Since

Craig Donohue, who has been CME Group’s CEO since 2004, will step down when his contract expires in December, the Chicago-based derivatives marketplace announced Monday. The board has appointed current Executive Chairman Terrence Duffy to the expanded role of executive chairman and president, and current President Phupinder Gill to take over as CEO when Donohue’s contract expires. Additionally, the board extended Duffy’s and Gill’s contract agreements. “Donohue, Duffy and Gill, who have worked together in the office of the CEO for the last eight years, will work together over the next several months to effectuate an orderly leadership transition,” the board said. Duffy will continue to take a hands-on approach in government relations, corporate marketing and communications. Gill, who will report to Duffy, will be responsible for all other aspects of running the company. The current management team will remain in place, the board said.

Natural gas production in the Lower 48 states declined by 0.2% to 72.54 Bcf/d in December from November’s record 72.68 Bcf/d. It was the first monthly decline in Lower 48 production since February 2011, according to figures released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Natural gas production in the Lower 48 states declined by 0.2% to 72.54 Bcf/d in December from November’s record 72.68 Bcf/d. It was the first monthly decline in Lower 48 production since February 2011, according to figures released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Natural gas production in the Lower 48 states declined by 0.2% to 72.54 Bcf/d in December from November’s record 72.68 Bcf/d. It was the first monthly decline in Lower 48 production since February 2011, according to figures released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Beleaguered Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E), whose natural gas pipeline system and management have gone through regulatory hell since the fatal San Bruno transmission pipeline rupture and explosion in 2010, is in the early stages of a “long journey” to become the nation’s premier gas operator, and has some technology changes in the offing that could accelerate its transformation, according to executive vice president Nick Stavropoulos.

The global market for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) services continues to grow at a double-digit pace but not nearly as much as in 2011 since natural gas prices have begun to discourage exploration, according to a survey by Spears & Associates Inc.

February natural gas put in another low Thursday that had not been seen since Sept. 8, 2009 when October futures were as low as $2.628. The day’s price drivers included the release of storage data by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) that showed a 95 Bcf pull from inventories, well off the seasonal pace but greater than what the market was expecting.

For the second time since its ordinance banning hydraulic fracturing was ruled illegal, the Morgantown City Council voted to table a decision to repeal the ban in order to make a “political statement” against the West Virginia state government.

Xcel Energy’s Colorado utility is lowering its gas and electricity retail rates in the first quarter, continuing the downward movement of energy utility bills since the 2010-2011 heating season a year ago. Xcel has asked the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to approve a 2-4% reduction in its gas commodity adjustment and a 6.5-7% drop in its residential and small business electric commodity adjustment. Monthly residential and small business gas bills would drop from first quarter 2011 averages of $85 and $347, respectively, to corresponding averages in the 2012 first quarter of $81 and $341. Similarly, electric monthly residential and small business service would go from $67 and $110, respectively, a year ago to $63 and $102 in the first quarter. If the PUC approves the changes, the lower charges would be effective Jan. 1.