Associates

A subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc has signed a second, six-month extension that gives it more time to decide whether to purchase property in western Pennsylvania that could ultimately be used for a “world scale” ethane cracker in the heart of the Marcellus Shale region.

When the Energy Information Administration (EIA) releases its storage report on Thursday for the week ending June 14, analysts at Stephen Smith Energy Associates predict it will show natural gas storage at 2,435 Bcf, an increase of 88 Bcf from EIA’s previous report.

The summer market for natural gas has improved for producers, but there are obstacles still in play, according to an analysis by Raymond James & Associates Inc.

Elliott Associates LP, a hedge fund that owns a 4% stake in Hess Corp., is urging other shareholders to elect its five nominees to the company’s board of directors and has called on Hess to spin off its assets in the Bakken, Eagle Ford and Utica shale plays.

Elliott Associates LP, a hedge fund that owns a 4% stake in Hess Corp., is urging other shareholders to elect its five nominees to the company’s board of directors and has called on Hess to divest from other businesses and spin off its assets in the Bakken, Eagle Ford and Utica shale plays.

Raymond James & Associates Inc. on Tuesday revised upward its 2013 U.S. natural gas production forecast to average about 66.8 Bcf/d, up 1.3 Bcf/d from a previous forecast, mostly because Marcellus Shale output has not declined, while associated gas from oil drilling is only adding to the surplus.

Raymond James & Associates Inc. on Monday raised its 4Q2012 natural gas price assumptions by 75 cents and lifted the 2013 forecast by 50 cents, predicting 1Q2013 price “spikes to near $5.00/Mcf.”

Raymond James & Associates Inc. energy analysts last week modestly reduced their near-term outlook for U.S. drilling activity and raised expectations for 2013, but only slightly. Drilling activity in the coming year still is “much lower than consensus expectations,” but the natural gas rig count should begin to stabilize.

Raymond James & Associates Inc. energy analysts on Monday modestly reduced their near-term outlook for U.S. drilling activity and raised expectations for 2013, but only slightly. Drilling activity in the coming year still is “much lower than consensus expectations,” but the natural gas rig count should begin to stabilize.