Strategic

Oneok Inc. and Magnum Hunter Resources Inc. have created astrategic alliance to maximize gas production and developmentopportunities for both companies. Oneok will buy $50 million ofMagnum Hunter convertible preferred stock, becoming a 31% equityowner. Oneok will acquire $10 million of Magnum Hunter’s pendingacquisition of Spirit 76, including reserves and a gatheringsystem. Oneok also will market all of Magnum Hunter’s Oklahomaproduction and have the right to participate in Magnum Hunter’sOklahoma acquisitions.

The supply-side energy marketer Strategic Energy Ltd. (SEL) andthe demand-side management company Custom Energy LLC (CustomEnergy) announced a merger last week designed to help customerslower energy use and cost.

Sempra Energy Solutions, the energy services unit of SempraEnergy, and Comfort Systems USA formed a strategic alliance todeliver energy solutions to mid-sized commercial and industrialcustomers. The companies will jointly market products and servicesinitially in California and the Western United States, andeventually nationwide.

MCN Energy Group said it is planning a new direction for itspreviously released strategic plan that will emphasize steadygrowth in core operations, more predictable earnings and moderatecapital investments.

Koch Industries and the Royal Bank of Canada have formed astrategic alliance to jointly market energy-related trading andderivatives products to clients in North America andinternationally. The alliance is designed to provide the RoyalBank, which is one of the world’s top foreign exchange banks, with $30 billion/day in transactions, direct access to energy industryinformation and a broader array of energy derivative products, suchas weather derivatives. The deal gives Koch a connection to aworldwide collection of investment clientele. Royal Bank and itssubsidiaries serve 10 million clients through more than 1,500branches and offices located in 36 countries.

Metrocall Inc. of Alexandria, VA, announced it has entered intoa new two-year strategic marketing agreement with Washington Gas tooffer Metrocall pagers and services to the utility’s customer basein the Washington, D.C. and parts of Maryland.