United

Burgeoning gas demand in the southeastern United States andChicago’s supply hub status have spawned another pipeline project.The latest comes from Columbia Gulf Transmission, AGL Resources,and MCN Energy Group. The trio last week began a six-week openseason offering up to 250,000 Dth/d of capacity on the proposedVolunteer Pipeline.

Burgeoning gas demand in the southeastern United States hasspawned another pipeline project. The latest comes from ColumbiaGulf Transmission, AGL Resources, and MCN Energy Group. The trioyesterday began a six-week open season offering up to 250,000 Dth/dof capacity on the proposed Volunteer Pipeline.

Amid warnings that natural gas supplies are poised to tighten upin the United States, Canadian exporters are lining up to fill anygap. As Joe Foster, chairman of the U.S. National PetroleumCouncil, voiced concerns over the future of American supplies,ProGas Ltd. filed the first application to Canada’s National EnergyBoard for a long-term license for exports via Alliance PipelineProject as soon as it is completed in October of 2000.

Amid warnings that natural gas supplies are poised to tighten upin the United States, Canadian exporters are lining up to fill anygap. As Joe Foster, chairman of the U.S. National PetroleumCouncil, voiced concerns over the future of American supplies,ProGas Ltd. filed the first application to Canada’s National EnergyBoard for a long-term license for exports via Alliance PipelineProject as soon as it is completed in October of 2000.

Aquila Energy, UtiliCorp United’s main energy marketing arm,announced Wednesday it is moving from Omaha, NE, to Kansas City,MO.. The company will bring 405 employees to occupy 70,000 squarefeet on three floors of the Town Pavilion in downtown K.C.

UtiliCorp United’s Aquila Energy signed a deal to supply gas tothe PowerSmith Generation facility near Oklahoma City, OK, Thecontract, which runs into 2004, is for 50 Bcf. “This is another ina series of long-term contracts that we’ve completed in the pastyear where we design unique energy risk migration arrangementsgiven specific independent power plant situations,” said Ed Mills,Aquila president.

UtiliCorp United’s Aquila Energy signed a deal to supply gas tothe PowerSmith Generation facility near Oklahoma City, OK, Thecontract, which runs into 2004, is for 50 Bcf. “This is another ina series of long-term contracts that we’ve completed in the pastyear where we design unique energy risk migration arrangementsgiven specific independent power plant situations,” said Ed Mills,Aquila president.

The combination announced last week of Oneok Inc. and SouthwestGas Corp. would be the largest stand-alone gas distributor in theUnited States, with Columbia Energy in second place, and the fourthlargest when gas and electric combination utilities are considered.The combined company would have 2.6 million customers in fivestates and would capitalize on Southwest’s growth potential andOneok’s strong balance sheet.

Oneok Inc. and Southwest Gas Corp. agreed to a merger that wouldform the largest stand-alone gas distribution company in the UnitedStates, serving 2.6 million customers in five states. ColumbiaEnergy would be No. 2 to the combined Oneok and Southwest.