Energy Central Job Center 	


[IMAGE]	 [IMAGE] 	


      HOME  | GAS NEWS  | EVENTS  | JOBS  | BUSINESS CENTERS  | DIRECTORIES  | DATA CENTER    THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2002  	


 	   THIS ISSUE BROUGHT TO YOU BY       Save $100 now on "Load Management 2001 - Balancing Customers, Regulators and Energy Demand" by The C Three Group. The report reveals how programs are in a state of flux with some vendors struggling as utilities face great ambiguity. It includes candid and sometimes hard-hitting commentary on the design details of 18 leading utility programs as well as 23 vendor profiles. The report analyzes major issues, trends and technology developments. Gain insights and competitive intelligence in this essential report. Complete table of contents and profile samples are available at http://www.energycentral.com/links/show_mi.cfm?id=100837         TOP STORIES     Energy Consultants' Study Favors Canada Plan for Gas Pipelines  By Tony Hopfinger, Anchorage Daily News, Alaska, Jan. 16 An energy consultant who grew up in Alaska believes the least risky way to tap the North Slope's huge natural gas reserves is to do so in stages, running multiple pipelines across the Canadian Arctic during the next 16 years.     US natgas pipelines to spend $68 bln on expansion  WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) To meet rising demand for natural gas, U.S. and Canadian energy firms will invest nearly $68 billion by 2015 to expand pipelines and storage facilities, according to an industry study released on Wednesday.     US FERC oks North Baja natgas pipeline project  WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gave final approval on Wednesday to the U.S. segment of the North Baja Pipeline project that will bring natural gas from Mexico to fuel electric generating plants in southern California and northern Mexico.      Energy Security      US FERC to keep sensitive pipeline maps under wraps  WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Wednesday said it will continue to restrict public access to information about U.S. pipeline routes and other sensitive energy-related sites.      National Energy Policy      Bush Pushes Senate to Pass Energy-Policy Package, Change Free-Trade Rules  By Ron Hutcheson, Knight Ridder Washington Bureau, Jan. 16 President Bush demanded that the Senate pass his energy-policy package and legislation that would make it easier for him to negotiate free-trade agreements.          ADVERTISEMENT    Gain the competitive intelligence you need to make informed business decisions. Energy Central's Operating Plant Experience Code (OPEC) is a must for all aspects of analyzing nuclear power plant performance. Identify causes of poor performance, compare lost generation trends, and set performance criteria! Free trial - visit http://www.energycentral.com/sections/databases/OPEC          Competition & Deregulation    For reports and related information on this topic visit our Data Center   [IMAGE]    Georgia Power Explores Entering Gas Market  By Matthew C. Quinn, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jan. 16 Georgia Power Co. has a plan to enter the natural gas business by offering itself as a regulated alternative to the state's unregulated gas marketers, the company said Tuesday.      Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures      Williams And Duke Energy Field Services Agree to Swap Selected Midstream Natural Gas Interests  Jan 16, 2002 - PR Newswire A unit of Williams and Duke Energy Field Services have agreed to an exchange of natural gas gathering and processing interests located in Wyoming, Texas and Oklahoma.      Atmos Energy Corporation Acquires Natural Gas Sales Contracts from Duke Energy  Jan 15, 2002 - PR Newswire Atmos Energy Corporation said today that Woodward Marketing, L.L.C., a subsidiary of Atmos Energy Marketing, has acquired natural gas sales contracts for approximately $1 million from Duke Energy Trading and Marketing, L.L.C.      Legislation/Regulation      Congress quizzes fired Andersen partner on Enron role  WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Congressional investigators said on Wednesday they quizzed fired Andersen audit partner David Duncan about the accounting firm's ties to collapsed energy trading giant Enron Corp.      Justice official refuses to step aside on Enron  WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) The head of the U.S. Justice Department's investigation of Enron rejected suggestions on Wednesday that he should step aside because of his ties to a law firm that had represented the giant energy company.      