Resolve

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Monday ordered Enserco Energy Inc., a Colorado-based natural gas marketer, to pay $1.4 million to resolve claims that it violated the agency’s open-access transportation rules.

There is the potential for new natural gas supplies as part of the deal being worked out to resolve California’s $26 billion budget deficit (see Daily GPI, July 23), a Houston-based spokesperson for Plains Exploration and Production Co. (PXP) told NGI Thursday. PXP is in line to be the developer of the first new offshore drilling along the California coast in 40 years.

Arthur Andersen LLP has agreed to pay $16 million to Enron Corp. creditors to resolve claims that the accounting firm was negligent in auditing and advising the former energy trader. A hearing on the proposed settlement is scheduled for May 14 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York (In re Enron Creditors Recovery Corp., 01-16034). If approved, the settlement would end a lawsuit filed in Houston by Enron’s creditors that accused the once esteemed accounting firm of approving transactions that manipulated Enron’s finances for the benefit of certain executives. Formerly Enron’s outside auditor, Arthur Andersen was convicted by a federal jury in 2002 of obstructing an investigation into Enron’s demise (see Daily GPI, Oct. 17, 2002). The U.S. Supreme Court overturned that verdict in 2005 (see Daily GPI, June 1, 2005) To date Enron creditors have recovered more than $22 billion, or about 50 cents on the dollar.

FERC Friday denied Florida Gas Transmission’s (FGT) request for a three-year delay in abandoning existing pipeline facilities while it seeks to resolve a dispute over relocation costs with the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT). It further chided the pipeline for attempting to use the FERC process to bypass the state courts.

The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) last Friday dismissed a challenge to one of the local permits issued for the development of the proposed Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) project and related interstate-connecting pipeline. The appeal dealt with one of three Coos County permits issued to the LNG project — this one being for development of the marine docking facilities.

FERC Wednesday directed staff to convene a technical conference to resolve a tariff dispute between Columbia Gas Transmission and several of its shippers, which claim that the pipeline’s proposed tariff changes would seriously impair their existing ability to schedule primary firm transportation. Staff was ordered to file a report on the results of the conference within 120 days.

FERC last Wednesday directed staff to convene a technical conference to resolve a tariff dispute between Columbia Gas Transmission and several of its shippers, which claim that the pipeline’s proposed tariff changes would seriously impair their existing ability to schedule primary firm transportation service. Staff was ordered to file a report on the results of the conference within 120 days.

A FERC administrative law judge (ALJ) has certified and recommended that FERC approve Algonquin Gas Transmission’s proposed contested settlement that attempts to resolve a number of natural gas quality and interchangeability issues associated with the transportation of regasified liquefied natural gas (LNG) on its pipeline system.

Algonquin Gas Transmission has asked FERC to approve a settlement that attempts to resolve a number of natural gas quality and interchangeability issues associated with the transportation of regasified liquefied natural gas (LNG) on its pipeline system.