Equal

With forecasts for Marcellus shale production to equal or exceed the 8.3 Bcf/d current total of all natural gas delivered to eastern markets by 2020, pipeline operators serving the area have a smorgasbord of plans for expanded lines to eastern markets, including eastern Canada, according to pipeline panelists at a recent Pennsylvania producers meeting.

With forecasts for Marcellus shale production to equal or exceed the 8.3 Bcf/d current total of all natural gas delivered to eastern markets by 2020, pipeline operators serving the area have a smorgasbord of plans for expanded lines to eastern markets, including eastern Canada, according to pipeline panelists at a recent Pennsylvania producers meeting.

A kissing cousin of the Haynesville Shale may prove to be its equal or better, according to preliminary findings by two of the largest natural gas producers in the country.

A kissing cousin of the Haynesville Shale may prove to be its equal or better, according to preliminary findings by two of the largest natural gas producers in the country.

A kissing cousin of the Haynesville Shale may prove to be its equal or better, according to preliminary findings by two of the largest natural gas producers in the country.

All things being equal the Marcellus Shale could meet the gas demands of the United States for 20 years all by itself, according to the most recent study by Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). But it may not get the chance if the state imposes an onerous severance tax, producers claim.

Claiming that it has thoroughly tested the “electronic gate” system that was set up to ensure equal access to its natural gas and oil inventory reports, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said Monday that it will move both reports’ standard release time back to their 10:30 a.m. EST time slots.

Petro-Canada on Thursday agreed to spend C$3.4 billion for its capital and exploration program in 2006, nearly equal to the amount spent this year. However, the producer will raise its spending on North American natural gas programs to C$850 million from the C$700 million spent this year in part to focus on expanding output in Western Canada and the U.S. Rockies.

After initially ducking lower to equal Monday’s $5.16 low, the June natural gas futures contract struggled higher in featureless trading on its first session as prompt contract Tuesday. It closed at $5.236, up 4.6 cents for the session and 7.6 cents off its early low. Estimated volume was light, with 69,391 contracts changing hands.