Strategies

FERC is still studying strategies to coordinate the natural gas and electricity markets, but one idea floated at a recent technical conference — splitting East and West gas days — isn’t getting great reviews from some gas industry officials.

An upheaval in investment and operational strategies is roiling the energy industry, in large part because of unconventional natural gas and oil resources, and it’s not all about supply and demand, ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance said last week.

An upheaval in investment and operational strategies is roiling the energy industry, in large part because of unconventional natural gas and oil resources, and it’s not all about supply and demand, ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance said Tuesday.

Citing its plans for expanding its reach from Canada and the Bakken to the U.S. East Coast, Enbridge Inc. reaffirmed its intention to use pipeline-to-rail strategies for expanding to the Philadelphia and other mid-Atlantic eastern markets during a conference call to unveil its latest financial and capital expansion plans to analysts and the news media.

Enbridge Energy Partners LP (EEP) plans to invest $175 million to expand its East Texas system to provide gathering, treating and transmission services for several major gas producers on the Texas side of the Haynesville Shale, the Houston-based partnership said Thursday.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) last Thursday unanimously approved its 2009 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR), recommending a fresh mix of strategies for lowering the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions along with maintaining reliable, efficient and affordable energy supplies. The focus continued to be on reliability and renewable resources in this latest annual update of the report that goes to the governor and legislature.

Calpine said it hired Larry B. Leverett as its new senior vice president of gas trading, responsible for managing natural gas positions and risk management strategies for Calpine’s 25,100 MW gas-fired power portfolio. Leverett previously was senior vice president of wholesale markets for TXU Portfolio Management LP. He also served in senior management positions with Avista Energy and El Paso Energy. Most recently, he was a senior consultant for PNM Resources, leading commercial and operational management for its Southwest gas and power businesses. “Calpine is one of North America’s largest gas-fired power producers, which makes us one of the country’s largest natural gas end-users and traders. Larry’s proven track record for leading successful gas and power trading and risk management initiatives will enhance our commercial operations — creating value for both our customers and Calpine — and help position the new Calpine for profitable growth,” said Thomas N. May, Calpine’s executive vice president of commercial operations.

Calpine said it hired Larry B. Leverett as its new senior vice president of gas trading, responsible for managing natural gas positions and risk management strategies for Calpine’s 25,100 MW gas-fired power portfolio. Leverett previously was senior vice president of wholesale markets for TXU Portfolio Management LP. He also served in senior management positions with Avista Energy and El Paso Energy. Most recently, he was a senior consultant for PNM Resources, leading commercial and operational management for its Southwest gas and power businesses. “Calpine is one of North America’s largest gas-fired power producers, which makes us one of the country’s largest natural gas end-users and traders. Larry’s proven track record for leading successful gas and power trading and risk management initiatives will enhance our commercial operations — creating value for both our customers and Calpine — and help position the new Calpine for profitable growth,” said Thomas N. May, Calpine’s executive vice president of commercial operations.

Mexican Congressman Eduardo De La Torre told a Houston audience Thursday that strategies his country’s government has espoused over the last nine years have been a failure. He called for a more modern vision as Mexico embraces the principles of a market economy. That vision includes integration with Central America, both economically and through infrastructure projects, particularly those related to energy. “Our society is lost when we are just importers,” he said.