Depends

Two industry executives last week lauded the economic success brought about by shale gas development, but warned that continuing success depends in large part upon educating the public about hydraulic fracturing (fracking), training future regulators and policymakers, and being able to export liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Two oil and natural gas industry executives lauded the economic success brought about by shale gas development, but warned that continuing success depends in large part upon educating the public on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), training future regulators and policy makers, and exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Over the last year or so hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has become a headline issue, and how one feels about it depends to a good degree on who one is. Generally though, as fracking garners more scrutiny the belief that it is worth doing hasn’t wavered much, a recent poll found.

North America’s land rig count is expected to be flat this year, with natural gas-directed drilling on the decline while liquids and oil drilling will strengthen, Schlumberger Ltd.’s CEO said Friday.

In a coal-dependent state whose economy depends on energy exports, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert last Tuesday rolled out a framework for a statewide energy initiative that he hopes will include coal, renewables and various alternatives.

In a coal-dependent state whose economy depends on energy exports, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert on Tuesday rolled out a framework for a statewide energy initiative that he hopes will include coal, renewables and various alternatives.

Whether one believes speculators exert undue influence over commodity prices likely depends as much on one’s market position as on any empirical evidence that speculative trading is “good” or “bad.” So rather than trying to call out market sinners, a new report on gas market speculation from the National Regulatory Research Institute (NRRI) merely offers a primer on the long-debated topic and advice for state utility regulators who must weigh the impact of hedge fund activity on ratepayers.

Whether one believes speculators exert undue influence over commodity prices likely depends as much on one’s market position as on any empirical evidence that speculative trading is “good” or “bad.” So rather than trying to call out market sinners, a new report on gas market speculation from the National Regulatory Research Institute (NRRI) merely offers a primer on the long-debated topic and advice for state utility regulators who must weigh the impact of hedge fund activity on ratepayers.

TransCanada’s proposal for a gasline to commercialize Alaska’s vast North Slope reserves depends upon the state’s three major producers “solving a maze of problems in Canada…and does not merit state support,” a former Alaska governor wrote in a recent newspaper editorial.