Should

Despite the record rig count, gas production isn’t picking upspeed the way many expected, according to Robert Morris of SalomonSmith Barney. Gas production decline rates are extremely high, andthe United States will be lucky to see production growth of 3% thisyear, Morris said during a conference call Friday.

With regulatory approvals expected soon to tie into a nearbypipeline, the N-01 well at Fort Liard in the Northwest Territoriesshould begin producing by the second quarter, according to one ofthe operators, Berkley Petroleum Corp. Berkley operates the wellwith partners Forest Oil Corp. and Paramount, with each holding a33.33% interest. Paramount operates the pipeline.

The 20% boost to exploration and production budgets this yearshould result in record results for offshore drilling, especiallythe Gulf of Mexico, according to drilling contractor Global MarineInc.’s annual Summary of Current Offshore Rig Economics — SCORE.In November and December 2000, GOM drilling increased 3.5%, andsoared 58.2% from a year ago. Worldwide, drilling was up 49.7% from1999.

The 20% boost to exploration and production budgets this yearshould result in record results for offshore drilling, especiallythe Gulf of Mexico, according to drilling contractor Global MarineInc.’s annual Summary of Current Offshore Rig Economics — SCORE.In November and December 2000, GOM drilling increased 3.5%, andsoared 58.2% from a year ago. Worldwide, drilling was up 49.7% from1999.

Independents Noble Affiliates and Kerr McGee Corp. have sharplyincreased their capital investment budgets this year. Kerr-McGee isbudgeting a record $1.24 billion for capital expenditures in 2001,a 60% increase from the company’s 2000 capital expenditures, andNoble’s spending is being increased 40%, with 60% of the $700million being used for developmental projects.

Hurricane guru William Gray of Colorado State University is predicting a relatively quiet tropical weather season in the Atlantic and Caribbean next year mainly because of a weak to moderate El Nino. Gray expects nine named storms. Five storms would become hurricanes and two of those would be major hurricanes.

Hurricane guru William Gray of Colorado State University ispredicting a relatively quiet tropical weather season in theAtlantic and Caribbean next year mainly because of a weak tomoderate El Nino. Gray expects nine named storms. Five storms wouldbecome hurricanes and two of those would be major hurricanes.

Should the energy industry expect more mergers and acquisitions?Eric Mullins, a former Houston Oiler football player and nowmanaging director of Goldman Sachs, said he didn’t have to go outon “much of a limb” to answer that question. “Maybe I’ll just say’yes’ and sit down,” he told attendees of Arthur Andersen’s EnergySymposium in Houston last week..

Both large and small exploration and production companies shoulduse the same philosophy to create value for their shareholders:manage the present to enable the future, advised Conoco Inc.Executive Vice President Robert McKee III at Arthur Andersen’sEnergy Symposium in Houston yesterday.