April 22, 2010
posted on: Apr 22, 2010
IPAMS Meetings and Announcements
IPAMS Survey on Regional Competitiveness
IPAMS has released a survey about the impacts of government policies on natural gas and oil development in the Rockies. Key findings:
- 73% of respondents downsized 2010 capital investment plans in the Rockies.
“BLM leasing and permitting is too unpredictable to risk stranding capital that can be placed in other areas.”
“The Federal APD (Application for Permit to Drill) process is way too expensive.”
- $1.1 billion of capital investment has been shifted out of the Rockies for 2010.
“At a time of depressed natural gas prices, it should be a good time for investment in the pricing cycle (buy low, hopefully sell high). We would be considering both buying undeveloped leasehold and existing production but forego these investments because of delays in obtaining APDs and increased costs and regulatory hassles.”
- $2.8 billion has not been invested in the Rockies because of federal constraints.
“BLM leasing and permitting is too unpredictable to risk stranding capital that can be placed in other areas.”
“If federal APDs could be guaranteed to be approved with the 45 days mandated in Onshore Order No. 1, we would move back onto federal lands in the Rockies.”
- $708 million has shifted from federal to private lands, thereby reducing return to American taxpayers on energy resources they own.
“Timing kills industry. Because all leases have a finite timeline, we prefer fee/state leases because we can be certain we can get a timely lease, APD, and the lease will not be revoked or suspended after we have invested significant funds.”
“State agencies require much of the same information as federal agencies but approve permits much faster.”
- 89% of respondents will continue to divert investment until the regulatory environment changes.
“Capital is available to be deployed for a short period of time. Unless there are certainties that capital can be invested with a reasonable rate of return, the Rockies will become less and less attractive for investment. Timely access to federal minerals, reasonable environmental requirements and an administration willing to work together to explore and exploit federal mineral resources is key to renewing our investment in the Rockies.”
“The new Colorado state oil and gas regulations have made us shift our focus to other states.”
The information is important in helping us tell the story of the impacts of adverse federal and state policies, and to counter the charges of political apologists who would like to make the case that only the economy has caused the downturn in the Rockies. Thank you to the 35 member companies who participated. If your company has not responded, IPAMS will gladly accept additional responses.
Click here to view the survey results. IPAMS released the findings today in a Webinar attended by Congressional staff, federal government staff, state legislators, county commissioners, media, industry and others. Click here to view the powerpoint presentation.
How Less Became More: Wind, Power and Unintended Consequences in the Colorado Energy Market
BENTEK Energy has released a study that analyzes the impact of wind energy as a “must take” resource on Colorado’s energy market.
Study Objectives:
- To improve understanding of the electricity markets in Colorado and the Intermountain West
- To understand how wind, coal, and natural gas interact and what that interaction means for future natural gas use in electricity generation
- To help generate productive and informed discussions on how our nation will meet its future energy needs through the integration of various energy resources
Click here to read the Executive Summary.
News Coverage on BENTEK’s Study:
Coal: Does Not Play Well with Renewables
published in: The Energy Collective on: 04/21/2010 by: Arno Harris
Gas-industry report claims wind-energy standards lead to pollution
published in: Denver Business Journal on: 04/19/2010 by: Cathy Proctor
Study: Use natural gas, not coal to back wind generation
published in: SNL Energy on: 04/19/2010 by: Jennifer Zajac
How less became more: Wind, power and unintended consequences in the Colorado energy market
published in: Wind in Action on: 04/16/2010 by: Staff
O&G industry questions pollution benefits of wind power (subscription required)
published in: E&E Land Letter on: 04/15/2010 by: Scott Streater
Tell Congress to Rein in the EPA and Protect Western Jobs!
The Senate is now considering a resolution sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) that would prevent the EPA from circumventing Congress and stop its misuse of the Clean Air Act (CAA). This resolution has bipartisan support, and is even supported by Senators who favor climate change legislation. Unfortunately, some western Senators such as Michael Bennet of Colorado, have been very vocal in their opposition to this common sense resolution.
The House is also considering legislation that would prevent misuse of the CAA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Bills such as Congressman Earl Pomeroy’s (D-ND) “Save Our Energy Jobs Act” would ensure that EPA regulation does not take over all aspects of the American economy.
Fundraiser for Jane Norton
April 30, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. (Denver)
Please join IPAMS PAC for a reception with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, honoring and U.S. Senate Candidate Jane Norton on April 30, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. at the Brown Palace. Click here for the invitation.
