Daily Gas News - 11/20/01 Energy Central Daily Gas News Â Â Â  HOME |  GAS NEWS |  EVENTS |  JOBS | BUSINESS CENTERS | DIRECTORIES | DATA CENTER TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2001 Â     THIS ISSUE BROUGHT TO YOU BY Â  ENERGIZE YOUR CAREER - The Energy Central Job Center has a new look,  new features, premier employers and is updated daily! Visit the energy  industry's largest on-line job center today:  http://www.energycentral.com/sections/jobs TOP STORIES Conoco, Phillips Petroleum Agree to Merge in $35 Billion Deal By Nelson Antosh, Houston Chronicle, Nov. 19 Conoco and Phillips Petroleum have agreed to merge, forming an oil company that will be the third-largest in the United States and the sixth-largest in the world.  Cash Rockets on Cold Weather Outlooks, Storage Play Nov. 19 (Btu's Daily Gas Wire) Some cold weather felt in parts of the West and forecasts calling for temperatures to drop in the Midwest and East sent next day gas prices soaring 50 to 60 cents on average today, traders said.  Special Offer from this Publisher! Ruhrgas plan casts doubts on import deals  By Joe Harper, Nov. 19, 2001 (New World Publishing via COMTEX) -- Natural gas import deals signed with Norway and Denmark this year were in doubt last week following an announcement by Germany's Ruhrgas that the government would approve its pipeline project, analysts said.  Press Release POWERWEB AND SAIC SIGN NATIONWIDE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT Media, PA, November 19, 2001--  Powerweb Technologies, Inc. today announced that is has signed a nationwide Distribution and Joint Marketing Agreement with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). This agreement will enable SAIC to market and deploy Powerwebï¿½s Omni-Link Internet Energy Platform, to energy organizations as well as end-use energy customers throughout the United States.  National Energy Policy SENATOR PUTS HOUSE ENERGY BILL ON ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE  Nov 19, 2001 (Octane Week/PBI Media via COMTEX) --   The Senate came one step closer to putting energy on the agenda when Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) filed a scaled- down version of the House-passed energy bill, H.R. 4, as an amendment to the economic stimulus package being debated in Congress.  Â  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 Â  Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures Mississippi Valley Gas plans merger with Dallas company Nov 19 - The Mississippi Business Journal  Mississippi Valley Gas Company, the largest natural gas utility in Mississippi serving about 261,500 customers in 36 counties in the state, will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atmos Energy Corporation if a proposed merger is approved as planned.  Dynegy's Buying Enron Results in Bitterness, Problems And Support Nov. 19 (Utility Spotlight)  The proposed acquisition of Enron by cross-town rival Dynegy has ruffled some feathers of Enron employees, many of whom will lose not only their jobs but also what was once a fortune, now in nearly worthless stock options.  Special Offer from this Publisher! DSM to sell Energie Beheer Nederland stake to Dutch govt for 1.243 bln eur  AMSTERDAM, Nov 19, 2001 (AFX-Europe via COMTEX) --   DSM NV said it will sell its stake in Energie Beheer Nederland to the Dutch government for 1.243 bln eur.  The Sunday Telegraph: Westlb Makes A Grab for Gbp1bn Wessex Water Nov 19, 2001 - FT World Media Abstracts via Comtex  Germany-based bank WestLB is negotiating with US-based energy concern Enron for a possible acquisition of Wessex Water.  Gas Pricing/Hubs Canadian spot gas recovers from seven-day rout CALGARY, Alberta, Nov 19 (Reuters)  Canadian spot natural gas prices jumped across the board on Monday, especially in Alberta, where prices nearly doubled from depressed weekend levels on the strength of higher export demand, traders said.  U.S. spot gas jumps 23 pct on cold midweek weather SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 19 (Reuters)  U.S. spot natural gas prices surged Monday on cold-weather forecasts dealers said were likely to trigger widespread heating demand in the Midwest and Northeast consuming regions.  NYMEX Hub gas ends higher on weather, short cover NEW YORK, Nov 19 (Reuters)  NYMEX Hub gas ended higher Monday after a soft open, lifted by colder midweek weather forecasts and short covering ahead of the long holiday weekend despite a lagging cash market, industry sources said.  Production LOWER 48 GAS PRODUCTION STEEPENS ITS FALL IN 3Q  Nov 19, 2001 (Gas Processors Report/PBI Media via COMTEX) --   There is perhaps something to be made of the fact that the minute producers stopped hiring so many rigs, gas production fell.  LNG PHILLIPS PETROLEUM SAYS NO AGREEMENT TO BACK SHELL'S TIMOR SEA PLANT  DARWIN, Nov 19, 2001 (AsiaPulse via COMTEX) --   Phillips Petroleum today denied a report that it had backed Royal Dutch-Shell's $A4 billion ($US2.08 billion) plan to build the world's first floating liquified natural gas (LNG) plant in the Timor Sea.  Pipelines Energy Companies Work to Get Around Barrier to Alaska Gas Pipeline By Liz Ruskin, Anchorage Daily News, Alaska, Nov. 16  A $4 billion financial cloud hanging over the proposed Alaska Highway gas pipeline cleared a little Thursday, when nine energy companies announced they have agreed to come together to settle the problem and pitch a business plan to North Slope natural gas owners.  Ibama Fines Petrobras US$4mn for Pipeline Error  Brazil, Nov 19, 2001 (BNamericas.com via COMTEX) --   Brazil's environment agency Ibama has fined Brazil's federal oil company Petrobras US$4mn (10mn reais) for installing a 4km undersea pipeline to extract natural gas from the Marlim Sul field without the relevant environmental licensing, according to daily newspaper Valor Economico.  