Williams Pipeline Partners L.P.Tulsa, OK, United States (NYSE: WMZ)

Federally Managed Land Contains Resource Goldmine - Amid rising prices, a push for more domestic oil and natural gas production, and increased global demand for natural gas, the US Bureau of Land Management released data indicating that land restricted from development could contain vast natural gas resources. Of the 231 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas estimated to be available from US onshore land, only 10 percent can be readily accessed. The remaining 90 percent is either restricted or completely inaccessible due to government management priorities.

Alaska-to-Canada Pipeline Projects Growing Competitive - Two competing pipelines to move natural gas from Alaska to Canada are moving forward, one with the help of Alaska and one without. Preliminary work has begun on a privately financed pipeline that would be operated by ConocoPhillips and BP; TransCanada is working with the state of Alaska on an incentive package that would defray some of the costs of a separate pipeline. Alaska's governor supports the TransCanada project, which could receive $500 million in incentives to help build the 1,700 mile pipeline.

Gas Producers Closer to Paying States - US Gulf Coast states will begin to get more money from natural gas producers in the Gulf of Mexico, two years after legislation was passed to increase states' share of production revenues. The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 stipulated that a total of 37.5 percent of natural gas and oil production revenues would go to Gulf Coast states and certain coastal counties and parishes. While the additional money will be welcome, the legislation ensures that most will go to conservation efforts in affected states.