For more information or if you would like to co-host or attend this event, please contact Jon Bargas.
Fundraiser for Richard Pombo
May 5, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. (Denver)
In case you missed it, The Wall Street Journal published an op-ed on Friday about the extreme environmentalist agenda and a “vivid example of the stakes for the green agenda in this year’s midterm elections.” Click here to read a pdf copy of the article.
IPAMS is organizing a fundraiser for the subject of this article, Richard Pombo, on May 5th in Denver. Pombo served in Congress for 14 years and was Chairman of the House Resources Committee from 2002-2006 where he successfully passed a bill that reformed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to allow for the recovery of wildlife while aiding businesses in creating good jobs in the West instead of delaying development. He was directly responsible for many parts of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 currently under assault in Washington: pilot offices for permit coordination between BLM and USFS; incentives for CO2 enhanced oil recovery; categorical exclusions to eliminate redundant NEPA policies for wells on existing pads/where NEPA was recently completed; R&D and commercial leasing provisions for shale, tar sands and other unconventional fuels; and government deadlines for compliance with their own laws.
The fundraiser will take place on May 5, 2010 at 5:00 pm at Workplace Resource Herman Miller, located at 1899 Wynkoop Street in downtown Denver. Suggested contribution is $500/individual and $1,000/PAC. Click here for the invitation.
Please contact Jon Haubert if you are interested in making a contribution or have questions about the event.
Wildcatter of the Year
May 15, 2010 in Denver, CO
IPAMS 2010 Wildcatter of the Year Gala will be held at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts on May 15, 2010. This black tie event begins with a cocktail reception in the lobby of the Bonfils Theatre at 6 p.m. and is followed by dinner in the Seawell Ballroom.
IPAMS Wildcatter of the Year is a lifetime achievement award honoring distinguished service to the natural gas and oil industry and the community. Members of our industry in the Intermountain West nominate deserving colleagues for the Wildcatter of the Year, and the name of the winner is kept secret until the presentation. The winner receives a beautiful bronze sculpture by artist Veryl Goodnight from New Mexico.
A special thank you to our sponsors:
Amegy Vectra Bank | Anadarko Petroleum | Basic Energy Services | Beacon E&P Company, LLC | Berry Petroleum Company | Cimarex Energy Company | Edmonds Energy Corporation | El Paso E&P Company, L.P. | EnCap Investments | Enerplus Resources (USA) Corporation | Ensign US Drilling Inc. | Great Western Oil and Gas | Hein & Associates | M.J. England & Associates | Macquaire Tristone | Mesa Energy Partners, LLC | Newfield Rocky Mountains | Noble Energy | Samson Resources | SB Energy Partners | U.S. Bank | Whiting Petroleum Corporation
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Click here to become a sponsor.
After registering online, please email Becca Ness or call (303) 623-0987 with the names of your guests to ensure they have a nametag at check-in.
IPAMS in the News
EPA’s GHG reporting rule costly, but could have silver lining (subscription required)
published in: E&E Land Letter on: 04/22/2010 by: Phil Taylor
Kathleen Sgamma, director of government affairs at the Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States, said that while offset projects could be a “silver lining” to the EPA proposal, complying with the new regulations would be a significant logistical challenge and will divert important industry resources. “This is another significant cost of compliance that will take more resources away from exploration and production of American energy,” she said.
IPAMS Membership Update
IPAMS thanks our broad membership for supporting our organization through your 2010 dues and event sponsorships. Your financial support ensures that we have the resources to continue to defend and promote your investment in the Intermountain West.
This week we are proud to recognize the following new memberships:
PIONEER MEMBERS
Petrox Resources, Inc.
Nucor Oil & Gas
2010 Event Sponsors
Amegy Bank NA | Anadarko Petroleum Corporation | Banko Petroleum Management, Inc. | Basic Energy Services | Beacon E&P Company, LLC | Berry Petroleum Company | Black Hills Exploration and Production, Inc | Cimarex Energy Co. | Edmonds Energy Corp | El Paso E&P Company, LP | EnCap Investments, LP|Ensign United States Drilling | G3 Operating, LLC | Great Western Oil & Gas | Hein & Associates | MJ England & Associates| Macquarie Tristone | Mesa Energy Partners, LLC | Newfield Exploration Company | Nielson & Associates, Inc. | Noble Energy Inc | Samson Resources | SB Energy Partners, LP | Schlumberger | Tracker Resource Development | US Bank | Ultra Petroleum, Inc. | Whiting Petroleum Corporation
For more information or to refer a company to IPAMS regarding membership please contact Susan Fakharzadeh.
