Private

The North American natural gas market’s success is in the handsof the independents, and some of the leaders — private companiesnot driven by the need for outside investment — will be names notwidely recognized.

Peoples Energy Corp. has invested $5 million in EnerTech CapitalPartners II LP, a private equity firm specializing in investmentopportunities for the deregulated energy, utility andtelecommunications industries. With Peoples’ monetary commitment,EnerTech now has $235 million in committed capital to makeinvestments.

InterGen and AEP Resources financially closed a deal on the 600MW natural gas-fired Bajio power plant. The $435 million plant isunder construction in the state of Guanajuato, 160 miles fromMexico City.

InterGen and AEP Resources financially closed a deal on the 600MW natural gas-fired Bajio power plant. The $435 million plant isunder construction in the state of Guanajuato, 160 miles fromMexico City.

Abraxas Petroleum Corp. said last week it has sold $34 millionin Wyoming gas assets to Samson Resources Co., a private Tulsa,OK-based oil and gas firm. The assets were held by Abraxas’subsidiary, Abraxas Wamsutter L.P.

Equitable Resources combined its Gulf of Mexico exploration andproduction unit with Westport Oil and Gas Co., a privateDenver-based exploration company. Equitable will receive about $50million in cash and a large minority interest in Westport.Equitable also will name three representatives and nominate afourth to the Westport board, bringing Westport’s board membershipto nine.

Responding to private weather forecasts early yesterday callingfor continued cold weather in the Northeast, market buyers showedtheir muscles at the starting gate and followed through with strongruns in both futures and cash. February cash prices at the HenryHub were approaching dime increases while March futures soared 13cents to $2.662, a smidgen off its high for the day of $2.675. TheApril contract was up 10.4 cents to $2.605, just under its high of$2.610, and May drove 7.7 cents higher to $2.575.

Beta Oil & Gas Inc. of Tulsa, OK, plans to acquire privateoil and gas producer Red River Energy Inc., also of Tulsa, for$23.5 — assuming about $7.6 million of existing debt and issuing2.25 million shares of Beta common stock. The deal is subject toapproval by Beta shareholders.

Beta Oil & Gas Inc. of Tulsa, OK, plans to acquire privateoil and gas producer Red River Energy Inc., also of Tulsa, for$23.5 – assuming about $7.6 million of existing debt and issuing2.25 million shares of Beta common stock. The deal is subject toapproval by Beta shareholders.