John H. Williams, 94, a founding leader of natural gas midstream and pipeline giant Williams, died Wednesday at his home in Linville, NC. He had worked for Williams Brothers founders Dave and Miller beginning in 1938, and 11 years later he, his brother Charlie and cousin David bought the company. John Williams served as president and CEO until 1971 and as chairman and CEO from 1971 to 1979. One of his signature achievements was the 1966 purchase of Great Lakes Pipe Line, which at the time was substantially larger than his company. In his tenure as CEO, Williams’ market value increased from $25,000 in 1949 to $406.5 million in 1978. From 1964 to 1974, the average combined return to investors ranked No. 1 among Fortune 500 companies. John Williams is survived by his wife, Joanne, and three sons. “This is a huge loss to many of us personally and certainly for our great company,” said Williams CEO Alan Armstrong. “He has been an inspiration to all who have been lucky enough to know him.”
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Cash, Futures Dance Lower; May Still Holding $4
The natural gas cash market worked lower by 9 cents on average Tuesday for Wednesday delivery with all market and producing areas declining. Rocky Mountain points were hit hard, but locations in the Midwest were weak as well. Most major trading hubs lost anywhere from a nickel to a dime. At the close of futures trading the May natural gas contract had fallen 6.5 cents to $4.017 and June was off 6.1 cents to $4.057. May crude oil rose 84 cents to $94.20/bbl.
INGAA Priorities: Cybersecurity, Gas-Electricity Coordination
Outgoing Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) Chairman Greg Ebel and the pipeline group’s members “worked tirelessly” to ensure that legislation signed into law by President Obama earlier this year would “truly take pipeline safety and integrity management to a higher level,” according to incoming Chairman Greg Harper.
Cybersecurity, Gas-Electricity Coordination Are INGAA Priorities
Outgoing Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) Chairman Greg Ebel and the pipeline group’s members “worked tirelessly” to ensure that legislation signed into law by President Obama earlier this year would “truly take pipeline safety and integrity management to a higher level,” according to incoming Chairman Greg Harper.
Oneok: Ethane Inventories Declining Through Year
Excess ethane inventories are being worked off as maintenance at petrochemical facilities is completed. Ethane inventories are expected to decline for the remainder of the year while petrochemical plants operate at high utilization and rely upon ethane as their primary feedstock, Oneok Partners President Terry Spencer said during an earnings conference call last Wednesday.
Oneok: Ethane Inventories Declining Through Year
Excess ethane inventories are being worked off as maintenance at petrochemical facilities is completed. Ethane inventories are expected to decline for the remainder of the year while petrochemical plants operate at high utilization and rely upon ethane as their primary feedstock, Oneok Partners President Terry Spencer said during an earnings conference call Wednesday.
California, Northeast Strong in Overall Weak Market; Futures Slide
Both cash and futures worked their way lower in active trading Tuesday with futures traders almost of the mind that $1-plus futures prices are just around the corner. The physical market saw broad weakness east of the Continental Divide, but cooler weather on the West Coast and additional loads at Northeast points provided notable strong points and quotes finished solidly in the black. At the close of futures trading May had shed 7.6 cents to $2.031 to reach a new set of 10-year low prices and June had dropped 7.1 cents to $2.152. May crude oil tumbled $1.44 to $101.02/bbl.
Group Calls for Continuing Work on Pennsylvania Regulations
As Pennsylvania worked toward overhauling environmental rules for shale development in February, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) said “while this legislation is not perfect, the people of Pennsylvania are better served by passage of this bill now than to wait another year or longer for something stronger.”
Traders See Bottoming Market, Yet March Weakens
Cash prices worked higher Thursday amid nuclear outages and supportive weather in a few regions of the country. Northeast points registered stout gains, and for the most part traders were able to complete their exchanges prior to the 10:30 a.m. EST Energy Information Administration (EIA) report that showed a withdrawal of 166 Bcf, somewhat lighter than expected.
Cash Posts Double-Digit Losses; Futures Ease
Futures and cash prices worked lower Wednesday, but physical gas posted sharper losses as forecasts of milder weather prompted cash quotes mostly a dime to 15 cents lower with some spots in the Northeast declining between 20 to 30 cents. At the close of futures trading March had shed 2.4 cents to $2.448 and April had softened 3 cents to $2.598. March crude oil added 30 cents to $98.71/bbl.