Costs

While there are no hard estimates, an early analysis presented to state energy policymakers Tuesday indicates the costs to California’s retail energy utility customers will increase up to 30% to pay for stepped up renewable and energy efficiency programs enabling the state to meet its now highly touted goal of reducing its overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2010.

The Alberta Royalty Review Panel used flawed data, incorrect costs, misleading activity assumptions and poor international comparisons to put together its oil and natural gas royalty and tax system proposal, according to a technical review by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).

The Alberta Royalty Review Panel used flawed data, incorrect costs, misleading activity assumptions and poor international comparisons to put together its oil and natural gas royalty and tax system proposal, according to a technical review by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).

After years of tight supply/demand balances, high prices and escalating production costs, the North American natural gas market has fallen into a “permanent shortage” mentality not seen for at least 30 years, but the market is actually showing signs of achievement as it transforms itself once again, Pace Global Energy Services said in a report.

After years of tight supply/demand balances, high prices and escalating production costs, the North American natural gas market has fallen into a “permanent shortage” mentality not seen for at least 30 years, but the market is actually showing signs of achievement as it transforms itself once again, Pace Global Energy Services said in a report.

Strong commodity prices overall have continued to temper the negative impact of higher oilfield costs, but several factors could disrupt the relatively “benign” environment in the exploration and production (E&P) sector through the rest of the year, according to Standard & Poor’s (S&P) credit analysts.

Strong commodity prices overall have continued to temper the negative impact of higher oilfield costs, but several factors could disrupt the relatively “benign” environment in the exploration and production (E&P) sector through the rest of the year, according to Standard & Poor’s (S&P) credit analysts.

More efficient development plans, speedier drilling completions and falling service costs helped some key North American independents build their natural gas reserves in 2Q2007 including EnCana Corp., XTO Energy Corp., Range Resources and Newfield Exploration Co., which all delivered impressive gas volume results last week.

Following a run-up in capital costs and volatile natural gas prices over the past year, energy analysts predicted that exploration and production (E&P) companies likely would flatten their drillbit and acquisition spending in 2007, especially after posting healthy returns for the past three years. However, with solid 1Q2007 reports in, some analysts now see U.S.-based independents bulking up their capital budgets, with their eyes on more exploration and possible acquisitions.