March 18, 2010
posted on: Mar 18, 2010
IPAMS Meetings and Announcements
Are federal land management policies driving investment and jobs out of the West?
In an increasingly competitive natural gas market, how does the Rocky Mountain region stack-up against other regions? Are federal land management policies that create uncertainty, delays and higher operating costs disadvantaging the West? We think they are, but we’d like to hear from you on the matter.
IPAMS is conducting a survey of members to quantify the actual impacts to jobs and investment in the West compared to other regions. We would greatly appreciate your time in completing the survey linked below. Your responses will help us understand and quantify the opportunity cost of (jobs/capital) federal land policies that are driving investment to other regions. All individual company information will be kept confidential, and any results released will be aggregated.
We have tried to make the survey as brief as possible while still gathering the level of detailed data necessary to quantify impacts and explain their causes. We are asking for contact information only in the event that we need clarification on your responses. Please return the completed survey to Spencer Kimball or fax to (303) 893-0709. Click here to download the survey.
Wyoming BLM Presentation on Sage Grouse Policy Implementation
The IPAMS Wyoming Basin Advisors Network (WYBAN) will be hosting a presentation on April 8th from 10:00 – 12:00 by the Wyoming BLM Deputy State Director, Resource Policy Bill Hill and Wildlife Biologist Chris Keefe on sage grouse policy changes (see IM WY 2010-12 for the new policy), and how BLM is implementing them. The presentation will be followed by discussion to allow participants to ask questions and fully understand how the policy will impact their operations. We believe interest will be high, and are working on securing a downtown Denver location that can handle more than the IPAMS conference room. Please RSVP to Spencer Kimball so that we can secure the appropriate space.
Fundraiser for Congressman Doc Hastings
On March 30, IPAMS PAC is hosting a luncheon for Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA), the Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee. As the top Republican on the committee with jurisdiction over most legislation related to energy development in the West, Rep. Hastings has been an outspoken advocate for our industry. He has gone above and beyond to seek IPAMS input and to oppose legislation that would make development in the West even more expensive and difficult. If you would like to serve on the Host Committee, we are asking for a $1,000 individual donation or a $2,000 PAC donation. If you would just like to attend, we are asking for a $500 individual donation or a $1,000 PAC donation. Checks should be made payable to Friends of Doc Hastings and no corporate funds can be accepted. Please RSVP to Jon Bargas as soon as possible.
Wildcatter of the Year
May 15, 2010 in Denver, CO
IPAMS 2010 Wildcatter of the Year Gala will be heald at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. This is 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 with a scenic view of Denver’s downtown.
The IPAMS Wildcatter of the Year Award is a lifetime achievement award for distinguished service to our industry and the community. Members of the petroleum industry in the Intermountain West nominate deserving colleagues for the 2010 Wildcatter of the Year Award. The winner of the award is kept secret until the presentation of the video announcing the Wildcatter. The winner receives a beautiful bronze sculpture by artist Veryl Goodnight from New Mexico.
More information including sponsorship and registration/table purchases for this event will be available soon.
Please email Becca Ness or call (303) 623-0987 with any questions.
IPAMS Vote From Home Program
As part of our Voter Education Initiative, IPAMS partnered with West Slope COGA during the 2008 election year and executed a successful “Vote from Home” pilot program in Mesa and Garfield Counties in Western Colorado. In these two counties alone, this voter drive program was able to register and request absentee ballots for over 1,000 industry employees. Because of the success of this program, IPAMS has decided to expand the program to include the entire state of Colorado for the 2010 elections. With critically important state and federal races to be decided next year, it is more crucial than ever that industry educate and empower the tens of thousands of Colorado workers who depend on a healthy energy industry for their livelihoods. We already have financial commitments from several Colorado producers, but we need more support in order to get working on the program as soon as possible. For more information, contact Jon Bargas.
IPAMS in the News
BLM to suspend 61 leases in Mont. to review climate impacts
published in: E&E Land Letter (Subscription Required) on: 03/18/2010 by: Phil Taylor
“If you’re looking at a global problem like climate change, the effect of these leases is completely negligible,” said Kathleen Sgamma, the group’s director of government affairs, adding that IPAMS has yet to take a position on the settlement. However, she said, the groups’ opposition to the leases “is shortsighted and fails to consider the net benefits of clean burning natural gas for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Sgamma said the Montana settlement would mean additional delays for operators and add new uncertainty to BLM’s regulatory review process.
61 oil and gas leases to be suspended
published in: Billings Gazette on: 03/12/2010 by: Staff
“In a settlement proposal filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Missoula, the government agreed to suspend the leases pending further environmental review.
Another party in the case, the Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States, has reserved the right to oppose the agreement.”
