Sumas

Natural gas forwards markets for September trading were mostly quiet since last week, showing only small changes of less than one cent on average. As with every rule, however, there are some exceptions.

A drop of about a nickel at the PG&E citygate and flat Sumas numbers were the only exceptions to a continuation of rising prices throughout the spot market Wednesday. Although temperatures are fluctuating in some areas, this week’s cold wave in certain regions is proving to be more tenacious than the short-lived ones that dominated the first couple of months of 2008.

Northwest Pipeline expects to have a 111-mile portion of its idled 26-inch diameter line between Sumas and Washougal, WA, back in service by the end of this month providing an additional 131,000 Dth/d of much needed pipeline capacity. About 268 miles of the 1950s vintage pipeline was taken out of service last year after two ruptures occurred.

Northwest Pipeline expects to have a 111-mile portion of its idled 26-inch diameter line between Sumas and Washougal, WA, back in service by the end of this month providing an additional 131,000 Dth/d of much needed pipeline capacity. About 268 miles of the 1950s vintage pipeline was taken out of service last year after two ruptures occurred.

Except for only slightly lower numbers on most Rockies pipes and gains at related Sumas and Westcoast Station 2, all points recorded double-digit (triple-digit in the case of Transco Zone 6-NYC) losses Friday. There was still plenty of hot weather to go around, especially in the South, Mid-Atlantic and desert Southwest, but enough moderation had occurred from the severe levels earlier in the week that prices succumbed to the drag of a bearish storage report/screen the day before and the usual demand slump over a weekend.

Northwest postponed smart pig runs that had been scheduled fromthe Sumas to Mount Vernon and from the Washougal to Willardcompressor stations (all are in Washington state) for Sept. 23 andSept. 29 respectively. Northwest said the runs will take placeduring the week of Oct. 4 and that it decided to eliminate dummypig runs.