Consultant

Management consultant R.W. Beck, which said in July that “high oil prices, hot summer weather and hurricanes” could send natural gas spot prices up rapidly this month, noted in a new report that those conditions “have come to fruition.” Beck’s 2005 calendar year price forecast remains unchanged, at $6.40/MMBtu, but its chief forecaster warned that continued adverse conditions, especially a hurricane threat during Bidweek, could cause prices to go as high as $12 in September.

The current factors affecting the gas market have created a “hair trigger environment for gas prices,” according to Consultant Stephen Smith. And FERC’s Steve Harvey, deputy director of market oversight and assessment, seems to agree that most market indicators currently point to continued high prices through the winter and perhaps much longer.

The number of junior exploration and production companies and conventional energy trusts appears to be on the upswing, according to a survey by a Calgary-based consultant of 83 publicly traded juniors and 31 Western Canadian trusts.

The number of junior exploration and production companies and conventional energy trusts appears to be on the upswing, according to a survey by a Calgary-based consultant of 83 publicly traded juniors and 31 Western Canadian trusts.

With a recent history as a lawyer and energy consultant before California regulators, Dian Grueneich, the newest member of the California Public Utilities Commission, recused herself from all energy matters during her first business meeting Thursday. She is still in the process of determining on which specific cases she can cast votes. Steve Poizner, a second new member on the five-member panel, is still awaiting formal swearing into office by the governor.

While there has been a lot of speculation about the impact of hedge fund trading on natural gas futures prices and market volatility, Peter Fusaro chairman at New York City-based consulting firm Global Change Associates, said he also believes the hedge funds themselves that enter the energy space face serious risks despite the promise of attractive returns.

While there has been a lot of speculation about the impact of hedge fund trading on natural gas futures prices and market volatility, Peter Fusaro, chairman at New York City-based consulting firm Global Change Associates, said he also believes the hedge funds themselves that enter the energy space face serious risks despite the promise of attractive returns.

While there has been a lot of speculation about the impact of hedge fund trading on natural gas futures prices and market volatility, Peter Fusaro chairman at New York City-based consulting firm Global Change Associates, said he also believes the hedge funds themselves that enter the energy space face serious risks despite the promise of attractive returns.

Rising coal prices are unlikely to result in a greater reliance on gas-fired power generation, which would pressure gas prices even higher, a report by consulting firm Wood Mackenzie concludes.