Questar

While slashed global oil prices have had a negative impact on recent earnings results, they have encouraged Salt Lake City-based Questar Corp. to look for acquisitions for its exploration and production (E&P) business and to continue pursuit of a converted natural gas pipeline for oil deliveries into Southern California.

A number of natural gas utilities across the United States have asked state regulators for a decrease in their rates as the winter heating season approaches, citing an oversupply of gas from shale gas development.

Aiming for a report to the state legislature by the end of September, the Utah Public Service Commission (PSC) on Wednesday held a hearing to examine how best to expand the use of natural gas and other alternative fuels in the transportation sector. Many energy representatives and alternative fuel advocates urged that market-based approaches be applied.

Pavillion, WY — where the federal government’s testing of water led to early concerns about the use of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in nearby natural gas wells — has begun a state-sponsored mitigation program installing cisterns for residents who have been, or potentially could be, impacted by contaminated water. To date, there is no conclusive evidence one way or the other.

QEP Resources Inc. said Thursday it would devote most of its capital expenditures (capex) for the 2012 fiscal year to crude oil and liquids-rich natural gas plays, and would look to boost annual production.

Florida Gas Transmission ended Wednesday an Overage Alert Day for market-area customers that had been in effect for the previous two days.

A Barnett Shale well operated by Chesapeake Energy Corp. produced on average 17.824 MMcf/d for the month of September, surpassing any of the 14,000-plus wells drilled to date in the North Texas play.

Pacific Gas and Electric had a systemwide high-inventory OFO in effect Sunday but discontinued it Monday.

Questar said the first phase of a pressure uprate in its ML 68 segment was progressing on schedule and was expected to be completed by the start of last Saturday’s gas day. “No special restrictions will be in place until the next phase of the work begins” Tuesday, the pipeline said.