Suffering

After suffering through a long period of low prices and thinmargins, exploration and production (E&P) companies appear tobe headed toward a period of success, a report published recentlyby Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown (Deutsche Banc) said. Strong gasprices, industry consolidation and probable low storage levels arethe main factors contributing the report’s bullish conclusions.

Adding insult to injury for gas producers suffering through awarm winter, reports from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)and California’s Department of Water Resources indicate the PacificNorthwest’s snow pack is thicker than normal, meaning hydropower isprimed for another productive year.

Amid the fiery criticism of FERC’s proposed auction mechanism,Mississippi River Transmission (MRT) is suffering a similar fate asits proposed tariff revisions for implementing auction procedureshave come under attack from marketers and producers.

Seeking emergency relief for Texas oil and gas producerssuffering from low commodity prices, the three-member TexasRailroad Commission (TRC) last week voted to propose statelegislation to suspend severance tax payments when the price foroil and gas drops below $15/barrel of oil or $1.50/Mcf of naturalgas as determined by the Comptroller of Public Accounts

Seeking emergency relief for Texas oil and gas producerssuffering from low commodity prices, the three-member TexasRailroad Commission (TRC) last week voted to propose statelegislation to suspend severance tax payments when the price foroil and gas drops below $15/barrel of oil or $1.50/Mcf of naturalgas as determined by the Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Coalbed methane leaseholders in Wyoming and across the nationhave been saved from “suffering extensive economic trauma,” Sens.Craig Thomas (R-WY) and Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Rep. Barbara Cubin(R-WY) said in a joint statement last week.

Coalbed methane leaseholders in Wyoming and across the nationhave been saved from “suffering extensive economic trauma,” Sens.Craig Thomas and Mike Enzi and Rep. Barbara Cubin said in a jointstatement yesterday.