Puts

The $2.5 billion acquisition of Poco Petroleums Ltd. of Calgarywould give Houston-based Burlington Resources Inc. (BR) a Canadianpresence and make the gas-focused company the third largest holderof gas reserves in North America. BR already ranks first among U.S.independent producers in terms of proved U.S. reserves. Late Mondaythe companies announced the stock and debt deal.

Despite a round of midday profit taking, the natural gas futuresmarket was able to eke out a modest advance amid continued see-sawtrading activity yesterday. The September contract led all othermonths, posting a 1.9-cent gain en route to a $2.727 close.Estimated volume was robust with 86,261 contracts changing hands.

Ding-dong the downtrend is dead. Well maybe its not dead quiteyet, but it certainly was dealt a potentially fatal blow yesterdaywhen short-covering by funds quickly turned into a buyingfree-for-all as commercials and locals entered the fray. The Augustcontract finished at $2.395, up 14.2 cents for the day. Nearly asimpressive as the price action was estimated volume, whichregistered 113,049 contracts.

While Questar continues preliminary work on its California-boundmainline, Kern River Pipeline has put its plans to run a newlarge-diameter pipeline into Southern California on hold, awaitingregulatory action from the dilatory California Public UtilitiesCommission.

While Questar continues preliminary work on its California-boundmainline, Kern River Pipeline has put its plans to run a newlarge-diameter pipeline into Southern California on hold, awaitingregulatory action from the dilatory California Public UtilitiesCommission.

Questar Pipeline has called on FERC to jettison the proposedmerger of powerhouses Sempra Energy and KN Energy, insisting thedeal would “undermine” competition in the gas and electric marketsin southern California.

After opening at or near lows for the day, the futures marketrallied higher Thursday, spurred by the confluence of bullishtechnical and fundamental factors. With a 9.1-cent advance, Junebroke through several key resistance levels before eventuallyfinishing at $2.282 for the day. Estimated volume was a healthy76,540.

Feeding off strength from Tuesday’s Access session gains, theMay contract was fast out of the chute Wednesday, quickly notchinga $2.08 shortly before noon. But for the fourth time in the lastfive trading days, resistance at the $2.07-09 level held andprofit-taking in the form of selling became the theme of theafternoon. The May contract finished at $2.024, just 1.1 cents morethan Tuesday’s close.

The Georgia Senate approved House Bill 822 by a vote of 52-0Wednesday, paving the way for a one time, statewide customerassignment process to occur before the next heating season. Havingalready passed the House of Representatives unanimously, theamendment only needs Gov. Roy Barnes’ signature before it becomeslaw.