Unfavorable

Despite dry gas production curtailments and rig lay-downs nationwide, Northeast production will grow by 1 Bcf/d from its current 8.3 Bcf/d by the end of the year as the Marcellus Shale “seems impervious to the unfavorable economics,” Bentek Energy LLC said in its Forward Curve Quarterly.

Unfavorable federal energy policies are largely to blame for the continuing decline in oil and natural gas leasing, permitting and new drilling on western lands from peak activity in 2007-2008, according to a new report commissioned by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The decline in activity on western lands was first detected in 2009-2010 and has carried over into 2011.

Unfavorable federal energy policies are largely to blame for the continuing decline in oil and natural gas leasing, permitting and new drilling on western lands from peak activity in 2007-2008, according to a new report commissioned by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The decline in activity on western lands was first detected in 2009-2010 and has carried over into 2011.

January natural gas tumbled 6.3 cents Monday, as traders look for some semblance of price support amid an unfavorable technical and fundamental setting. At the close January had fallen 6.3 cents to $3.254 and February had retreated 5.9 cents to $3.294. January crude oil dropped $1.64 to $97.77/bbl.

British Columbia will eclipse Alberta as Canada’s top gas producing province by tapping prolific shale deposits, the National Energy Board said.

Alberta will remain a blank spot on the shale gas production map of North America until the provincial government overhauls unfavorable royalties, according to a study circulating in the industry capital of Calgary.

Alberta will remain a blank spot on the shale gas production map of North America until the provincial government overhauls unfavorable royalties, according to a study circulating in the industry capital of Calgary.

Alberta will remain a blank spot on the shale gas production map of North America until the provincial government overhauls unfavorable royalties, according to a study circulating in the industry capital of Calgary.

Natural gas futures had enough in the tank Tuesday to shrug off some unfavorable economic news and close higher on the day. Prior to the open of floor trading the government released inflation figures and housing data showing declines much greater than the market expected. Natural gas futures, nonetheless, opened higher and were able to post modest gains on the day. January futures rose 10.6 cents to $5.751 and February added 10.6 cents as well to $5.781. January crude oil lost 91 cents to $43.60.