Methods

With the sale of several assets and by adjusting its accounting methods, Williams reported Tuesday a loss in the first quarter from continuing operations of $57.7 million (minus 13 cents per share), compared with restated income from continuing operations of $98.4 million (5 cents) for the same period last year.

In response to a recent FERC order for proof of significant changes to its gas price dissemination methods, Sempra Energy said it instituted provisions last year to protect against wholesale natural gas price manipulation and one employee was disciplined for providing inaccurate data to trade publications.

In response to the FERC order last week for proof of significant changes to its gas price dissemination methods, Sempra Energy said it instituted provisions last year to protect against wholesale natural gas price manipulation and one employee was disciplined for providing inaccurate data to trade publications.

Bringing stranded gas to market has long been considered a possibility for exploration and production companies, but finding economical ways to do — without building new pipelines — has been the problem. However, as the thirst for natural gas grows in North America, several companies are stepping up their efforts to move stranded gas to market. Most of the news has centered on liquefied natural gas (LNG), but the interest in compressed natural gas (CNG) is growing, and may be more of a real possibility now than ever before.

Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) is seeking public input on new approaches to dispute resolution. The objective is to develop effective options for preventing and managing conflict as an addition to NEB’s current regulatory approach.

The Independent Petroleum Association of America is suing theU.S. Department of the Interior to challenge its new oil royaltyvaluation regulation. The regulation creates new methods of valuingroyalties on oil from federal leases and takes effect June 1.

Sparked by demand to simplify the billing procedures in itsderegulated electricity and gas industries, the New York StatePublic Service Commission (NYPSC) approved a recommendationyesterday allowing customers who choose an alternative supplier theoption to receive a single, combined bill for each utility service.

FERC is scheduled to tackle two major cases today – “alternativemethods” for regulating pipeline facilities on the OuterContinental Shelf (OCS) and Granite State Gas Transmission’sapplication to build an LNG facility in the town of Wells, ME. Italso is expected to vote on the merger of Enova and PacificEnterprises.