Informal

Some exploration and production (E&P) insiders are expecting 2008 oil and natural gas prices to average up to 5% higher than Wall Street’s expectations, according to an informal survey by Raymond James and Associates Inc.

Some exploration and production (E&P) insiders are expecting 2008 oil and natural gas prices to average up to 5% higher than Wall Street’s expectations, according to an informal survey by Raymond James and Associates Inc.

About 43% of respondents to an informal electronic poll of attendees at one independent producers session at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston last week found that they expect commodity prices to stay roughly the same for the next three to five years. However, 38% of the respondents think that oil prices will drop back to $40-60/bbl soon.

About 43% of respondents to an informal electronic poll of attendees at one independent producers session at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston Wednesday found that they expect commodity prices to stay roughly the same for the next three to five years. However, 38% of the respondents think that oil prices will drop back to $40-60/bbl soon.

Exploration and production (E&P) companies appear “more than willing” to continue investing this year in the drillbit and in acquisitions, according to an informal survey by Raymond James & Associates energy analysts.

Stone Energy Corp. said Friday the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched an informal inquiry into the company’s proved reserves revision and financial restatements. Stone, which revised its oil and natural gas reserves downward by 171 Bcfe in October, said it intends to cooperate.

With four different proposals in the early, informal stages of development for siting liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Oregon, at least one and maybe two of the terminals eventually will be built, Michael Grainey, the head of the state energy department, told an energy conference in Seattle Thursday. He added that 140 miles of new natural gas transmission pipelines in the state helps make these proposed projects more feasible.

With four different proposals in the early, informal stages of development for siting liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Oregon, at least one and maybe two of the terminals eventually will be built, Michael Grainey, the head of the state energy department, told an energy conference in Seattle Thursday. He added that 140 miles of new natural gas transmission pipelines in the state helps make these proposed projects more feasible.

Holding an informal dialogue among its members at its 2003 Summer Committee Meetings in Denver, CO, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) explored how regulated cost recovery can be used to encourage adequate investment in critical infrastructure.