Monthly

The latest “Monthly Energy Outlook” by analyst Stephen Smith and staff found that the recent spike in natural gas prices “appears overdone,” but the tighter weekly supply/demand balance of the past few weeks justified some of the hike. However, gas prices should moderate going into 2004 and be lower on average than those in 2003.

The August aftermarket started out Wednesday flat to moderately up from end-of-July numbers in most cases, although the Rockies, California and some Northeast citygates dropped by varying amounts up to nearly a quarter. Comparisons to apparent first-of-month indexes were mixed, with swing prices tending to be above index by 10-30 cents in the East, but many western points falling short of index levels.

Columbia Gas told storage customers Friday that it will raise the Maximum Monthly Withdrawal Quantity (MMWQ) for February from 30% to 40% of the Storage Contract Quantity (SCQ).

FERC does not plan to re-schedule the regular bi-monthly meeting that was canceled last week in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., said a spokeswoman for the agency. Instead, its next meeting will be Sept. 26.

FERC does not plan to re-schedule the regular bi-monthly meeting that was canceled this week in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., said a spokeswoman for the agency. Instead, its next meeting will be Sept. 26.

In the second of Duke Energy Corp.’s monthly chat series, Jim Donnell, CEO of Duke Energy North America, said Friday that DENA remains on track to complete 10 power facilities by 2002, with the 10th to be announced within the next month. On the horizon, however, Donnell said Duke sees opportunities for growth in Canada, naming Alberta and Ontario as two likely generation sites.

In the second of Duke Energy Corp.’s monthly chat series, Jim Donnell, CEO of Duke Energy North America, said Friday that DENA remains on track to complete 10 power facilities by 2002, with the 10th to be announced within the next month. On the horizon, however, Donnell said Duke sees opportunities for growth in Canada, naming Alberta and Ontario as two likely generation sites.

NGPL waived the monthly net withdrawal minimums through Marchfor storage customers under Rate Schedule DSS. It also waived for2001 a requirement that 50% of DSS inventory be cycled by April 30of each year.

The November aftermarket failed to surprise anyone by startingout Tuesday generally well below monthly indexes andlast-of-October prices. Only the Southern California border andMalin managed to stay close to bidweek levels.