Other Upcoming Meetings
Utah Basin Advisors Network (UBAN) Meeting - May 11th, 10:00 a.m.
New Mexico Basin Advisors Network (NMBAN) Meeting – May 13th, 9:00 a.m.
Legislative, Legal and Regulatory Committee Meeting - May 13th, 10:00 a.m.
Agendas are available for upcoming meetings at http://www.westernenergyalliance.org/advocacy/. All meetings unless otherwise indicated are Mountain time, and at IPAMS and via teleconference.
Visit westernenergyalliance.org for the latest news affecting the Intermountain West’s oil and natural gas industry. Headlines are updated daily from local, national and international news sources. You may also sign up for daily newsbrief emails under the Manage Account section of the “Members Only” page.
The West
Colorado DNR chief Martin named EPA regional administrator
published in: Denver Business Journal on: 04/21/2010 by: Mark Harden
James Martin, head of Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources, has been named regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. President Barack Obama selected Martin to lead EPA’s Denver-based Region 8, which covers Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 27 tribal nations. “I look forward to working closely with James Martin on the range of urgent environmental issues we face, in Region 8 and across the nation,” EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said in a statement.
Colorado
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signs natural-gas bill into law
published in: Denver Post on: 04/20/2010 by: Lynn Bartels
Gov. Bill Ritter on Monday signed into law a measure aimed at upgrading aging Front Range coal-fired power plants to run on natural gas. He was surrounded by the unlikely parties that had banded together to pass House Bill 1365. “This is clearly a diverse, partisan — excuse me, bipartisan group of people,” Ritter said, paused and laughed. “My one chance to say ‘bipartisan’ and I blew it.”
Will western Colorado pay for cleaning up Denver’s air?
published in: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel on: 04/20/2010 by: Bill Grant
Not many Western Slope or southwest Colorado environmentalists are celebrating the Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act (HB 1365) signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter Monday. Unlike their Front Range counterparts, who helped pass the bill, environmentalists closer to the gas patch are concerned that Denver will solve its dirty air problem by adding to pollution in the West and Southwest. Converting inefficient coal-burning power plants to natural gas would reduce Denver’s brown cloud.
Garfield County Commissioner Martin says he won’t object to burying pit liners
published in: Glenwood Springs Post Independent on: 04/20/2010 by: John Colson
A Garfield County official has indicated he sees no problems with a gas industry proposal to dispose of controversial “pit liners” by burying them on private property in the high country. “I’m not going to object to it,” declared Commissioner John Martin at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Monday. But Commissioner Mike Samson appeared a little troubled by Martin’s statement, and suggested the matter should be discussed in a meeting planned for later this week.
Montana
Senators Say Delay Will Affect Oil and Gas Industry in Montana
published in: KECI Missoula on: 04/21/2010 by: Staff
Montana’s U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester are pushing the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to finish environmental reviews and move forward quickly with the sale of 129 oil and gas leases in Montana and the Dakotas. In a letter to BLM Director Bob Abbey, Baucus and Tester acknowledged the decision by the Bureau to complete required environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act in light of recent court decision, but asked for the review to be performed promptly.
BLM seeking resource advisory council nominations
published in: Helena Independent on: 04/15/2010 by: Staff
The Montana/Dakotas Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for six open positions on its Western Montana Resource Advisory Council, which advises the BLM on public land issues. The deadline for nominations is May 10. The BLM’s Resource Advisory Councils, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the Bureau carry out its stewardship of 253 million acres of public lands.
New Mexico
BLM oil, gas lease sale in 4 states nets $27M
published in: Associated Press on: 04/21/2010 by: Staff
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s quarterly oil and gas lease sale Wednesday netted more than $27.3 million for the sale of 30 leases on federal land in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. The total includes bonus bids, administrative fees and first-year rentals.
