Monthly

Imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the United States so far this month have surpassed the previous monthly record set more than 2 years ago, according to a report from Pan EurAsian Enterprises.

FERC should monitor coal stockpile levels on a monthly basis “at plants in those states and regions where stockpiles are already below prior year levels,” Alan Richardson, CEO of the American Public Power Association (APPA), said on Thursday.

Looking back on the winter that wasn’t in his Monthly Energy Outlook issued March 23, Stephen Smith of Stephen Smith Associates is projecting wholesale natural gas prices near $6-$7 for the second quarter, “and depending on summer heat and hurricanes, possibly longer.”

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) cut its Henry Hub natural gas price forecast for 2006 by nearly a dollar in its latest monthly Short Term Energy Outlook (STEO), but the agency remains unconvinced that gas prices this year will be much lower than in 2005.

As part of its monthly natural gas watch program, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. reported Thursday that retail gas utility rates for its residential customers will be about 25% higher this month compared with December 2004, and the average total gas bill for the month will be $110.55. While substantial, the amount of the hike is far less than the 40% to 70% increases that were predicted for this winter only a couple of months ago, the utility said.

With wholesale natural gas prices trending only one way in the wake of the two Gulf of Mexico hurricanes, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. in San Francisco has established a monthly “Natural Gas Watch” bulletin, and its latest issue Friday cited average retail gas utility bills for its customers in October being up by $17.45/month, compared with October last year. That represents an increase of 70.8%, according to the combination utility.

NorthWestern Energy’s natural gas customers in Montana are bracing for a 27% increase to their monthly bills beginning in September, which not only reflects rising fuel costs but also the lack of a credit that had been deducted from statements over the past year.

Columbia Gas said it has waived the Maximum Monthly Injection Quantity (MMIQ) for May of 20% of Storage Contract Quantity (SCQ), and instead will allow up to 25% levels. However, the pipeline stressed that the Maximum Daily Injection Quantity (MDIQ) for May is not waived unless specifically posted on the bulletin board each day in Capacity Postings notices. Unless specifically waived, the MDIQ for May is 1/25th of a storage customer’s 20% SCQ.

Energy companies completed more than 680 natural gas wells in Texas during the month of February, the highest number in 30 years, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas.