GLG News by Natural Gas Pipeline Experts (US)

Sam TimpanoPresidentSam Timpano & Associates

Sugar to ethanol should become a major shift that will benefit all

June 2, 2008

Analysis of:Sugar prices sink to 7-month low on supply glut | ap.google.com

The US corn based ethanol policy was, is and will always be a failed policy and a boondoggle of incredible proportions. Adopting a sugar to ethanol policy would have tremendous positive impact here and to everyone involved. It should be done as quickly as possible.

Gil ManzonAssociate ProfessorTRUSTEES OF BOSTON COLLEGE

Is Western Union Market Share Taking Market Share from Competitors?

April 24, 2008

Analysis of:Western Union 1Q profit rises 7 percent on international | biz.yahoo.com

I think the information presented in the article is consistent with Western Union picking up market share from competitors. Despite flat U.S. revenues over 05-07 period and likely near flat revenues from the U.S. in Q108 in part attributable to the Mexican results, Western Union has gained significant international market share over the 05-07 period and, with Q108 gains coming from China and India, this trend appears to be continuing (international revenues up 9% relative to total in 05-07 period and 43% in absolute terms). Absent a significant shift in the size of the market for money transfers, these gains would have come at the expense of competitors.

Paul ForshayPartnerSUTHERLAND, ASBILL & BRENNAN L.L.P.

FERC's Standards of Conduct NOPR: Back to the Future?

April 3, 2008

Analysis of:FERC Standards of Conduct Notice of Proposed Rulemaking | www.ferc.gov

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's recently issued Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Standards of Conduct applicable to natural gas and electric transmission providers would establish revised standards for preventing anti-competitive information sharing between those trasmission providers and their marketing affiliates. FERC’s rulemaking bluntly acknowledges that the standards of conduct adopted with much fanfare in Order No. 2004 have proven too difficult for both industry and regulators to interpret and enforce, and seeks a return to the "functional separation" regulatory approach that prevailed prior to Order No. 2004.

Sam TimpanoPresidentSam Timpano & Associates

Glycerol-valuable byproduct of biofuel production

November 16, 2007

Analysis of:Cooking Up More Uses for the Leftovers for Biofuel Production | www.nytimes.com

Glycerol will have an increasing value in the production chain of biofuels as increasing utilization of biodiesel in the EU and other countries whose main transport fuel is diesel and as ethanol production in the US shows the failure of the corn derived ethanol program and other feedstock has to be found. With the amount of glycerol being produced as a by-product of biodiesel production from plant oils (roughly 100kg per tonne of biodiesel) this commodity, currently in glut and being incinerated to dispose of, will rise to become an important part of the biofuel chain. It is possible to get to liquid fuels (liquid alkanes to be precise) utilizing glycerol as a feed stock and projects demonstrating this capability done at the University of Wisconsin, Madison USA have substantial potential. It is also interesting to note that the two primary by-products of this conversion process, ethanol and methanol are also of value and add to the value chain of these fuels and feedstock.

Sam TimpanoPresidentSam Timpano & Associates

Merits to Military backing coal to liquid fuel

November 15, 2007

Analysis of:Big Coal Tries to Recruit Military to Kindle a Market | online.wsj.com

The author indicates that oil prices above $50 per barrel will permit these plants to operate profitably. If that is the case and the developers can overcome the environmental issues facing these plants, this technology has merit and should be studied in greater depth from both a National Security stance as well as the economic benefits. Crude prices above $50 per barrel are, unfortunately, a fact of our current lives. Prices will likely remain at levels well above $50 for the foreseeable future. Any major geopolitical event will drive prices above the $120 level seen during the first "Oil Shock" brought on by the current driver of the major geopolitical event possibility, Iran.             

Sam TimpanoPresidentSam Timpano & Associates

$100 oil is only a technical hurdle to higher pricing

November 14, 2007

Analysis of:Why $100 Oil Can't Float | online.wsj.com

Geopolitical and global economic pressures will drive oil pricing beyond $100 per barrel. It is not a matter of if, only a matter of time. Supply and storage are not that much of a factor in the current pricing mechanism and for whatever comfort consumer countries want to draw from data suggesting that above ground supplies are adequate to stem the price rise, the comfort they feel will quickly evaporate on the price drivers mentioned above. US-Iran tensions on continuing actions by Iran in Iraq along with the standoff on Irans' nuclear program will mount and eventually spark into more than a battle of words. Israel will not tolerate much more of a march towards nuclear capability either and even with the unlikely total pullout of Iraq by the US, the situation involving Iran will not ease. Chinese and Indian economic expansion will continue at a hot pace as will other parts of the developing world and these supplies will dwindle quickly. Gas lines in China assure it!! $120 n

Bill DerrickDirector of EstimatingFLUOR CORPORATION

Alaska has been an LNG supplier since the 60's - What is new?

October 23, 2007

Analysis of:Alaska can export LNG to Pacific Rim | today.reuters.com

Liquefaction and pipelines in Alaska address the local desires to keep revenues and jobs in Alaska. Building a pipeline to somewhere in the south, like Valdez is very possible. ROW (Rights of Way, pipeline corridor) are already permitted and mostly available, and the access is available. Knocking off 1,350 miles off the land pipeline will pay for the liquefaction facilities. Ships for transporting LNG should be available. Schedule for an all Alaska facility should be advantageous.

Eric SmithProfessor and Associate DirectorA.B. Freeman School of Business, Tulane University

The "Free Rider " Syndrome

September 5, 2007

Analysis of:Idaho Transmission Dispute Settled | www.renewableenergyaccess.com

The issue of access to crucial transmission infrastructure is not limited to wind power. Much the same argument can be made about pipeline access for non-conventional natural gas developments in areas of the midwest or indeed for conventional forms of merchant power generation. Ask any merchant generator about his negotiations for access to any of the regional power grids and you will likely hear the same complaint. Namely, that the existing utility should cover the expense of requisite switch gear and reliability checks, plus pay a higher price for the power being supplied. The porblem is not new and the ultimate suolution is a motivated customer base.

Sam TimpanoPresidentSam Timpano & Associates

Alternatives are here to stay

July 23, 2007

Analysis of:Potential Energy Crunch May Bring Other Fuels to Fore | online.wsj.com

Regardless of an energy crunch or issues with crude supplies, alternative fuels are a permanent part of the transportation fuels universe as well as heating and power generation. Along with all of the issues we are too painfully familiar with concerning the petroleum based transportation and power fuels, there are added pressures that are adding alternative fuels into the mix of this universe.

Eric SmithProfessor and Associate DirectorA.B. Freeman School of Business, Tulane University

Wind Power Woes

July 17, 2007

Analysis of:Offshore Score since 2001: Europe 24, U.S. 0 | www.renewableenergyaccess.com

The use of onshore windpower has made remarkable strides in the US where the proper conditions exist, for example, in Texas where windy conditions are endemic and where the body politic supports initiatives of this type. In contrast, the major US effort for offshore widnpower, the Cape Wind project in Naragansett Bay, has been stymied over classic NIMBY issues.

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