Unions, oil interests fueling NM political parties
published in: Associated Press on: 04/16/2010 by: Barry Massey
Labor unions and the oil and natural gas industry were leading sources of money for New Mexico’s Democratic and Republican parties during the past six months as they prepared for a critical campaign season, according to the latest financial disclosures. The Democratic Party’s state campaign committee raised $214,577 from October through April 5. Labor unions provided about $66,000 of that, with $40,000 coming from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
North Dakota
Texas company plans expansion in North Dakota oil patch
published in: Associated Press on: 04/21/2010 by: Staff
A Texas oil company says it is planning an expansion in North Dakota’s oil patch. Brigham Oil and Gas wants to buy 160 acres of land in Williams County to house oil-related facilities and offices. Brigham spokesman Randy Samuelson says consolidating facilities will lower the cost of moving materials and will cut down on truck traffic.
A State With Plenty of Jobs but Few Places to Live
published in: New York Times on: 04/20/2010 by: Monica Davey
When Joey Scott arrived here recently from Montana, he had no trouble finding work — he signed almost immediately with a company working to drill in the oil fields. But finding housing was another matter. Every motel in town was booked, some for months in advance. Every apartment complex, even every mobile home park, had a waiting list. Mr. Scott found himself sleeping in his pickup truck in the Wal-Mart parking lot, shaving and washing his hair in a puddle of melted snow.
Editorial: North Dakota steps up on energy
published in: Bismarck Tribune on: 04/18/2010 by: Editorial Staff
If North Dakota expects carbon-based energy to continue to drive the state’s economy, it needs to be aggressive in dealing with the national political and legal agendas of environmental groups. Along those lines, the North Dakota Industrial Commission made the right move in January when it gave Blaise Energy $375,000 in state research funds to figure out how to make better use of excess natural gas that surfaces in the drilling process. The obvious waste of energy in the flaring off of excess natural gas can’t be continued. Not in the present political climate. And not when that wasted natural gas could be put to good use.
Utah
Study starts on S. Utah sage grouse, wind farms
published in: Associated Press on: 04/19/2010 by: Mike Stark
Before wind energy developers come calling on southern Utah, biologists there hope to learn about how it might affect the greater sage grouse. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are launching a study of the chicken-sized bird across more than 300 square miles in Iron and Beaver counties. The study area has a “high potential” for wind development but no projects have been launched yet, according to Christine Pontarolo, a biologist with the BLM’s field office in Cedar City.
Wyoming
CBM industry averts shut-in
published in: Casper Star-Tribune on: 04/21/2010 by: Dustin Bleizeffer
There’s a trend to further reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in America’s natural gas pipeline network. This month, it nearly resulted in shutting down coal-bed methane gas production in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, according to Brian Jeffries, executive director of the Wyoming Pipeline Authority. Jeffries said it would have had the immediate affect of shutting in at least one-third of gas production in the basin, at a loss of about $180,000 per day in taxes and royalties to the state.
Wyoming workplace safety efforts to continue
published in: Casper Star-Tribune on: 04/20/2010 by: Staff
The state plans to hire an occupational epidemiologist and work with the oil and gas industry to reduce fatal workplace injuries. Wyoming has the nation’s highest rate of deadly workplace accidents. Many are industry-related traffic accidents in gas-producing areas.
From gas to oil
published in: Casper Star-Tribune on: 04/18/2010 by: Phil White
The large discrepancy between the prices of oil and natural gas per unit of energy will drive mineral exploration in Wyoming back toward oil in the near term, Gov. Dave Freudenthal’s energy adviser said. Rob Hurless said development of large reserves of natural gas in Barnett and other shale formations in Texas and Louisiana and in Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania and West Virginia will keep natural gas prices relatively steady but far below the historical ratio of gas versus oil prices.
Washington Watch
Coal, nuclear, big oil defy the odds
published in: Politico on: 04/22/2010 by: Lisa Lerer
Insurance companies were frozen out of the health care negotiations. Wall Street is taking a beating in financial regulation. In contrast, the Democrats’ favorite boogeymen on green issues — coal companies, the nuclear industry and Big Oil — have not only elbowed their way into seats at the table; they are poised to reap windfalls from climate proposals working their way through the Senate.
GOP’s Grassley joins Dems in passing limits on derivatives
published in: McClathcy News on: 04/21/2010 by: David Lightman and Kevin G. Hall
The Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday approved by 13-8 tough new curbs on financial derivatives, including a ban on most direct bank trading of the tools, which played a big role in exacerbating the 2008 financial crisis.
