Improved

Questar Corp. saw sharply improved results during the second quarter as the company continues to shift more of its focus toward the Midcontinent where it expects margins to be stronger than those available in the Rocky Mountain producing region.

Higher commodity prices and improved operational performance have led Anadarko Petroleum Corp. to boost both its capital spending and production guidance this year. Some of the new capital will be directed to Anadarko’s emerging play in the Greater Natural Buttes area of northeastern Utah, where the producer has identified more natural gas resources.

Higher oil and natural gas prices and improved operational performance have led Anadarko Petroleum Corp. to increase both its capital spending and production guidance this year. In addition, Anadarko has identified more natural gas resources in its emerging play in the Greater Natural Buttes area of northeastern Utah.

Improved performance by CenterPoint Energy’s natural gas utilities helped the Houston-based company to achieve net income of $108 million (32 cents/share) for 4Q2007, up a stunning 61% from $67 million (20 cents/share) in 4Q2006.

Improved performance by CenterPoint Energy’s natural gas utilities helped the Houston-based company to achieve net income of $108 million (32 cents/share) for 4Q2007, up a stunning 61% from $67 million (20 cents/share) in 4Q2006.

Favorable growth opportunities and improved basis differentials are likely to emerge from the Rockies as the western leg of Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (REX-West) prepares to start commercial operations in March, according to Questar CEO Keith Rattie, who spoke glowingly about his company’s links to the new pipeline as a part of a conference call.

Favorable growth opportunities and improved basis differentials are likely to emerge from the Rockies as the western leg of Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (REX-West) prepares to start commercial operations in March, according to Questar CEO Keith Rattie, who spoke glowingly about his company’s links to the new pipeline as a part of a conference call Wednesday reporting 8% and 14% profit growth in the fourth quarter and all of 2007, respectively.

Is the glass half empty or half full? One energy consultant last week said the end-of-year natural gas price outlook improved “considerably” over the past month following several “hot” weeks, and the falling gas storage levels combined with high fuel oil prices will offer a higher “price umbrella” for gas. Another well-known gas price prognosticator said a weather-driven surge may raise prices toward year’s end but advised investors to stick with an oil-weighted strategy .

The end-of-year natural gas price outlook has improved “considerably” over the past month following several “hot” weeks, and the gas storage surplus should begin the final quarter of 2007 with gas storage 60 Bcf lower than year-ago levels and fuel oil prices offering a higher “price umbrella,” an energy consultant said Thursday.