Orleans

Florida-based FPL Group Inc., the largest power company in oneof the fastest growing states, has agreed to buy New Orleans-basedEntergy Corp. for $13.9 billion in stock and assumed debt to formthe largest utility in the United States. When the deal is done,the new company will serve 6.3 million customers and have acombined generating capacity of more than 48,000 MW.

A new giant is set to emerge from a venture of New Orleans-basedEntergy Corp. and privately held Koch Industries Inc. Entergy-KochLP will be a North American and European powerhouse in electricityand gas, gas transmission and weather derivatives and will be owned50% by each of its partners. A big focus of the venture will beweather derivatives, of which Koch is a pioneer.

A new giant is set to emerge from a venture of New Orleans-basedEntergy Corp. and privately held Koch Industries Inc. Entergy-KochLP will be a North American and European powerhouse in electricityand gas, gas transmission and weather derivatives and will be owned50% by each of its partners.

New Orleans-based Entergy confirmed earlier this month that ithas been involved in talks regarding a possible joint venturebetween its wholesale electricity trading unit, Entergy WholesaleOperations (EWO), and another undisclosed company. Entergy said ithopes to make an announcement within five weeks. No other detailsabout a possible deal were given.

New Orleans-based Entergy confirmed last week that it has beeninvolved in talks regarding a possible joint venture between itswholesale electricity trading unit, Entergy Wholesale Operations(EWO), and another undisclosed company. Entergy said it hopes tomake an announcement within five weeks. No other details about apossible deal were given.

Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 172, held Wednesday in NewOrleans, garnered nearly $171.62 million in high bids out of$199.64 million in total bids. Of 3,806 blocks offered, 207received bids. There were 272 bids with an average of 1.31 bids perblock and 67 companies participating.

Columbia Gulf Transmission began construction of a new pipelineto serve three Entergy Louisiana generating plants. Columbia Gulfwill deliver up to 100,000 Dth/d to the plants west of New Orleansalong the Mississippi River. Service is to begin in December.