Texas

Expressing frustration but continuing its resolve, Texas-basedWestern Hub Properties is ironing out some “technical issues” offinancing with California regulators and now expects to startconstruction in February on its delayed Lodi gas storage field innorthern California.

In a refreshing change of pace, Duke Energy’s Texas EasternTransmission Corp. (TETCO) asked FERC last week for a system-widerate reduction — yes, reduction — of about $137 millionannually for its interstate pipeline customers.

Texas-based Quicksilver Resources reported that its Canadiansubsidiary, MGV Energy, has entered into a joint venture withPanCanadian Petroleum, to explore and develop coal-bed methane(CBM) reserves on one million acres of PanCanadian-owned land. Theproject will focus on PanCanadian’s Palliser block in SouthernAlberta, and is one of the largest potential CBM plays in NorthAmerica, the companies said.

Texas-based Quicksilver Resources reported that its Canadiansubsidiary, MGV Energy, has entered into a joint venture withPanCanadian Petroleum Ltd., to explore and develop coal-bed methane(CBM) reserves on one million acres of PanCanadian-owned land. Theproject will focus on PanCanadian’s Palliser block in SouthernAlberta, and is one of the largest potential CBM plays in NorthAmerica, the companies said.

In a refreshing change of pace, Duke Energy’s Texas EasternTransmission Corp. (TETCO) asked FERC yesterday for a system-widerate reduction — yes, reduction — of about $137 millionannually for its interstate pipeline customers.

Citing unanticipated delays, Tennessee said Tuesday thatrehabilitation work on its Donna Lateral in South Texas, scheduledfor Oct. 23-24, must be extended at least into today. Until furthernotice, nominations will continue to be refused at 18 meters.

In the latest of a yearlong effort to put the brakes to anunwelcome MarketLink project, the state of New Jersey and thestate’s Department of Law and Public Safety called on FERC lastweek to rescind and vacate the certificate approving constructionof the controversial pipeline expansion through the northern partof the state, and to treat sponsor Transcontinental Gas Pipe LineCorp.’s recent request to amend the project as a new application.

Florida Gas Transmission said Wednesday morning a small leak in its22-inch mainline in southeastern Texas (see Daily GPI, Oct. 4) had been repaired and the line wasback in service. The pipeline resumed accepting nominations at allpoints in Zone 1 for Wednesday’s Intraday 1 cycle.

Texas Railroad Commissioner Tony Garza warned the statelegislature and governor yesterday of an expected 55% increase innatural gas prices this winter for small customers and the expectedcontinuation of high prices for the next year to 18 months.