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Global offshore energy spending will rise by almost one-third between now and 2013 versus 2004-2008, despite cuts in capital spending budgets, according to an analysis by Douglas-Westwood.

CenterPoint declared a Critical Period Thursday, saying its system is fully subscribed and operating at or near full utilization, and thus it “is requiring customers systemwide, particularly those whose swings can cause operational difficulties…to take deliveries as close to ratably as possible throughout the day during the period that this alert is in effect.” CenterPoint said it will not allow shipper’ takes to exceed hourly ratable entitlements (based on nominated and scheduled quantities) by more than 5% in any hour at the Perryville Hub, 20% in any hour for the North Louisiana and East Texas Core and Secondary systems, and 50% per hour for the remainder of the system.

As a result of below normal temperatures in much of its market area thus far during March, Transco said, shippers have created a significant due-pipeline imbalance. The current forecast calls for a return to normal or above normal temperatures over the Easter holiday period, Transco added, and it is concerned that shippers “will attempt to resolve their current imbalance positions at a time when market loads are expected to be moderate.” The combination of warm temperatures and customers’ desires to pay back imbalances over a short time raises concerns about the pipeline’s ability to efficiently operate its system during the holiday weekend. To keep from having to issue an OFO or Operational Concern for the weekend, Transco asked that shippers with due-pipeline imbalances plan make-up transactions to resolve their imbalances ratably over the remainder of the month. Also, it will not schedule any excess storage injections over the March 25-28 period.

El Paso said the well maintenance work Wednesday at Washington Ranch storage facility was affecting only half of the wells, and thus it was able to continue withdrawals or injections of approximately 75 MMcf/d. On Thursday it will be necessary to withdraw for at least a portion of the day to remove the dissolved solids from the treated well.

While the relatively mild summer weather seen thus far in the United States and the major increases in gas storage injections have combined to help tamp down gas prices somewhat, a FERC staff member last Wednesday said he expects market volatility to remain high.

While the relatively mild summer weather seen thus far in the United States and the major increases in gas storage injections have combined to help tamp down gas prices somewhat, a FERC staff member on Wednesday said he expects market volatility to remain high.

Despite the gains in the nearby crude oil pit and ahead of the coldest air expected thus far this season, natural gas futures tumbled lower Friday as weak longs headed for the exits ahead of the weekend and the December expiry Tuesday.

FERC last week ruled that KN Wattenberg Transmission LLC’s entire interstate pipeline system is gathering in nature and thus exempt from Commission jurisdiction.

Barrett Resources Corp.’s move to provide “strategic alternatives” to its shareholders, and thus, increase the value if it is taken over, appears to have paid off. Last week, the Denver-based independent apparently received at least two more bids to compete with Royal Dutch/Shell Group’s offer of $60 a share. Barrett had set a deadline of last Wednesday for other companies to make an offer.