Magic

Shale gas is the “magic bullet” the U.S. petrochemical industry needs to make a full recovery from a decade of economic stagnation, according to researchers from Chemical Market Resources Inc. (CMR), a Houston firm that advises the chemical, petrochemical and plastics industries.

Some may be starting to wonder if it’s a smoke-and-mirrors magic act, but the cash market once again defied what would usually be considered bearish weather fundamentals in continuing to rise at all points Tuesday. It retained substantial prior-day support from June futures having jumped another 17.9 cents Monday, but such positive guidance will be lacking Wednesday after the Nymex contract retreated by 11 cents Tuesday (see related story).

A mandatory cap on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will not be a magic bullet to drive up demand for natural gas among power generators, according to research by Duke University’s Climate Change Policy Partnership (CCPP).

A mandatory cap on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will not be a magic bullet to drive up demand for natural gas among power generators, according to research by Duke University’s Climate Change Policy Partnership (CCPP).

Devon Energy Corp.’s net Barnett Shale production surpassed the magic number of 1 Bcfe/d in April, a milestone achieved 21 months ahead of the company’s original target date.

Devon Energy Corp.’s net Barnett Shale production surpassed the magic number of 1 Bcfe/d in April, a milestone achieved 21 months ahead of the company’s original target date.

Less than two weeks after the tap was turned on the Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (REX) REX-West system, the pipeline last week was working its magic on the market, creating competition for the benefit of Rockies gas producers.

Less than two weeks after the tap was turned on the Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (REX) REX-West system, the pipeline is working its magic on the market, creating competition for the benefit of Rockies gas producers.

Once again a previous-afternoon screen uprising worked its magic on next-day cash prices. Friday quotes for weekend flow mostly ranged from approximately flat to nearly a quarter higher. A majority of the gains were relatively modest at around a dime or less.