In what would certainly be a blow in at least the short term for UBS Warburg Energy’s push to revive Enron Corp.’s trading arm, some of the former trading powerhouse’s top traders are soon expected to leave. UBS confirmed that at least six of Enron’s former key wholesale energy traders, including the leading natural gas trader and the chief of the options desk, have turned down offers to stay, although most who were offered jobs are staying with UBS.

The departures come at the precise time the 90-day period for retention bonuses paid by Enron as it neared bankruptcy ends, which would allow anyone obtaining one of the lucrative deals to now legally leave.

Those set to leave include John Arnold, 27, chief natural gas trader, who helped build EnronOnline into a worldwide trading leader. Arnold apparently had as many as $1 billion in trades for Enron on certain days, and his trading account made more than $700 million in gross profit for Enron last year. Arnold did not comment on the defection, and there were no announcements of where he is planning to go.

UBS said the “overwhelming majority of people offered positions, accepted them,” but did not detail the number or the positions involved. Before filing for bankruptcy protection in December, Enron paid retention bonuses totaling $55.5 million to about 550 employees, and more than half of them worked in the energy trading division. Other retention bonuses were also paid to other Enron traders and employees before the bankruptcy.

UBS confirmed that John Lavorato, former president and CEO of Enron Americas, will stay, assuming Arnold’s job as lead natural gas trader. Lavorato apparently was paid a bonus of $5 million by Enron to remain late last year.

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