Bush Administration Says Enron Calls Were Routine  By Bob Deans, Austin American-Statesman, Texas, Jan. 16 The Bush administration has said the flurry of phone calls Enron Corp. executives made to senior Cabinet officials last fall were routine communications that take place between the government and corporate America.      Senate Panel Reviews Enron over Tax Breaks  By John C. Henry, Houston Chronicle, Jan. 16 Enron Corp., which sought federal tax breaks as the company hurtled toward bankruptcy last fall, is coming under scrutiny by federal lawmakers for possible misuse of corporate tax laws.      White House plays down talk of Pitt Enron recusal  WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) The White House on Wednesday played down suggestions that Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Harvey Pitt recuse himself from the commission's probe of fallen energy trader Enron Corp.      Gas Pricing/Hubs      Canada spot natgas again higher with U.S. futures  NEW YORK, Jan 16 (Reuters) Canadian spot natural gas prices moved slightly higher for the second day in a row Wednesday, again taking cues from stronger NYMEX gas futures that were boosted by short covering, industry sources said.      NYMEX Hub gas ends up, AGA storage data seen neutral  NEW YORK, Jan 16 (Reuters) NYMEX Hub gas, propped early by a firm cash and short covering ahead of weekly inventory data, ended higher Wednesday, but showed little reaction to the late release of a neutral storage report, sources said.      NYMEX, incremental demand push up U.S. spot natgas  SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 16 (Reuters) U.S. day-ahead natural gas extended small gains on Wednesday as firm NYMEX trade, lifted by short covering, and increased heating demand extended cash prices at most pipelines a third straight day, sources said.      Production      Phillips UK Jade oil/gas field to start up end-Jan  LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuters) The startup of the Phillips Petroleum operated Jade oil and gas field in the British North Sea has been pushed back by a month to end January, a company spokeswoman said on Wednesday.      Natural Gas Output Drops  Jan 16, 2002 - www.newsok.com Production of natural gas -- Oklahoma's leading energy export -- dropped 11 percent in the first 10 months of 2001.      Futures      February Futures Climbs on Sizeable Storage Withdrawal  Jan. 16 (Btu's Daily Gas Wire) February natural gas futures settled up 10.3 cents at $2.394 as today's latest American Gas Association storage report detailed a substantial decrease to reserves, which prolonged the bout of short covering that has prevailed so far this week. Special Offer from this Publisher!       Natural gas edges higher ahead of AGA release   Jan 16, 2002 (TradeSignals via COMTEX) -- Natural gas futures edged higher in Tuesday's session as short covering support underpinned quiet trade.      LNG      Govt. Expects Definition on LNG Project in Feb.   Bolivia, Jan 16, 2002 (BNamericas.com via COMTEX) -- Bolivia's government expects to receive further clarification from investors and consumers to proceed with the liquid natural gas (LNG) export project, Bolivia's foreign minister Gustavo Fernandez said, quoted by Los Tiempos.      Pipelines      Millennium gas line faces stiff fight in suburban N.Y.  NEW YORK, Jan 15 (Reuters) Westchester County, an upscale suburb just north of New York City, said Tuesday it plans to fight the Millennium pipeline project that would bring natural gas from Canada to the New York metropolitan region.      L?terminates share purchase deals on 2 Indonesian gas pipeline projects   SINGAPORE, Jan 15, 2002 (AFX-Asia via COMTEX) -- L?Group Investments Ltd said its wholly-owned subsidiary L?Petromas Pte Ltd has terminated agreements on its acquisition of stakes in two gas pipeline projects in Indonesia.      PGN needs $2.95 billion to develop gas pipeline  Jan 16, 2002 - Associated Press State-owned gas company PGN will need about US$2.95 billion in funds up to 2007 to develop four pipeline projects in the country that are aimed at meeting growing gas demand, according to a senior company executive.      Rates    For more information on rate tariffs visit Gas Rate Tariffs   [IMAGE]    Utility Costs in West Virginia Rose 6.6 Percent in 2001, State Lawmakers Learn  By Phil Kabler, The Charleston Gazette, W.Va., Jan. 15 State residents' costs for electric, gas, water and telephone utilities jumped an average of 6.6 percent in 2001, Public Service Commission Consumer Advocate Billy Jack Gregg said Monday.      Rigs      Drilling Activity Up in Western Canada  Jan 16, 2002 - Resource News International The number of Canadian oil and gas rigs active as of Tuesday, January 15, totaled 495, up from the previous week's 473, according to the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC).      