Decreased

The number of natural gas processing plants in the Lower 48 States decreased by 41 (about 8%) between 2004 and 2009, but a 25 MMcf/d increase in average plant capacity resulted in a 12% increase in overall operating capacity during the same period, according to a report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Withdrawal capacity at the Aliso Canyon storage field of Southern California Gas has decreased by 750 MMcf/d through June 30 due to maintenance on the facility’s #2 dehydration unit.

Appalachian production for the exploration and production (E&P) arm of National Fuel Gas Co. escalated in the last quarter of 2010 at a triple-digit pace year/year, jumping 184% to 8.1 Bcfe, with most of the gains — 5.9 Bcfe — from the Marcellus Shale, executives said Friday.

Enterprise Products Partners LP and Duncan Energy Partners LP said late Tuesday their Acadian Gas LLC subsidiary will extend its Louisiana intrastate pipeline into northwest Louisiana to give Haynesville Shale producers expanded access to markets via Acadian’s existing 1,000-mile system in South Louisiana and connections to nine major interstate pipelines.

With the substantial added global capacity and decreased demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, spot cargoes are likely to dominate worldwide gas markets in the next two years, with very few long-term contracts being signed, according to Sempra Energy CEO Donald Felsinger.

With the substantial added global capacity and decreased demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, spot cargoes are likely to dominate worldwide gas markets in the next two years, with very few long-term contracts being signed, according to Sempra Energy CEO Donald Felsinger.

In reporting decreased quarterly profits for the third quarter last Thursday, Xcel Energy CFO Ben Fowke said the global credit and liquidity crisis has begun to impact Xcel’s utility operations spread across eight states. Residential and some small commercial sales are beginning to lag.

In reporting decreased quarterly profits for the third quarter Thursday, Xcel Energy CFO Ben Fowke said the global credit and liquidity crisis has begun to impact Xcel’s utility operations spread across eight states. Residential and some small commercial sales are beginning to lag.

U.S. natural gas production decreased a modest 0.2% sequentially in the first quarter from the final three months of 2006, suggesting that gas supplies are stabilizing, according to a survey by energy analysts. U.S.-based independents also appear to be are bulking up their capital budgets, with their eyes on more exploration and possible acquisitions.