Jack N. Gerard, former president of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and a long-time advocate of expanded offshore drilling, was elected president of the American Petroleum Institute (API) by the board of directors last Monday, succeeding Red Cavaney, who will leave Oct. 31 after 30 years with the institute. The board also named Devon Energy CEO J. Larry Nichols chairman, making him the first CEO of an independent oil and natural gas company to hold that position at the API, which represents producers mostly on issues before Congress. Although he represented chemical companies as head of the ACC, Gerard has been deeply involved in energy issues — particularly as a critic of the ban on drilling in the federal Outer Continental Shelf and its impact on natural gas prices. Nichols co-founded Devon with his father and has been a director since 1971. He was named chairman of the board of directors in 2000, served as president of the company between 1976 and 2003, and has been CEO since 1980. Cavaney will join ConocoPhillips’ office in Washington, DC, as senior vice president of government and public affairs. At the ACC, Gerard has been succeeded by Cal Dooley, most recently CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association and a former congressman representing California.
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Former Chemical Group President Elected to Head API
Jack N. Gerard, former president of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and a long-time advocate of expanded offshore drilling, was elected president of the American Petroleum Institute (API) by the board of directors Monday, succeeding Red Cavaney who will leave Oct. 31 after 30 years with the institute.
People
Piedmont Natural Gas Co. CEO Thomas E. Skains was elected to serve as chairman of the American Gas Association’s (AGA) board of directors for 2009. Skains joined Charlotte, NC-based Piedmont Natural Gas in 1995, became COO in 2002 and became CEO in 2003. He previously served as senior vice president of Transportation and Customer Services at Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corp. and was a corporate attorney in Houston. AGA’s other officers for 2009 will be: Robert C. Skaggs, Jr., CEO of NiSource Inc. (first vice chairman); John W. Somerhalder II, CEO of AGL Resources Inc. (second vice chairman); and David M. McClanahan, CEO of CenterPoint Energy (immediate past chairman).
People
Piedmont Natural Gas Co. CEO Thomas E. Skains was elected to serve as chairman of the American Gas Association’s (AGA) board of directors for 2009. Skains joined Charlotte, NC-based Piedmont Natural Gas in 1995, became COO in 2002 and became CEO in 2003. He previously served as senior vice president of Transportation and Customer Services at Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corp. and was a corporate attorney in Houston. AGA’s other officers for 2009 will be: Robert C. Skaggs, Jr., CEO of NiSource Inc. (first vice chairman); John W. Somerhalder II, CEO of AGL Resources Inc. (second vice chairman); and David M. McClanahan, CEO of CenterPoint Energy (immediate past chairman).
Obama Says He Will ‘Tap Our Natural Gas Reserves’
Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, in his speech Thursday night accepting the Democratic nomination for president, pledged to back exploration and production of natural gas if he is elected in November.
People
Greg Ebel, currently Spectra Energy CFO, has been selected to succeed Fred Fowler as president and CEO when Fowler retires at the end of the year. Ebel also was elected to the board of directors. “Some time ago, Fred advised the board of his intention to retire at the end of this year,” said Spectra Chairman Paul Anderson. “We are announcing his successor at this time to allow for a smooth transition and to allow Greg the opportunity to develop the company’s 2009 budget and underlying strategy for 2009 and beyond that he will be responsible for delivering. Fred will continue to be responsible for delivering the company’s 2008 commitments.” Fowler said he would set up an office of the CEO to include Ebel to coordinate the transition. Before becoming Spectra CFO, Ebel served as president of Union Gas Ltd., Spectra Energy’s Canadian natural gas distribution company. He previously was Duke Energy’s vice president of investor and shareholder relations from 2002 to 2005 and prior to that was managing director of mergers and acquisitions. From 1998 to 2002 Ebel was vice president of strategic development for Westcoast Energy. He also has worked at the World Bank in Washington, DC, and in the Canadian government.
People
Phil Wright, president of Williams’ natural gas pipeline business, has been elected chairman of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) for 2008. He succeeds Byron Kelley, group president of CenterPoint Energy Pipelines and Field Services. Wright said the pipeline industry has “a lot of challenges ahead,” and “I am looking forward to working with INGAA and its member companies to continue to serve the vital role of helping our nation meet its increasing demand for clean-burning natural gas.” Wright has served as an officer of Williams in a variety of commercial, operating and corporate roles since 1989. He also previously served as the chairman of INGAA’s sister organization, the Association of Oil Pipe Lines. Prior to joining Williams, Wright spent 13 years working for Conoco, a predecessor of ConocoPhillips.
Industry Briefs
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who last year revamped a long-proposed plan for an Alaska natural gas pipeline, was elected chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) for the coming year. Palin, who took office last December, is the only chair in the history of the interstate compact to have served as a past official representative to the organization. Previously, she was chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which regulates the state’s oil and gas industry. Through its Chairman’s Stewardship Awards the IOGCC also recognized five oil- and gas-related projects that it said “demonstrate superior environmental stewardship.” BP America Production Co. received the “large company” award for its project “to challenge conventional wisdom in venting wells to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” In the “small company” category, Questar Exploration and Production was recognized for taking “a large step forward in ensuring the future of oil and gas development” with its liquids gathering gas system. The Cooperative Sagebrush Initiative was presented with the IOGCC’s environmental partnership award for its work “to enhance resources for conservation of habitats” across an 11-state sagebrush biome. Two organizations were honored for their energy education efforts. The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce was recognized for its annual Barnett Shale Expo, which was designed to educate the public and stakeholders about how gas exploration could benefit the region. The Michigan Oil and Gas Producers Education Foundation also was honored for assisting Michigan Oil and Gas Association members to develop educational projects and programs.
IOGCC Elects Alaska Governor as Chair
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who last year revamped a long-proposed plan for an Alaska natural gas pipeline, on Monday was elected chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) for the coming year.
Storm Fears Prompt Short Covering; October Gains 25 Cents
October natural gas futures rose as traders elected to minimize risk to higher prices and covered short positions prior to the weekend as Tropical Storm Ingrid moved west. It is a common practice for traders to not carry any kind of short position over a weekend especially during hurricane season when prices could shoot higher Monday should the storm appear to threaten the Gulf Coast. October futures rose a hefty 25.0 cents to settle at $6.279 in active trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
