Pulled

EnCana Corp. has pulled back on its exploration activities in eastern Canada because of limited success, but CEO Randy Eresman said Thursday the company remains committed to developing the natural gas reserves in the Deep Panuke field offshore Nova Scotia. The field, he said, “is a keeper for us.”

The political backlash from high winter heating bills may not be nearly as severe as first expected because mild weather has pulled the rug out from under wholesale prices. Consumers Energy said Wednesday that its customers can expect about half of the increase in prices that the utility previously projected.

Nymex Holdings on Tuesday said it pulled the trigger on a 10% equity sale to General Atlantic LLC, a global private equity firm that will buy the stake in the New York Mercantile Exchange for $135 million.

Natural gas futures reached new three-week lows Thursday morning on the surprising news that 188 Bcf was pulled from underground storage last week, well below consensus estimates focused on a 200-230 Bcf draw. The March contract was dealt the biggest blow by the news, dropping 22.7 cents for the session to finish at $6.149.

Without discussion or comment, the head of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Thursday pulled from consideration a last-minute item to launch an investigation of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal plans for Long Beach Harbor. The issue is to be considered at the regulators’ next regularly scheduled business meeting April 22.

Without discussion or comment, the head of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Thursday pulled from consideration a last-minute item to launch an investigation of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal plans for Long Beach Harbor. The issue is to be considered at the regulators’ next regularly scheduled business meeting April 22.

Call it a turnaround or call it a market correction, but whatever it is, the energy trading industry has pulled itself out of the mud and now is scrubbing off the dirt — but it may take a long soak in the tub, a panel of energy merchant veterans said Thursday.

Call it a turnaround or call it a market correction, but whatever it is, the energy trading industry has pulled itself out of the mud and now is scrubbing off the dirt — but it may take a long soak in the tub, a panel of energy merchant veterans said Thursday.

After bending, but not completely breaking lower on the news that a paltry 52 Bcf was pulled from underground storage facilities last week, natural gas futures prices rebounded Thursday in sympathy with frigid temperatures and spiking cash prices. The February contract finished at $7.094, up 21.6 cents for the session.