Tops

Natural gas pipeline capacity appears “adequate” to meet mostpeak-day demands as the nation heads into the 2000-2001 winterheating season, assuming the weather is normal. But there are someareas where capacity constraints and bottleneck problems could cropup – most notably in the Northeast region, according to a newreport by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Much like on the East Coast a couple of weeks ago, arecord-setting heat wave set in over the weekend in California andthe desert Southwest. The effect on western peaking power pricesMonday wasn’t nearly as dramatic as the $6,000/MWh numbers hitearlier this month in the New England pool; however, gas pricesshowed a much greater impact this time.

In an effort to achieve the best shareholder return among oil majors from 2000 to 2004, Chevron Chairman Ken Derr and Chairman-elect Dave O’Reilly told security analysts last week the company plans to increase worldwide oil and gas production at an annual growth rate of 4 to 4.5%.

In an effort to achieve the best shareholder return among oilmajors from 2000 to 2004, Chevron Chairman Ken Derr andChairman-elect Dave O’Reilly told security analysts yesterday thecompany plans to increase worldwide oil and gas production at anannual growth rate of 4 to 4.5%.

It’s funny how an extra hundred million dollars will get your attention. That’s what the board of directors of Southwest Gas Corp. have to contend with in the form of an unsolicited proposal from Southern Union Co., after they already had signed off on an offer from ONEOK Inc.