Difficult

For nearly two straight years U.S. natural gas output has climbed almost continuously — and 2012 could see even stronger growth, according to the energy team at Raymond James & Associates Inc.

Oil shale production’s impact on water supplies is potentially large but difficult to quantify and pinpoint, according to an official with the General Accountability Office (GAO) who testified Wednesday before a House natural resources subcommittee.

Forced pooling is critical to ensuring that the Marcellus Shale is developed to its fullest, but crafting those laws will be difficult because of the unique nature of shale and the slim legal history of pooling in Appalachia, a natural resources legal expert told a Pittsburgh audience last Tuesday.

Forced pooling is critical to ensuring that the Marcellus Shale is developed to its fullest, but crafting those laws will be difficult because of the unique nature of shale and the slim legal history of pooling in Appalachia, a natural resources legal expert told a Pittsburgh audience Tuesday.

July natural gas futures inched higher Tuesday as traders see the market needing to overcome difficult technical resistance before any trend higher can be resumed while others see the market at a turning point. At the close July had advanced a miserly 0.4 cent to $4.831 and August futures were up 0.1 cent to $4.858. July crude oil rose 8 cents to $99.09/bbl.

It was difficult for traders to draw any useful conclusions about market direction Tuesday as the April contract expired. For the moment an atmosphere of caution permeates the bullish camp as traders look for Monday’s highs to be breached before making additional buys. At the end of the day April had shed 13.4 cents to $4.240 and May lost 18.5 cents to $4.263. April crude oil rose 81 cents to $104.79/bbl.

Reducing market barriers that make it difficult for North America’s natural gas sector to compete would increase opportunities worldwide for the continent’s ample production, according to a new study by the Fraser Institute.

Reducing market barriers that make it difficult for North America’s natural gas sector to compete would increase opportunities worldwide for the continent’s ample production, according to a new study by the Fraser Institute.

Justification was difficult, but it couldn’t be denied: prices rose across the board Wednesday, with nearly all of the gains in double digits.