Takes

President-elect Barack Obama may put his stamp on energy policy early when he takes office in January by using his executive authority to block new oil and natural gas leases on environmentally sensitive lands in Utah, according to a published report.

President-elect Barack Obama is expected to put his stamp on energy policy early when he takes office in January by using his executive authority to block new oil and natural gas leases on environmentally sensitive lands in Utah, according to a published report.

North American drilling, production, costs and prices are trending up as shale gas takes center stage. Forget liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the near term and maybe longer; and be glad you’re not tied to the world oil market. For the future, think Alaska. And for gas users: conserve, hedge, plan, stick to your strategy and keep good records.

North American drilling, production, costs and prices are trending up as shale gas takes center stage. Forget liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the near term and maybe longer; and be glad you’re not tied to the world oil market. For the future, think Alaska. And for gas users: conserve, hedge, plan, stick to your strategy and keep good records.

Pacific Gas & Electric issued a systemwide Stage 2 high-inventory OFO for its California Gas Transmission system. The OFO, which takes effect Thursday, carries penalties of $1/Dth for exceeding a positive daily imbalance tolerance of 5%.

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) will put the oil and natural gas industry on the hot seat Wednesday when his Oversight and Government Reform Committee takes a look at the exemptions in federal environmental and health requirements for onshore energy development. The hearing also is expected to explore the potential impact of oil and natural gas activity on the environment and health of populations living near production areas. Not one producer will testify at the hearing. Instead, the House committee will hear from the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy council; Trout Unlimited, a conservation group; the Endocrine Disruption Exchange, an international group that focuses on human health and environmental problems; and a medical toxicologist. In addition, officials from the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management and the Environmental Protection Agency are due to testify.

At least one major independent power producer in California takes a skeptical view about the potential price and reliabiliity advantages that introduction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports on the West Coast will have on the wholesale gas and power sectors. NRG Energy Inc. thinks LNG will have minimal impact.

One day after allowing a systemwide Stage 2 high-inventory OFO to expire, Pacific Gas & Electric issued a new one for its California Gas Transmission system that takes effect Wednesday. Like the previous one, the new OFO carries penalties of $1/Dth for exceeding a 5% tolerance on positive daily imbalances.

The role of national oil companies (NOC) is changing rapidly and the collaboration that takes place among NOCs, international oil companies (IOC) and service companies is “in flux,” said Amy Myers Jaffe, who leads the Baker Institute Energy Forum at Rice University in Houston.