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Carolina Power and Light Energy (CP&L) realized its goalMonday of becoming one of the 10 largest energy companies in thenation as its acquisition of Florida Progress Corp. (FPC) receivedthe final approval necessary from the Securities and ExchangeCommission.

Shareholders of Anadarko Petroleum and Union Pacific Resourcesvoted to approve a $5.4 billion merger of the two companiesyesterday. The merger calls for UPR shareholders to receive 0.455shares of Anadarko common stock for each of their UPR shares.Anadarko shareholders also voted to increase the size of the company’sboard to 15 members from nine. The combined company will be namedAnadarko Petroleum (see Daily GPI, April4).

Devon Energy Corp. said it signed agreements that fix the priceit will receive for 55,000 MMBtu/d of its 1999 production at$2.01/MMBtu. In addition, Devon currently has agreements covering8,000 MMBtu/d of its Canadian production at an average price ofC$2.32/MMBtu.

High volatility continued in the natural gas pit Tuesday whentraders tested both sides of the market during a session that sawlittle in the way of fresh fundamental news. In the end, supportivecash prices-that were up 20 or more cents in mostlocations-provided the incentive for futures to trend higher. TheDecember contract led the way, eeking out a 4.9 cent gain to settleat $2.436 in light to moderate trading activity yesterday.

Niagara Mohawk Power’s new holding company structure, which isexpected to receive regulatory approval in the first quarter of1999, will be called Niagara Mohawk Holdings Inc. William E. Davis,currently Niagara Mohawk Power chairman and CEO, will becomechairman and CEO of Niagara Mohawk Holdings. Niagara MohawkHoldings will succeed Niagara Mohawk Power as the sole entity inwhich common stock is held.

The futures market continued to receive strong technicalfollow-through buying on Monday, adding to gains posted last weekthat some analysts feel could be signaling the end to the two-monthdowntrend in natural gas prices.