Fallen

Over-abundant markets and fallen prices have gutted government natural gas royalties in both of Canada’s main producing provinces, Alberta and British Columbia (BC), according to disclosures by their treasury departments.

Over-abundant markets and fallen prices have gutted government natural gas royalties in both of Canada’s main producing provinces, Alberta and British Columbia (BC), according to accounts disclosed by their treasury departments.

Chesapeake Energy Corp.’s share price had fallen more than 4% in afternoon trading Tuesday following news a day earlier to revamp corporate governance and rein in spending and compensation. Among other things, CEO Aubrey McClendon won’t receive a bonus for 2012 and some of his perquisites have been cut.

The U.S. natural gas-directed rig count this year has fallen even more than in 2009, but production continues to grow, throwing into question its future trajectory “perhaps greater than ever before,” according to Barclays Capital.

The U.S. natural gas-directed rig count this year has fallen even more than in 2009, but production continues to grow, throwing into question its future trajectory “perhaps greater than ever before,” according to Barclays Capital.

U.S. hydraulic fracturing (fracking) capacity utilization has fallen by almost one-third since January, and all of the major domestic plays are in a “negative frack pricing environment,” according to PacWest Consulting Partners.

According to Canadian economic studies, natural gas prices have fallen far enough to justify fuel conversions of industrial engines, and a top supplier has set out to lure business consumers into making the switch on a large scale.

According to Canadian economic studies, natural gas prices have fallen far enough to justify fuel conversions of industrial engines, and a top supplier has set out to lure business consumers into making the switch on a large scale.

Producers active in Louisiana — where they enjoy an exemption from state severance taxes on production from horizontal wells — are increasingly eschewing conventional drilling to take advantage of the tax break, and that’s showing up in state revenue figures, according to a recent forecast from the state’s Legislative Fiscal Office. However, industry advocates advise: look at all the other taxes producers are paying.