Joined

Moody’s Investors Service on Friday joined a chorus of energy analysts and lowered its assumptions for North American natural gas prices for the next two years. However, its two-year outlook for benchmark crude oil prices are higher.

A staff member of Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY), with a background in Marcellus Shale issues and energy taxes, has joined the government relations staff of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). Before joining the IPAA, Matthew Kellogg was legislative assistant to Reed, who is co-chair of the Marcellus Shale Caucus, which was formed earlier this year, and a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. “Matt’s legislative background in energy policy, particularly as the head staffer of the Marcellus Shale Caucus, will provide a unique perspective on the industry’s public policy challenges,” said IPAA President Barry Russell. Prior to his stint in Congress, Kellogg worked at the New York State Assembly Minority Counsel’s Office in Albany, where he researched legislation and agency regulations regarding the state’s moratorium on horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. At the IPAA, Kellogg primarily will be responsible for the legislative and regulatory issues surrounding Marcellus Shale development. He will also serve as a legal adviser on environment and tax policy.

Louisiana has joined other states in requiring the disclosure of the contents of fluids used for hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The rule was proposed earlier this year.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. has named a former Boots & Coots executive to lead a newly created oilfield services unit that will house the producer’s growing business and complement its massive U.S. drilling program.

Sempra Energy’s Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) unit said Wednesday it has joined a San Diego-based low-emission alternative fuels company, Oberon Fuels, in a research and development (R&D) effort centered on a potential transportation fuel derived from natural gas called “Dimethyl Ether (DME).”

Cash gas prices joined an overall rally in the stock and commodities markets Tuesday with flat to higher showings at all locations. Fundamentals didn’t seem to justify the modest strength as forecasts were seasonal for early August or slightly cooler in many areas, but there was no denying that buyers dominated Tuesday trading.

Officials in a New Jersey township have joined environmental groups in opposition to plans to expand one of the state’s natural gas pipelines, which would bring Marcellus Shale gas to markets in the state and the New York City metropolitan area.

Officials in a New Jersey township have joined environmental groups in opposition to plans to expand one of the state’s natural gas pipelines, which would bring Marcellus Shale gas to markets in the state and the New York City metropolitan area.

The head of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) last Thursday was joined by the oil and natural gas industry in calling for Congress to pass a strong pipeline reauthorization bill this year in light of the rash of pipeline accidents in the past year.