Begins

A recovery for natural gas prices in 2009 is unlikely, but as the rig count declines, it should set up supply to drop substantially at the same time the economy begins to recover, setting up a much more bullish 2010, Raymond James & Associates Inc. said Monday. The energy team predicted that gas prices could average $8/Mcf by 2010, well above its $5 forecast for this year.

As the nation’s largest private-sector hydroelectric system operator and one of California’s major landholders, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) Thursday begins the federal government’s review process for a habitat conservation proposal. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold a public meeting in Sacramento, starting the clock on a period for written comments that will run through Dec. 26.

As a new generation of thermal production begins, Alberta oilsands developers are admitting that they use too much natural gas and are beginning to cut consumption by introducing new technology on a large scale.

As a new generation of thermal production begins, Alberta oilsands developers are admitting that they use too much natural gas and are beginning to cut consumption by introducing new technology on a large scale.

The review of Avista Utilities natural gas and electric rate increase settlement begins later in August, and public hearings are expected to be completed in September, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) announced Wednesday. Customers may testify at a series of public hearings and the PUC will take written comments through Sept. 5.

With just two weeks to go before hurricane season begins, some of the top brass for the U.S. Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) shared a podium last week in Houston with representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Petroleum Institute (API) to offer their take on preparations under way to ensure minimal disruptions if a major storm enters the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) this year.

With less than three weeks to go before hurricane season begins, some of the top brass for the U.S. Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) shared a podium Thursday in Houston with representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Petroleum Institute (API) to offer their take on preparations under way to ensure minimal disruptions if a major storm enters the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) this year.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is looking for input as it begins the process to revise the reserves disclosure requirements for oil and natural gas producers.

If Falcon Gas Storage Co. Inc.’s Worsham-Steed Pipeline begins flowing gas this weekend as expected, its in-service date will be about a month behind schedule but still in plenty of time to tap prolific Barnett Shale production and serve customers of the Worsham-Steed Gas Storage Facility in the western portion of the Barnett.