Optimistic

BP plc’s financial chief said Wednesday he’s optimistic that the company will get back to business in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) by the second half of this year.

The national economy and the energy industry are both gathering strength overall and face an optimistic future in the near term despite some lingering uncertainties, according to a report released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve Board.

The national economy and the energy industry are both gathering strength overall and face an optimistic future in the near term despite some lingering uncertainties, according to a report released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve Board.

Supporters of Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s reelection bid were more optimistic Friday after the Alaska Division of Elections revealed that besides the more than 11,000 absentee ballots that have come in so far, there are an additional 8,000-plus questioned ballots still to be counted in the Republican primary race Aug. 23 in which Tea Party candidate Joe Miller won the initial precinct count by 1,668 votes (see Daily GPI, Aug. 27).

Despite some optimistic talk in early 2009, Capital Hill lawmakers were never able to bring energy and climate change legislation to a final vote, and the bill — or bills — may not make it to the finish line again this year.

Despite some optimistic talk in early 2009, Capital Hill lawmakers were never able to bring energy and climate change legislation to a final vote, and the bill — or bills — may not make it to the finish line again this year.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, says she is cautiously optimistic that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed approval of air quality permits will allow Shell to proceed with its planned exploration of the Chukchi Sea.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. is “cautiously optimistic” about natural gas prices, but drilling activity will be managed by following cash prices and reacting to what’s happening in the “real market” before spending more than cash flow, CEO Jim Hackett said last week.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. is “cautiously optimistic” about natural gas prices, but drilling activity will be managed by following cash prices and reacting to what’s happening in the “real market” before spending more than cash flow, CEO Jim Hackett said Tuesday.