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At the midpoint in the hurricane season on Sept. 10, it was already clear that Atlantic hurricane forecasts this year fell a little short of the mark. But no one could have predicted that this August would have a record number of named storms (eight) and intense hurricanes (three). September also is shaping up to have higher than normal tropical activity, and some forecasters believe this season will remain active through November.

The cash market showed little apparent rhyme or reason Tuesday as September swing trading opened with a hodgepodge of mixed price movement that nevertheless favored the upside in a majority of cases. Prices may have found more weather-related load than expected, and the screen’s gain of nearly a nickel Monday may have played a part.

A survey of Canadian field receipts by UBS shows that record drilling this year led to a 2.5% gas production increase in the second quarter. According to UBS estimates, which are based on 95% of the total gas produced in Canada, production in the second quarter averaged 16 Bcf/d compared to 15.6 Bcf/d during the second quarter of 2003. Year to date production rose 1.3% to 15.8 Bcf/d, analysts at UBS said.

A survey of Canadian field receipts by UBS shows that record drilling this year led to a 2.5% gas production increase in the second quarter. According to UBS estimates, which are based on 95% of the total gas produced in Canada, production in the second quarter averaged 16 Bcf/d compared to 15.6 Bcf/d during the second quarter of 2003. Year to date production rose 1.3% to 15.8 Bcf/d, analysts at UBS said.

In an interim production report covering April and May, ChevronTexaco reported Thursday that its U.S. oil and natural gas production was roughly flat compared with the first quarter. A small increase in liquids production offset a small decrease in natural gas, the company said.

BP plc remained atop the leader board for physical natural gas sales in North America in the first quarter, with 24.5 Bcf/d in gas sales, a 22% hike year-over-year. Sempra Energy retained second place, gaining 1% in gas sales over 1Q2003.

BP plc remained atop the leader board for physical natural gas sales in North America in the first quarter, with 24.5 Bcf/d in gas sales, a 22% hike year-over-year. Sempra Energy retained second place, gaining 1% in gas sales over 1Q2003.

Results from a FERC staff survey sent to energy companies in March show that industry’s confidence in and use of published natural gas price indexes are relatively high, but the level of participation in the publishers’ price surveys is still an open question.

An analysis of information collected from natural gas publishers, electronic exchanges, voice brokers, and companies reporting prices produces estimates that price index publishers captured nearly 75% of reportable fixed price transactions for the January 2004 bidweek (for February flow) and 70% of daily transactions during January.