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The North American ethane story will continue to improve on the strength of robust natural gas liquids (NGL) production, particularly from liquids-rich gas shale plays that have become so popular with producers of late, according to executives at Oneok Partners LP.

If one believes the shale gas story — that North America is swimming in the stuff — then it’s obvious that the market needs a sponge to soak up the supply. Gas-fired power generation is easily the largest and most likely, but its absorbency will be dictated by constraints on coal-fired power emissions that have yet to be worked out, let alone understood.

Hitting the ground running just hours after President Obama signed the Wall Street reform bill into law (see related story), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on Wednesday released a list of 30 areas where it plans to implement new regulations.

In the story “Pennsylvania Putting the Pressure on Marcellus Gas Drilling” (see Daily GPI, June 30), NGI said that the Associated Press (AP) had reported that a list of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations being compiled by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would include compounds associated with neurological problems or other serious health effects. DEP now says that the list AP used included all chemicals used at well sites, not just in fracing operations, the AP said Thursday.

In last week’s story titled “Sweeping Financial Regulatory Reform Clears Senate” (see NGI, May 24), NGI incorrectly stated that both the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission carried out legal action against Amaranth Advisors LLC and its principal over the manipulation of gas futures prices in 2006. Both agencies have carried out legal action only against Amaranth Advisors LLC. NGI regrets the error.

In last Thursday’s story titled “Senate Amendment Would Preserve FERC’s Market Authority” (see Daily GPI, May 20), NGI incorrectly stated that both the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission carried out legal action against Amaranth Advisors LLC and its principal over the manipulation of gas futures prices in 2006. Both agencies have carried out legal action only against Amaranth Advisors LLC. NGI regrets the error.

In the April 27 issue the story “EIA’s Production Estimates Get a Face-Lift” (see Daily GPI, April 27), the first paragraph should read: “The latest natural gas production data due out April 29 from the Energy Information Administration (EIA)…” correcting the date. Also in the fifth paragraph the date of the announcement should be April 29.

In the April 27 issue the story “EIA’s Production Estimates Get a Face-Lift” (see Daily GPI, April 27), the first paragraph should read: “The latest natural gas production data due out April 29 from the Energy Information Administration (EIA)…” correcting the date. Also in the fifth paragraph the date of the announcement should be April 29.

The accuracy of Energy Information Administration (EIA) 914 production data may be in dispute (see related story), but Barclays Capital energy analysts said last week the U.S. natural gas drilling rig count has advanced for 29 weeks, which may arrest production declines this year.