IPAMS Membership Update
IPAMS thanks our broad membership for supporting our organization 2010 dues. 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 welcome the following new members:
NEW FRONTIER MEMBER
Unit Corporation
PROSPECTOR MEMBER
Advantage Drilling Fluids
PIONEER MEMBERS
Kendall, Koenig and Oelsner, PC
Yarmony Energy
For more information or to refer a company to IPAMS regarding membership please contact Susan Fakharzadeh.
IPAMS Facebook Page
If you haven’t already done so, please consider signing up as a fan of IPAMS on Facebook and catch great industry articles and view photos from events and trips. Already a fan? Invite your friends and co-workers to join too! Click here to become a fan.
Follow IPAMS on Twitter!
IPAMS also uses twitter as another means of outreach to members and those interest in following oil and gas development in the Intermountain West.
Catch all the latest IPAMS activity with our weekly Tweets! To sign up, go to: www.twitter.com/IPAMS.
IPAMS has its own YouTube Channel
Looking for industry footage? IPAMS has launched ipams1 as a way to collect and archive video of companies responsibly and safely developing America’s energy resources. Please use ipams1 for presentations and/or references for industry practices and techniques. Have you found a video you think we should add to our collection? Email links to Jon Haubert and recommend it be added.
Daily Newsbrief
Are you catching all the industry news ocurring here in the Intermountain West?
If not, sign up for IPAMS Daily Newsbrief and receive emails every morning with the latest industry news, pertinent activities in Washington DC, Newspaper Editorials, Markets, the Environment and more. If you’d like to sign up for IPAMS Daily Newsbrief please contact Jon Haubert.
Other Upcoming Meetings
• Legal, Legislative & Regulatory Meeting– March 19th at 9:00 a.m.
• Air Quality Committee Meeting– March 24th at 1:30 p.m. (Note date/time change)
• Colorado Basin Advisory Network Meeting– March 31st at 10:00 a.m. (Note date/time change)
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
Mountain states slower to snap back in this recession, report finds
published in: Denver Post on: 03/18/2010 by: Aldo Svaldi
The current recovery is challenging the Mountain West’s reputation for accelerating out of recessions faster than the rest of the country, according to the most recent “Mountain Monitor” from the Brookings Institute. Employment counts in the largest metro areas in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Idaho are down 7.4 percent from their peak before the recession through the fourth quarter, according to the report.
Colorado
Bill to cut coal power in Colorado has widespread backing
published in: Denver Business Journal on: 03/16/2010 by: Cathy Proctor
A proposal to reduce Xcel Energy Inc.’s coal-fired power generation along Colorado’s Front Range, and replace the use of coal with natural gas or other power sources, has gained the backing of Democrats and Republicans, Gov. Bill Ritter’s administration, environmentalists, the utility and the state’s natural gas industry. The bill — HB 1365, dubbed the Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act — was introduced at the state Legislature Tuesday and speeded into its first committee hearing before the House Transportation and Energy Committee.
New plan calls for retiring coal-fired power plants
published in: KCFR Colorado Public Radio on: 03/16/2010 by: Anna Panoka
There’s a major new push to improve air quality along the Front Range by switching some coal-fired power plants in metro Denver….to natural gas. Colorado Public Radio’s Anna Panoka spoke with Jim Martin, Executive Director of the state Department of Natural Resources, about the new legislation.
Attorney Nathan Keever relishes standing up ‘for the little guy’ in oil and gas cases
published in: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel on: 03/15/2010 by: Dennis Webb
Grand Junction attorney Nathan Keever is driven by a competitive streak. It is what helped him win several state titles in master’s swimming events last year and make it into the top 20 nationally the last few years in his age group. It’s also what has helped him take on big players in western Colorado’s natural gas industry and obtain millions of dollars for royalty owners who were underpaid by companies that leased the rights to develop their minerals.
Western Slope gas drilling rebounding
published in: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel on: 03/12/2010 by: Dennis Webb
Like a garden in springtime after a hard winter, northwest Colorado’s energy industry is showing increasing signs of revival and recovery. Following a severe pruning beginning in late 2008, area natural gas development is showing more and more regrowth. Some companies are continuing to respond to improved natural gas prices and pick up activity even as they deal with new state oil and gas rules that critics said contributed to last year’s slowdown.
Oil industry wants input on county regs
published in: Aspen Daily News on: 03/11/2010 by: Andrew Travers
The Pitkin County commissioners unanimously gave initial approval Wednesday to strict new regulations for oil and gas development within the county. They are due for a second public hearing on the issue in two weeks. Before that time, when the county could finalize the measures, representatives from the industry want to be involved with county deliberations.
