William

William F. Hederman Jr., a former executive of Columbia Gas Transmission and energy consultant, has been named the first director of FERC’s new Office of Market Oversight and Investigations.

Hurricane forecaster Dr. William Gray of Colorado State University cut his prior tropical storm forecast for the year by one but said the hurricane season this summer should still be more active than normal with 12 named storms (average is 9.6), seven hurricanes (average is 5.9), three intense (category 3-4-5) hurricanes (average is 2.3) and overall net tropical cyclone activity of 125% of the average year for the period between 1950-2000.

El Paso Corp. Chairman William Wise said Wednesday he was “absolutely convinced” FERC will overturn the ALJ ruling that found El Paso Natural Gas guilty of skirting the Commission’s affiliate standards when awarding transportation capacity on its system. But even if the agency doesn’t do this, he said it was unlikely that the company would be slapped with a major penalty.

CMS Energy CEO William McCormick said last Wednesday his company, which already operates the largest LNG terminal on the continent, plans to build two terminals in Mexico and another offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. As new gas-fired electric generating plants continue to pop up all over the country, gas demand is expected to increase by 3.5% to 4%, or nine-tenths of a Tcf annually, according to McCormick. This demand growth will produce the economics necessary to increase LNG importation into the country.

CMS Energy CEO William McCormick said Wednesday his company, which already operates the largest LNG terminal on the continent, plans to build two terminals in Mexico and another offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. As new gas-fired electric generating plants continue to pop up all over the country, gas demand is expected to increase by 3.5% to 4%, or nine-tenths of a Tcf annually, according to McCormick. This demand growth will produce the economics necessary to increase LNG importation into the country.

William has agreed to provide up to 60,000 MMBtu/d of summer no-notice natural gas transportation service to the new Aquila Crossroads Energy Center near Clarksdale, MS. Williams will build 5,400 feet of 12-inch pipe and related meter facilities off its Texas Gas system to serve the 320 MW simple cycle peaking facility, beginning in June 2002.

Using the baseball movie Field of Dreams as a metaphor for the energy industry, Ocean Energy Inc.’s CFO William Transier told producers they have to “go the distance” if they believe the North American natural gas market will grow to 30 Tcf within 20 years. By overcoming the challenges, producers can build a “supply of dreams.” But, he warned, it won’t be a shutout.

The Houston Exploration Co. announced on Wednesday the appointment of William G. Hargett as president and CEO. He succeeds James G. Floyd who is retiring after holding those positions for 15 years. Houston Exploration said that Hargett’s extensive technical expertise within the energy industry, most recently as president, North America at Santa Fe Snyder Corp., make him more than qualified for the job. The company also announced that Randall Fleming, senior vice president, exploration and production, has elected to retire from Houston Exploration. As one of the original members of Houston Exploration, Fleming brought his exploration knowledge to the company’s drilling programs in the Gulf of Mexico as well as its onshore programs. Additionally, the company reported that Thomas W. Powers has been promoted to the new position of senior vice president, CFO and treasurer. Houston Exploration will host analyst meetings on Wednesday, April 18 to introduce Hargett and Houston Exploration’s management team.

The Houston Exploration Co. announced on Wednesday the appointment of William G. Hargett as president and CEO. He succeeds James G. Floyd who is retiring after holding those positions for 15 years. Houston Exploration said that Hargett’s extensive technical expertise within the energy industry, most recently as president, North America at Santa Fe Snyder Corp., make him more than qualified for the job. The company also announced that Randall Fleming, senior vice president, exploration and production, has elected to retire from Houston Exploration. As one of the original members of Houston Exploration, Fleming brought his exploration knowledge to the company’s drilling programs in the Gulf of Mexico as well as its onshore programs. Additionally, the company reported that Thomas W. Powers has been promoted to the new position of senior vice president, CFO and treasurer. Houston Exploration will host analyst meetings on Wednesday, April 18 to introduce Hargett and Houston Exploration’s management team.