Solid

Encana Corp., one of the biggest natural gas producers in North America, knocked out low prices during 1Q2012 with a solid commodity price hedging program, asset sales and joint ventures, turning the table on year-ago losses. To keep a stranglehold on declining prices, the independent also is reducing gas production through spending cuts or shut-in wells.

A turn toward oil and natural gas liquids (NGL) last year did a good turn for earnings at Houston-based W&T Offshore Inc. “Solid” oil and liquids production in a bull market for same lifted the company’s operating income to the highest level in its history, CEO Tracy W. Krohn told financial analysts Friday.

A combination of fit-for-purpose technology with solid execution in drilling horizontal wells using hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is giving Halliburton Co. confidence that it can deliver on its “frack-of-the-future” strategic initiatives, a company executive said Monday.

Tulsa-based Williams continues to be primed for solid natural gas infrastructure expansions in North America, with the biggest still planned for the Marcellus Shale, CEO Alan Armstrong said Wednesday.

ExxonMobil Corp.’s profits in the first three months of 2011 eclipsed its peers on higher natural gas production and solid chemical returns, harkening back to the industry’s boom days before the late 2008 global economic collapse. Chevron Corp., BP plc, ConocoPhillips and Royal Dutch Shell plc were among several big producers also reporting profitable results.

ExxonMobil Corp.’s profits soared in the first three months of 2011 from a year ago, gaining on higher natural gas production and solid chemical returns, and harkening back to the industry’s boom days before the late 2008 global economic collapse.

A solid performance in North America’s onshore during the first three months of 2011 lifted Halliburton Co.’s profits from a year ago, helping to overcome the losses in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and geopolitical turmoil overseas, CEO Dave Lesar said last week.

A solid performance in North America’s onshore during the first three months of 2011 lifted Halliburton Co.’s profits from a year ago, helping to overcome the losses in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and geopolitical turmoil overseas, CEO Dave Lesar said Monday.

April natural gas futures posted a solid advance Tuesday, leaving some calling for a new price regime while others still see a continuation of a rangebound market. At the close April had risen 9.3 cents to $4.254, the highest settlement since early February, and May gained 9.0 cents to $4.331. The expired April crude oil contract rose $1.67 to $104.00/bbl.