Updated

El Paso Corp. Thursday set a record capital budget for its extensive pipeline business and said it plans to launch an open season for its proposed east-to-west Ruby pipeline in February.

WSI Corp. made no changes in an updated tropical outlook, continuing to forecast 14 named storms, six hurricanes and three intense hurricanes (Category 3 or greater) during the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, and predicted warmer than normal temperatures across all but the northwestern quarter of the U.S. through November.

NorthernStar Energy LLC received an unfavorable review this week from the Clatsop County (OR) Planning Commission staff’s updated report, which follows an earlier recommendation for denial of zoning changes for the proposed Bradford Landing liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal along the Columbia River in Oregon. NorthernStar, however, said it was unconcerned.

WSI Corp. made no changes in an updated tropical outlook, continuing to forecast 14 named storms, six hurricanes and three intense hurricanes (Category 3 or greater) during the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season.

An updated tropical outlook issued by WSI Corp. trims the number of storms forecast, with 14 named storms, six hurricanes and three intense hurricanes (Category 3 or greater) predicted. At the same time the Andover, MA-based provider of weather-driven business solutions sees alternating warmer than normal temperatures through October in some areas and cooling in others, adding up to neutral to bearish gas prices.

An updated tropical outlook issued by WSI Corp. trims the number of storms forecast, with 14 named storms, six hurricanes and three intense hurricanes (Category 3 or greater) predicted. The Andover, MA-based provider of weather-driven business solutions had previously forecast 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and four intense hurricanes (see Daily GPI, June 27).

Chevron Corp. CEO Dave O’Reilly on Tuesday called on the federal government to conduct an updated inventory of key areas in the Outer Continental Shelf, as authorized in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. If the results indicate the potential is there, he said, leasing programs to evaluate the resources should begin.

Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) is pressing the Minerals Management Service (MMS) for an updated inventory of the natural gas and oil resource that currently is inaccessible because of leasing moratoria on part of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). However, a Domenici aide conceded that Republicans face an uphill battle getting any bill through Congress this year that would open up more of the OCS to oil and gas drilling.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. has updated its 4Q2006 guidance to reflect gains from lifting a portion of its oil and natural gas hedges and to include debt and equity offerings in the past few weeks. For 2007, the Oklahoma City-based producer has hedged about 27% of its gas output and 66% of its oil production.