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Total combined natural gas purchase and sales volumes were 123,868 TBtu (Bcf) in 2012, a 0.7% decline compared with 124,752 TBtu in 2011, according to an analysis by NGI’s Shale Daily of 2012 Form 552 buyer and seller filings with FERC.

Florida-based TECO Energy last week struck its first utility purchase outside its home state in an agreement to buy New Mexico Gas Co., the state’s principle gas provider, for $950 million, including $200 million of debt. The transaction adds 50% to TECO’s Sunbelt-focused customer base.

Cheap U.S. natural gas contributed to a decision by European steelmaker Voestalpine AG to site a new plant outside of Corpus Christi, TX.

Cheap U.S. natural gas contributed to a decision by European steelmaker Voestalpine AG to site a new plant outside of Corpus Christi, TX.

Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has powered the biggest increase since the 1970s in Alberta oil production from flowing wells outside the northern bitumen sands belt, according to the provincial Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB). Output from flowing wells jumped by 14% in 2012 to 559,000 b/d, and should average 593,000 b/d this year, according to the board’s annual report.

Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing has powered the biggest increase since the 1970s in Alberta oil production from flowing wells outside the northern bitumen sands belt, says the provincial Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB).

America’s “shale revolution,” combined with increased Gulf of Mexico oil production, the potential for major deposits in the Arctic, and growth in tight and heavy oil, including oilsands, makes North America’s energy picture much brighter than it was not that long ago, Royal Dutch Shell plc CEO Peter Voser said recently at the Chief Executives Club of Boston.

Royal Dutch Shell plc is acquiring part of Repsol SA’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio outside North America, in particular adding LNG capacity in the western Atlantic Basin from Atlantic LNG in Trinidad & Tobago, and in the East Pacific from Peru LNG. Not being sold is Repsol’s troubled Canaport LNG regasification terminal in Saint John, NB.

Royal Dutch Shell plc is acquiring part of Repsol SA’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio outside North America, in particular adding LNG capacity in the western Atlantic Basin from Atlantic LNG in Trinidad & Tobago, and in the East Pacific from Peru LNG. Not being sold is Repsol’s troubled Canaport LNG regasification terminal in Saint John, NB.