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With most U.S.-based exploration and production (E&P) companies weighted 70% or more to natural gas, “taking advantage of pricing disparity toward natural gas liquids [NGL] continues to lead E&Ps to process more of their gas,” Madison Williams & Co. analyst Andrew Coleman said Friday.

With most U.S.-based exploration and production (E&P) companies weighted 70% or more to natural gas, “taking advantage of pricing disparity toward natural gas liquids [NGL] continues to lead E&Ps to process more of their gas,” Madison Williams & Co. analyst Andrew Coleman said Friday.

June natural gas futures rose Monday as traders noted bids below the market and took advantage of prices at the low end of the trading range. June natural gas futures rose 8 cents to $4.000 and July added 7.9 cents to $4.129. June crude oil rose 4 cents to $86.19 after trading as high as $87.15/Bbl.

Natural gas futures took advantage of a supportive inventory report and worked higher Thursday in active inventory report-driven trading. The Energy Information Administration reported that 245 Bcf was drawn from storage for the week ended Jan. 15, somewhat more than estimates in the 215-230 Bcf range. At the close February futures rose 11.9 cents to $5.615 and March gained 10.1 cents to $5.568. March crude oil fell $1.66 to $76.08/bbl.

The U.S. exploration and production (E&P) industry last year faced increased costs, a decline in year-end reserves and ultimately lower profits, but capital spending still was more than a third higher than in 2007 and natural gas reserves were up 4%, Ernst & Young LLP reported Thursday.

The U.S. exploration and production (E&P) industry last year faced increased costs, a decline in year-end reserves and ultimately lower profits, but capital spending still was more than a third higher than in 2007 and natural gas reserves were up 4%, Ernst & Young LLP reported Thursday.

After nine years as an express route to Chicago, Alliance Pipeline has set out to take advantage of growing natural gas supplies in northern British Columbia by diversifying. Until July 15, the transporter is holding an open season auction of proposed new services for BC producers.

After nine years as an express route to Chicago, Alliance Pipeline has set out to take advantage of growing natural gas supplies in northern British Columbia by diversifying. Until July 15, the transporter is holding an open season auction of proposed new services for BC producers.

With global financial markets seized up and credit scarce, energy companies that have cash on hand may be able to take advantage of overlevered, distressed firms in the near future, Raymond James & Associates Inc. analysts said in a report issued last week.