This in-depth training program is for those professionals looking for a comprehensive and clearly explained understanding of the structure and function of the U. S. natural gas industry; the current status of U.S. open access natural gas markets; the fundamentals of how the natural gas market operates; and the essentials of making money and managing risk in energy marketing and procurement. View Past Seminar Attendees

What You Will Learn

1. The essentials of how the natural gas industry operates, historical and current developments in and providing energy delivery and pricing options to end-users
    
2. The terminology, concepts and mechanics of natural gas trading, how natural gas business is handled along each segment of the delivery value chain
    
3.  Who the key industry participants are and how they manage gas supplies for their respective segment
    
4. How natural gas is regulated and its evolution to today's "open access" regulated environment
    
5. The role of suppliers and marketers and how end-users evaluate their strengths, weaknesses and competitive position
    
6. The fundamentals of gas transportation, pooling, nominations, confirmations, scheduling and balancing through the delivery chain
    
7. Natural gas pricing concepts and mechanisms, and the essentials of basis, commodity pricing and risk management
    
8. How to assess and compare energy services providers and the commodities and services they offer and to get what you want with effective negotiation tactics
    
9. What most end-users want from their suppliers and what they'll do to get what they want and why they can be very successful at it.
    
10. The essentials of Requests for Proposals, evaluating deals, negotiation tactics and essential contract elements, responsibilities and accountabilities.

Seminar Agenda

Morning:

I. Key Components and a History of the Natural Gas Industry

• The Physical System and Delivery Chain
• Exploration, Development, and Processing
• Transmission and Distribution Systems.
• Movement of Gas from Wellhead to the Burner tip,
• Units of Measurement, Measurement and Accounting
• Comparisons with Other Energy Forms are Explained

II. Regulation and Deregulation

• Restructuring and Evolution of Regulation
• Who Regulates What, Why and How
• Role of FERC versus State Regulation
• Open Access and End-users "Choice" Programs

III. Market Participants and Delivery Chain

• How Market Participants Interact with Value Chain
• Key Participant Segments - Suppliers through End-users
• Supplier Marketing Strengths & Weaknesses,
• How End-users Choose Competitive Suppliers
• Load Analysis, Data Needs and Forecasting
• Gas Pricing, Planning and Procurement
• Transportation, Delivery Services and Options
• Pooling, Nominations, Confirmations, Scheduling, Balancing

Afternoon:

IV. Pricing, Making Money and Managing Risk

• Overview of Traditional Ratemaking Processes
• Interstate Pipeline and Distribution (LDC) Rates
• Gas Pricing Elements
• Basis and Transportation Costs
• Risk Management Basics and Commodity Futures
• NYMEX &Commodity Pricing, and Hedging

V. Retail Marketing and Dealing with End-users

• End-User Expectations and Decision-making
• Request-for Proposal Elements and Processes
• Evaluating Proposals and Deals
• Critical Negotiating Issues and Tactics
• Contracts, Responsibilities and Accountability

Your Instructor

Greg Peters has over 20 years of energy industry consulting and management experience and is an expert in energy products and services marketing, and supply planning, procurement and energy management. Mr. Peters' consulting experience includes several years as Manager of Price Waterhouse's National Public Utilities Consulting Services and currently as President, Envision Energy Solutions Company. Envision provides gas, electric and fuel management consulting services to a wide range of industrial, commercial and municipal end-users. Previously, Mr. Peters has had fuel procurement, fuel management and planning responsibilities for Columbia Energy Services Corporation, Equitable Gas Company, and The Peoples Natural Gas Company.

Who Should Attend this Seminar?

Professionals from natural gas and electric utilities, energy producers, pipelines, municipals, energy marketers, banks, government regulators and industrial companies; energy and electric power executives; new hires; attorneys; government regulators; traders & trading support staff; marketing, sales, purchasing & risk management personnel; accountants & auditors; plant operators, engineers, corporate planners and anyone needing a strong foundation in the U. S. natural gas business.

Prerequisites

This fundamental level group live seminar has no prerequisites. No advance preparation is required before the seminar.

Why Choose PGS?

Since 1996, PGS seminars have been known for their clear explanations and in-depth content. Register for a PGS program today, and team up with the leader in electric power and energy education. Over 3,000 energy and financial professionals have already attended PGS's proven courses. View Past Seminar Attendees

Prices

Please call 412-494-0450 for pricing information.

CPE Credits

This group live seminar is eligible for 7.0 CPE credits. Be aware that state boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. As of January 1, 2002, sponsored learning activities are measured by program length, with one 50-minute period equal to one CPE credit. One-half CPE credit increments (equal to 25 minutes) are permitted after the first credit has been earned in a given learning activity. You may want to verify that the state board from which your participants will be receiving credit accept one-half credits.

PGS  Energy Training is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)  as a sponsor of continuing professional education  on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on  the acceptance of individual courses for CPE  credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors  may be addressed to the National Registry of  CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. Web site: www.nasba.org. CPAs interested in attending any seminars  should contact our offices for details on CPE credits granted and any prerequisite requirements.