Beginning

The shale revolution — first in natural gas and then in oil — has placed the United States at the beginning of an energy system turnaround in the 21st century; however, if the country is to benefit from its new-found energy wealth, government will have to get out of the way, John Hofmeister, founder and CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy, told a Houston audience Wednesday.

The shale revolution — first in natural gas and then in oil — has placed the United States at the beginning of an energy system turnaround in the 21st century; however, if the country is to benefit from its new-found energy wealth, government will have to get out of the way, John Hofmeister, founder and CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy, told a Houston audience Wednesday.

Earthquakes such as the one that forced a wastewater disposal well in Youngstown, OH, to be closed at the beginning of the year can be avoided if oil, natural gas and service companies are more knowledgeable of the local and regional geology, according to an energy expert.

Earthquakes such as the one that forced a wastewater disposal well in Youngstown, OH, to be closed at the beginning of the year can be avoided if oil, natural gas and service companies are more knowledgeable of the local and regional geology.

North America’s natural gas producers lately have been taking a licking but Encana Corp. is succeeding by continuing to optimize its portfolio and its operations, an executive said this week.

The federal government has conditionally approved Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc.’s revised exploration plan proposing to drill up to six exploration wells in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea beginning in the 2012 drilling season.

Paraphrasing a Christmas carol, “It’s beginning to look a lot like last week” when it comes to the spot gas market. Just as the Nov. 28-Dec. 2 trading week featured three days of mostly rising prices followed by two days of majority softness, the current week’s market was generally strong through Wednesday before falling at most locations Thursday.

ANR reported beginning engine repairs at St. John Compressor Station along its Michigan Leg South, reducing total St. John west-to-east capacity by 100 MMcf/d (leaving 1,195 MMcf/d available) through Friday. Based on current nominations, the reduction may result in curtailment of IT and Firm Secondary nominations, ANR said.

Charlotte, NC-based Piedmont Natural Gas is soliciting bids for asset management services and gas supply beginning Nov. 1 for its North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee operations. The utility has a total system throughput of more than 250 Bcf/year, with firm transportation contracts on Columbia Gas Transmission, Columbia Gulf Transmission, Dominion Transmission, East Tennessee Natural Gas Pipeline, Midwestern Gas Transmission, Texas Eastern Transmission, Tennessee Gas Pipeline and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line. Piedmont said it is seeking asset management services, seasonal, and year-round supply for contract terms yet to be determined. To receive a copy of the request for proposals when posted, contact Keith Maust at (704) 731-4901 or Sarah Stabley at (704) 731-4907.