Talk

Despite some optimistic talk in early 2009, Capital Hill lawmakers were never able to bring energy and climate change legislation to a final vote, and the bill — or bills — may not make it to the finish line again this year.

Despite some optimistic talk in early 2009, Capital Hill lawmakers were never able to bring energy and climate change legislation to a final vote, and the bill — or bills — may not make it to the finish line again this year.

While volume declines are suppressing bullish talk, Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) thinks the industry may be poised to pull out of the bear market next year, and until then CEO Kelcy L. Warren doesn’t think there is much risk of shut-ins for his midstream business.

While volume declines are suppressing bullish talk, Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) thinks the industry may be poised to pull out of the bear market next year, and until then CEO Kelcy L. Warren doesn’t think there is much risk of shut-ins for his midstream business.

The natural gas futures market was abuzz last week over an analyst’s comments that growth in the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) might be responsible for the rebound in prices over the last month despite the lack of supportive fundamentals. While some analysts were claiming that the exchange-traded fund (ETF) might be cornering the market because it allegedly is holding title to as much as 80% of the June contract’s open interest on the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), other analysts and traders were less convinced the story, and/or the percentage, could be true.

El Paso Corp.’s annual financial analyst meeting last week did nothing to quell talk that the company may restructure and split its bread-and-butter natural gas pipeline business from the exploration and production (E&P) unit to increase shareholder value. In fact, the CEO indicated it is a distinct possibility.

El Paso Corp.’s annual financial analyst meeting Wednesday did nothing to quell talk that the company may restructure its business to split its bread-and-butter natural gas pipeline business from the exploration and production (E&P) unit to increase shareholder value. In fact, the CEO indicated it is a distinct possibility.

Talk about keeping an eye on the weather: Shell Oil Co. is teaming up with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to gather real-time information about storms that blow through the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

Talk about keeping an eye on the weather: Shell Oil Co. is teaming up with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to gather real-time information about storms that blow through the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).