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With the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) spewing red ink and heavily propped up by the British government, the high-profile, highly profitable joint venture trading operation between a unit of the bank and San Diego-based Sempra Energy has become the subject of much speculation and questioning.

With long-time nation-leading customer growth rates slowing, Portland, OR-based Northwest Natural Gas is eyeing a wider, regional role with two infrastructure projects that will enhance natural gas pipeline and storage infrastructure on the West Coast. Those plans are proceeding as envisioned, according to Northwest’s CEO Mark Dodson. Northwest on Thursday announced increased earnings in 2007 of 17% and 21% for net income and earnings-per-share, respectively ($74.5 million, or $2.78/share).

Enterprise Products Partners LP reported record profit in the final three months of 2007, but unexpected construction and start-up delays at two of its high-profile Rocky Mountain natural gas processing facilities resulted in lower-than-expected earnings.

Enterprise Products Partners LP reported record profit in the final three months of 2007, but unexpected construction and start-up delays at two of its high-profile Rocky Mountain natural gas processing facilities resulted in lower-than-expected earnings.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) last week ordered an investigation of the safety practices of Northern Utilities following several high profile incidents in the last few months. The commission also wants to know how the natural gas utility manages its operations and maintenance program.

As part of a means of raising the profile of the natural gas-related energy efficiency efforts in the state and a $10 million rebate pool now available, Southern California Gas Co. Tuesday will hold an Energy Efficiency Expo, giving out its first-ever “Energy Efficiency Champion Award” to actor Ed Begley Jr. and four awards for excellence to local businesses and government.

Mediation efforts to resolve a high-profile royalty lawsuit brought by an Anadarko Petroleum company against the Interior Department have failed, according to documents filed in federal court in Louisiana Thursday.

Mediation efforts to resolve a high-profile royalty lawsuit brought by an Anadarko Petroleum company against the Interior Department have failed, according to documents filed in federal court in Louisiana last Thursday.

In a significant victory for federal prosecutors who are pursuing other high-profile fraud cases post-Enron, a Houston jury late Thursday convicted former Dynegy Inc. executive Jamie Olis, 37, on six counts of fraud.