Portland

Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) started an open season Wednesday to test market interest in new forward or backhaul transportation service beginning in 2008 or 2009 when new liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals are scheduled to begin service in Atlantic Canada and in the northeastern United States.

Last Wednesday, the Texas Pacific Group (TPG) and Enron Corp. announced that they terminated their agreement for TPG, a private investment group, to buy Enron’s Portland General Electric (PGE) utility for $2.35 billion. The decision follows a rejection of the sale by state regulators in March. As a result, Enron plans to distribute PGE stock to its creditors as approved in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan.

Portland, OR-based Northwest Natural Gas Co. announced Monday it reached a proposed settlement calling for a $3.5 million rate increase for Washington customers. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission must approve the deal, which involved the utility commission staff and key Washington intervenors for the company, the bulk of whose customers are in Oregon.

Gaz Metropolitan & Co. has exercised its rights under a partnership agreement and intends to increase its ownership interest in Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) to 38.3% from 26.9% through a $21.6 million purchase of El Paso Corp.’s interest in the pipeline.

Gaz Metropolitan & Co. and TransCanada Corp. increased their ownership stake in the northeastern-based Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) after closing on a $56 million purchase from El Paso Corp. The transaction was first announced last month (see Daily GPI, Nov. 19).

The Department of Transportation (DOT) said it was “considering granting” Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) a waiver of federal regulations that would permit it to continue to operate its pipeline at its established maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) even though two sections of its system now run through high-population density areas.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) said it was “considering granting” Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) a waiver of federal regulations that would permit it to continue to operate its pipeline at its established maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) even though two sections of its system now run through high-population density areas.

Gaz Metropolitan & Co. has exercised its rights under a partnership agreement and intends to increase its ownership interest in Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) to 38.3% from 26.9% through a $21.6 million purchase of El Paso Corp.’s interest in the pipeline.

A veteran energy consultant told a national meeting of state regulators Tuesday in Portland, OR, that the United States in the years ahead can expect higher natural gas prices that will dampen demand and declining gas resource base.