Professional

Belief that the bottom has been touched and the outlook can only improve for Canadian gas producers is showing even among professional skeptics and declared opponents of wishful thinking in petroleum engineering, geology and economics firms whose stock-in-trade is reserves evaluations.

Three Ohio legislators have asked the state’s attorney general to determine the source of a five-page document that, if authentic, could prove individuals connected to the energy industry are using deceptive practices to persuade property owners to sign oil and gas leases.

Belief that the bottom has been touched and the outlook can only improve for Canadian gas producers is showing even among professional skeptics and declared opponents of wishful thinking in petroleum engineering, geology and economics firms whose stock-in-trade is reserves evaluations.

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) has named Charmaine Jackson, a communications professional, as the PRC’s Native American Liaison, responsible for keeping open lines of communication between the regulators and all Indian nations, tribes and pueblos in the state. Jackson will advise the five-member elected regulatory commission on all Native American matters and is expected “to establish and maintain mutual understanding and good relations.” A communications/journalism graduate from the University of New Mexico, Jackson previously served as the public information officer for the Navajo Nation’s president and vice president (2002-04). She also served as the information officer for the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (2004-06). Jackson was the first Native American news reporter to broadcast in the Four Corners region of the state with an NBC-TV network affiliate, KOBF-TV, in Farmington, NM. One of the five current PRC members, Theresa Becenti-Aguilar, previously served the commission in the same liaison position.

Pennsylvania’s program for regulating the hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) well stimulation activities of oil and gas producers “is overall, well managed, professional and meeting its program objectives,” according to a newly completed review.

Pennsylvania’s program for regulating the hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) well stimulation activities of oil and gas producers “is overall, well managed, professional and meeting its program objectives,” according to a newly completed review.

Pulling energy professional resources provider Skipping Stone out from under the Commerce Energy umbrella, Skipping Stone President Greg Lander and founder Peter Weigand have partnered to acquire the company for an undisclosed sum. Founded by Weigand in 1996, Skipping Stone will continue to focus on the energy industry. The partners are expanding the company’s existing consulting service offerings to add interim management and contract resources, as well as executive search services. “We are pleased with the transaction and believe it results in Skipping Stone being better positioned to serve its clients by returning to its original focus of providing clients with seasoned energy industry veterans to help develop and evaluate strategic alternatives, pursue opportunities and solve problems,” said Lander. The purchase included all of the assets, intellectual property, client contracts and the operational and consulting personnel. Included in the assets is Capacity Center, www.capacitycenter.com, a wholly owned subsidiary that provides interstate gas pipeline capacity release transactions and other capacity and operational information to physical and financial trading companies and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Skipping Stone’s headquarters are in Boston with additional locations in Chicago, Houston, Tampa and Orange County, CA. The company has more than 200 clients worldwide in the natural gas, electricity, renewable energy, software and clean energy technology markets.

As if taking a cue from the professional basketball team inChicago, the bulls of natural gas were on top again last week atNymex. A short-covering rally that began Wednesday resumed Fridaysending the July contract to $2.284, a 14-cent increase for theday. Estimated volume was a robust 99,631.