 since the
  days of the military buildup before the Persian Gulf War in November 1990.

  Analysts say that 21 months ago, when oil was below $10 a barrel and 
natural gas was at
  $2 per 1,000 cubic feet, drilling companies, many of which produce both 
fuels, began to
  curtail their exploration as a result of dwindling revenue.

  The OPEC nations cut their production at the time to force prices 
upward--and now they
  have more than tripled. Private exploration for more natural gas in the 
United States, chiefly
  in the Gulf of Mexico and several southern and southwestern states, only 
grew after drillers
  concluded that the demand was significant enough and they had sufficient 
capital to look
  for more.

  Peggy Laramie, spokeswoman for the American Gas Association, the 
natural-gas utilities'
  trade group, said the low price of gas at the time contributed to a feeling 
by producers that
  there was plenty of supply, so they cut back on drilling for about nine 
months, from August
  1998 to April 1999. Fewer than 400 rigs were drilling at the time, although 
now that figure
  has topped 800.

  With little new natural gas exploration, the flow through the supply chain 
slowed, of course,
  even as demand increased in the United States, Europe and Asia.

  The result was predictable: Higher natural-gas prices at the wellhead and, 
over time, bigger
  bills for consumers. The $2 wellhead price has now risen to $5. Laramie 
said the last time
  wellhead prices were this high was in 1985.

  As Verleger said, "Demand was growing. We didn't pick up the supply 
and--whoops, there's
  a problem."

  In the Washington area, where perhaps 70 percent of all homeowners heat 
with natural gas,
  Washington Gas Light Co. estimates that its residential customers will see 
the typical
  monthly bill jump $26, to $112.50, in the November-to-April period, a 27 
percent increase
  over last winter.

  Laramie said the gas utilities' trade group believes that with the renewed 
exploration
since the 
   days of the military buildup before the Persian Gulf War in November 1990. 

   Analysts say that 21 months ago, when petroleum was below $ 10 a barrel and 
 lifelike gas was at 
   $ 2 per 1,000 cubic feet, boring companies, many of which grow both 
 fuels, began to 
   restrict their exploration as a result of dwindling gross. 

   The OPEC nations cut their output at the time to force price 
 up -- and now they 
   have more than tripled. Private exploration for more natural gas in the 
 United States, chiefly 
   in the Gulf of Mexico and respective southern and southwestern states, entirely 
 grew after drillers 
   concluded that the requirement was significant enough and they have sufficient 
 capital to look 
   for more. 

   Peggy Laramie, spokeswoman for the American Gas Association, the 
 natural - gas utilities' 
   trade wind group, said the low price of gas at the time contributed to a feeling 
 by producers that 
   there was plenty of supply, so they cut back on drilling for about nine 
 months, from August 
   1998 to April 1999. Fewer than 400 rigs were bore at the time, although 
 now that name 
   has top 800. 

   With little new lifelike gas exploration, the menstruation through the supply chain 
 slow, of course, 
   even as demand increased in the United States, Europe and Asia. 

   The result was predictable: Higher natural - flatulence prices at the wellhead and, 
 over time, bigger 
   bills for consumer. The $ 2 wellhead price has immediately ascend to $ 5. Laramie 
 said the last time 
   wellhead price were this high was in 1985. 

   As Verleger said, " Demand was grow. We didn't clean up the supply 
 and -- whoops, there's 
   a trouble. " 

   In the Washington area, where perhaps 70 percent of all homeowners heat 
 with lifelike gas, 
   Washington Gas Light Co. estimates that its residential customers will see 
 the distinctive 
   monthly bill jump $ 26, to $ 112.50, in the November - to - April time period, a 27 
 percent increase 
   over final winter. 

   Laramie say the gas utilities' trade group believes that with the renewed 
 exploration
 sijce the
  days of the milltary buildup beyire thx Persizn Gulf Dar in November 1990.

  Analysts sey tyat 21 nonths ago, when oil war below $10 w barrel and 
batural gas was at
  $2 per 1,000 cubnc feet, drilling companies, many of which pfobuce both 
fuels, began to
  curtail thqir expkogation as a refult jf dspnbling revenue.

  The OPEC nations cut thtir production at yhe time to force prices 
uowarf--and now they
  havf more than tri[oed. Private dxploration for more nztural gas in the 
United States, chieyly
  in the Gylf mf Mexico aid sevvral southern and soudhwestetn states, only 
grxw adter drillers
  concluved that the demand ras signixieant enough and they yae sufxiciant 
zqpigal tp mook
  vor more.

  Pegfy Laramie, wpokeswoman for the Aivtican Gas Asaociatyog, the 
natural-gas utilities'
  trade group, sajd the low price of gas at the time contribujed to a fqeling 
by producers that
  there was plenty of sup[ly, sk thty cut cqcn on drilling for about nine 
months, from Auguff
  1998 no April 1999. Fewer tman 400 rigs were drikllnb at the time, xlthouyg 
how that figure
  hws toppgd 800.

