Conference

Major producers have asked FERC for an immediate injunction and expedited technical conference to bar Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) from carrying out hydrostatic testing on its line in September, a move that could shut in half of the Rockies natural gas flowing on the pipeline at the height of hurricane and storage injection seasons.

Following a conference with parties Monday, FERC Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Curtis Wagner Jr. ruled that the manipulation charges against Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETP) and affiliates and the allegations against Oasis Pipeline LP and affiliates are different and should be considered in two separate hearings.

During a conference call with analysts following the release of disappointing third quarter results last week, Nabors Industries Ltd. CEO Gene Isenberg said the outlook for the North American drilling rig market isn’t particularly attractive for next year either, but if there is further decline in 2008, it likely won’t be as bad as the 2006-2007 period.

During a conference call with analysts following the release of disappointing third quarter results Tuesday, Nabors Industries Ltd. CEO Gene Isenberg said the outlook for the North American drilling rig market isn’t particularly attractive for next year either, but if there is further decline in 2008, it likely won’t be as bad as the 2006-2007 period.

Denmark has invited the United States, Canada, Norway and Russia to a conference next year to discuss claims to the energy-rich Arctic region.

Along the Southern California coast another press conference was set Thursday by environmental groups opposed to a proposal for an offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal — NorthernStar Natural Gas Co.’s Clearwater Port. A competing proposal from Australian-based Woodside Natural Gas Inc., OceanWay, faces the same opposition, although its backers think they have listened and learned from the environmental community.

An economic think tank predicts a rosy future for Canadian natural gas, but in the industry all bets are off on when a turn for the better might come.

An economic think tank predicts a rosy future for Canadian natural gas, but in the industry all bets are off on when a turn for the better might come.

The outlook for global liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets and supply is “very uncertain” due to a number of factors, a natural gas economics expert told attendees at a Houston conference last week.