Storage      AGA says U.S. weekly natgas stocks fall 137 bcf  WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) The American Gas Association issued the following weekly estimates of U.S. working gas in storage (in bcf):      General      U.S. Senator from Texas May Aid Enron Workers  By Jack Douglas Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas, Jan. 16 Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is considering giving away some of the campaign contributions she received from Enron if the money could help employees of the collapsed energy trading company, she said Monday.      Some Bush Officials Sold Enron Stock Before Bankruptcy  By Patty Reinert, Houston Chronicle, Jan. 16 Government ethics rules forced Bush administration officials to sell their Enron Corp. stock last year, a move that, in the end, spared them hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses when the Houston energy giant imploded.      Enron Made Campaign Contributions to Some North Carolina Politicians  By Paul B. Johnson, High Point Enterprise, N.C., Jan. 15 Rep. Howard Coble is one of four congressmen from North Carolina who received contributions from the bankrupt Enron Corp., reports a pair of campaign-finance tracking organizations.      Andersen rushes out ads in try to boost confidence  NEW YORK, Jan 16 (Reuters) A week after it was found that Andersen destroyed documents that could be crucial to the government's probe into Enron Corp.'s collapse, the accounting firm on Wednesday took out full-page ads in major U.S. newspapers to attempt to restore confidence in its business practices.      Enron whistleblower also warned Andersen-lawmakers  WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) Sherron Watkins, the Enron Corp. executive who warned the company's chairman of troubling accounting practices, also spoke to the former energy giant's auditor last August, U.S. lawmakers said on Wednesday.      Enron's Woes Don't Worry Jenkintown, Pa., Subsidiary's Workers  By Margie Fishman, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 16 Williard Inc. employees in Jenkintown are following the news blitz about the massive bankruptcy and investigation of their parent company, energy trader Enron Corp., with interest but little immediate concern.      Oregon Senator Donates Money Received from Enron to Former Workers  By Tom Detzel, The Oregonian, Portland, Ore., Jan. 15 Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., who's taken in more Enron campaign cash than any Oregon politician, said Monday he'll donate the money to Enron workers whose retirement accounts shriveled with the company's stock.      Ex-Enron Employee Hawking Manual   By KRISTEN HAYS Associated Press Writer, HOUSTON, Jan 16, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Getting laid off from Enron Corp. turned Matt Mitchell into an entrepreneur.      Trading/Marketing      UBS Wuffli says Enron trading ops acquisition diversification not new strategy   ZURICH, Jan 16, 2002 (AFX-Europe via COMTEX) -- UBS AG president Peter Wuffli said UBS Warburg's acquisition of Enron Corp wholesale energy trading operations represents a diversification of already existing trading technology and risk management, not a new strategy.      Legal      INTERVIEW-Nikko unit may mull legal action over Enron  TOKYO, Jan 17 (Reuters) - The new president of Nikko Cordial Corp's asset management unit -- a major Japanese victim of Enron Corp's failure -- said on Wednesday his company may consider taking legal action against the U.S. energy trader.      Energy company sues Andersen; experts expect many more suits for accounting firm  By ALAN CLENDENNING AP Business Writer, NEW YORK, Jan 16, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- An energy company has sued Arthur Andersen LLP, the accounting firm that issued audits for Enron Corp., and experts predict that Andersen will soon face a rash of similar lawsuits accusing it of complicity in Enron's spectacular collapse.      Financial      Enron may find it likes Pink Sheet trading  By Mark Weinraub, NEW YORK, Jan 16 (Reuters) Collapsed energy trading firm Enron Corp., under heavy scrutiny for the accounting it used to polish earnings, has one thing to be thankful for: It does not have to report its financial performance anymore.      El Paso's Southern Natural files $200 mln debt offer  WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) El Paso Corp.'s Southern Natural Gas Co. unit filed on Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell up to $200 million in debt securities.      Enron joins attacks, economy as earnings excuse  By Denise Duclaux, NEW YORK, Jan 16 (Reuters) When Enron Corp. threw in the towel to file for the biggest U.S. bankruptcy ever late last year, the fallen energy trader left companies ranging from banks to dairies nursing bumps and bruises.      