Unlikely

Although some traders earlier in the week had seen a rally in the East as unlikely due to lack of weather demand, the market appeared to defy forecasts of continued moderate temperatures in most of the region Friday by rising at a majority of points Thursday. It reversed a pattern in effect through Wednesday in which minority gains were almost all in the Midcontinent and Rockies; on Thursday those areas, along with some other western points, saw most of the declines.

NRG Energy, which launched an $11 billion bid to take over Calpine Corp., could face some competition from unlikely sources, including possible back-door suitors Dynegy Corp. and Reliant Energy, energy analysts said.

El Paso Corp.’s annual financial analyst meeting last week did nothing to quell talk that the company may restructure and split its bread-and-butter natural gas pipeline business from the exploration and production (E&P) unit to increase shareholder value. In fact, the CEO indicated it is a distinct possibility.

The North American natural gas sector remains solid, and the economic problems cutting across the United States are unlikely to have much of an effect on the sector in the near term, according to Moody’s Investors Service.

The North American natural gas sector remains solid, and the economic problems cutting across the United States are unlikely to have much of an effect on the sector in the near term, according to Moody’s Investors Service.

California’s state legislature this year is unlikely to produce any significant energy legislation because the state is still busy digesting major new laws passed since the 2000-2001 wholesale energy market crisis, according to the chairman of the lower house Assembly’s Utilities and Commerce Committee, Lloyd Levine.

The North American natural gas marketers that consistently have led NGI’s quarterly sales surveys appear to have one belief in common: be reliable.

The North American natural gas marketers that consistently have led NGI’s quarterly sales surveys appear to have one belief in common: be reliable.

ConocoPhillips CEO Jim Mulva said it’s unlikely the company will pursue any significant acquisitions or consider any merger opportunities for the foreseeable future.