Proved

Even having achieved hurricane status, Irene proved to have nomore “hype” for gas prices left in it. Cash quotes Thursday fell adime or more at most eastern points and a little bit less in theWest. Gulf Coast numbers tended to drop a nickel or so from theirearly morning highs, one trader said. That resulted in the anomalyof him getting identical $2.67 pricing for an early sale inTennessee Zone 0 (South Texas) and a late sale at Transco Station65 (South Louisiana).

Wild speculation last week that Chevron was courting Phillips Petroleum proved to be false as Phillips management told analysts the company is not interested in marriage. The Bartlesville, OK-based major producer is, however, interested in selling GPM Gas Corp., its natural-gas gathering, processing and marketing subsidiary, and may form joint ventures with other companies on chemicals and refining and marketing so that it can concentrate mainly on exploration and production.

Wild speculation last week that Chevron was courting PhillipsPetroleum proved to be false as Phillips management told analyststhe company is not interested in merging with anybody. But theBartlesville, OK-based energy company is planning on selling GPMGas Corp., its natural-gas gathering, processing and marketingsubsidiary, and may form joint ventures with other companies onchemicals and refining and marketing so that it can concentratemainly on exploration and production.

Cash prices proved remarkably resistant Friday to the softnessthat usually accompanies lowered demand for a weekend period. TheGulf Coast and Northeast citygates were essentially flat, whilemost of the small declines were concentrated in the West andMidcontinent. Sources attributed the relatively firm pricing tomodest support from a slightly higher futures screen, along withtrader anticipation of a return to hotter weather morecharacteristic of June than last week’s below-normal thermometerreadings throughout much of the East.

Any traders who decided that since April proved to be a goodmonth for long supply positions, they should continue the strategyfor May may be regretting that decision now. Though there is stillample time for price recovery-and at least one major aggregatorremains very bullish about the May swing market-the earlyaftermarket was headed south to the tune of about a dime or morebelow indexes in weekend deals done Friday.

Castle Energy Corp. of Radnor, PA, will pick up about 27.5 Bcfeof proved reserves, about 55% gas, when it completes the purchaseof essentially all of AmBrit’s oil and gas properties for about $22million.

Enron Energy Services proved energy management services appealto Catholic clerics as well as cranberry growers while adding twodeals to its parcel of contracts. Last week EES announced dealswith the Archdiocese of Chicago and Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc.

Enron Energy Services proved energy management services appealto Catholic clerics as well as cranberry growers while adding twodeals to its parcel of contracts. Yesterday EES announced dealswith the Archdiocese of Chicago and Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc.

Although generally moving a little bit below index levels, theinitial February aftermarket proved stronger Monday than manytraders were expecting. Several points managed to stay flat toindex. Considering how little weather demand there was in majormarket areas and the difficulty some suppliers reported inscrounging up buyers, it was surprising how little price erosionthere was, a Texas marketer said.