Spree

Midcoast Energy of Houston continued an ongoing buying spree last week. This time, however, the company has set its sights to the North. Subsidiary Midcoast Canada Operating Corp. bought the Calmar gas treating plant and gathering system in Alberta from Probe Exploration Inc. for C$20 million (US$13.2 million). The company said it has its sights on similar acquisitions in the future.

Following its reorganization of semi-autonomous PacificNorthwest and Texas gas assets, PG&E Gas Transmission (PG&EGT) is looking to bolster earnings through alliances andacquisitions that it hopes to complete later this year, accordingto Thomas King, president/COO of the Houston-based unit of PG&ECorp. PG&E GT transports an average of 6 Bcf/d through the tworegions.

Washington Water Power’s (WWP) energy marketing affiliate,Avista Energy, embarked on a two-day expansion spree last week byacquiring Vitol Gas and Electric Co. and Coast Pacific ManagementCo., and in the process became a top-10 power marketer. Supportingthese additions is WWP’s joint venture with Cogentrix Energy Inc.,announced Dec. 11, to build or buy gas-fired electric generationprojects in the Pacific Northwest. Terms for deals were notdisclosed.

CMS Energy Corp. went on a shopping spree last week, taking amajor stake in one of the Rocky Mountain region’s hottest newproducing areas, the Powder River Basin, and adding to its growingMidcontinent midstream asset base with the purchase of Heritage GasServices, L.L.C.

CMS Energy Corp. went on a shopping spree yesterday, taking amajor stake in one of the Rocky Mountain region’s hottest newproducing areas, the Powder River Basin, and added to its growingMidcontinent midstream asset base with the purchase of Heritage GasServices, L.L.C.