Relief

A unique coalition of the major natural gas companies of southwestern Pennsylvania — Equitable Resources, Dominion Resources, Columbia Gas and T.W. Phillips — has joined The Salvation Army, Conservation Consultants Inc., Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers and Plumbers’ Union locals to provide, and where possible install, hot water heaters for residents who lost theirs in the recent flooding caused by parts of Hurricane Ivan, which raged through western Pennsylvania last week.

Powder River Basin producers breathed a collective sigh of relief after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued its long awaited final decision on the environmental impact of a massive increase in coalbed methane drilling in the basin in Wyoming and Montana.

The depressed basis spread between the Rocky Mountain region and Nymex gas futures improved significantly with the addition of the 900 MMcf/d Kern River pipeline expansion, but spreads could begin to widen once again unless additional proposed pipelines are built, according to speakers at GasMart/Power in New Orleans last Tuesday.

The depressed basis spread between the Rocky Mountain region and Nymex gas futures improved significantly with the addition of the 900 MMcf/d Kern River pipeline expansion, but spreads could begin to widen once again unless additional proposed pipelines are built, according to speakers at GasMart/Power in New Orleans Tuesday.

Powder River Basin producers breathed a collective sigh of relief after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued its long awaited final decision on the environmental impact of a massive increase in coalbed methane drilling in the basin in Wyoming and Montana. About 14,300 wells already have been drilled on the Wyoming side of the basin, but producers needed BLM authorization to move forward with a 10-year plan to drill another 39,400 gas wells. In Montana, the BLM looked at the potential of more than 26,000 wells across the entire state.

Higher natural gas prices aside, North American natural gas production most likely will continue its decline this year, according to some industry analysts. Even though U.S. and Canadian exploration and production (E&P) companies may raise their spending as discretionary income grows, the ramp up most likely won’t occur before the second half of the year.

Higher natural gas prices aside, North American natural gas production most likely will continue its decline this year, according to some industry analysts. Even though U.S. and Canadian exploration and production (E&P) companies may raise their spending as discretionary income grows, the ramp up most likely won’t occur before the second half of the year.

California state leaders are “not overly optimistic” they will get the $9 billion in refunds on high-priced power they claim Californians are owed when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules Wednesday, so they’re prepared to carry the fight to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal.

Investors in Allegheny Energy no doubt breathed a collective sigh of relief last Tuesday after the company and its Allegheny Energy Supply Co. said that they have entered into agreements with lenders on new and restructured credit facilities totaling $2.4 billion.