When U.S. natural gas prices finally moved into $4.00/MMBtu territory earlier this year, there wasn’t any rush to ramp up onshore activity, but as each month passes, it’s becoming clear that a “large wave” of domestic demand is about to unfold, according to Barclays Capital.
Contrary
Articles from Contrary
Pennsylvania, Shell Officials Say Due Diligence Continuing on Cracker
Contrary to a media report, there is no time frame for when a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc will make a decision over whether to build a proposed “world scale” ethane cracker in western Pennsylvania, state and company officials told NGI’s Shale Daily.
Keystone XL Opponents Blast Nebraska Governor
A TransCanada Corp. official said this week that despite opposition to the Keystone XL oil pipeline, the company is moving forward with plans to refile its application to carry supplies from Canada to the Gulf Coast.
Opening of Manzanillo, Mexico LNG Terminal Delayed
Contrary to previous reports, the opening of a 1 Bcf/d liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal developed by a Korean-Japanese consortium has been delayed until early 2012, according to business news reports Friday south of the U.S. border. A variety of “setbacks” are being dealt with, an ICIS Heren report indicated.
Industry Brief
Contrary to some previous reports, natural gas offers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions advantages compared with coal-fired power generation, according to a recent study by Worldwatch Institute and Deutsche Bank Climate Change Advisors. Earlier this year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency updated its methodology for estimating methane (CH4) emissions from natural gas systems, but gas-fired generation still releases 47% less GHGs than coal from source to use, the researchers said. A controversial study by Cornell University earlier this year reported that CH4 leaks were a particular concern for gas produced from shale formations using hydraulic fracturing (see Shale Daily, April 13). But even counting higher estimated emissions of CH4 from shale gas production activities, gas-fired power generation still beats coal-fired power by a wide margin when it comes to overall GHG emissions, according to a subsequent study published by the gas-friendly American Clean Skies Foundation (see Shale Daily, April 21). IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates in August said GHG emissions from shale gas production likely are “significantly overstated” (see Shale Daily, Aug. 25). Another recent study by the National Center for Atmospheric Research found that burning natural gas emits “far less” carbon dioxide than coal but even so, more reliance on gas won’t significantly slow climate change.
Industry Brief
Contrary to some previous reports, natural gas offers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions advantages compared with coal-fired power generation, according to a recent study by Worldwatch Institute and Deutsche Bank Climate Change Advisors. Earlier this year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency updated its methodology for estimating methane (CH4) emissions from natural gas systems, but gas-fired generation still releases 47% less GHGs than coal from source to use, the researchers said. A controversial study by Cornell University earlier this year reported that CH4 leaks were a particular concern for gas produced from shale formations using hydraulic fracturing (see Daily GPI, April 13). But even counting higher estimated emissions of CH4 from shale gas production activities, gas-fired power generation still beats coal-fired power by a wide margin when it comes to overall GHG emissions, according to a subsequent study published by the gas-friendly American Clean Skies Foundation (see Daily GPI, April 21). IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates in August said GHG emissions from shale gas production likely are “significantly overstated” (see Shale Daily, Aug. 25). Another recent study by the National Center for Atmospheric Research found that burning natural gas emits “far less” carbon dioxide than coal but even so, more reliance on gas won’t significantly slow climate change (see Daily GPI, Sept. 15).
New Jersey’s Christie Vetoes Fracking Legislation
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday issued a conditional veto of legislation that would have permanently prohibited wells in the state from being hydraulically fractured (fracked). However, the Republican governor issued a one-year moratorium on the well stimulation technique and recommended that state lawmakers take up the bill again and revise it.
Transportation Notes
Barring a late announcement to the contrary Thursday, Southern California Gas was expected to lift a high-linepack OFO Friday.
Obama Administration Rejects Most New Energy Technology Proposals
Contrary to the Obama administration’s pledge to support new energy technology advancements, the Department of Energy (DOE) in late July sent out letters rejecting a majority of the proposals for federal funding in this area.
Correction
TEPPCO Partners LP subsidiary TEPPCO Crude Oil LLC is not one of 11 SemGroup LP creditors that alleged that unauthorized energy trading may have caused SemGroup’s $3.2 billion loss — contrary to what was reported in Daily GPI articles on July 24 and July 29 titled “SemGroup Implosion Brings More Questions than Answers” (see Daily GPI, July 24) and “Pioneer Natural Resources Latest to Be Bit by SemGroup Downfall” (see Daily GPI, July 29). NGI regrets the error. As reported previously, TEPPCO does not expect any future material impact from the SemGroup bankruptcy nor does it expect any future material credit exposure to SemGroup.