Downward

After an eight-year downward trend, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the United States have started to climb back up with the return of more coal-fired generation in 2013, compared to last year, the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) said in an analysis of federal energy and emissions statistics released in late May. However, a separate report released this week said greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are at mid-1990s levels and natural gas’ role needs to be maximized to further lower carbon emissions.

The downward price pressure on U.S. natural gas “should be sustained for many years,” according to the global energy research chief for Credit Suisse.

The downward price pressure on U.S. natural gas “should be sustained for many years,” said the global energy research chief for Credit Suisse.

U.S. exports to Canada set their sixth record high in as many years, increasing by 3.6% at the same time Canadian exports to the United States continued on a downward trajectory, dropping by 4.7%.

U.S. exports to Canada set their sixth record high in as many years, increasing by 3.6% at the same time Canadian exports to the United States continued on a downward trajectory, dropping by 4.7%.

Natural gas drilling activity continued its downward slide during the first quarter, while oil well completions rose during the period, according to the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) quarterly well completion report issued this week.

With just minuscule movement downward in the amount of associated natural gas being flared, North Dakota’s top oil and gas official in his latest monthly report said that the state and industry are stuck at about a 28.5-29% level of flared associated gas.

Natural gas shale plays have become “relatively well delineated,” which is sending production costs south in many onshore basins, a trend that should continue as adequate infrastructure opens the door to more opportunities, according to Credit Suisse’s energy team.

The gas surplus and sub-$2-$2.50/MMBtu prices for natural gas will put downward pressure on power prices this summer, and step up the switching of generation facilities from coal-fired to gas-fired, according to FERC’s “Summer 2012 Energy Market and Reliability Assessment” report, which was released Thursday.