Prodded

Nebraska farmers, their state government, environmentalists, the White House and U.S. shale drilling have prodded the Canadian gas and oil industry into making a sharp break with old habits of depending on North American demand for its products.

Canadian producers, prodded by strong demand and their inability to catch up by sticking to prevailing methods, show signs of at last adding dimensions in exploration and unconventional development to their natural gas supply strategies.

Canadian producers, prodded by strong demand and their inability to catch up by sticking to prevailing methods, show signs of at last adding dimensions in exploration and unconventional development to their natural gas supply strategies.

Accenture’s Etienne H. Deffarges on Thursday borrowed a quotation attributed to Winston Churchill, telling energy executives that the definition of “failure” was the “ability to go from one failure to another with enthusiasm.” Churchill’s comment, said Deffarges, “spectacularly” defines what has happened and what will happen as the power sector begins its slow ascent.

Prodded by Gov. George H. Ryan, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) voted late week unanimously to open a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) to investigate the high natural gas prices in the state.

Prodded by Gov. George H. Ryan, the Illinois Commerce Commission(ICC) yesterday voted unanimously to open a Notice of Inquiry (NOI)to investigate the high natural gas prices in the state.

Fueled by positive expiration-day price action last Friday andprodded by continued anticipation of higher prices this summer,natural gas futures shuffled higher yesterday as bulls gave a warmbuying welcome to the new spot contract April. With that boost theApril contract closed up 6.9 cents at $2.686 while the summer stripwas up 5.3 cents at $2.721.

Light short-covering gently prodded the futures market higheryesterday as traders surveyed the prospect of a sizable storagewithdrawal reported in the American Gas Association’s storagereport this afternoon. The prompt February contract led all others,advancing 4.2 cents to settle at $1.821. With that small gain, themarket ended a five-day, 25-cent slide.