Senate Republicans Move to Bar NEPA Analysis of Climate Change Impacts
published in: E&E News/New York Times on: 04/20/2010 by: Noelle Straub
Republican senators introduced legislation today that would block White House efforts to require federal agencies to consider climate change in environmental analyses of proposed projects. The bill says the National Environmental Policy Act should not be used to document, predict or mitigate the climate effects of specific federal actions. Under the measure, NEPA reviews could not consider the greenhouse gas emissions of a proposed federal project nor climate change effects as related to the proposal’s design, environmental impacts, or mitigation or adaptation measures.
White House: Climate Bill ‘Doable’ This Year
published in: Associated Press on: 04/20/2010 by: Staff
White House energy adviser Carol Browner said Tuesday she thinks Congress still has time to approve a climate and energy bill this year. Browner called action on the long-delayed legislation ”doable,” because members of Congress increasingly understand the need to develop clean energy that does not emit carbon dioxide and other pollutants blamed for global warming.
Energy debate grows divisive
published in: The Hill on: 04/20/2010 by: Alexander Bolton
Centrist Democratic senators are wrestling with liberal colleagues over whether to vote on an energy reform bill if it does not include measures to address global warming. A group of Democratic senators led by Sen. Byron Dorgan (N.D.) support bringing an energy-only bill to the Senate floor, and centrist colleagues such as Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) are sympathetic.
As Senate debates, House members wonder if they’ll be asked to take it or leave it
published in: E&E News/New York Times on: 04/19/2010 by: Darren Samuelsohn
In Las Vegas, the house always wins. In Washington, the House isn’t as lucky. A carefully crafted compromise on climate change that narrowly passed in the House last June has been stuck for almost a year in the Senate. Now, with three senators set to unveil their own bill Monday and a floor vote possible this spring or early summer, House lawmakers are wondering whether there will be a significant effort to negotiate major differences between the two proposals or if they will be asked to simply approve the Senate version.
EPA Sends Proposal on Greenhouse Gas Reporting Confidentiality to White House
published in: E&E News/New York Times on: 04/19/2010 by: Robin Bravender
White House regulatory officials this week began their review of U.S. EPA’s draft rule detailing what information will be protected as “confidential business information” under the agency’s greenhouse gas reporting rule. EPA on Wednesday submitted a proposed rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget that will establish what information is “emissions data” and what information will be protected as confidential business information, according to a federal Web site that tracks rulemakings.
Media Watch
Op-ed: The moment to tackle climate change
published in: Politico on: 04/22/2010 by: Sen. John F. Kerry (D-MA)
No matter what conventional wisdom says, this is the year — perhaps our last, best chance — to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation. The right bill can create good jobs, strengthen our national security and give us cleaner air — all while finally tackling the great challenge of global climate change. We all understand election-year jitters, difficult legislative schedules, a looming Supreme Court confirmation and Congress’s reputation for avoiding tough choices as November nears.
Op-ed: Climate Science In Denial (subscription required)
published in: Wall Street Journal on: 04/22/2010 by: Richard S. Lindzen
In mid-November of 2009 there appeared a file on the Internet containing thousands of emails and other documents from the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia in Great Britain. How this file got into the public domain is still uncertain, but the emails, whose authenticity is no longer in question, provided a view into the world of climate research that was revealing and even startling. In what has come to be known as “climategate,” one could see unambiguous evidence of the unethical suppression of information and opposing viewpoints, and even data manipulation.
Op-ed: Clearinghouses Are the Answer, Complex Derivatives Should be Regulated Like Commodity Futures (subscription required)
published in: Wall Street Journal on: 04/21/2010 by: Gary Gensler
In September 1998, I travelled to Greenwich, Conn., to meet with Long-Term Capital Management, which was on the brink of failure. The highly
leveraged hedge fund was dangerously interconnected to numerous financial institutions through its $1.2 trillion derivatives book. I was sent by the Treasury secretary to figure out the answers to two questions: What would the contagion from LTCM’s failure mean for the broader economy? And was there anything the federal government should or could do? The truth was that I did not have good answers for the secretary on either of these questions.
Editorial: Governor charts correct course on fracking rules
published in: Casper Star-Tribune on: 04/20/2010 by: Editorial Staff
The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has delayed making a final decision until June on reporting requirements about chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing. But based upon questions about the process that the commission has been asking, the state is headed in the right direction to find a balance between the economic concerns of the energy industry and the public health questions raised by environmentalists and other residents.
