Leverage

The reversal of fortune in U.S. natural gas and oil reserves has improved energy security and given the country more leverage around the world, President Obama’s National Security Advisor Tom Donilon said Wednesday.

Schlumberger Ltd. and Cameron on Thursday said they have created OneSubsea, a joint venture (JV) to leverage their expertise to manufacture a complete subsea production system from pore space to export space to unlock reserve potential from offshore developments.

In an attempt to leverage the state’s two biggest industries, North Dakota is considering construction of a world-scale, $1.5 billion nitrogen fertilizer plant. The plant could make use of some of the state’s natural gas now being flared in the face of low prices to fuel the facility, while the North Dakota Corn Growers Association (CGA) would use the plant to make anhydrous ammonia.

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) on Tuesday downgraded the corporate credit rating of Chesapeake Energy Corp. to “BB-” from “BB” and said the outlook was “negative.” The ratings on related entities Chesapeake Midstream Partners LP and Chesapeake Oilfield Operating LLC also were cut because the units are so closely tied to the parent, S&P noted.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. said in a regulatory filing Friday that it may have to delay some of the planned oil and natural gas asset sales this year, which could up be to $14 billion, because low natural gas prices may stretch its ability to comply with credit covenants.

Royal Dutch Shell plc is working on ways to leverage its abundant natural gas resources in North America with plans on the table for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, gas-to-liquids (GTL) and gas-to-chemicals facilities, as well as LNG for transport, CEO Peter Voser said last week. “These are value chain projects, which very much play to Shell’s strengths.”

Royal Dutch Shell plc is working on ways to leverage its abundant natural gas resources in North America and now has plans progressing for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, gas-to-liquids (GTL) and gas-to-chemicals facilities, as well as LNG for transport, CEO Peter Voser told financial analysts Thursday. “These are value chain projects, which very much play to Shell’s strengths.”

Decidedly low-tech compared to the real-time electric grid system, natural gas nevertheless is due for a smartness upgrade in its usually mechanically based infrastructure. From increased uses as a transportation fuel to higher-tech approaches to exploration and production (E&P) in the oil/gas patch, the latest natural gas technological push has been boosted by the burgeoning shale gas sector.

FERC has approved Trunkline Gas Co. LLC’s proposal to modify a portion of its existing South Texas System to allow the bidirectional transportation of liquids-rich natural gas from the Eagle Ford Shale play in South Texas.