Associates

Got ethane? Not to worry; someone will want it — now and in the future — according to analysts at Raymond James & Associates Inc. While the firm expects ethane prices to remain depressed through 1H2012, a rebound is coming in the second half of the year, and longer term the outlook is bullish for ethane demand.

Between now and the end of the year, the United States should drop 130, or 40%, of the rigs drilling in dry natural gas plays, according to Raymond James and Associates Inc. Meanwhile, Societe Generale said the lag that separates drilling cutbacks to actual production declines “will keep the market waiting for a true supply response.”

Between now and the end of the year, the United States should drop 130, or 40%, of the rigs drilling in dry natural gas plays, according to the energy team at Raymond James and Associates Inc.

The “perma-bulls” at Raymond James & Associates Inc. have dialed back their assumptions for the U.S. natural gas rig count and giving in to the inevitable: low prices are taking down rigs in the gas patch. The good news: there’s “blistering” growth for oil and liquids drillers.

Energy analysts with Raymond James & Associates Inc. on Tuesday once again cut their outlook for 2012 U.S. natural gas prices, this time by a quarter to $3.25/Mcf. To those awaiting a recovery in gas prices the analysts advised, “Don’t hold your breath.”

For the second time in as many months analysts at Raymond James & Associates Inc. cut their 2012 natural gas price forecast, this time by 12.5% to $3.50/Mcf from $4.00/Mcf. “…[Y]ou all know the story — an unrelenting supply glut…” they said in a note Monday.

The near-term outlook for oil prices has blurred but the outlook for U.S. natural gas prices is more in focus — and it’s not a pleasant picture, according to analysts with Raymond James & Associates Inc.

Thanks to colder-than-normal winter weather, which sucked up some excess natural gas supplies, Raymond James & Associates Inc. has lifted 2011 gas price forecasts by 50 cents to $4.25/Mcf.

Thanks to colder-than-normal winter weather, which sucked up some excess natural gas supplies, Raymond James & Associates Inc. on Tuesday lifted 2011 gas price forecasts by 50 cents to $4.25/Mcf.