Boosted

Natural gas production in the Lower 48, boosted by output from shale plays, was up to 72.70 Bcf/d in December, almost 1% (0.62 Bcf/d) over December 2011, but down 1.1% (0.83 Bcf/d) compared with November, according to the most recent data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Texas producers boosted crude oil production for the third straight year in 2012, lifting statewide output by nearly 100 million bbl to 604 million bbl, according to the year-end report issued by the economist who compiles the monthly Texas Petro Index.

EQT Corp. announced Thursday that horizontal drilling in the Marcellus Shale helped the company achieve record sales volumes overall and in the Marcellus in 2012 — the latter an 85% increase from 2011 — as it posted net income of $183.4 million for the year.

A record low in U.S. nuclear generation this month has boosted natural gas demand, according to an analysis by Barclays Capital.

A record low in U.S. nuclear generation this month has boosted natural gas demand, according to an analysis by Barclays Capital.

Boosted by exceptional performance from horizontal drilling programs in the U.S. onshore, and in particular the Wattenberg Field in Colorado, Anadarko Petroleum Corp. broke records for liquids sales volumes in the third quarter. The Wattenberg’s production profile is “essentially straight up,” said an executive.

Boosted by activity in the Marcellus Shale and Mississippian Lime, Range Resources Inc. said Thursday it has beaten its 3Q2012 forecast for natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) production, with output up 47% year/year (y/y) and 10% sequentially.

The cash market overall rose an average 21 cents Monday boosted by a combination of pipeline outages, forecasts for searing heat, and Gulf shut-ins prompted by tropical storm activity. Northeast points shot higher as milder weather enabled pipelines to reinstate earlier restrictions. At the close of futures trading July natural gas gained 6.9 cents to $2.694 and August added 6.6 cents to $2.734. August crude oil shed 55 cents to $79.21/bbl.

Tight natural gas and shale gas boosted British Columbia’s (BC) reserves numbers to record levels from 2009 to 2010, and more gains are expected as development continues, according to the province’s energy regulator.