Rewarding

In the fall, a natural gas producer’s heart turns to selling more gas at higher prices. This winter should be somewhat colder — and more rewarding to producers — than last, according to the Natural Gas Supply Association’s (NGSA) Winter Outlook, released Wednesday.

Thanks to historically high hydrocarbon prices, exploration and production (E&P) companies in 2006 are once again rewarding shareholders through stock repurchases and dividend increases. However, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) said those large share buybacks have tempered the credit ratings improvement E&Ps likely would have received otherwise.

Thanks to historically high hydrocarbon prices, exploration and production (E&P) companies in 2006 are once again rewarding shareholders through stock repurchases and dividend increases. However, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) said those large share buybacks have tempered the credit ratings improvement E&Ps likely would have received otherwise.

In speeches marked with impressive statistics from Rocky Mountain producers and a handful of protesters objecting to one of Tuesday’s luncheon speakers — Interior Secretary Gale Norton — the 13th Annual Rocky Mountain Natural Gas Strategy Conference took the high road last week, with speakers touting social and environmental responsibilities as the keys to sustainable shareholder profit in the future.

On a day marked with impressive statistics from Rocky Mountain producers and a handful of protesters objecting to one of the luncheon speakers — Interior Secretary Gale Norton — the opening session of the 13th Annual Rocky Mountain Natural Gas Strategy Conference took the high road Tuesday, with speakers touting social and environmental responsibilities as the keys to sustainable shareholder profit in the future.