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Citing concerns over the funding settlement that was negotiated last month, NorAm Gas Transmission has notified the Gas Research Institute (GRI) it will resign its membership effective Feb. 22. With this move, NorAm will follow in the footsteps of Koch Gateway Pipeline, which effectively severed all ties with GRI on Jan. 1.

The intended sale of one of Canada’s biggest energy trading houses, Pan-Alberta Gas, has been put on hold as a result of the merger agreement between its parent, Nova Corp., and TransCanada PipeLine.

Robust activity in the Gulf of Mexico is one driver for a budgetincrease being sought by the U.S. Department of the Interior’sMinerals Management Service (MMS).

Last year, NGC Corp. sold more gas, marketed more power and made less money than in 1996. In fact, the energy marketing giant lost money due to lower margins and a number of special charges. The net loss for 1997 was $102.5 million, 68 cents/share, compared to 1996 net income of $113.3 million, 83 cents/share.

FERC has scheduled a technical conference for 10 a.m. March 3 at a Commission hearing room to address the issues of El Paso Natural Gas’ proposed contracts with Natural Gas Clearinghouse and other shippers for one third of its gas transportation capacity, or 1.3 Bcf/d (Docket No. CP97-667-001). The Commission also plans to address the issue of Southern California Gas as “gatekeeper” at the Topock delivery point.

Occidental Petroleum completed the acquisition last week of the U.S. government’s 78% interest in the Elk Hills oil and gas field in California for $3.65 billion. The field is the most prolific gas field in California, with current gas production of about 390 MMcf/d (divided between DOE and co-owner Chevron) – two-thirds of that is reinjected to enhance oil recovery.

Metromedia Co. has purchased a majority interest in New Jersey-based CPM Energy Inc., formerly Cogen Marketing Power, for an undisclosed amount of cash, making it possibly the largest aggregator of natural gas and electricity in the nation.

Matching the size of natural gas mega-mergers south of the border, the planned C$11 billion combination of TransCanada PipeLines and NOVA Corp. announced last week would integrate pipeline control of the main Canadian producing province and transportation across the top of the continent to U.S. and Canadian markets.

Texas Utilities last week said it approached Britain’s The Energy Group with “possible interest in the company” in competition with PacifiCorp, which made a failed tender offer to acquire the company back in June. Discussions between Texas Utilities and Energy Group “are at a preliminary stage and may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company,” Texas Utilities said.