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Dramatically increasing the production of domestic natural gas, oil and coal offers the United States its best opportunity to create sustainable jobs, but political wrangling stands in the way of achieving that goal, according to a new report from the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research.

Denver-based Forest Oil Corp. made interim CEO Patrick R. McDonald the company’s permanent chief, prompting speculation by one analyst that “all strategic options remain on the table for the company.” McDonald had served as interim chief since June 21 while the company’s board conducted a search for a replacement for former CEO H. Craig Clark. Clark left the company abruptly, sparking speculation that it was because of a failure to strike a joint venture in the Eagle Ford Shale. Wells Fargo Securities analyst David Tameron said the appointment of McDonald was a positive for the company and could signal more news to come. “We believe the announcement may allow Street speculation surrounding the potential takeout of the company to continue, as a new CEO would have likely entered with a multiyear restructuring road map. From our take, all strategic options remain on the table,” Tameron said in a note.

Tropical Storm Debby made her presence felt in June monthly production figures from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) as natural gas production from the federal offshore Gulf of Mexico (GOM) was off 6.8% from May (see NGI, Aug. 6).

Tropical Storm Debby made her presence felt in June monthly production figures from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) as natural gas production from the federal offshore Gulf of Mexico (GOM) was off 6.8% from May (see Daily GPI, Aug. 2).

Low prices have made dry gas from shales a producers’ problem and an end-user’s dream. But interests at both ends of the market do agree that the right gas price — the equilibrium price — would make shale gas a boon for the country.

Low prices have made dry gas from shales a producers’ problem and an end-user’s dream. But interests at both ends of the market do agree that the right gas price — the equilibrium price — would make shale gas a boon for the country.

A growing realization is dawning for European shale gas operators that “serious” man-made and technical obstacles may block attempts to replicate U.S. experiences with shale gas, according to London-based analyst Chatham House.

Private equity power broker Riverstone Holdings LLC announced Monday that it has made an investment in Three Rivers Operating Co. LLC, which in turn has signed an agreement to buy several assets in the Permian Basin of West Texas from Meritage Energy Company LLC.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett said there was a better than 50% chance that a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc will build an ethane cracker in Beaver County, and he said more work is necessary to make the facility a reality.