unconventional

With a trio of solid results from unconventional natural gas plays in Cutbank Ridge, Jonah and East Texas — and coalbed methane (CBM) joining in — EnCana Corp. delivered a chorus of good news for both its earnings and production in the final three months of 2007.

Quicksilver Resources Inc., which targets North American unconventional natural gas plays, reported Monday that 2007 reserve additions hit a record 608 Bcfe after replacing 780% of its total-year output of 78 Bcfe.

Houston-based independent Petrohawk Energy Corp., which has made its name in unconventional natural gas production, has hiked its capital budget to $800 million this year from $700 million in 2007. However, the company has delayed the initial public offering of its planned master limited partnership (MLP) because of market conditions.

As the gas industry continues its infrastructure build-out to tap unconventional and Rockies supplies as well as accommodate growing imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), two things will go hand in hand: pipelines and storage, according to at least one industry executive.

As the gas industry continues its infrastructure build-out to tap unconventional and Rockies supplies as well as accommodate growing imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), two things will go hand in hand: pipelines and storage, according to at least one industry executive.

Anyone who doubts the growing importance of onshore unconventional natural gas basins should take a look at second quarter results from EOG Resources Inc. and Southwestern Energy Co. Both companies credit prolific shale production — EOG’s in the Barnett and Southwestern’s in the Fayetteville — for strong results last quarter.

“The industry’s acreage land grab of the last five years is largely over. Virtually every conventional and unconventional gas resource play in the U.S. is totally locked up. The winners for the next 10 to 20 years have already been chosen and the losers will pay the price for years to come for being left behind.”

“The industry’s acreage land grab of the last five years is largely over. Virtually every conventional and unconventional gas resource play in the U.S. is totally locked up. The winners for the next 10 to 20 years have already been chosen and the losers will pay the price for years to come for being left behind.”

When buying acreage in a hot unconventional gas play, like the Barnett Shale in North Texas, it’s important to not lose your nerve at checkbook time. U.S. shale plays are hot and getting hotter. If your company is late to the party, that’s OK. Just know that the admission price is higher now.