Uncertain

On the heels of a legislative session that failed to pass any Marcellus Shale development measures, two Maryland lawmakers are seeking an independent review of their state’s regulatory framework.

Last year “large overseas companies” invested more than $15 billion in U.S. shale plays, and they weren’t putting down the money to “expect juicy margins at $4/Mcf gas,” analysts with Raymond James & Associates Inc. said Monday.

Plains Exploration & Production Co. (PXP) said last week the planned sale of its Gulf of Mexico (GOM) deepwater properties has been delayed because the uncertain regulatory environment for offshore producers has frightened away buyers.

Plains Exploration & Production Co. (PXP) said Thursday the planned sale of its Gulf of Mexico (GOM) deepwater properties has been delayed because the uncertain regulatory environment for offshore producers has frightened away buyers.

An uncertain environment exists for North America’s oil and gas industry because of “sharp differences” in the economic strength between regions, development opportunities, a changing environmental landscape and the upcoming midterm elections, Ernst & Young LLP said in a report Friday.

An uncertain environment exists for North America’s oil and gas industry because of “sharp differences” in the economic strength between regions, development opportunities, a changing environmental landscape and the upcoming midterm elections, Ernst & Young LLP said in a report Friday.

Drilling is still ongoing in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), but producers and rig providers are “uncertain” as to how long this will continue. They say they have received “mixed signals” from the Interior Department’s Minerals Management Services (MMS) in recent days over whether they can proceed with any drilling in the Gulf, no matter what the water depth.

Drilling is still ongoing in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), but producers and rig providers are “uncertain” how long this will continue. They say they have received “mixed signals” from the Interior Department’s Minerals Management Services (MMS) in recent days over whether they can proceed with any drilling in the Gulf, no matter what water depth.

The U.S. oilfield services sector may be moving toward a positive environment, but the sustainability of exploration and production (E&P) spending “remains uncertain” because of weak natural gas prices and a continued oversupply, Moody’s Investors Service said Thursday.