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South Africa’s Sasol Ltd. on Monday made a long-term bet on the viability of U.S. natural gas in announcing plans to construct a $16-21 billion natural gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant in Westlake, LA — the second largest commercial plant of its kind in the world.

LLOG Exploration Co. LLC has formed a long-term partnership with private equity giant Blackstone to accelerate the Covington, LA-based producer’s deepwater operations in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

Following President Obama’s re-election to a second term, the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) has formed a task force to challenge in court federal regulations issued by the government over the next four years that may affect oil and natural gas.

Expanding its assets in an area of its primary focus, Midland, TX-based Legacy Reserves LP said Wednesday it has agreed with Concho Resources Inc. to buy $520 million of Concho’s holdings in the Permian Basin. Legacy said it hopes to close the deal before the end of this year.

Gas-to-coal switching, which has drained some of the excess domestic gas stores, will tell the tale about 2013 natural gas prices, with gas expected to continue to gain in the first six months, while coal regains some of its losses in the second half of the year, according to Raymond James & Associates Inc.

Natural gas prices could strengthen over the next 18 months to two years, but there are several reasons why a near-term pricing “pause” is likely, Credit Suisse analysts said last week.

Dominion Resources Inc. has secured a long-term natural gas gathering service agreement in northeastern Ohio with M3 Ohio Gathering (Momentum) to process wet gas from the Utica Shale and is readying several projects in the Utica and Marcellus shale region to expand capacity services, CEO Tom Farrell said Thursday.

Dominion Resources Inc. has secured a long-term natural gas gathering service agreement in northeastern Ohio with M3 Ohio Gathering (Momentum) to process wet gas from the Utica Shale and is readying several projects in the Utica and Marcellus shale region to expand capacity services, CEO Tom Farrell said Thursday.

Natural gas prices could strengthen over the next 18 months to two years, but there are several reasons why a near-term pricing “pause” is likely, Credit Suisse analysts said Wednesday.