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Net production among all the major U.S. natural gas production basins will grow at a rate of better than 1% annually, or 2 Bcf/year, through 2020, according to a report by Calgary-based consultant Ziff Energy Group. The report looked at 17 major gas-producing areas, including the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

Net production among all the major U.S. natural gas production basins will grow at a rate of better than 1% annually, or 2 Bcf/year, through 2020, according to a new report by Calgary, Alberta-based consultant Ziff Energy Group. The report, released last Monday, looks at 17 major gas-producing areas, including the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

Domestic natural gas production surged in 2011 to 28.48 Tcf, a 1.66 Tcf (6.2%) increase compared to 26.82 Tcf in 2010, and it was production from the nation’s shale plays that gave the total its biggest boost, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Cash natural gas prices on average overall rose 29 cents Wednesday as cold, wintry weather was forecast to march through the Great Lakes and keep temperatures seasonally cold. However, without the distorting affects of multi-dollar price surges at Northeast locations, the market scored a more modest 8 cent gain. Great Lakes points firmed as cold and winter storm warnings were anticipated Wednesday. At the close March futures had risen 1.9 cents to $3.418 and April had gained 1.4 cents to $3.464. March crude oil slipped 2 cents to $96.62/bbl.

Merchant Energy Holdings LLC is holding a nonbinding open season through Feb. 20 for up to 8 Bcf of firm, high-deliverability, multi-cycle working gas storage capacity available April 1 at its ECGS facility in Logan County, CO, about 90 miles east of the Cheyenne Hub. ECGS began operation in April and is completing its second phase of expansion, which includes additional injection/withdrawal wells, gathering and processing facilities and gas compression. ECGS is connected with Trailblazer Pipeline and has access to other major pipelines at the Cheyenne Hub. Total injection and withdrawal capability after the expansion will be more than 200,000 Dth/d. For information, visit www.mehllc.com or contact Scott Smith, (713) 403-6472, ssmith@mehllc.com; or Kevin Legg, (720) 351-4004, klegg@mehllc.com.

Range Resources Corp. said Wednesday its production volumes in 4Q2012 hit a record 844 MMcfe/d, 35% higher year/year, which it attributed in large part to oil and natural gas liquids (NGL) growth in liquids-rich shale plays, presumably the Marcellus Shale and the Mississippian Lime.

A recently combined and publicly held exploration and development company, Salt Lake City-based Richfield Oil and Gas Co., announced a purchase in the Graham Reservoir oilfield in Uinta County, WY. Richfield bought a shut-in well in the Wasatch National Forest (Well #16-15) from Frontier Energy for $610,000, including 640 acres of mineral leases. The company said the purchase gives it 100% working interest in a mineral lease in the Graham Reservoir, located approximately 120 miles northeast of Salt Lake City in southeastern Wyoming. The well has been shut in since 2003 and was completed in the Dakota Formation at 15,600 feet. Flow testing and production operations will get underway later in the first quarter. For Richfield, which is the product of the merger of Hewitt Petroleum Inc. and Freedom Oil & Gas Inc. in 2011, the acquisition is part of the process of “methodically building our reserve and production base” through graded acquisitions,” said CEO Douglas Hewitt.

After a year of jumping through regulatory hoops, Canada’s biggest and oldest petrochemical complex, Nova Chemicals, is poised to become a U.S. export customer of unconventional gas and liquids.

After a year of jumping through regulatory hoops, Canada’s biggest and oldest petrochemical complex is poised to become a customer for exports of U.S. shale gas and liquids production.