Nearly

Hours ahead of EQT Corp.’s second quarter conference call on Thursday, the company tied into sales its first Utica Shale well, the CEO said.

Nearly two months after securing Mitsubishi Corp. as its foundation shipper, Tennessee Gas Pipeline is holding an open season through Aug. 9 for its Southwest Louisiana Supply Project, which is designed to provide transportation from various supply basins in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Louisiana to Cameron Interstate Pipeline, which connects directly to the proposed Cameron LNG export terminal in Hackberry, LA.

The number of natural gas vehicles (NGV) worldwide will nearly double between now and 2020, according to a report released last week by Navigant Research. NGVs on the roadway will increase steadily from 18.2 million now to 34.9 million by 2020, Navigant said.

According to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), the state’s preliminary April crude oil production averaged 1.6 million b/d, up from nearly 1.2 million b/d in April 2012. The preliminary production figure for April is 48.2 million bbl, up from 35.9 million bbl in April 2012.

The number of natural gas vehicles (NGV) worldwide will nearly double between now and 2020, according to a report released Tuesday by Navigant Research. NGVs on the roadway will increase steadily from 18.2 million now to 34.9 million by 2020, Navigant said.

Yankee Gas, Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG) and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG) have filed a joint expansion plan with state regulators that would add nearly 300,000 gas customers and increase system throughputs substantially. In the shale gas era, consumers are seeking gas connections, and utilities are working to provide them (see NGI, Feb. 11).

Physical natural gas prices Wednesday rose on average nationally by nearly 3 cents, and most points recorded gains ranging from fractional increases to a few pennies, while more than a handful of locations experienced small losses. Great Lakes and eastern points managed gains of 2-3 cents, but New England couldn’t escape the grip of a soft power market and it was flat to a penny lower. At the close of futures trading, July had added 5.8 cents to $3.963 and August was up 5.8 cents as well to $3.985. July crude oil slipped 20 cents to $98.24/bbl.

Nearly every major natural gas play in the United States makes money at prices above $4.00/Mcf, and more important, may generate a “decent rate of return” at prices above $4.25, according to an analysis by Raymond James & Associates Inc.

Natural gas cash market quotes were on average nearly 5 cents lower Tuesday for Wednesday delivery as near-term weather patterns showed moderation in key eastern energy-consuming regions. Northeast locations led the trend lower, but major market centers nationally were lower as well. At the close of trading, July futures had fallen 7.6 cents to $3.724, and August was off 7.8 cents to $3.743. July crude oil declined 39 cents to $95.38/bbl.