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U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON DC 20585

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 8, 2004

EIA To Solicit Public Comment on Weekly Natural Gas Storage Revision Policy

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced today that it will publish a Federal Register notice in January 2005 soliciting public comment on the policy for revisions to Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report (WNGSR) estimates. 

The decision to seek public comment follows the revision of WNGSR data for the week ending November 19, 2004 that was necessitated by a resubmission of data by one or more survey respondents.  That revision was made on December 2, 2004, in accord with the existing revision policy.  The current policy was established in November 2002 on the basis of public comments made in response to a previous Federal Register notice.  

“EIA is obligated to adhere to its announced revision policy, as it did in this case, to assure that all market participants know when and where revisions might be forthcoming,” noted EIA Administrator Guy Caruso.   “However, recent events indicate a need for EIA to again seek public input regarding possible improvements in the current revision policy for the weekly gas storage survey.  Once we have this input, we will be positioned to implement any changes to revision policies that are needed to best serve the public interest,” said Caruso.  

In addition to considering changes to its revision policies, EIA is also taking a number of other actions to assure the quality of weekly natural gas storage data.  First, EIA has contacted respondents to re-emphasize the importance of accurate, timely data submissions.  “Accurate and timely data submissions from all respondents, 52 weeks a year, are needed to assure the quality of natural gas storage estimates,” noted Caruso.  Second, EIA is continuing ongoing efforts to improve its own quality processes and systems.  Finally, EIA will consider, on a case-by-case basis, adjustments to the date and timing of WNGSR data releases during holiday weeks.

The Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report provides weekly estimates of working gas volumes held in underground storage facilities at the national and regional levels.  The WNGSR is based on information collected on Form EIA-912 from operators of underground natural gas storage fields. As noted on the EIA website at http://www.eia.doe.gov/oss/WNGSR-Revision-Policy-Nov12-2002.pdf, under the present policy, EIA presents revisions of 7 Billion cubic feet (Bcf) or more as part of the next week’s WNGSR, and unscheduled releases of storage estimates are not provided. 

 

The information in this press release was prepared by the Energy Information Administration, the independent statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy.  The information contained in the press release should be attributed to the Energy Information Administration and should not be construed as advocating or reflecting any policy position of the Department of Energy or any other organization.


EIA Program Contact:  Elizabeth Campbell, 202/586-5590

EIA Press Contact:  National Energy Information Center, 202/586-8800

EIA-2004-10

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