Expectation

The expectation for continued strong oil and natural gas prices, as expressed in each commodity’s Nymex strip, has had both positive and negative impacts on the exploration and production sector. It has allowed the industry to substantially pay-down debt, but also has driven up costs for people, equipment and, in particular, assets.

The expectation for continued strong oil and natural gas prices, as expressed in each commodity’s Nymex strip, has had both positive and negative impacts on the exploration and production sector. It has allowed the industry to substantially pay-down of debt, but also has driven up costs for people, equipment and, in particular, assets.

This winter will be colder than last year and much closer to the 30-year norm for the national average expectation, according to MDA EarthSat Energy Weather’s Winter Outlook, which concurred with a winter forecast by AccuWeather issued earlier this month. EarthSat also set 3:1 odds for a colder-than-normal November in the eastern United States.

Although natural gas storage levels remain adequate, high crude oil prices, a continued strong economy and the expectation that Pacific Northwest hydroelectric resources will be well below normal through mid-summer are the principal reasons the Energy Information Administration (EIA) sharply raised its gas price forecasts in its April Short Term Energy Outlook.

Although natural gas storage levels remain adequate, high crude oil prices, a continued strong economy and the expectation that Pacific Northwest hydroelectric resources will be well below normal through mid-summer are the principal reasons the Energy Information Administration (EIA) raised its gas price forecasts in its April Short Term Energy Outlook.

Oneok Inc. reaffirmed its 2005 earnings forecast last week with an expectation of higher net income. However, earnings in its production unit are expected to fall because of an anticipated drop in natural gas volumes.

Oneok Inc. reaffirmed its 2005 earnings forecast this week with an expectation of higher net income. However, earnings in its production unit are expected to fall because of an anticipated drop in natural gas volumes.

With an expectation that the Western Sedimentary Basin of Canada will continue as a key focus for natural gas exploration and development, Calgary-based EnCana Corp. announced Thursday it will construct a 40 Bcf natural gas storage facility in southeastern Alberta. The Countess development, once completed, is expected to increase EnCana’s Western Canadian gas storage by almost 40%, totaling approximately 135 Bcf.

Reflecting an expectation that planned asset sales will occur, Aquila Inc. retained a “stable” ratings outlook but had its debt downgraded to below investment grade by Moody’s Investors Service on Tuesday. In response, the Kansas City-based company said it was “prepared to respond to the potential effects” the downgrade to “Ba2” could bring.