State ponders investment Nov 19 - Journal of Alaska Business and Commerce  A citizen committee asked by Gov. Tony Knowles to evaluate possible state investment in a natural gas pipeline has reached a tentative conclusion to advise against the idea, unless there is some compelling and overriding public interest.  Ukraine pledges not to siphon Russian gas from pipelines Nov 19 - ITAR - TASS News Wire  Ukraine has passed legislative acts that confirm its pledge not to siphon natural gas from transit pipelines crossing its territory.  Rates For more information on rate tariffs visit Gas Rate Tariffs Court Orders Camuzzi to Freeze Gas Rate Hike  Argentina, Nov 19, 2001 (BNamericas.com via COMTEX) --   Argentine judge Jorge Pfleger has ordered gas distributor Camuzzi Gas del Sur to not apply increased gas rates for users in Patagonia until negotiations with the government over subsidy payments are concluded, La Nacion reported.  General New Jersey Balks at Increase in Seniors' Heating Aid By Herb Jackson, The Record, Hackensack, N.J., Nov. 19  It gives the term "budget freeze" a whole new meaning.  New Technologies/Markets Scientists Seek New Energy Sources Nov 18 - Associated Press  In Canada's Northwest Territories, where the Mackenzie River empties into the Beaufort Sea, scientists are studying a vast deposit of frozen methane as a potential energy source.  Financial Congressman urges probe of Andersen on Enron WASHINGTON, Nov 19 (Reuters) -  A U.S. Congressman has called for an investigation of Big Five accounting firm Arthur Andersen LLP in connection with its audits of Enron Corp. and Waste Management Inc., according to a letter released on Monday  Employees' 401(k) Plans Sink with Enron By Jeff Manning, The Oregonian, Portland, Ore., Nov. 16  Enron, the once-mighty energy giant, took millions of dollars of its employees' retirement savings down with it as it collapsed with shocking swiftness during the past month.  FUND SCORE-Utilities funds may lag in economic recovery By Christopher Noble, BOSTON, Nov 19 (Reuters)  Mutual funds that focus on utilities have posted average returns this year, but they may well fall behind more cyclical stocks as the economy recovers in the months ahead, a fund manager said on Monday.  B.C. GAS FILES SHELF PROSPECTUSES TO SELL DEBT TO CANADIAN INVESTORS  Nov 19, 2001 (Petroleum Finance Week/PBI Media via COMTEX) --   B.C. Gas Inc. filed a base shelf prospectus with Canadian regulatory authorities to issue up to C$1 billion of debt or subordinated debt over two years.  GUARDIAN PIPELINE CLOSES $180 MILLION OF PROJECT FINANCING  Nov 19, 2001 (Petroleum Finance Week/PBI Media via COMTEX) --   Guardian Pipeline closed $180 million of project financing that was arranged by Prudential Capital Group.  Financial - Results MOL posts losses, receives bids for gas division  By Dan Nashaat, Nov 19, 2001 (New World Publishing via COMTEX) --   Hungarian oil and gas company MOL Rt posted losses of Ft 14.29 billion ($51 million) in the first nine months, compared with profits of Ft 23.06 billion over the corresponding period of 2000.  International Lithuanian Gas Privatisation Launched  FRANCE, Nov 19, 2001 (Prline via COMTEX) --   The Government of Lithuania and its Adviser, BNP Paribas Corporate Finance, have launched the privatisation of the Lietuvos dujos (Lithuanian Gas) company.  Gas Problem Settled with Ukraine - Putin Nov 19, 2001 - Itar-Tass News Agency  Large work carried out by Russia and Ukraine over the past 18 months in the gas sphere has been completed.  LA Tribune: Gdf on The Advance in Mexico Nov 19, 2001 - FT World Media Abstracts via Comtex  French gas distributor Gaz de France (GDF) is to invest at least $500m (568.2m euros) in Mexico over the next five years, according to Gerard Mallet, director of the group's Mexican subsidiary.  Bolivian And Peruvian Authorities Discuss Gas Projects to Avoid Competition Nov 19, 2001 - South American Business Information  The Peruvian Ministry of Mines and Power informed that Bolivian authorities will come to Peru soon in order to discuss the gas projects that will be developed by both countries, so as to avoid competition between them.  Brazil : BR Invests R$12mil at Espirito Santo Nov 19, 2001 - South American Business Information  The growth of natural gas market at Espirito Santo state stimulated the BR Distribuidora to expand its investment in the region in 2002.  Dark Clouds Threaten Sunrise Gas Partners Nov 19, 2001 - Australasian Business Intelligence  Further tensions between the partners in the Sunrise gas reservoir development were revealed on 19 November 2001.  ENI plans to be 'supermajor' oil co via acquisitions, increased output  MILAN, Nov 18, 2001 (AFX-Europe via COMTEX) --   ENI SpA plans to become "a supermajor" oil company via acquisitions and increased exploration activities, said chief executive Vittorio Mincato in Il Sole 24 Ore's Saturday edition.  The gas giant Gazprom: Not interested in Nova  Nov 19, 2001 (New World Publishing via COMTEX) --   The Russian gas giant Gazprom denies it would be interested in investing to TV Nova.  Gazprom to take part in privatization of Slovak Gas Company Nov 19 - ITAR - TASS News Wire  Gazprom head Alexei Miller and Slovak Privatization Minister Maria Machova have agreed on the participation of Russia's Gazprom gas giant in the privatization of the Slovak Gas Company, the Gazprom press service told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.  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