TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. won a reprieve from a feared revenuehemorrhage but lost a battle for rights to administer strongmedicine of its own making against recurrences of the threat. In aruling on lengthy, hard-fought winter hearings, the National EnergyBoard authorized TransCanada to raise floor prices forinterruptible delivery service on excess capacity to 80% of ratesfor firm service from 50%, effective May 1. But the NEB rejectedpleas by the pipeline to decide independently on setting variableminimum charges on leftover space depending on its reading ofmarket conditions.
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Strong Bull Market Still Has Plenty of Steam Left
Although gas futures prices could take a short-term dip,possibly below $2.65, followed by a small rebound, by late May,Susannah Hardesty, president of Energy Research and Trading,expects prices to be solidly above $3, maybe as high as $3.30. Andshe’s not alone. Given the significant hype about the increase ingas-fired generation and the surge in peak summer power needs,Cynthia Kase of Kase and Company said this market could soar tounexpected heights.
Spin-down of Trunkline Line Comes Under Fire
Producers and utilities last week registered strong protests toTrunkline Gas Co.’s proposal to spin down 720 miles of its 26-inchdiameter natural gas mainline to an affiliate, saying that whilethis action may be in the pipeline’s best interest it’s not “in thepublic interest.”
Producers, Utilities Protest Trunkline Spin-down
Major producers and utilities registered strong protests toTrunkline Gas Co.’s proposal to spin down a 720-mile portion of its26-inch diameter mainline, saying that while this action may be inthe pipeline’s best interest it’s not “in the public interest.”
Williams Files Sundance at FERC
Moving ahead with plans to establish a strong presence in theCarolinas, Williams’ gas pipeline unit said yesterday it has filedan application with FERC to construct and operate the previouslyannounced Sundance expansion project.
Early Weakness Prompts Traders to Take Profits
Despite a strong showing last Friday and gains seen in nearbyphysical market prices, natural gas futures moved lower after theopening bell yesterday and were never able to recover. The Maycontract was the hardest hit, dropping 5.6 cents to settle at$2.889. By comparison, the 12-month strip sank 3.2 cents to closeat $2.96. Estimated volume was modest, with 48,743 contractschanging hands.
Northeast Leads Price Rise; West Increases Smallest
Prices returned to a fairly strong upward track in most marketsThursday except for the Rockies and California, where an extendedhigh-inventory OFO by PG&E put a damper on things.
$2.90 Too Much for Futures; April Slips Lower
Feeding off Wednesday’s strong close, natural gas futures spikedhigher yesterday morning, but ultimately finished lower in anextremely quiet session. After notching a new life of contract highat $2.90 shortly before noon (EST), April was hit with light profittaking which demoted the contract to $2.851, a 1.5-cent loss forthe session.
Gulf Sale Results Improve With Prices
Results from yesterday’s Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 175were buoyed by strong commodity prices. This year’s sale activitydwarfed that of last year’s Central Sale 172 by about 60%,according to the Minerals Management Service’s Gulf of Mexicooffice. High bids received at the sale totaled nearly $300.57million compared to $171.62 million in high bids last year.
Oxy’s Altura Deal has Strong Gas Implications
In a move rumored for the past few months, Occidental Petroleum(Oxy) took Altura Energy off the hands of Shell Exploration &Production Co. and BP Amoco last week. The $3.6 billion transactionis expected to close within the next few weeks, the companies said.