Picked

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter has picked five new members for the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), fulfilling a campaign promise to increase and broaden the representation and pool of experience of the panel that oversees the state’s energy development.

While a number of market experts say the current downtrend in natural gas futures might be almost exhausted, the March contract on Monday picked up where it left off last week, heading lower. The natural gas prompt month extended its decline streak to six consecutive regular sessions on Monday, finishing 7.3 cents lower at $7.243.

Without any bullish weather even on the horizon, February natural gas picked up the downward trend from the previous week, venturing as low as $9.150 on Monday before closing at $9.360, down 27.2 cents on the day.

EnCana Corp. affiliate Starks Gas Storage LLC picked up a FERC certificate Thursday to build a two-cavern salt dome storage facility with total capacity of 29 Bcf at a location between Lake Charles, LA and the Texas border.

FERC Chairman Pat Wood last Thursday fielded several questions about whether he expects to be picked by President Bush for a second term when his current term as chairman and commissioner expires in June 2005.

FERC Chairman Pat Wood on Thursday fielded several questions about whether he expects to be picked by President Bush for a second term when his current term as chairman and commissioner expires in June 2005.

FERC Chairman Pat Wood on Thursday fielded several questions about whether he expects to be picked by President Bush for a second term when his current term as chairman and commissioner expires in June 2005.

KeySpan Corp., through its KeySpan Energy Development Corp. unit, last week picked up a 21% equity interest in the stalled Millennium Pipeline project, which hopes to deliver new natural gas supplies to New York and the Northeast by the winter of 2006-2007.

KeySpan Corp., through its KeySpan Energy Development Corp., said Wednesday it has picked up a 21% equity interest in the stalled Millennium Pipeline project, which hopes to deliver new natural gas supplies to New York and the Northeast by the winter of 2006-2007.