Feds Study Enron Effect on Economy   By RON FOURNIER, WASHINGTON, Jan 16, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- White House economic adviser Larry Lindsey studied the economic impact of the potential collapse of Enron Corp. as the Texas-based energy firm struggled for its financial life, the Bush administration disclosed Wednesday.      Natural gas well tax valuations going up  Jan 16 - Charleston Daily Mail Owners of producing natural gas and oil wells in the state will see about a 50-percent jump in the assessed value of those wells this year because of booming natural gas prices, State Tax Commissioner Rebecca Melton Craig said.      Enron, Andersen bond went beyond auditing  By KRISTEN HAYS Associated Press Writer, HOUSTON, Jan 15, 2002 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Arthur Andersen LLP didn't just monitor Enron Corp.'s books.      Energy funds: Can a sooty sector finally throw some heat?   By Guy Halverson Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor, NEW YORK, Jan 14, 2002 (The Christian Science Monitor via COMTEX) -- Dan Gillespie, who manages the Rydex Energy Fund, likes his sector - big time.      Financial - Ratings      RESEARCH ALERT-Morgan Stanley rates Alliant Energy 'neutral'  NEW YORK, Jan 16 (Reuters) Morgan Stanley on Wednesday began coverage on Alliant Energy Corp. with a "neutral" rating, calling the company "a solid, regulated business with upside potential from unregulated generation, international energy, and E?operations."      Financial - Results      Dominion to meet or exceed 2001 estimates  RICHMOND, Va., Jan 16 (Reuters) - Dominion Resources Inc., one of the largest U.S. energy producers, on Wednesday said its 2001 earnings before special charges will meet or exceed Wall Street expectations.      Low energy prices batter Canadian service firms  CALGARY, Alberta, Jan 16 (Reuters) Canadian energy service firms are expected to post sharply lower fourth-quarter earnings, with one analyst saying on Wednesday the stocks will languish until the U.S. economy turns around.      International      Piechota says he wants gas deal with Russia by year's end   Jan 16, 2002 (New World Publishing via COMTEX) -- Economy Minister Jacek Piechota yesterday declared his desire to finalize the gas deal with Russia by the end of this year.      Suez Group Mulls New Energy Projects   Peru, Jan 16, 2002 (BNamericas.com via COMTEX) -- France's Suez group is interested in increasing its presence in Peru's energy sector and is looking at several potential projects in the country, reported Diario Gestion.      Prodi threatens to use special directive to force energy liberalisation   STRASBOURG, Jan 16, 2002 (AFX-Europe via COMTEX) -- European Commission President Romano Prodi said he may use a special single market directive to force liberalisation of the EU's gas and electricity markets if no progress is made by member states.      Tractebel To Announce New Plant In Mexico   MEXICO CITY, Jan 15, 2002 (Reforma/Corporate Mexico by Internet Securities, Inc. via COMTEX) -- Tractebel President Jean Pierre Hansen next Monday will be in Mexico to meet with Mexican President Vicente Fox, and will ratify his company's commitment to the country, reported Mexico City daily Reforma business columnist Dario Celis Estrada.      Congress to Debate Private Investment in Energy Sector   Mexico, Jan 16, 2002 (BNamericas.com via COMTEX) -- Mexico's congress will debate whether or not to allow private investment in the country's energy sector this March, energy commission president Juan Camilo Mourino said, quoted by Diario de Monterrey.      Natural Gas Liberalisation for Valentine`S Day  Jan 16, 2002 - South American Business Information February 14, 2002, marks the official liberalisation of the natural gas sector, permitting private firms to enter into Contratos de Servicios Multiples (CSM).      Ukraine Wants to Cooperate with Brazil in Oil, Gas Extraction  Jan 16, 2002 - Itar-Tass News Agency Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma said his country wants to cooperate with Brazil in the extraction of oil and gas in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.      Nga to Formulate Action Plan for Domestic Gas Use  Jan 16, 2002 - Africa News Service THE Nigerian Gas Association is set to put forward an action plan for the utilisation of gas as an alternative source of fuel in the country.        If you are an Energy Central News Subscriber and you have checked any news articles above, selecting the 'Get Articles' button below will deliver all of the checked articles in one page. This is a convenient way to get exactly the news you need - quickly!           