Landscape

The shale rocks that are reconfiguring the North American energy landscape eventually will be unearthed around the world, albeit at a much slower pace, but the economic impacts will be gigantic, an ExxonMobil Corp. executive said last week.

The shale rocks that are reconfiguring the North American energy landscape eventually will be unearthed around the world, albeit at a much slower pace, but the economic impacts will be gigantic, an ExxonMobil Corp. executive said Tuesday.

Shale gas prospects in British Columbia (BC) appear to be the sole “bright spot” on a darkening natural gas landscape projecting a continuing decline in Canada’s overall gas production in the years ahead, according to a report recently released by the Conference Board of Canada.

As the natural gas landscape continues to be transformed by booming shale production and renewables emerge on a parallel path, gas industry stakeholders are increasingly focused on the concept of a “smarter,” more flexible gas delivery system along the lines of the electric industry smart grid. Eventually the two need to coalesce, according to a Gas Technology Institute (GTI) technical expert focused on the subject.

As the natural gas landscape continues to be transformed and renewables emerge on a parallel path, gas industry stakeholders are increasingly focused on the concept of a “smarter,” more flexible gas delivery system along the lines of the electric industry smart grid. Eventually the two need to coalesce, according to a Gas Technology Institute (GTI) technical expert focused on the subject.

As policymakers, stakeholders and industry players all try to rethink the domestic natural gas landscape, the use of gas in transportation continues to raise expectations for robust growth in the next few years. A report from Colorado-based energy research firm Pike Research LLC reiterated the growth scenario, but not without some caveats.

As policymakers, stakeholders and industry players all try to rethink the domestic natural gas landscape, the use of gas in transportation continues to raise expectations for robust growth in the next few years. A report from Colorado-based energy research firm Pike Research LLC reiterated the growth scenario, but not without some caveats.

August natural gas retreated moderately Tuesday, but risk managers don’t see any change in the overall market landscape and suggest that a severe storm may be required to change client’s risk assessments. At the close August had eased 1.3 cents to $4.533 and September had fallen 1.3 cents as well to $4.511. August crude oil rose $1.57 to $97.50/bbl.

Faced with pricing uncertainty, anticipated decrease in U.S. demand and a shifting regulatory landscape, Canadian gas companies will need to look beyond the United States if they are to retain market share and remain competitive, according to Ernst & Young.