Competition

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Information Administration (EIA) Monday cut its estimate of the U.S. shale gas resource base almost in half, based on a dramatic drop in Marcellus Shale estimates.

Marcellus Shale drilling rebounded in October, according to recently released figures.

Canadian natural gas exports are holding firm — and even growing slightly — despite persistently weak prices and competition in the United States from shale gas production.

Canadian natural gas exports are holding firm — and even growing slightly — despite persistently weak prices and competition in the United States from shale gas production.

Competition for labor, coupled with rising costs for steel and consumables, should keep operating costs for natural gas and oil projects moving higher in 2011, according to new research by industry consultant IHS.

Competition for labor, coupled with rising costs for steel and consumables, should keep operating costs for natural gas and oil projects moving higher in 2011, according to new research by industry consultant IHS.

Once the spin-off of El Paso Corp.’s exploration and production (E&P) business is completed, the yet-to-be-named independent producer will be formidable competition in some of the prolific unconventional natural gas and oil plays in the United States, CEO Doug Foshee said.

Shale gas plays have been a magnet for energy deals, and that was even more true last year, which saw a record dollar value for upstream energy mergers and acquisitions (M&A), driven largely by shale-related activity, according to consultancy Wood Mackenzie.

In the three-way competition to build the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal along the U.S. West Coast, NorthernStar Natural Gas Corp.’s Bradwood Landing project in Oregon claimed last Wednesday to be less than three months away from clearing its joint federal endangered species impact review. FERC indicated in a letter that the consultation work will be finished by March 8.