Costs

The overriding issue for consumers and local distribution companies (LDCs) purchasing natural gas was availability during the 2002-2003 heating season, but the paramount concern this past heating season was cost, according to an American Gas Association (AGA) survey of LDCs’ purchasing practices during the most recent winter.

Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski has signed into law a bill that appropriates $1.65 million for the state’s Department of Revenue for costs associated with bringing North Slope natural gas to market.

Alberta oil sands developers are feeling the costs but are still not about to back away from projects that are making them one of the biggest and fastest-growing consumers of natural gas in North America, the Canadian Energy Research Institute predicted in a new state-of-the-industry survey.

Alberta oil sands developers are feeling the costs but still not about to back away from projects that are making them one of the biggest and fastest-growing consumers of natural gas in North America, the Canadian Energy Research Institute predicted in a new state-of-the-industry survey.

Patina Oil & Gas Corp.’s core U.S. oil and gas production grew 38% in 2003, while Denbury Resources Inc. reported a 5% year-over-year rise in its production levels last year. Noble Energy Inc., meanwhile, reported a 2% production decline in 2003, which it attributed to the sale of some reserves and a 13 Bcfe downward revision to its Gulf of Mexico offshore estimates.

Restructuring efforts blasted Dynegy Inc.’s bottom line last year, and last week the company reported a net loss of $364 million, including a loss of $226 million in the fourth quarter. This year, the CEO said the losses, while smaller, will continue as the former energy merchant continues to restructure.

Restructuring efforts blasted Dynegy Inc.’s bottom line last year, with the company reporting a net loss of $364 million, including a loss of $226 million in the fourth quarter. The losses, while smaller, are expected to continue through this year as rebuilding continues, the CEO said Thursday.

It’s no secret natural gas prices flew through the roof a few years ago and still remain well above the historical ceiling, but few would believe that over the last 41 months gas consumers (residential, commercial and industrial) have paid $111 billion more than they had the previous 41 months.

It’s no secret natural gas prices flew through the roof a few years ago and still remain well above the historical ceiling, but few would believe that over the last 41 months gas consumers (residential, commercial and industrial) have paid $111 billion more than they had the previous 41 months.