Editorial: Clean air
published in: Durango Herald on: 04/20/2010 by: Editorial Staff
For residents of Southwest Colorado, state legislation that pushes outdated coal-fired power plants on the Front Range toward cleaner natural-gas technology is largely symbolic. Much of the brown cloud here originates at Arizona and New Mexico power plants, and Colorado lawmakers have no power to clean them up. Maybe the Colorado clean-air bill will inspire similar legislation in other states, although the political climate right now seems unlikely to foster additional regulation.
Environment and Wildlife
At 40, Earth Day Is Now Big Business
published in: New York Times on: 04/21/2010 by: Leslie Kaufman
So strong was the antibusiness sentiment for the first Earth Day in 1970 that organizers took no money from corporations and held teach-ins “to challenge corporate and government leaders.” Forty years later, the day has turned into a premier marketing platform for selling a variety of goods and services, like office products, Greek yogurt and eco-dentistry.
Feds to aid landowners deal with grouse populations
published in: Salt Lake Tribune on: 04/20/2010 by: Brett Prettyman
Landowners fear few things more than having a federally-protected species inhabit their property. “It makes you kind of nervous,” said Norm Weston, a Rich County landowner. “You start thinking that they [the federal government] will come in and do a cease-and-desist on your land if anything goes wrong.”
Technology, Alternative & Renewables
New technology would treat ‘produced water’
published in: Glendoows Springs Post Independnet on: 04/22/2010 by: John Colson
Two entrepreneurs, speaking to the Garfield County commissioners this week, described a new system designed to treat “produced water” from the oil and gas drilling process, so that water could be reintroduced into local aquifers and streams. Called the “OPUS II,” the system is made by VWS Oil & Gas, a global division of Veolia Water Solutions and Technologies. It involves sending produced water, as well as “flowback water” from the hydraulic fracturing process, through a series of ceramic membranes and other filtration devices.
Utah Passes Law Sidestepping EPA to Make Natural Gas Conversions Much Cheaper
published in: gas 2.0 on: 04/21/2010 by: Nick Chambers
As I’ve been covering for the last few months, a bill that makes converting vehicles to run on compressed natural gas about 57% less expensive was signed into law in Utah yesterday. The law should bring the current $14,000 average cost of installing natural gas conversions in Utah down to about $6,000.
Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Informational Meeting
May 4, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
The AGA-ANGA Natural Gas Transportation Collaborative Task Force seeks to advance the production and use of natural gas as a transportation fuel. The task force is focused on legislative advocacy, infrastructure development/business models, fleet conversions and manufacturer outreach, and marketing and education. Click here for the agenda.
RSVP to Janet Flanigan at 303-672-6984 or janet.flanigan@questar.com
Markets
Feds clear way for Utah-Nevada petroleum pipeline
published in: Associated Press on: 04/20/2010 by: Staff
An environmental study has set the stage for construction of a 399-mile pipeline to move gasoline from Utah refineries to the Las Vegas area. The Bureau of Land Management says the pipeline from Woods Cross, Utah, to Apex, Nev., is needed to meet market demand for fuel in southern Utah and Las Vegas, which get most of their fuel trucked in at higher prices.
Gas Cartel Is Too Soon In the Making (subscription required)
published in: Wall Street Journal on: 04/20/2010 by: Liam Denning
An OPEC-style cartel for gas would kill the very market it would aim to control. The Gas Exporting Countries Forum met Monday in Algeria. But after some stirring rhetoric about raising global natural-gas prices, the group discounted any coordinated production cuts for now. Gas exporters are hurting because liquefied natural gas, which can be shipped independently of pipelines, now accounts for 10% of global supply.
Industry News and Events
Oil services firms target small companies for growth
published in: Reuters on: 04/21/2010 by: Krishna N. Das
Cash-rich large oilfield service companies have been snapping up smaller rivals as they move to broaden their product lines, and may now be setting their sights on niche players to help them move deeper into new markets around the globe. With companies pushing the boundaries of technology and the cost of discovering oil and gas having risen three-fold over the past decade, the need for bundled services have risen.
US could replace coal power with existing gas-fired plants
published in: Financial Times on: 04/20/2010 by: Sheila McNulty
The shift from coal-fired generation to gas- fired generation sounds like something that would be lengthy and difficult to accomplish. But a new report by PFC Energy, the consultancy, indicates it is anything but. The report says US gas fired power plants average about 25 per cent utilisation, compared with 70-75 per cent for coal.