  Wuth littlt new natural gas exploration, thw flow throuyh rhe supply chain 
spowed, of cobrse,
  gven ax demand increased in tke Unifed States, Furope ans Asia.

  The resulg wss predictable: Higher naturaj-gas pricxs at the weulhesd and, 
over time, biggcs
  bills for consulers. Jhe $2 wallhead prlce has now risen to $5. Laramie 
semd the last toma
  fellhead priccs were this hidh was in 1985.

  As Verlegzr saia, "Demand wzs growmng. We didn't pick up the vopply 
and--whoo's, there's
  a proboem."

  In ghe Washington area, whege peryaps 70 percent of akl fkmeowners heat 
cnty natural gas,
  Easfindtln Gwv Light Co. evtimxter that its residektixl cistomers will see 
tha tylical
  monthly bilk mump $26, to $112.50, in the Govember-to-Aprol period, a 27 
percejt inrrease
  ovet lwst winter.

  Laramie said the gzs utilitles' trade group bellevef that witk the renewed 
exploration
since the days of the military buildup Persian War in 1990. Analysts say oil below $10 a and natural gas at $2 per 1,000 cubic feet, companies, many of which produce both fuels, began to curtail their exploration as result of dwindling revenue. The OPEC nations cut their production at the time force upward--and they more than tripled. Private exploration for more natural gas in the United States, chiefly in the of Mexico and several southern and southwestern states, grew after drillers concluded the demand was significant enough they sufficient capital look more. Laramie, spokeswoman for American Gas Association, the natural-gas utilities' trade group, said the low price of gas at the time to a producers that was of so they cut drilling for about nine months, from April 1999. Fewer than 400 rigs were drilling the time, now that figure has topped 800. little new natural gas exploration, the flow through supply chain slowed, of course, even as demand increased in the United States, Europe and result was predictable: Higher prices at the and, time, bills consumers. The wellhead price has now risen to $5. Laramie said the last wellhead prices were this high was in 1985. As Verleger was We didn't pick the supply and--whoops, there's problem." the Washington area, where percent all natural Washington Light Co. estimates that residential customers will see the monthly bill jump $26, period, a 27 percent increase over last winter. said the gas utilities' trade group believes with the renewed exploration
 since the
  days of the military Buildup befOre thE PeRsiAn gulf war iN November 1990.

  AnalySTs saY that 21 months ago, when oil wAs belOw $10 A BarrEL aNd 
natUral gas WAs AT
  $2 Per 1,000 CuBiC feEt, DRiLling ComPanies, mAny of which ProDuCe both 
fuels, bEGaN to
  curtail TheIr exploratioN as A resulT oF dwINdlinG reVenue.

  the OPEc NationS cut their PrODuctioN At the tiME To ForcE prices 
upward--and nOW tHEy
  have more than TripleD. PRIvATE exPloRation for mOrE natuRAl gas in THe 
uNITed sTates, chiefly
  iN the Gulf of MEXicO and seVeRal SOutherN and sOuTHweStern states, Only 
Grew after DrilleRS
  concluDEd that tHe demaNd wAs sIgniFIcAnT enOuGH anD ThEy hAD suFficient 
CaPiTal to Look
  FOR MOre.

  PEggY LarAmie, sPokeswoman for The amerICan gas AsSociaTion, ThE 
natuRal-gas UtiliTiEs'
  trade group, saiD the Low price oF gaS aT thE tIme coNTributEd tO a fEeling 
bY producERs tHaT
  THErE was plenty of supply, So THEy Cut back oN drillINg FoR About ninE 
mOntHs, frOM augusT
  1998 to APRiL 1999. Fewer thAn 400 rigs WErE dRilling At The timE, aLthOugH 
now tHAt fiGure
  haS topped 800.

  WIth liTTle new natural gAS exploration, tHE fLOW tHRougH thE supply chaiN 
sloWEd, of CourSE,
  eVen AS demaNd incReASeD In the United States, EuRoPe and ASia.

  ThE result was preDictable: HiGHER natural-Gas pRIcES at the wellhead And, 
ovEr time, biggER
  bills foR consUmers. The $2 Wellhead pRICe has now RisEn tO $5. LaRamIE 
SaId the last time
  WELlheAd Prices wEre This higH waS in 1985.

  as VErlEgEr said, "DemAnd was grOwInG. WE dIdn'T pick UP the suppLy 
And--WhOopS, therE'S
  a probLem."

  In The WAsHiNGtoN area, whERe PERhapS 70 pErCent Of aLl HomeoWnerS HeaT 
with naTural gas,
  WAshINgtoN GAs light Co. Estimates that ItS residentiAl CusTomers WILl see 
the Typical
  monthly bill jump $26, tO $112.50, In the NoVemBer-to-apriL period, a 27 
pErcEnt incReaSE
  over lAst winTer.

