Canadians

With a strong push from the leading producer offshore ofCanada’s East Coast, an intense development effort is under way ona new marine technology intended to tap natural gas on the GrandBanks of Newfoundland sooner than anyone now thinks possible.Andrew Adams, vice-president in charge of Mobil Oil Canada’sNewfoundland exploration and production business unit, told anindustry conference in St. John’s the technique “looks like it hasgreat potential.”

Western Canadian gas is poised to play a larger role in the U.S.supply picture at a time when gas-directed drilling activity hasfar surpassed oil activity in the region, according to the CanadianEnergy Research Institute (CERI).

Western Canadian gas is poised to play a larger role in the U.S.supply picture at a time when gas-directed drilling activity hasfar surpassed oil activity in the region, according to the CanadianEnergy Research Institute (CERI).

It should come as no surprise to anyone following the gasindustry that a recent survey of companies found the gas world tobe of “two minds” when it comes to supply-demand issues.

Amid warnings that natural gas supplies are poised to tighten upin the United States, Canadian exporters are lining up to fill anygap. As Joe Foster, chairman of the U.S. National PetroleumCouncil, voiced concerns over the future of American supplies,ProGas Ltd. filed the first application to Canada’s National EnergyBoard for a long-term license for exports via Alliance PipelineProject as soon as it is completed in October of 2000.

Amid warnings that natural gas supplies are poised to tighten upin the United States, Canadian exporters are lining up to fill anygap. As Joe Foster, chairman of the U.S. National PetroleumCouncil, voiced concerns over the future of American supplies,ProGas Ltd. filed the first application to Canada’s National EnergyBoard for a long-term license for exports via Alliance PipelineProject as soon as it is completed in October of 2000.

Rising sales volumes and favorable currency exchange rates morethan made up for erosion of prices fetched by Canadian exports inthe last natural gas contract year.

Canadians are wasting no time making sure production capacitykeeps up with increases in demand for natural gas that pipelineprojects are expected to generate over the next two years,according to an annual deliverability survey released last week bythe Canadian Energy Research Institute. Not even this year’s 30%drop in oil prices hurt producer revenues and budgets enough toslow down gas development.

Mobil Corp. and Duke Energy announced the signing of additionalmarket agreements with Canadian buyers on Friday for Sable Islandgas production, which is due to come on stream next November withthe completion of the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline project.