Warning

A veteran natural gas reserve and production expert has issued abearish warning to natural gas market observers: 1998 total reserveadditions could jump as much as 3 Tcf from 1997’s figure to between22 and 23 Tcf. That would be well above the range of 14.9 to 20.2Tcf over the last nine years. With 1998 production estimated atabout 19 Tcf the forecast adds up to reserve additions exceedingproduction by 116% to 121%.

A veteran natural gas reserve and production expert has issued abearish warning to natural gas market observers: 1998 total reserveadditions could jump as much as 3 Tcf from 1997’s figure to between22 and 23 Tcf. That would be well above the range of 14.9 to 20.2Tcf over the last nine years. With 1998 production estimated atabout 19 Tcf the forecast adds up to reserve additions exceedingproduction by 116% to 121%.

After warning of its possibility Tuesday, Florida GasTransmission issued an Overage Alert Day notice Wednesday for themarket area east of Station 12 (Santa Rosa County in the FloridaPanhandle). The notice carries a 6% tolerance for daily negativeimbalances. FGT will re-evaluate conditions this morning beforedeciding whether to extend the notice.

After warning shippers Wednesday that one was possible, FloridaGas Transmission issued an Overage Alert Day notice for Thursday’sgas day due to high market-area demand. The notice has a 6%tolerance for daily negative imbalances and covers the system eastof Station 12 (Santa Rosa County in the Florida Panhandle). Thepipeline will re-evaluate conditions this morning before decidingwhether to extend the notice.

Northwest continued Tuesday to ban any on-system balancing,warning that regional temperatures are getting warmer and linepack”is very high.” Shippers were asked to refrain from banking gas onthe system in order to avoid a potential entitlement.