Plays

With thousands of acres of unconventional natural gas plays across the United States and western Canada, EnCana Corp. expects to book about 19 Tcf in proved reserves over the next five years, CEO Gwyn Morgan said Wednesday.

In an effort to expand takeaway capacity from the Barnett Shale and Bossier Sand gas production plays in Texas, Energy Transfer Partners said its board has approved construction of an 85 mile 36-inch diameter pipeline from its Bethel gas storage facility in Anderson County, TX, to its 30-inch diameter Texoma Houston Pipe Line facility in Rusk County.

In an effort to expand takeaway capacity from the Barnett Shale and Bossier Sand gas production plays in Texas, Energy Transfer Partners said its board has approved construction of an 85 mile 36-inch diameter pipeline from its Bethel gas storage facility in Anderson County, TX, to its 30-inch diameter Texoma Houston Pipe Line facility in Rusk County.

The record rainfall in various parts of the nation this year apparently is playing havoc with some pipeline construction schedules. Southern Natural Gas Co., for one, has asked, and received, from FERC two extensions to complete construction and place into service phase one of its South System Expansion II project in the Southeast.

The record rainfall in various parts of the nation this year apparently is playing havoc with some pipeline construction schedules. Southern Natural Gas Co., for one, has asked, and received, from FERC two extensions to complete construction and place into service phase one of its South System Expansion II project in the Southeast.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will issue a final report on the results of its high-profile investigation into manipulation of energy prices in western markets either by the end of the year or in mid-February 2003 at the latest, Chairman Pat Wood told energy executives Wednesday.

In a double swap of sorts, XTO Energy Inc. purchased some Powder River Basin properties from CMS Oil and Gas Co. for $100 million, then exchanged those properties with Marathon Oil Co., paying $164 million for natural gas-rich assets in East Texas, Louisiana and the San Juan Basin of New Mexico. All said and done, XTO’s transactions, expected to close May 1, will increase its daily production by 37 MMcf, 1,050 bbl of natural gas liquids and 120 bbl crude oil.

Gasco Energy Inc. and Burlington Resources plan to explore and potentially develop a series of deep natural gas plays in Wyoming’s Greater Green River Basin under an agreement announced Thursday. The companies plan to jointly explore and develop seven areas of mutual interest (AMI) under an umbrella exploration agreement covering 332,000 acres in west-central Wyoming. Financial details were not disclosed. Houston-based Burlington will be operator of each and AMI will hold a 50% working interest. Gasco, headquartered in Denver, will own a 25% working interest and a private company will own the remaining 25%. Under the agreement, Burlington will acquire about 180 miles of high resolution 2-D seismic data with an obligation to drill two wells at its cost. The partners then would share subsequent costs on additional wells that are drilled. The agreement also would give Burlington the right to make drilling decisions on the AMIs between now and August 2003.

Gasco Energy Inc. and Burlington Resources plan to explore and potentially develop a series of deep natural gas plays in Wyoming’s Greater Green River Basin under an agreement announced Thursday. The companies plan to jointly explore and develop seven areas of mutual interest (AMI) under an umbrella exploration agreement covering 332,000 acres in west-central Wyoming. Financial details were not disclosed.