America

As one of the hottest growing hydrocarbon areas in North America, North Dakota’s legislature has been immersed this year with various proposals to deal with oil and natural gas-related issues. So far, the stakeholders embroiled in the debate are not sure which, if any, bills will make it through the legislative meat grinder.

As one of the hottest growing hydrocarbon areas in North America, North Dakota’s legislature has been immersed this year with various proposals to deal with oil and natural gas-related issues. So far, the stakeholders embroiled in the debate are not sure which, if any, bills will make it through the legislative meat grinder.

Besides powering a manufacturing/petrochemical industry renaissance, North America’s abundant supply of shale gas is fueling a war of words over the merits of energy exports versus domestic usage.

Regina Hopper, president and CEO of America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA), one of the top lobbying groups for natural gas in Washington, DC, has resigned effective Feb. 28 under pressure from the board. “The ANGA board was extremely disappointed with her performance,” and several senior staff members have recently left, a knowledgeable source told NGI. Hopper has been at the helm of ANGA, which represents leading producers, since 2009 (see NGI, March 2, 2009). ANGA Chairman and Apache Corp. CEO G. Steven Farris commended Hopper’s performance and said she had “led ANGA’s growth from its infancy into its becoming an important voice in the discussion around fuel diversity and economic growth for our nation. We are grateful for her service, for the strong organization she leaves behind, and we wish her much success in her future endeavors.” ANGA now is searching for a successor. “I was hired to build an effective and powerful advocacy organization with strong fiscal management,” Hopper said. “By all accounts we have achieved these important objectives.”

The window of opportunity for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) from North America is closing, making the slate of proposed projects increasingly risky and less lucrative; however, there still is room for North American gas in the Asia-Pacific market, according to the Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI).

Regina Hopper, president and CEO of America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA), one of the top lobbying groups for natural gas in Washington, DC, resigned effective Feb. 28 under pressure from the board.

The window of opportunity for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) from North America is closing, making the slate of proposed projects increasingly risky and less lucrative; however, there still is room for North American gas in the Asia-Pacific market, according to the Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI).

Natural gas prices will stay stable in a low range for the next five years across North America, and Canadian producers will suffer the most, the Calgary capital of the western industry heard last week.

Natural gas prices will stay stable in a low range for the next five years across North America, and Canadian producers will suffer the most, the Calgary capital of the western industry heard Wednesday.