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Twenty years ago, it was easy to classify companies such as Ryder/P-I-E, Consolidated Freightways and Yellow Freight System as less-than-truckload carriers: simply put, that was the type of freight they [...]

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has encouraged competition among gas companies since the 1980s with the aim of increasing supplies at low cost. Deregulation has led local distribution companies to form business alliances and seek mergers, and are assuming the role of sellers of natural gas as a commodity. The primary appeal of stocks in the gas distribution industry is income, and few have any price appreciation role for investors.

Gas gathering and pipeline companies are supporting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) plans to lift rate controls. The companies claim that their ability to compete is hampered by such controls. However, gas producers want the controls maintained, even though 28% of the gas gatherers are already free from control or only lightly controlled. FERC commissioners are considering market-based regulatory measures., Over objections of producers, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission appears ready to decontrol, at least partially, the gathering activities of U.S. interstate gas pipelines. Those lines and their affiliate gathering [...]

The deregulation of interstate gas pipelines under Order 636 is proceeding well, but doubts remain over some aspects of the legislation. Some companies are appealing the implementation of Order 636 in federal court, but most will be ready when the order becomes effective on Nov 1 1993. Pipeline companies are concerned that deliveries could be interrupted during times of high demand under the new system, and only experience will show if such fears are well grounded., There is no turning back for U.S. interstate gas pipelines preparing to begin operations this winter in a gas market set loose by federal mandate. Most interstate pipelines are well [...]

Transco has successfully restructured itself in line with the deregulation of the British energy sector. The gas transmission company, which was established in 1994 to manage over 250,000 km of gas pipeline and a round-the-clock nationwide emergency service, realized early that dramatic change was coming and adopted measures to prepare for market liberalization. To succeed in a new competitive environment, Transco knew that it had to take advantage of its unique position to create the necessary computer and management systems. This necessitated a review of all clerical and operational processes and the installation of large computer system. The company also had overcome the thinking of its employees that there were still working for British Gas. Transco was able to achieve its goals within schedule.

The US gas retailing sector is being rapidly deregulated and some marketers believe that gas utility marketing subsidaries together with major gas producers will take nearly all the free-market gas business. However other maketers are signing up natural gas retail customers with the help of gas utilities, and gas suppliers.

Significant progress has been made in the implementation of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) Order 636, which aims to deregulate the gas transmission industry. In fact, every interstate pipeline had complied with the new order by the end of 1992. Analysts predict full compliance to the order will be completed by the 1993 to 94 winter season provided that new FERC commissioners to be appointed by the Clinton administration will not interfere with the implementation effort.

Analysts believe that the key to the successful implementation of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Order 636 lies in convincing the respective state public utility regulatory commissions to open interstate pipelines. The state of New Mexico had been successful in legislating directives to coerce its state public utility commission to providefree access to gas transmission lines. Consequently, an analysis of New Mexico's case is presented.

The deregulation of the gas transmission industry has effected a number of changes within the industry. First, the deregulation brought forth a segment in the industry called independent gatherers-transporters-marketers (GTM). These GTMs capitalized on the elimination of prohibitions on the interstate transport of gas to decrease operational costs and increase profitability. Meanwhile, another effect of deregulation has been the departure of a number of large oil and gas companies from the local distribution market and the diversification of a few companies to GTM-types of business.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order 636 completes the process, begun in the mid-1980s, of deregulating the natural gas transmission industry and allows it to be governed by market forces as it was prior to the 1980s. In this new deregulated market, the greatest beneficiaries will be large firms that can provide gas supply aggregation services and economies of scale., Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order 636 requires an unbundling of U.S. gas pipeline sales and transportation service. It is often described as an industry restructuring provision designed to foster broad [...]

Last year, China was one of the few countries that still prohibited its banks from diversifying into other financial areas, such as mutual funds or insurance. That law changed in [...]

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has adjusted its regulatory framework governing the interstate gas market and transportation grid. FERC says the rule, under consideration for 2 years, will improve [...]

At the recent American Petroleum Institute conference, speakers warned against the petroleum industry's tendency toward a 'glut mentality', which has characterized the attitudes of investors, regulators and lawmakers. Speakers were also concerned with the industry's move toward economic recovery and the stabilization of oil prices. Also discussed was offshore leasing, energy tax legislation and natural gas deregulation.

