Mega

Between the recent pipeline accidents near Marshall, MI, and in San Bruno, CA, and the fact that the current natural gas pipeline network was set up decades ago to serve the eastern mega-market that now is developing its own supply, the natural gas transmission sector faces a number of challenges going forward.

A key factor contributing to greater revenues to the state of Alaska under TransCanada Corp.’s TC Alaska mega-pipeline proposal rather than a competing proposal advanced by major producers is that the producer plan financing is expected to be based on a higher level of equity requiring higher transportation rates and lower netback and royalty payments, according to the analysis and determination issued last Tuesday by state Commissioners of Natural Resources and Revenue.

A key factor contributing to greater revenues to the state of Alaska under TransCanada Corp.’s TC Alaska mega-pipeline proposal rather than one put forward by major producers is that the producer plan financing is expected to be based on a higher level of equity requiring higher transportation rates and lower netback and royalty payments, according to the analysis and determination issued Tuesday by state commissioners of Natural Resources and Revenue.

Record cash flows pushed deal activity in the oil and gas industry to levels rivaling the mega merger highs of 1998, according to a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Gas deals dominated the list of the largest transactions in 2006, with six out of the eight upstream deals in the top 10 deal list. This was in contrast to the previous year when only two deals in the top 10 of all deals and four of the top 10 of upstream deals were gas-dominated.

Record cash flows pushed deal activity in the oil and gas industry to levels rivaling the mega merger highs of 1998, according to a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Gas deals dominated the list of the largest transactions in 2006, with six out of the eight upstream deals in the top 10 deal list. This was in contrast to the previous year when only two deals in the top 10 of all deals and four of the top 10 of upstream deals were gas-dominated.

Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) CEO Rich Kinder, who put together a mega-deal to take the pipeline company private, last week said he expects to have a final decision on the buyout from California regulators on May 24.

Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) CEO Rich Kinder, who put together a mega-deal to take the pipeline company private, said Wednesday he expects to have a final decision on the buyout from California regulators on May 24.

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC, formerly Entrega Gas Pipeline LLC, has filed an application seeking FERC authorization to build the second leg of a $4 billion mega-pipeline project that would transport Rocky Mountain gas supplies to Midwest and Northeast markets.

Lax enforcement of antitrust laws by federal regulators cleared the way for the mega-mergers of oil and natural gas companies in the late 1990s and early 2000s that in part may have contributed to the run-up in energy prices over the past couple of years, state attorney general officials and antitrust lawyers told the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday.