Role

Capping off a year-long probe into Arthur Andersen’s role in the collapse of Enron Corp., the House Energy and Commerce Committee last Tuesday referred criminal charges to the Justice Department against former Enron auditor’s in-house counsel, Nancy Temple, for allegedly providing false testimony last January to a congressional panel that was investigating the shredding of Enron documents.

Capping off a year-long probe into Arthur Andersen’s role in the collapse of Enron Corp., the House Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday referred criminal charges to the Justice Department against the former Enron auditor’s in-house counsel, Nancy Temple, for allegedly lying last January to a congressional panel that was investigating the shredding of Enron documents.

Burlington Resources Inc. announced Thursday the appointment of Randy L. Limbacher as executive vice president and COO and Steven J. Shapiro as executive vice president in addition to his role as CFO. Both previously served as senior vice presidents. The company said the promotions are effective immediately. Limbacher, who was responsible for all production and exploitation assets and operations, now assumes responsibility for exploration, as well as for day-to-day company operations. He joined Burlington in 1985. Shapiro continues key responsibility for the company’s strategy development, execution and financial performance. Shapiro joined Burlington Resources in 2000. Houston-based Burlington Resources is one of the world’s largest independent oil and gas companies, with natural gas comprising the vast majority of its reserves.

Citing the critical role that imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) will play in bridging the gap between domestic natural gas supply and demand over the next two decades, major LNG developers called on FERC Friday to exempt import terminals from the agency’s open-access and open-season regulations to encourage an influx of foreign LNG supplies into the United States.

Unconventional gas sources, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), will play a critical role in supplying a projected 33-34 Tcf gas market over the next two decades, according to a new study by an Alexandria, VA-based energy consulting firm. But even with added supply from non-traditional sources, Energy Ventures Analysis Inc. (EVA) believes the industry will be challenged to meet future demand requirements.

Unconventional gas sources, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), will play a critical role in supplying a projected 33-34 Tcf gas market over the next two decades, according to a new study by an Alexandria, VA-based energy consulting firm. But even with added supply from non-traditional sources, Energy Ventures Analysis Inc. (EVA) believes the industry will be challenged to meet future demand requirements.

Former Enron executive Michael Kopper is expected to plead guilty to criminal conspiracy charges Wednesday for his role in the Enron scandal and return an estimated $12 million that he pocketed from illegal partnership deals, according to published sources.

The ability of FERC to successfully form regional transmission organizations (RTOs) throughout the country will in large measure be tied to how much cooperation and support federal regulators receive from their counterparts at the state level, a key FERC staff member told an audience of energy attorneys in Washington, DC, last Thursday.

A federal grand jury in Houston Thursday indicted Enron Corp.’s former auditor, Arthur Andersen LLP, for its role in the scandal that has engulfed the Houston energy trader. It was the first criminal charge to be handed down against a player in the unfolding drama.