Previously

Apache Corp. has completed its previously announced acquisition of nine Permian Basin oil and gas fields with current net production of 3,500 boe/d from Marathon Oil Corp. (see Daily GPI, May 1). Apache paid $181.1 million, reflecting closing adjustments based on the Jan. 1 effective date of the transaction. Apache acquired Marathon’s company-operated assets located in Lea County, NM, and Reagan, Howard and Sterling counties in Texas, as well as Marathon’s interests in the Chenot/Putnam area in Pecos County, TX. The properties have a current net production of 10 MMcf/d of natural gas, 1,332 b/d oil and 524 b/d of natural gas liquids. “Of the acquired properties, approximately 75% of the proved reserves and 61% of the current production directly offset the Apache-operated Northeast Drinkard Unit in Lea County, NM,” said John Crum, president for North America. When Apache started downsizing well-spacing at the Northeast Drinkard Unit from 16 wells per square-mile section to 32 wells per section, field production grew from 700 b/d to 2,000 b/d. The newly acquired properties have 16 wells per section. Prior to the acquisition, Apache’s net production in the Permian Basin was 34,500 b/d of oil and 86 MMcf/d of gas.

Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) Thursday pushed back the in-service date of interim delivery points on REX-East to the second half of June. Previously REX said service would begin in the first half of June (see Daily GPI, May 18).

Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) has pushed back the in-service date of interim delivery points on REX-East to the second half of June. Previously REX said service would begin in the first half of June (see NGI, May 18). REX said it anticipates commencing service on REX East to Lebanon, OH, in mid to late June. The pipeline affirmed its projection for service to Clarington, OH, on Nov. 1. Initial service to Lebanon is expected to offer capacity of 1,600 MDth/d, which is expected to increase to 1,800 MDth/d. Ultimately, 1,800 MDth/d of capacity is to be available to Clarington as well, REX said. For more information visit www.rexpipeline.com, “Rockies Express — East,” “REX-East — Informational Posting.”

Steven L. Mueller has been promoted to CEO of Southwestern Energy Co. Mueller joined Southwestern in June 2008 as president and COO. A graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, Mueller previously worked for Tenneco Oil Co., Fina Oil Co., American Exploration Co., Belco Oil & Gas Co., The Houston Exploration Co. and CDX Gas LLC. Harold M. Korell, who is stepping down as Southwestern’s CEO, was appointed to serve as executive chairman until his retirement in early 2010, after which he would become the nonexecutive chairman.

Rockies Express (REX) said it has postponed until March previously scheduled Feb. 24-25 maintenance at its Lost Creek booster station, which will affect nominations at the Lost Creek Sweetwater location. REX will post the new dates for this outage in its March maintenance schedule.

More Canadian natural gas will stay available for export longer than previously expected as expansion by the nation’s formerly fastest-growing industrial consumer, Alberta’s oilsands, slows.

More Canadian natural gas will stay available for export longer than previously expected as expansion by the nation’s formerly fastest-growing industrial consumer, Alberta’s oilsands, slows.

Alaska’s ENSTAR Natural Gas Co. is resorting to a previously unused tariff provision to secure gas supplies to cover what would be a 2.1 Bcf shortfall this year and a potential 9 Bcf shortfall in 2010. Meanwhile, contract talks between Anchorage-based Chugach Electric Association, the state’s largest electric utility, and a trio of Cook Inlet gas producers are at a stalemate over how supplies should be priced.

Alaska’s ENSTAR Natural Gas Co. is resorting to a previously unused tariff provision to secure gas supplies to cover what would be a 2.1 Bcf shortfall this year and a potential 9 Bcf shortfall in 2010. Meanwhile, contract talks between Anchorage-based Chugach Electric Association, the state’s largest electric utility, and a trio of Cook Inlet gas producers are at a stalemate over how supplies should be priced.