Showed

A study of data from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that showed the percentage of wells with pollution events has declined, thanks at least in part to the state’s regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), was not “peer-reviewed,” as it was originally described, according to an editor’s note issued since the study’s release.

The variability of this winter’s weather patterns showed up in market reactions again Wednesday. Losses and gains were close to being evenly divided and mostly small, but they included several spikes in the Northeast. Flat numbers were frequent, especially in the Louisiana production area.

February natural gas managed to gain ground Friday as weather forecasts showed impending cooler conditions in eastern and north-central states. At the close February had risen 8.2 cents to $3.062 and March had added 8.1 cents to $3.098. February crude oil eased 25 cents to $101.56/bbl.

For the second consecutive quarter three of the top five natural gas marketers reported sales volume declines compared with the year-ago period, and 24 leading companies had total sales transactions of 127.06 Bcf/d in 3Q2011, an 8.54 Bcf/d (6%) decrease from the 135.60 Bcf/d they transacted in 3Q2010, according to NGI’s 3Q2011 Top North American Gas Marketers Ranking.

For the second consecutive quarter three of the top five natural gas marketers reported sales volume declines compared with the year-ago period, and 24 leading companies had total sales transactions of 127.06 Bcf/d in 3Q2011, an 8.54 Bcf/d (6%) decrease from the 135.60 Bcf/d they transacted in 3Q2010, according to NGI’s 3Q2011 Top North American Gas Marketers Ranking.

Prices again showed little change from flat in a large majority of cases Thursday, but this time they tended to be mostly a little higher instead of the other way around as on the day before. Although some regions will see slightly warmer weather over the next couple of days or so, crisp and cool fall conditions appear to be pretty well established by now.

A handful of speakers showed up Wednesday at a Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) hearing to comment on Statewide Rule 29 for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) fluid disclosure, which the RRC is working to enact by January. Nearly everyone expressed support for the proposed rule and the commissioners’ work.

November natural gas retreated Friday as traders saw the market in an unstable technical environment and rig count figures showed another double-digit increase in gas drilling. At the close November had careened lower by 11.7 cents to $3.481 and December had fallen 9.6 cents to $3.820. November crude oil rose 39 cents to $82.98/bbl.

A handful of speakers showed up Wednesday at a Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) hearing to comment on a rule for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) fluid disclosure that the RRC is working to enact by the end of the year. Nearly everyone expressed support for the proposed rule and the commissioners’ work.