The British Columbia (BC) Utilities Commission has agreed to open a portion of the province’s residential natural gas market to competition, allowing homeowners to sign long-term fixed price contracts for natural gas with companies other than Terasen Gas. The company filed its unbundling proposal with regulators in April (see Daily GPI, April 20).
Province
Articles from Province
Oilsands Producers Look for Ways to Cut Gas Usage
At the same time that supply projections go up in Canada’s chief natural gas-producing province, the demand side of the Alberta market is going on a diet. Weaning plants partly or entirely off gas is a feature of all the latest entries into the lineup of oilsands projects, the biggest and fastest-growing element of industrial fuel demand in Alberta, and also all Canada.
Oilsands Producers Look for Ways to Cut Gas Usage
At the same time that supply projections go up in Canada’s chief natural gas-producing province, the demand side of the Alberta market is going on a diet. Weaning plants partly or entirely off gas is a feature of all the latest entries into the lineup of oilsands projects, the biggest and fastest-growing element of industrial fuel demand in Alberta, and also all Canada.
BC Expanding Opportunities for CBM Development
The British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines has entered into an agreement with four coal owners in the province that would give them the opportunity to apply to develop petroleum and natural gas rights, including coalbed methane (CBM). The BC and Yukon governments also agreed to work on cooperative plans in the event the Alaska Highway natural gas pipeline is approved.
BC Expanding Opportunities for CBM Development
The British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines has entered into an agreement with four coal owners in the province that would give them the opportunity to apply to develop petroleum and natural gas rights, including coalbed methane (CBM). The BC and Yukon governments also agreed to work on cooperative plans in the event the Alaska Highway natural gas pipeline is approved.
People
Ernest Fage has been named the new Minister of Energy for the province of Nova Scotia, following a complete cabinet re-shuffle by Prime Minister John Hamm. Fage had been the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. His family owns Fage Farms Ltd. in Hastings and Nappa, Canada, which produces milk, beef and grains for export. He was first elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in a 1997 by-election, then was re-elected in 1998 and 1999. Fage replaces Gordon Balser, who has become Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, with responsibility over the Public Service Commission. Fage had co-chaired a working group with Balser last year, which created Nova Scotia’s energy strategy. One of the recommendations had been the creation of the Department of Energy, which Balser first took over in June 2002. Fage will be the second person to hold the title with Balser’s move.
Canadian Hunter Picks Up Canadian, Argentina Assets
True to statements last week that acquisitions were on the radar screen (see Daily GPI, Sept. 7), Canadian Hunter Exploration Ltd. said Monday it has acquired a Canadian company and another in Argentina. The Canadian assets, acquired from a private company for C$22.5 million, include property in the Chedderville and Garrington areas of West Central Alberta, adjacent to Canadian Hunter property. Neither acquisition is expected to materially impact Canadian Hunter’s 2001 production forecast.
Boundary Battle: Newfoundland 1, Nova Scotia 0
Calling the decision “profoundly disappointing,” Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm promised to defend his province’s position that it owns most of the Laurentian sub-basin, an undersea area south of the Grand Banks that may hold huge reserves of oil and natural gas. An arbitration panel rejected Nova Scotia’s contention that its marine boundary with Newfoundland was established 37 years ago.
Boundary Battle: Newfoundland 1, Nova Scotia 0
Calling the decision “profoundly disappointing,” Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm promised to defend his province’s position that it owns most of the Laurentian sub-basin, an undersea area south of the Grand Banks that may hold huge reserves of oil and natural gas. An arbitration panel rejected Nova Scotia’s contention that its marine boundary with Newfoundland was established 37 years ago.
Enbridge Developing New Brunswick Distribution
Enbridge Gas New Brunswick, Canada, won a 20-year renewablefranchise to develop a gas distribution system for the province ofNew Brunswick. The award was made by the provincial governmentfollowing evaluation of competitive bids submitted earlier thisyear. Enbridge Gas New Brunswick is a joint venture betweenEnbridge Inc., with a 63% interest, and 28 local New Brunswickinvestors.