GREAT FALLS – NorthWestern Energy says it has paid $11.4 million for a majority interest in the Battle Creek Natural Gas Field in Blaine County.
The Battle Creek field’s reserves are estimated to be 7.6 billion cubic feet, about 2.2 percent of the utility’s annual consumption in Montana.
The Great Falls Tribune says the purchase also includes the private seller’s interest in the Battle Creek Gas Gathering System Joint Venture.
Bob Rowe, president and CEO of NorthWestern, said in a news release Wednesday that the utility will seek approval of the Montana Public Service Commission to add the purchase to its regulated rate base.
Rowe says the company’s the natural gas reserves would provide a source of rate-based energy that hedges against price volatility.