Shape

As another sign that the vision of a “natural gas highway” for long-haul trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles is taking shape, Southern California-based Applied Natural Gas Fuels Inc. said it plans to double the output capability of its Topock, AZ, liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility.

The Permian Basin in West Texas is the main engine driving Occidental Petroleum Corp. (Oxy) to record oil/gas production levels as its overseas operations continue to struggle in the Middle East/North Africa and Colombia, CEO Stephen Chazen said Thursday.

Dave Neslin, who has helmed the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) for five years and who helped to shape and then implement more stringent statewide natural gas and oil regulations, is resigning effective March 1 to join Denver law firm Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP. Neslin, who joined the COGCC on an interim basis in late 2007, was instrumental in implementing the controversial drilling regulations that increased scrutiny of gas and oil production in 2009. Neslin was appointed to his current position in April 2009. Prior to joining the commission Neslin, an attorney, had been a partner in Denver law firm Arnold & Porter. No replacement has been named by the commission.

Dave Neslin, who has headed the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) for five years and who helped to shape and then implement more stringent statewide natural gas and oil regulations, said he is resigning effective March 1 to join Denver law firm Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP. Neslin, who joined the COGCC on an interim basis in late 2007, was instrumental in implementing the controversial regulations that increased scrutiny of gas and oil production in the state in 2009. Neslin was appointed to his current position in April 2009. Prior to joining the commission Neslin, an attorney, had been a partner in Denver law firm Arnold & Porter. No replacement has been named by the commission.

Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. is reportedly looking to add more American shale gas investments to its energy portfolio and is shopping for new opportunities in shale oil, but it might wait to make a move on shale gas until natural gas prices are higher.

A bill in a Texas House committee if passed would repeal a natural gas drilling tax break that benefits the vast majority of wells in the state’s shale gas plays. The bill’s sponsor says the incentive has outlived its usefulness, but an industry advocate claims its repeal would be a gas production- and job-killer.

A multi-sided battle is taking shape before Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) over plans to overhaul the finances and tolls of Canada’s principal long-distance west-to-east natural gas transporter.

A multi-sided battle is taking shape before Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) over plans to overhaul the finances and tolls of Canada’s principal long-distance west-to-east natural gas transporter.

Heading into the winter tof 2010-2011 he natural gas market is in “good shape,” with production at “levels not seen in more than 35 years,” according to a FERC analyst — and with moderate prices and storage already 90% full.