According to Charles DiBona, president of the American Petroleum Institute, legislative and regulatory issues in Congress may pose a threat to the oil industry's goals. Actions to restrict leasing of offshore areas, impose major tax actions, and failure to modify the mistakes in the Natural Gas Policy Act could all effect the industry's uncertain economic condition.

Congress is currently in the process of passing legislation that would require natural gas pipelines to become quasicommon carriers or transporters of gas that they don't own if they have the capacity to do so. This effort comes as the result of the recent surplus of gas in the market and has the potential to alter radically the structure and organization of the gas transmission industry.

A discussion paper has been published in the Netherlands on planned gas legislation in the wake of EU plans for the liberalisation of the European gas industry. The plans aim to allow all customers using at least 170,000 cm per year to choose their own gas supplier, effective from January 2002. Currently, only large users, representing 46% of volume sales, can select their supplier. The new legislation will liberalise 64% of the market, with domestic users able to choose in 2007.

As a result of the deregulation process experienced in the natural gas industry, a strong economy, and increased demand for natural gas, opportunities for gas distribution contractors have the potential [...]

BGW, the German Gas and Water Industries Association, is stepping up its fight against rule changes that could lead to the gas market being uncompetitive and inefficient. Key elements of the German framework for the gas industry include the freedom to import and export gas, plus the lack of restrictions on forming new gas companies.

Investors and core customers are likely to bear a disproportionate share of the cost of deregulating the natural gas transmission industry. Large industrial customers lobbied hard for the passage of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order 636, which calls for free market transmission of natural gas. However, the costs of converting the industry will not be borne by those who stand to gain the most from the conversion, and regulators will likely label attempts to recoup such costs as price gouging., In an ideal economic world, those who pay receive the benefits. Over the past two decades, the U.S. natural gas market has been pushed, prodded, and directed toward more competition [...]

The natural gas transmission industry performed well during the cold-snap of Jan 1994. Deregulation of the industry had raised fears that supplies would be less reliable. However, such fears were unfounded. The industry fared well partly because of the flexibility built into new receipt and delivery procedures. It also benefited from cooperation between gas companies and local distribution companies, who allowed customers to extend purchasing deadlines and exceed transmission contracts. However, many of the procedural changes of deregulation have yet to be implemented., Picture this: Congress returns to Washington from its winter recess, just days after one of the most severe cold spells ever, and convenes hearings on electric reliability. Gas reliability, which [...]

Many EC nations expressed opposition to the Commission of the European Communities' proposal to allow third-party access to EC gas pipelines, similar to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Order 636. The governments of Denmark and the Netherlands revealed that such a move would only help foreign gas companies to enter the EC market. France rejected the proposal because it dislikes added competition from any other source. On the other hand, Germany noted that the proposal was too weak and would only serve to further entrench existing monopolies. It called for the total deregulation of the EC gas transmission industry.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has denied petitions for rehearing to alter Order 636, which implements deregulation of the natural gas industry. FERC had previously modified Order 636 to answer objections by small cities and local natural gas distributors. However, the modified regulations, called Order 636-B, have been declared final by FERC. It is expected that FERC's refusal to hear new petitions will lead to several lawsuits by affected parties., The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has closed the books on Order 636, clearing the way for a federal lawsuit challenging the order. Order 636 continues the commission's efforts to deregulate [...]

Gas firms sign new long-term contracts to control prices Trend grows as local companies strike deals with producers and end users After five years of deregulation, the natural gas industry [...]

Another milestone has been reached in the ongoing process of liberalizing the British gas supply market with the introduction of new gas trading arrangements by the regulatory body Ofgas. The [...]

Deregulating the British gas industry is taking another step forward this year with the introduction of competition to gas storage. Up until now, BG Storage has exercised an effective monopoly [...]

The AGL Gas Networks has received permission from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to allow open access to its gas pipeline. The agreement is in conjunction with the state ministry for energy in New South Wales, Australia, allowing major industrial users to take advantage of the scheme. These agreements will eventually lead to the deregulation of the gas industry. The rulings may lead to increased competition between gas suppliers and a fall in prices. Businesses which use gas worth more than A$0.6 million each year will be the first to take advantage of the scheme.