Rule

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) issued a final rule in the Federal Register that would waive several cost recovery fees until Jan. 3 to allow time for the agency to get its New Orleans office back in service. MMS staff have been operating at temporary offices in Houston while repairs were made to the New Orleans offices, which just reopened this week.

Major natural gas producers have petitioned FERC to issue a rule adopting national hydrocarbon dew point (HDP) and interchangeability specifications for natural gas being delivered throughout the national pipeline system, as well as for non-discriminatory application of the specifications in the tariffs of all interstate gas pipelines.

With few exceptions to the rule, U.S.-based producers reported soaring 3Q income over a year ago, however, U.S. natural gas production for most continued to decline, and capital spending on exploration and production dropped for some of the largest operators. Notable exceptions were EOG Resources and Pioneer Natural Resources, which both posted strong, positive natural gas gains in North America.

With few exceptions to the rule, U.S.-based producers reported soaring 3Q income, however, U.S. natural gas production continued to fall, and capital spending for exploration and production dropped for some of the largest operators.

With few exceptions to the rule, U.S.-based producers reported soaring 3Q income, however, U.S. natural gas production continued to fall, and capital spending for exploration and production dropped for some of the largest operators.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is considering arguments on the constitutionality of the federal law used to charge a former Dynegy Inc. energy trader with making false natural gas trades. Michelle Valencia was charged last year with reporting false energy trading information, and prosecutors appealed a ruling by a Houston judge that narrowed the language prosecutors may use to prove her guilt (see NGI, Nov. 24, 2003).

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is considering arguments this week on the constitutionality of the federal law used to charge a former Dynegy Inc. energy trader with making false natural gas trades. Michelle Valencia was charged last year with reporting false energy trading information, and prosecutors are appealing a ruling by a Houston judge that narrowed the language prosecutors may use to prove her guilt (see Daily GPI, Nov. 18, 2003).

A FERC rule that would require only interstate pipeline storage operators to electronically post their daily storage inventory levels is “unlikely” to make the gas market more transparent, said a major pipeline group.

A FERC rule that would require only interstate pipeline storage operators to electronically post their daily storage inventory levels is “unlikely” to make the gas market more transparent, said a major pipeline group.