Integrated

Observers need look no further than ExxonMobil Corp.’s buyout of shale king XTO Energy Corp. in late 2009 to acknowledge that the integrated U.S. producers aren’t ceding North America’s unconventional oil and gas reservoirs to the independents.

Adding the condition that there be more public involvement in its implementation, Idaho regulators have approved a five-year integrated resource plan (IRP) for Boise, ID-based Intermountain Gas Corp. based on a forecast 1.75% annual increase in peak demand.

Integrated producer Husky Energy Inc. last week agreed to pay ExxonMobil Canada Ltd. C$860 million for natural gas-weighted properties in Alberta and northeast British Columbia as one of several “cornerstone” strategic growth initiatives intended to accelerate near-term production and reserves growth.

Integrated producer Husky Energy Inc. has agreed to pay ExxonMobil Canada Ltd. C$860 million for natural gas-weighted properties in Alberta and northeast British Columbia as one of several “cornerstone” strategic growth initiatives intended to accelerate near-term production and reserve growth.

General Motors (GM) has unveiled what it calls the industry’s only fully integrated compressed natural gas (CNG) cargo van as the first in what it hopes will be a parade of options for fleet operators seeking to lower their carbon footprint.

General Motors (GM) this month has unveiled what it calls the industry’s only fully integrated compressed natural gas (CNG) cargo van as the lead vehicle in what it hopes will be a parade of options for fleet operators seeking to lower their carbon footprint.

A C$5 billion integrated liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal, petrochemical complex and gas-fired cogeneration power plant in Goldboro, NS, received a favorable preliminary environmental review with a number of conditions last week. The Maple LNG project, formerly named Keltic LNG, which is sponsored by Netherlands-based Petroplus International and Russia’s Suntera Canada Ltd., would provide 1 Bcf/d of gas to the power plant and petrochemical complex being built by Keltic Petrochemicals.

Calgary-based Talisman Energy Inc. and Colombia’s largest integrated producer, Ecopetrol SA, agreed to acquire BP plc’s affiliate company in Colombia, BP Exploration Co. Colombia Ltd., for close to $1.9 billion. The transaction, in which Talisman would hold a 49% stake and Ecopetrol would be majority owner, includes all of BP’s interests and business in Colombia. BP’s proven and probable reserves in Colombia are estimated at 94 million boe; current production is around 24,000 boe/d. Talisman has worked in Colombia for close to 10 years. It currently participates in 14 exploration and production blocks in the country, including two with Ecopetrol.

Natural gas from shale plays has become a major factor in integrated energy planning in the Pacific Northwest. This fact was reiterated Friday by the head of the Northwest Gas Association, Dan Kirschner, speaking in Seattle at Law Seminars International’s conference, “Buying and Selling Electric Power in the West.”