Normally

As many had expected, prospects of severe heat averted much ofthe softness that normally accompanies a Fourth of July weekend,considered the year’s lowest demand period. But that was true onlyin eastern markets Friday. The bottom was dropping out for pricesin the West, particularly at the Southern California border.

Warm winter weather normally means trouble for the gas industry,but for Northern Border, which is attempting to completeconstruction of a major pipeline expansion/extension project, ithas been a blessing. After a month and a half delay because summerrains set back construction, the pipeline company is expecting tohave its project in service some time between Thursday, Dec. 17,and Sunday, Dec. 20, with the entire 700 MMcf/d capacity beingfully utilized “almost immediately,” said Robert Hill, vicepresident of marketing and business development for the pipeline.

Warm winter weather normally means trouble for the gas industry,but for Northern Border Pipeline, which is attempting to completeconstruction of a major expansion/extension project, it has been ablessing. After a month and a half delay because summer rains setback construction, the pipeline company is expecting to have itsproject in service some time between Thursday, Dec. 17, and Sunday,Dec. 20, with the entire 700 MMcf/d capacity being fully utilized”almost immediately,” said Robert Hill, vice president of marketingand business development for the pipeline company.

Normally natural gas futures are influenced by a hodgepodge offactors: storage, technicals, support, resistance, supply anddemand. Of course last week was anything but normal as a hurricanewhich the market has not seen the likes of since Andrew, wasbearing down on the Gulf of Mexico leaving a wide swath ofdestruction in its wake. Now the question to be answered is whetherHurricane Georges (pronounced ZHORZH) will not only live in theminds of residents of Florida and the Carribean Islands, but alsoin the memories of natural gas traders. That was still a very murkyquestion as of Friday. One thing was becoming evident late lastweek: October’s expiration today will be anything but normal. But,despite the continued threat of storm, the October actually slipped0.2 cents to settle at $2.181 on Friday.

The June Nymex natural gas contract failed to show thevolatility normally associated with the final trading days of a gascontract by limiting itself to a narrow five cent trading range onTuesday. This tight trading band held June to a slight 0.1 centgain to $2.095.