Earlier

For the second consecutive quarter three of the top five natural gas marketers reported sales volume declines compared with the year-ago period, and 24 leading companies had total sales transactions of 127.06 Bcf/d in 3Q2011, an 8.54 Bcf/d (6%) decrease from the 135.60 Bcf/d they transacted in 3Q2010, according to NGI’s 3Q2011 Top North American Gas Marketers Ranking.

For the second consecutive quarter three of the top five natural gas marketers reported sales volume declines compared with the year-ago period, and 24 leading companies had total sales transactions of 127.06 Bcf/d in 3Q2011, an 8.54 Bcf/d (6%) decrease from the 135.60 Bcf/d they transacted in 3Q2010, according to NGI’s 3Q2011 Top North American Gas Marketers Ranking.

The large manufacturing sector is expressing strong opposition to a proposal released earlier this month in the U.S. Senate (S 1863) to expand tax credits for natural gas transportation infrastructure and vehicles (see NGI, Nov. 21). At the same time, industrial users struck back against potential widespread U.S. exports of gas.

At first glance Thursday’s market looked similar to the one a day earlier: mostly small gains outweighing minor losses. However, there were fewer and smaller double-digit increases Thursday, while at the same time there were more and larger declines. The trend hinted at the possibility of cash numbers ending the week the same way they started, with softness dominant.

Despite last Thursday’s announced delay in U.S. State Department processing and earlier criticisms of inflated economic benefits from the project (see Shale Daily, Nov. 9), the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Alberta, Canada to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico ultimately should be approved, according to project sponsor TransCanada.

Linn Energy LLC has agreed to acquire Midcontinent oil and gas properties primarily in the Granite Wash of Texas and Oklahoma from Plains Exploration & Production Co. (PXP) for $600 million.

Two small earthquakes in northwest England that occurred earlier this year at some natural gas drilling sites likely were caused by hydraulic fracturing (fracking), according to a report issued on Wednesday by UK-based Cuadrilla Resources Ltd.

Pennsylvania lawmakers have restarted discussions about imposing an impact fee on natural gas operators by removing the fee from legislation introduced earlier this year.

Pennsylvania lawmakers have restarted discussions about imposing an impact fee on natural gas operators by removing the fee from legislation introduced earlier this year.