Process

El Paso Energy Partners L.P.(EPN) is in the process of deciding among a number of opportunities for major new projects in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, following on its successful installation of the Prince Tension Leg Platform (TLP) last month in the Ewing Bank Block 1003 (see Daily GPI, July 20), according to CEO Bob Phillips.

The Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service completed its two-phase bid evaluation process for Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 178, Part 1 on Friday, awarding 534 leases worth a total of $499.6 million. MMS actually rejected 13 high bids worth $5.7 million, calling them “insufficient for fair market value,” but said the sale indicated a “continued strong showing” by both majors and independents.

The Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service completed its two-phase bid evaluation process for Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 178, Part 1 on Friday, awarding 534 leases worth a total of $499.6 million. MMS actually rejected 13 high bids worth $5.7 million, calling them “insufficient for fair market value,” but said the sale indicated a “continued strong showing” by both majors and independents.

Legislation unveiled last Tuesday on Capitol Hill would ensure that combined heat and power (CHP) systems are allowed to interconnect nationwide with the electricity grid, while also reducing energy costs and harnessing power that would otherwise be wasted.

Legislation unveiled yesterday on Capitol Hill would ensure that combined heat and power (CHP) systems are allowed to interconnect nationwide with the electricity grid, while also reducing energy costs and harnessing power that would otherwise be wasted.

Liquefied natural gas from Trinidad could be bound for Florida soon. El Paso Corp. is in the process of recommissioning its Elba Island LNG import terminal near Savannah, GA, and subsidiary Southern Natural Gas Co. filed an application with FERC last week to build a pipeline from the import terminal to Jacksonville, FL.

Black Hills Energy Capital Inc., the independent powersubsidiary of Black Hills Corp. announced it has initiated thepermitting process to build a coal-fired electric generatingfacility capable of up to 500 MW adjoining its other generatingplants near Gillette, WY.

Concluding a four-month process, AGL Resources reported that ithas entered into an agreement with Alliance Data Systems (ADS) tosell Utilipro, Inc. — a customer care and billing serviceprovider for energy marketers in a number of states. The sale comesjust five months after the billing provider was sued for $50million by bankrupt Georgia marketer Peachtree Natural Gas.

Ohio is in the process of developing a special bipartisancommittee comprised of House and Senate members to examine highnatural gas prices.