Declines

The Barnett Shale’s natural gas production potential is “slowly declining;” however, total resource recovery from the granddaddy of shale plays is expected to be three times what has been produced to date, according to research conducted by the Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG) at The University of Texas at Austin and funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Domestic natural gas production surged in 2011 to 28.48 Tcf, a 1.66 Tcf (6.2%) increase compared to 26.82 Tcf in 2010, and it was production from the nation’s shale plays that gave the total its biggest boost, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Physical gas markets were led lower again by the super-sized declines posted at eastern and northeast locations. Overall, the market averaged a 33-cent decline, but if the multi-dollar losses on New England and eastern pipes are factored out, the average loss was just a nickel.

Chesapeake Energy Corp.’s share price had fallen more than 4% in afternoon trading Tuesday following news a day earlier to revamp corporate governance and rein in spending and compensation. Among other things, CEO Aubrey McClendon won’t receive a bonus for 2012 and some of his perquisites have been cut.

Citing the onslaught of shale gas volumes, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) Wednesday projected that dry natural gas production will increase significantly throughout 2040, outpacing domestic consumption by 2020 and spurring net exports of natural gas sooner than the agency had expected.

Cash natural gas prices on average were unchanged Thursday with declines posted at Midwest points and gains at southern California and some eastern locations. The Energy Information Administration reported a build of 65 Bcf, somewhat less than what traders were expecting, but futures markets limped to an uninspired finish. At the close, December had gained 0.7 cent to $3.699 and January had shed 0.2 cent to $3.818. December crude oil gained 85 cents to $87.09/bbl.

Gas prices overall averaged a penny lower Monday with declines in the Midcontinent and Gulf partially offset by gains at California and eastern points. Futures prices took a hit as weather forecasters called for moderating conditions. At the close of trading November had tumbled 12.5 cents to $3.486 and December had retreated 10.3 cents to $3.774. November crude oil was down a penny to $91.85/bbl.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) announced Monday that localities will receive a total of $108.7 million from the impact fees enacted under Act 13, the state’s omnibus Marcellus Shale law.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) said Monday that natural gas producers have paid most of about $206 million owed under the drilling impact fee enacted under Act 13, surging past the $180 million the state thought it would take in this year from its new omnibus Marcellus Shale law.