Outlets

The Marcellus Shale’s natural gas volumes are continuing to flow higher, but significant revisions in growth expectations by pipeline giant Williams Partners Ltd. (WPZ) has led one analyst to question whether the “excellent adventure” to establish a major natural gas hub is turning into a “bogus journey.”

Tundra Energy Marketing Ltd. and CN, Canada’s national railway company, have signed a memorandum of understanding to build a crude oil car loading terminal in southwestern Manitoba, near the border with Saskatchewan, to serve Bakken oil producers in the two provinces, the companies said Thursday.

Colorado lawmakers have passed HB 1258 by a vote of 95-3. The legislation would make it easier for retail outlets to provide natural gas, propane and electric vehicle fueling. The bill, which was sent to Gov. John Hickenlooper, who is expected to sign it in May, would allow retailers to sell the three alternative vehicle fuels without Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) scrutiny. Electric vehicle recharging and liquefied natural gas fueling fell under PUC oversight; however, the other two fuels (compressed natural gas and propane) did not.

What would you call a lot of natural gas, ready at a moment’s notice? Some might call it a storage facility. Others might call it the Marcellus Shale.

In a state that currently has only three natural gas transportation fueling outlets, New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) on Thursday asked state regulators to approve its plans to invest up to $15 million in building an infrastructure for compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle fuels in three counties: Monmouth, Ocean and Morris.

As exemplified by a Monday New York Times column touting the natural gas gold rush in shale, alternative fuel transportation applications are one of two outlets for the supply bonanza. They include compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), which are both increasingly attractive to fleet and heavy-duty vehicle markets.

With new outlets to markets the Canadian natural gas industry ismoving into a new stage with higher prices dictating a change inthe priorities of doing business.