Segments

Higher than previously anticipated earnings in its natural gas distribution and ONEOK Partners segments will help generate $355-400 million of net income in 2012, a significant increase compared with ONEOK Inc.’s 2011 guidance of $325-345 million, the Tulsa-based company said.

California regulators last Thursday with a 5-0 vote ordered operators of intrastate pipelines to test or replace all pipe segments that have not been pressure tested. The action came the same day an independent panel set up to review the San Bruno pipeline explosion issued a scathing report criticizing “numerous shortcomings” in pipe integrity management and operations at Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E).

California regulators Thursday with a 5-0 vote ordered operators of intrastate pipelines to test or replace all pipe segments that have not been pressure tested. The action came the same day an independent panel set up to review the San Bruno pipeline explosion issued a scathing report criticizing “numerous shortcomings” in pipe integrity management and operations at Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E).

Due to continuing high linepack in all segments, Westcoast has implemented a systemwide OFO setting the tolerance for positive daily imbalances at the minimum of 10% or 500 GJ.

Noting construction is well under way on all eight segments, the Ruby Pipeline backers at El Paso Corp. said last Wednesday several factors including winter weather will determine if the project, now two months behind schedule, can be completed as now planned in June.

Noting construction is well under way on all eight segments, the Ruby Pipeline backers at El Paso Corp. said Wednesday several factors including winter weather will determine if the project, now two months behind schedule, can be completed as now planned in June.

Stronger performance from its distribution operations, retail energy operations and wholesale services segments helped drive AGL Resources Inc.’s 1Q2010 net income to $134 million ($1.74 cents/share), an increase of 12.6% compared with $119 million ($1.55) in 1Q2009, the Atlanta-based company said.

Stronger performance from its distribution operations, retail energy operations and wholesale services segments helped drive AGL Resources Inc.’s 1Q2010 net income to $134 million ($1.74 cents/share), an increase of 12.6% compared with $119 million ($1.55) in 1Q2009, the Atlanta-based company said.

North American onshore drilling contractor Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. (PTEN) has seen an uptick “in all segments” but steep declines in hydraulic fracturing and cementing services in North American operations, coupled with reduced pricing for services, sent BJ Services Co. earnings into a spiral in fiscal 1Q2010.