Daily GPI

Although its previous high-flying trading and international operations were down, San Diego-based Sempra Energy rode its California utility, energy services and power sales operations to increased profits in the second quarter, reporting on Tuesday net income of $147 million, or 71 cents/diluted share, compared with $137 million, or 66 cents/diluted share for the second quarter of last year.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has given Questar Corp. a one-year extension to get the West Zone of its Southern Trails Pipeline up and running and supplying natural gas in California.

Repairs of a lateral leak (see Daily GPI, July 23) on Matagorda Offshore Pipeline System are expected to be complete by Friday, MOPS operator Northern Natural Gas said Tuesday morning. About 22,000 MMBtu/d is impacted by the shutdown of MOPS Platform 703.

Williams stock fell to a 20-year low in trading Monday after the Tulsa-based energy company reported plans to post a recurring loss for the second quarter, largely due to failing conditions related to its energy marketing and trading business, sparking speculation that cash-strapped Williams could become the target of a takeover. The company said it would slash its dividend by 95% to one cent a share from 20 cents to conserve cash, and was “moving quickly” to complete a new secured financing arrangement to shore up its balance sheet.

Nicor Inc. saw its stock price nearly cut in half Friday morning after reporting a slew of bad news, some of which also spilled over on Dynegy Inc., a joint venture partner. Nicor, long considered a stable old-line utility investment, stunned the market by reversing all of its first quarter earnings and excluding all of its second quarter earnings for a rate program used by subsidiary Nicor Gas, which contributed to a 36% drop in second quarter earnings. The board of directors in turn moved into action, appointing a special, independent committee to investigate the subsidiary’s natural gas purchases, sales, transportation and storage.

Nicor Inc. saw its stock price nearly cut in half Friday morning after reporting a slew of bad news, some of which also spilled over on Dynegy Inc., a joint venture partner. Nicor, long considered a stable old-line utility investment, stunned the market by reversing all of its first quarter earnings and excluding all of its second quarter earnings for a rate program used by subsidiary Nicor Gas, which contributed to a 36% drop in second quarter earnings. The board of directors in turn moved into action, appointing a special, independent committee to investigate the subsidiary’s natural gas purchases, sales, transportation and storage.

Bringing stranded gas to market has long been considered a possibility for exploration and production companies, but finding economical ways to do — without building new pipelines — has been the problem. However, as the thirst for natural gas grows in North America, several companies are stepping up their efforts to move stranded gas to market. Most of the news has centered on liquefied natural gas (LNG), but the interest in compressed natural gas (CNG) is growing, and may be more of a real possibility now than ever before.

High heat levels were returning Monday in some areas that had enjoyed some weekend relief, such as the Northeast, and never really left other areas, such as the South. The resultant power generation load was being felt in rising gas prices at nearly every point. Except for flat to slightly higher numbers for some Rockies pipes, Niagara, and ANR ML7, price increases elsewhere ranged from about a nickel to more than 40 cents at Transco Zone 6-New York City pool. Most were in the vicinity of a dime.

High heat levels were returning Monday in some areas that had enjoyed some weekend relief, such as the Northeast, and never really left other areas, such as the South. The resultant power generation load was being felt in rising gas prices at nearly every point. Except for flat to slightly higher numbers for some Rockies pipes, Niagara, and ANR ML7, price increases elsewhere ranged from about a nickel to more than 40 cents at Transco Zone 6-New York City pool. Most were in the vicinity of a dime.