NEED INFORMATION ON THE POWER INDUSTRY? ENERGY CENTRAL'S GOT IT!    ENERGY CENTRAL DAILY ELECTRIC POWER NEWS   An e-mail news service that delivers every major story every day directly to your e-mail address. Inquire for corporate and group discount rates. sales@energycentral.com   JOB CENTER  The Job Center provides instant access to the best employment opportunities and prospective employees in the energy industry through comprehensive job listings and active resume database.  JOB WATCH  A free weekly e-mail service that broadcasts new job listings in the Job Center directly to your inbox!   CONFERENCE WATCH  The Conference Watch is a weekly e-mail service and online database that lists upcoming industry conferences, seminars, and trade shows. The service is free to all energy professionals.   DATA CENTER  Energy Central partners with the best research, publishing, and consulting firms to create useful online database applications. Visit the Data Center to gain immediate access to online databases and instant reports.   DIRECTIONS AND INFORMATION   ABOUT ENERGY CENTRAL'S GAS NEWS SERVICE This news summary service is provided FREE to qualified professionals in the power industry. This news summary may be redistributed provided it is kept in its entirety.   * Visit Member Services  to START, STOP, or CHANGE FORMAT for all of your e-mail subscriptions.  * To BEGIN receiving this summary directly, send a message with a subject of 'signup' to gasservice@energycentral.com .   * To STOP receiving this service, send a message to gasservice@energycentral.com  or call Member Services at 303-782-5510.   SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION The full text of articles referenced in this summary is available to Energy Central Gas News Subscribers and Members. An individual annual subscription costs US$15.95 per month. To sign up for an individual subscription, or for information about corporate discounts, call CyberTech at 800-459-2233, 303-782-5510, or send an e-mail message to sales@energycentral.com .   PRESS RELEASES Submit press releases and other news to pr@energycentral.com    SPONSORSHIP AND ADVERTISING For sponsorship or advertising info call sales at 303-782-5510   TO DELIVER YOUR ARTICLES, PAPERS, PROCEEDINGS OR MONOGRAPHS THROUGH ENERGY CENTRAL: Energy Central provides a variety of mechanisms for delivery of information to power professionals including this news product, Energy Central Web Site (http://www.energycentral.com ), Energy Central Conference Watch(tm), and others. We can deliver your information on a promotional, subscription or a pay-per-view basis. For more information, contact Steve Drazga at 303-782-5510 sdrazga@energycentral.com )    	 	      SUBSCRIBE     Full text access to daily news articles is limited to Energy Central Gas News Subscribers .            CORPORATE SPONSORS  [IMAGE]  Click on each logo to visit sponsor.  [IMAGE]    RER  [IMAGE] Allegro Development  [IMAGE] Itron  [IMAGE] Energy Solutions Plus, Inc.  [IMAGE]       NEWS SECTIONS       Top Stories      Energy Security      National Energy Policy      Competition & Deregulation      Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures      Legislation/Regulation      Gas Pricing/Hubs      Production      Futures      LNG      Pipelines      Rates      Rigs      Storage      General      Trading/Marketing      Legal      Financial      Financial - Ratings      Financial - Results      International          ADVERTISEMENT   EC - Datamonitor           NEWS SEARCH     Find Energy Central Gas News stories up to 30 days old.            ENERGY CENTRAL     Home  News Centers      Energy Central Direct  New!     Power News      Gas News      Weekly News Wrap-Up  New! Events Center  Job Center  Data Center  Business Centers  On-line Publications  New! Research Report Center  New! Directories      Associations      State PUCs      Trade Publications  Industry      Glossary      Links  Member Services  About Energy Central      Our Products      Content Syndication  New!     [IMAGE] 	

[IMAGE]
      HOME  | GAS NEWS  | EVENTS  | JOBS  | BUSINESS CENTERS  | DIRECTORIES  | DATA CENTER   	


 	  Copyright ? CyberTech, Inc.  2001. All rights reserved.  Energy Central(r) is a registered trademark of CyberTech, Incorporated.  CyberTech does not warrant that the information or services of Energy Central will meet any specific requirements; nor will it be error free or uninterrupted; nor shall CyberTech be liable for any indirect, incidental or consequential damages (including lost data, information or profits) sustained or incurred in connection with the use of, operation of, or inability to use Energy Central. Contact: 303-782-5510 or service@energycentral.com .