ExxonMobil favors fracing disclosure
published in: Durango Herald on: 04/19/2010 by: Katie Burford
Oil giant ExxonMobil, which is acquiring local producer XTO Energy, said last week that it supports the disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing. The company’s board, in a statement filed last week with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, said disclosing the chemicals would ease concerns about potential contamination from fracing, which involves pumping water, chemicals and sand under high pressure into formations to break up the rock and release gas.
SPE Environmental Study Group
April 27, 2010 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (bring your own sack lunch)
Daniel Pring, Buys & Associates, Inc. will be discussing recent developments in EPA Air Quality Regulations . Non-SPE members are welcome to join.
Location: Halliburton Energy Services, Main Conference Room (CHASE Building), 1125 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1900, Denver CO 80202
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has several regulatory actions finalized or pending concerning air quality issues for which Oil and Gas operators will potentially be subject to. Among the pending regulatory issues are:
• Greenhouse Gas Mandatory Reporting Requirements , Subpart W Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems (Upstream Operations) – Proposed Rule Published: 3/22/10
• Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule – Proposed Rule
• NAAQS – NOx 1-hour Standard, Final Rule Effective: 4/12/10
• NAAQS – Primary/Secondary Ozone Standard review
There is no registration fee or RSVP necessary to attend.
Bakken and Beyond!
May 2 – 4, 2010 in Bismarck, North Dakota
The 18th Williston Basin Petroleum Conference & Expo will be held May 2 – 4, 2010 in Bismarck, North Dakota.Technical presentations will be the highlight of the Conference, as industry experts from across North America cover all the “Hot Plays” in the Williston Basin including the Bakken, Three Forks, and Lodgepole, along with talks on deep and shallow gas plays and CO2-EOR opportunities in the Basin. In addition, crude oil transportation issues and a panel on Bakken fracture stimulation techniques will be of great interest to attendees. Keynote speakers include North Dakota Governor John Hoeven, Clarence Cazalot of Marathon Oil Company, and Jim Volker of Whiting Oil and Gas. Click here to learn more.
GHG Information Session: Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule- What to Expect and When
May 4, 2010 from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Buys & Associates, Inc. will be hosting an information seminar on Tuesday, to discuss the EPA’s Proposed GHG Reporting Rule. The workshop will include:
• Operations affected by proposed rule
• Reporting Thresholds
• Reporting Requirements
• Additional Requirements
• Suggestions for moving forward/future compliance (how to prepare)
Location: Buys & Associates’ Corporate Headquarters, 300 E. Mineral Avenue, Suite 10. Littleton, CO 80122
Please RSVP to Lauren MacMillan or (303) 781-8211 ext. 237
Environmental Learning for Kids Cast-a-Line BBQ
May 15, 2010 at Lake Lehow, Colorado
Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) is hosting it’s spring fishing event, Cast-a-Line, on Saturday, May 15th from 11 – 3 at Lake Lehow in southwest Denver. Click here for more information or visit the ELK website, www.elkkids.org.
University of Wyoming Energy Resources and Produced Waters Conference
May 25-26 2010 in Laramie, WY
Final call for Presentations and Registration is still open. The Energy Resources Produced Water Conference, convened by the University of Wyoming’s Ruckelshaus Institute and the School of Energy Resources, is intended to advance the understanding of current research and monitoring projects related to the management, treatment, protection, and use of water associated with energy development in Wyoming and the West. The conference will cover produced water issues from various types of energy development, including, oil, gas, coalbed natural gas, coal mining, uranium, and carbon sequestration.
The format for the two-day conference will consist of oral presentations in concurrent sessions as well as a display of posters. Click here to learn more.
Institute for Energy Research’s 2nd Annual Houston Luncheon
June 4, 2010 in Houston, TX
The Institute for Energy Research (IER) will have John Stossel, Fox Business Anchor, as their keynote speaker at their 2nd Annual Luncheon.
For additional event and sponsorship questions, contact Nancy Bradley at events@iertx.org or call (713) 591-1732. Click here for more information and registration.
BENPOSIUM
June 7-10, 2010 in Houston, TX
The most comprehensive natural gas symposium that applies the “fundamentals” perspective to how production, capacity, flow, inventories and demand interact to drive prices, trading opportunities and marketing and investing strategies. The goal of BENPOSIUM is to provide executives, analysts, traders and investors for an in-depth look at the shifting energy market dynamics and how these developments are the reshaping natural gas and power industry landscape. Click here to view the agenda and to register.
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