The revival of the U.S. industrial sector will be “the most significant driver” to higher long-term natural gas prices, lifted by new ethylene crackers, ammonia plants and natural gas-to-liquids (GTL) facilities fed by unconventional natural gas, according to an analysis by Raymond James & Associates Inc.
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AES Repowering Some U.S. Coal Plants with Natural Gas
Global generator AES Corp. said it plans to build a large-scale natural gas-fired plant at an existing site in Indiana, part of a sweeping plan to shutter or renovate more than a dozen coal-fired generation units in Indiana and Ohio.
U.S. Shales Putting Canadian NatGas Producers ‘In A Holding Pattern’
While natural gas prices have recovered to nearly $4/MMBtu, the National Energy Board (NEB) said Thursday that Canadian natural gas producers are undertaking minimal natural gas drilling as current prices do not cover the full costs of developing most natural gas prospects and U.S. shale development continues to displace Canadian gas exports.
Small-Scale LNG Fueling Equipment Unveiled
With potential ramification for long-haul trucking, railroad, marine and oilfield applications, small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling technology, dubbed “LNG In a Box” was unveiled Wednesday by General Electric (GE) unit GE Oil & Gas. The initial models are to be deployed in Europe under a deal with Luxembourg-based Gasfin.
Sportsmen: Oil Shale Needs Billions of Gallons of Water
An environmental group focused on recreation says industrial-scale development of oil shale is harmful to rivers and could require billions gallons of water annually, significantly more than what is needed for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for shale oil.
Integrated Producers’ ‘Operational Lapses’ Pose Investor Risks
Integrated oil and natural gas producers have stepped up their game in recent years to deal with “large-scale operational lapses,” but there still are sources of concern, especially oil spills, according to a risk analysis by MSCI ESG Research.
University at Buffalo to Close Shale Resources and Society Institute
The University at Buffalo (UB) will close its Shale Resources and Society Institute (SRSI), which during its seven-month life issued a hydraulic fracturing (fracking) study that was the target of criticism from several areas, including some UB staff, university President Satish Tripathi said Monday.
CNG In A Box Unveiled by Chesapeake, GE
CNG In A Box, a project launched earlier this year to provide compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling options for large- and small-scale retailers, was unveiled Monday by GE and a Chesapeake Energy Corp. affiliate, Peake Fuel Solutions.
Industry Briefs
Shell Chemical LP is offering to pay western Pennsylvania localities millions for lost tax revenue affected by its proposed “world-scale” ethane cracker. The Beaver County Commissioners said the Royal Dutch Shell plc subsidiary had made an initial proposal to pay localities 110% of the annual property tax revenue currently being paid by Horsehead Holding Corp., which owns the proposed cracker site. State law caps payments-in-lieu-of-taxes at 110%. County tax records show Horsehead, a zinc producer, was assessed around $6.2 million for the 2013 tax year. At 110%, Shell’s offer could amount to an annual payment of about $6.82 million over 22 years, but the county said negotiations are needed. Local stakeholders are preparing to file an application to the state Department of Community and Economic Development for a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone for the ethane cracker site. Such a designation would, if approved, give Shell up to 22 years of tax exceptions and abatements.
Shell Offers Localities Millions for Lost Tax Revenue at Cracker Site
A subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc has offered to pay localities millions for lost tax revenue affected by its proposed “world-scale” ethane cracker.