August Newsreel: P&GJ Web Updates, Kitimat LNG-Gas Natural MOU, Dresser Aquires iMeter B.V., CO Last Ranking for Energy Investment

More new features are on the horizon for pipelineandgasjournal.com and buyersguide.pipelineandgasjournal.com. The summer months will bring specialty newsletters, focusing on specific topics like compression and LNG to keep readers up to date in their fields of expertise.

“We’re watching to see what readers make of the new system,” said Online Editor Erin Nelsen. “If there’s interest, we could move on to providing knowledge-exchange forums, comment-enabled content or even a blog.”

Kitimat LNG, GAS NATURAL Sign MOU

Kitimat LNG Inc. and GAS NATURAL of Spain have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) under which GAS NATURAL intends to acquire up to 30% of production from Kitimat LNG’s proposed LNG export terminal in British Columbia. The MOU also provides GAS NATURAL with an option to purchase an equity stake in the Kitimat LNG terminal.

GAS NATURAL is the world’s second-largest LNG operator through Stream, its 50% joint venture with Repsol. With the MOU with Kitimat LNG, GAS NATURAL plans to purchase up to 1.6 million tons per annum (mtpa) of LNG from the terminal for 20 years. In addition to its leading presence in the Atlantic and Mediterranean LNG markets, GAS NATURAL could acquire a strategic position in the Pacific basin.

“This is a very exciting time for Kitimat LNG,” said Rosemary Boulton, president of Kitimat LNG. “With the GAS NATURAL agreement and our MOUs with other LNG leaders such as Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS), Kitimat LNG is in a strong position to obtain further interest in our terminal and move our project forward.”

GAS NATURAL´s agreement with Kitimat LNG is a further step in the group’s strategy of LNG supply diversification, said a GAS NATURAL official. Its LNG portfolio already provides volumes from North and West Africa, South America and the Middle East.

Dresser Strengthens Natural Gas Metering Offerings Acquiring iMeter B.V.

Dresser, Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire assets of iMeter B. V., a global supplier of natural gas metering equipment. iMeter B.V., based in the Netherlands, manufactures and markets rotary and turbine gas meters, meter instrumentation and meter calibration systems for the natural gas industry.

“iMeter B.V. is known for its innovative product design capabilities and engineering expertise, which will strengthen the Dresser Meters & Instruments product portfolio for the global natural gas distribution and transmission markets,” said Dan Jezerinac, president of Dresser’s Infrastructure Solutions business.

Report Places Colorado Last For Energy Investment

A report issued by the nonprofit Fraser Institute ranks Colorado as the least attractive state for oil and natural gas investment. Colorado’s ranking has fallen from first to 81st in two years and is among the bottom half of the 143 global jurisdictions included in the 2009 Global Petroleum Survey. 

Among the 27 producing states, Colorado ranked last or second-to-last in six of 16 categories, including taxation regime (second-to-last), cost of regulatory compliance (second-to-last), regulatory uncertainty (last), and political stability (second-to-last).