications – NaturalGas Intelligence, Inside Ferc and Gas Daily – is both consistentand reliable.

FERC last week approved, subject to modifications, a majorsettlement that spells out how Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America(NGPL) will auction off long- and short-term transportationcapacity on its system. The decision was seen as a big win for theMidwest pipeline, with the Commission siding with it on keycontested auction-related issues.

FERC yesterday approved, subject to modifications, a majorcontested settlement that outlines how Natural Gas Pipeline Co. ofAmerica (NGPL) will auction off long- and short-term transportationcapacity on its system. Although the Commission stressed theNatural auction shouldn’t be considered a blueprint for theproposed auction procedures that are now being considered forindustry-wide use, the decision does provide a sneak preview intoFERC’s thinking on the issue.

Grass Roots Energy Co., a buyer’s agent for Georgia’sresidential energy consumers looking to switch from Atlanta GasLight Company (AGL), selected Shell Energy Services as the bestvalue in the market, the two companies announced Friday. Shellgained access to the 35,000 Grass Roots customers by beating out 18other marketers competing in the newly deregulated market. Clientswho signed up with Grass Roots by Nov. 4 will start new gas servicewith Shell Dec.1.

Grass Roots Energy Company, a buyer’s agent for Georgia’sresidential energy consumers looking to switch from Atlanta GasLight Company (AGL), selected Shell Energy Services as the bestvalue in the market, the two companies announced Friday. Shellgained access to the 35,000 Grass Roots customers by beating out 18other marketers competing in the newly deregulated market. Clientswho signed up with Grass Roots by Nov. 4 will start new gas servicewith Shell Dec. 1, 1998.

Mobil is yet another major producer hit by lower oil and gasprices in the third quarter. Despite cost reduction efforts,earnings were off sharply. Mobil reported third quarter 1998estimated operating earnings of $497 million, a decline of $410million, or 45%, from the record $907 million earned in the sameperiod last year. Net income declined 43% to $509 million from $892million in the third quarter of 1997. “This quarter saw virtuallyall of our businesses experience sharp declines in industryfundamentals,” said CEO Lucio A. Noto. “Despite our self-helpefforts, earnings and cash generation are down significantly thisyear.”