Purpose

With an initial investigation of several special purpose entities (SPEs) used by Enron Corp. completed, the court-appointed examiner now will carefully scrutinize “a number of significant questions” about the complex off-balance-sheet transactions, including what role they played in the company’s collapse, whether they were illegally used to manipulate financial statements, and if the SPEs were illegal, whether the officers, directors or professionals involved may be liable.

With an initial investigation of several special purpose entities (SPEs) used by Enron Corp. completed, the court-appointed examiner now will carefully scrutinize “a number of significant questions” about the complex off-balance-sheet transactions, including what role they played in the company’s collapse, whether they were illegally used to manipulate financial statements, and if the SPEs were illegal, whether the officers, directors or professionals involved may be liable.

With 87% of its reserves in gas, Chesapeake Energy Corp. CEOAubrey McClendon said his company is “a natural gas company onpurpose.” McClendon told attendees at the PLS Dealmakers prospectconference in Houston Wednesday that both the supply and demandsides look very bright for gas producers, especially relative tooil.

The New York Public Service Commission (PSC) has asked FERC toinitiate a proposed rulemaking for the purpose of opening up aninquiry into the appropriate rate design for interstate natural gaspipelines.