Fear

Supporters of an “environmental bill of rights” charter amendment in Mansfield, OH, prevailed at the polls on Tuesday, but opponents of the measure fear it could be used beyond its intended purpose — to possibly block wastewater injection wells — and applied to other types of business.

When the fear and hype die down, U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) will happen, and volumes will be smaller than many expect with a modest impact on domestic gas markets, according to a global gas market expert. But just a little bit can make a difference in other ways.

When the fear and hype die down, U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) will happen, and volumes will be smaller than many expect with a modest impact on domestic gas markets, according to a global gas market expert. But just a little bit can make a difference in other ways.

Texas regulators Wednesday approved new air emissions rules affecting producers in the Barnett Shale of North Texas. Industry groups have said the rules are too strict, while environmentalists said they don’t go far enough.

New York’s registered voters favor the economic benefits of drilling in the Marcellus Shale more than they fear environmental problems, according to a poll released on Thursday by Quinnipiac University. All voters — Republicans, Democrats and Independents — also favor taxing gas producers.

A citizens group has reversed its call for a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in New Brunswick after the provincial government unveiled tougher regulations for the emerging Frederick Brook Shale.

A fear of being taken over by a better capitalized producer likely delayed EnCana Corp.’s plans to split into two independent energy companies, an energy analyst said last week. After rising above $70 billion in market capitalization last summer, the plunge in the stock market has cut its value to around $33 billion.

With oil trading at more than an eight-to-one ratio to natural gas in the cash market, the gas industry has little to fear from fuel switching, at least for now, W&T CFO W. Reid Lea told NGI.

With oil trading at more than an eight-to-one ratio to natural gas in the cash market, the gas industry has little to fear from fuel switching, at least for now, W&T CFO W. Reid Lea told NGI.