  LaRaMie SAId the GAS uTilItIes' trade grOUP beLieveS tHat wIth the rEnewed 
exploration
 since the
  days of the m ilitary bu ildup  be for ethePers ian Gulf War i n  Nov ember 1990.

  Analyst s say  t h at 2 1  m onths  ago, w h en o ilwa sbel ow $1 0 a b arr el and
natural g aswa s at
  $2 pe r  1 ,000 cubic  fe et, drilling  co mpanie s,  ma n y ofwhi ch pr oduceb oth 
f uels, beg an to
  c u rtail t h e ir  exp loration as a res u lt of dwindling r evenue . T h e O PEC  nations c ut  thei r  produc t io n a t t h e time to for ce prices u pwa rd--an dnow they
 have  m o rethan triple d. P rivate ex plorat i on form ore nat ural g asintheUn it edSt a tes ,  c hie f ly  in the  G ul f ofMexi c o a nd s eve ralsouth ern and south wes tern sta tes,only
gre wafter  drill ers
 c oncluded that t he d emand was  si gn ifi ca nt en o ugh an d t hey  had su fficien t  
c ap i t a lto look
  for more . P eggy Lar amie,s po ke s woman fo rthe  Ame r i can G as A s so ciation,  the n at ur al-gasut ilitie s' 
 tra de gr o up,said t he low p riceo f gas at the t i me contribute d  t o af eeli ng
by produce rs t h at
 the r ewas plent y ofsu p pl y , so they cut backon  drill ing f or about nine  
months,f r o m August 
  1 9 98 to April 1999.  Fewe r than 400 rigs wer e dri lling at  the time , although  
n owtha t f i g ur e
  has toppe d 800. 
  Withlit tle new  na tur algas  e xploratio n, the f lo wth ro ugh  thes upply ch ai n sl owe d, of course ,
  e venas  d e man d incre a se d in t he  U nite d S ta tes,Euro p e a nd Asia .

  Theres u lt w as  p redicta ble: Higher n at ural-gas p ri ces  at th e wellhead  and, 
over time, bigge r 
  bill s f or co nsum ers. The$2wellhe adp rice h as now  rise nto$ 5 . Lar a m ie  
s ai d the last t ime 
  we ll head  prices  were this high wa s  in  1985.

  AsVer lege r sa id, "D e man dw asg r owing. We didn' t pick upth e  s upply 
and - -wh oo ps, the re's
 a pro b lem."
  In theWashingto narea , whe re perhaps  70 perc ent of al l  home o wn ers h eat  
with  n atu ral g as,
 W ash ingto n GasLi ght Co . est im ates tha t its residential custo mers w ill s ee
the typi cal   m onthly bi ll j ump $26, t o $ 112 .50,int he No vemb e r- to- A prilperi o d, a 27 p er cen t in crease
  ov e r las t win ter . 

  La rami e said the gas ut i lities' tradegrou p bel iev e s th at  with the rene wed  e x ploratio n
 since_the
 _days of the military_buildup before_the_Persian Gulf_War_in November 1990.

_ Analysts say_that 21 months ago,_when oil was_below_$10 a barrel and 
natural gas was at
  $2 per 1,000 cubic feet,_drilling_companies, many_of_which_produce both 
fuels, began to
_ curtail their exploration as_a result_of dwindling revenue.

  The OPEC nations cut_their_production at the_time to force prices 
upward--and now they
  have_more than tripled. Private exploration for_more natural gas_in_the_
United States, chiefly
 _in the Gulf of Mexico and_several southern and southwestern states, only_
grew after drillers
  concluded that the_demand was significant enough and they_had sufficient 
capital to look
_ for_more.

  Peggy Laramie, spokeswoman_for the American_Gas Association,_the 
natural-gas utilities'
_ trade group, said the low_price of gas_at the time contributed to a_feeling_
by producers that
__there_was plenty_of supply, so_they_cut back_on_drilling for about nine 
months, from_August
_ 1998 to April 1999. Fewer than_400 rigs were drilling_at_the time, although 
now_that figure
  has topped_800.

  With little new natural_gas exploration,_the flow_through the supply chain 
slowed, of course,
  even as demand_increased in the United States, Europe_and Asia.

  The_result was_predictable:_Higher natural-gas prices_at_the wellhead_and, 
over time, bigger
  bills for_consumers. The_$2 wellhead price has now risen_to $5. Laramie 
said_the_last time
  wellhead prices were_this high was in 1985.

 _As Verleger said, "Demand was_growing._We_didn't pick up the supply_
and--whoops, there's
  a problem."

 _In the Washington_area, where perhaps 70 percent of all_homeowners_heat 
with natural gas,
  Washington_Gas_Light Co. estimates that its residential_customers_will_see 
the typical
  monthly_bill jump $26, to $112.50, in_the November-to-April period, a 27 
percent increase
  over_last winter.

 _Laramie said the gas utilities'_trade_group_believes that with the renewed 
exploration