Player

Positioning itself to become a major regional energy player, DTE Energy last Thursday announced the closing of its approximately $3.9 billion merger with MCN Energy Group. The completion of the merger finishes a process that kicked off in October 1999 (see NGI, October 11, 1999).

Positioning itself to become a major regional energy player, DTE Energy yesterday announced the closing of its approximately $3.9 billion merger with MCN Energy Group. The completion of the merger finishes a process that kicked off in October 1999 (see Daily GPI, October 6, 1999).

Talisman Energy Inc. is poised to become the dominant player in the growing core area of gas-rich Alberta after it set up a friendly agreement last week to purchase cross-town Calgary neighbor Petromet Resources Ltd. for C$806 million in cash and assumed debt. If the deal closes as expected, Talisman would add 72 MMcfe/d to its production base this year and 144 MMcfe/d in 2002.

Talisman Energy Inc. is poised to become the dominant player in the growing core area of gas-rich Alberta after it set up a friendly agreement this week to purchase cross-town Calgary neighbor Petromet Resources Ltd. for C$806 million in cash and assumed debt. If the deal closes as expected, Talisman would add 72 MMcfe/d to its production base this year and 144 MMcfe/d in 2002.

In a deal that creates a formidable independent in the Gulf ofMexico basin, Stone Energy Corp. will purchase Basin ExplorationInc. in a tax-free, stock-for-stock merger worth $410 million,including the assumption of $48 million in debt. Stone, whichoperates exclusively in the Gulf, will pick up Basin’s sizable 3Dseismic knowledge base in the Gulf and add proven Rocky Mountainassets.

In a deal that creates a formidable independent in the Gulf ofMexico basin, Stone Energy Corp. will purchase Basin ExplorationInc. in a tax-free, stock-for-stock merger worth $410 million,including the assumption of $48 million in debt. Stone, whichoperates exclusively in the Gulf, will pick up Basin’s sizable 3Dseismic knowledge base in the Gulf and add proven Rocky Mountainassets.

Panda Energy Intl. Inc. paved the way for its entrance into theFlorida generation market last week by announcing that petitionsfor determination of need have been filed with the Florida PublicService Commission to build two 1,000 MW power plants. Both plantswill cost $300 million and are expected to begin commercialoperation in May of 2003.

Aiming to be “as strong a company in Latin America as it is inNorth America,” Duke Energy International agreed to exchange $405million for Dominion Resources’ portfolio of hydroelectric, naturalgas and diesel power generation businesses – totaling 1,200 MWgross capacity – in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia and Peru. In thelast week Duke Energy International has pledged to purchase 3,800MW of generation capacity in Latin America in three separatetransactions for about $1.285 billion.

Shell Oil has become a significant player in the midstream gasbusiness, but this wasn’t always so. While the company heldmidstream gas assets, they were operated as an adjunct to its oilbusiness. That was until deregulation and new market entrantssuggested to Shell it ought to get into the midstream.