European

Large natural gas end-users, consumer advocates and environmentalists have raised a cry about exporting U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Asian and European markets, but one power generator executive wonders why no one is questioning increasing pipeline exports of gas to Mexico.

Although many of its nations have so far spurned their own shale development, European chemical and energy service companies are benefiting from the U.S. shale gas development and the resulting low natural gas prices on this side of the Pond, according to an American Chemistry Council (ACC) economist.

A growing realization is dawning for European shale gas operators that “serious” man-made and technical obstacles may block attempts to replicate U.S. experiences with shale gas, according to London-based analyst Chatham House.

There is a need for a single “rulebook” to analyze alleged market manipulations in the wholesale electricity and natural gas markets of the United States and European Union (EU), according to a pair of economists with The Brattle Group, who propose an economic framework that they say would assist compliance efforts by distinguishing behavior that is patently manipulative and identifying safe harbors for legitimate trading.

There is a need for a single “rulebook” to analyze alleged market manipulations in the wholesale electricity and natural gas markets of the United States and European Union (EU), according to a pair of economists with The Brattle Group, who propose an economic framework that they say would assist compliance efforts by distinguishing behavior that is patently manipulative and identifying safe harbors for legitimate trading.

Natural gas production from the nation’s shale plays now accounts for more than one-quarter of U.S. production, compared with 5% in 2007, and is helping to keep gas prices among the lowest in a decade, according to FERC’s Office of Enforcement (OE).

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is convening a forum with ministers and senior government officials from 13 countries and the European Union that are engaged in offshore oil and gas extraction, along with representatives from industry, academia and nongovernmental organizations, to discuss the development of cutting-edge technologies for containing potential deepwater well blowouts on outer continental shelves. Salazar, who is meeting this week with Brazilian and Mexican officials to discuss cooperative efforts on safety in offshore energy development, said the Ministerial Forum on Offshore Drilling Containment will be held at the Interior Department in Washington, DC, April 14. More information about the forum, including a draft agenda, is available at http://www.doi.gov/whatwedo/energy/MFODC2011/index.cfm.

Cheniere Energy Inc. announced Thursday that it has entered into negotiations with two European companies — Spain’s Endesa SA and Italy’s Enel Trade SpA — to contract up to 1.5 million tons per annum (mt/year) of bi-directional liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana.

Cheniere Energy Inc. announced Thursday that it has entered into negotiations with two European companies — Spain’s Endesa SA and Italy’s Enel Trade SpA — to contract up to 1.5 million tons per annum (mt/year) of bi-directional liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing capacity at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana.