Opened

While events in energy markets in 2009 did not resemble the roller-coaster ride of 2008, technological innovations that opened the floodgates for gas production out of shale plays changed the paradigm for the gas market, according to a state of the markets report issued Thursday by FERC’s Division of Energy Market Oversight.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee last Thursday said it opened an inquiry into the potential health and environmental risks associated with hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) of unconventional natural gas resources.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee Thursday said it opened an inquiry into the potential health and environmental risks associated with hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) of unconventional natural gas resources.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee Thursday said it opened an inquiry into the potential health and environmental risks associated with hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) of unconventional natural gas resources.

The Natural Gas Exchange Inc. (NGX) said Thursday it has opened three new natural gas clearing points in the United States. The clearing points, which are part of an expansion project that began in 2008, bring the number of U.S. locations to 23.

The Natural Gas Exchange Inc. (NGX) said Thursday it has opened three new natural gas clearing points in the United States. The clearing points, which are part of an expansion project that began in 2008, bring the number of U.S. locations to 23.

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) opened a hearing to mark up climate change legislation Tuesday morning, despite the fact that Republican members, unhappy with Environmental Protection Agency analysis of the bill, boycotted the hearing.

Natural gas price gaps among different North American regions are narrowing as the recent surge of major pipeline expansions has opened bottlenecks and leveled the supply playing field. Sources indicated that some spreads will grow again when heating season arrives, but for the foreseeable future near-parity numbers will remain the general norm across the North American spot market.

Natural gas price gaps among different North American regions are narrowing as the recent surge of major pipeline expansions has opened bottlenecks and leveled the supply playing field. Sources indicated that some spreads will grow again when heating season arrives, but for the foreseeable future near-parity numbers will remain the general norm across the North American spot market.