Montana
Schweitzer asks Interior to cancel oil, gas leases near Glacier Park
published in: Associated Press on: 03/15/2010 by: Staff
Montana’s governor has asked Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to cancel oil and gas leases on more than 200,000 acres just outside Glacier National Park. The leases — owned by ConocoPhillips and other companies — were suspended 25 years ago after a federal court ruled they had been sold without enough environmental study. Gov. Brian Schweitzer said Monday the leases should be negated so the state can live up to an agreement signed last month with British Columbia to halt development along the North Fork of the Flathead River.
New Mexico
Natural gas industry lobbies NM senators
published in: New Mexico Independent on: 03/12/2010 by: Matthew Reichback
Members of the natural gas industry have sent a letter to both New Mexico senators asking that natural gas be added to any clean energy mandate that passes Congress, according to The Hill. In January, then-President of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association Bob Gallagher told New Mexico Business Weekly, that while things looked better for the oil industry in New Mexico, “the situation is still pretty glum for natural gas production.”
New Mexico Environment Department’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau Recognizes Basic Energy Services for Excellence in Efforts to Protect Workers
published by: New Mexico Environment Department on: 03/01/2010 by: NMED Staff
The New Mexico Environment Department’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau recognized Basic Energy Services in Bloomfield as the first company in the state to earn memberships in two bureau employee safety recognition programs. The bureau recently presented program banners and certificates to Basic Energy Services employees and managers at a company-wide recognition breakfast for the company’s membership in the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) and the Oil and Gas Safe Site Program.
North Dakota
Rig count reflects oil boom in North Dakota
published in: Bismarck Tribune on: 03/11/2010 by: Brian Gehring
North Dakota topped the century mark in the number of active oil rigs this week for the first time since February 1982. There were 102 active rigs as of Wednesday. The state is still below the all-time high of 146 rigs that came in October 1981, said Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. Ness said the numbers are a positive for the future of the North Dakota oil industry.
Utah
Utah judge denies defense motion in oil lease case
published in: Associated Press on: 03/15/2010 by: Staff
A federal judge has denied a discovery motion filed by defense attorneys for a college student accused of sabotaging an oil-and-gas lease auction in Utah by running up prices and failing to pay for his bids. U.S. District Judge Dee Benson ruled Monday that prosecutors don’t have to turn over any documents they may have that show the intent of other bidders who failed to pay for leases they bid on but were never prosecuted.
Lawmakers OK Navajo trust fund settlement
published in: Salt Lake Tribune on: 03/10/2010 by: Staff
The Utah Legislature has signed off on a court settlement that would send $33 million to the Utah portion of the Navajo Nation for alleged state mismanagement of a reservation oil royalties trust fund. The Senate on Wednesday approved HJR32, already approved by the House, that would end a two-decade dispute that Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, said had embarrassed the state since before he was in the Legislature.
Wyoming
Potential oil play in state excites industry
published in: Billings Gazette/Casper Star-Tribune on: 03/17/2010 by: Dustin Bleizeffer
After more than a year of gloom in Wyoming’s oil and gas industry, there’s optimistic chatter of a potential oil boom in eastern Wyoming. The talk centers on a couple of successful pilot wells targeting formations known to have vast amounts of oil and sour, over-pressurized natural gas. For decades, these formations in eastern Wyoming remained technically unrecoverable.
Oil, gas futures: It’s not all doom, gloom
published in: Gillette News-Record on: 03/14/2010 by: Steve McManamen
Wyoming’s oil and gas industry is facing a lot of obstacles, but its future looks promising with new fields opening up and new pipelines planned. At least that’s the outlook according to Tom Doll, supervisor of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. He spoke to about 60 oil and gas industry representatives Thursday during a meeting of the local Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Ruby pipline could bring summer jobs to Wyoming, power to West Coast
published in: Sublette Examiner on: 03/11/2010 by: Sara Millhouse
The construction of a natural gas transmission pipeline starting at Opal could bring hundreds of jobs to the area for the summer construction season. It’s not a done deal yet. The project requires approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the first part of which could come as early as next week, said Richard Wheatley of El Paso Corporation media relations.
Wyoming Pipeline Authority Public Meeting Notice
April 20, 2010 in Casper, WY at 10:00 a.m.
The meeting will be held at the
Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Building, located at 2211 King Boulevard, Casper, WY.
Contact Brian Jeffries or Colby Drechsel or call (307) 237-5009.
Washington Watch
Press Release: EPA Initiates Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Agency seeks input from Science Advisory Board
published in: EPA on: 03/18/2010 by: EPA Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will conduct a comprehensive research study to investigate the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing may have on water quality and public health. Natural gas plays a key role in our nation’s clean energy future and the process known as hydraulic fracturing is one way of accessing that vital resource. There are concerns that hydraulic fracturing may impact ground water and surface water quality in ways that threaten human health and the environment.
GOP senators push bill targeting enviro groups’ lawsuits
published in: E&E News (Subscription Required) on: 03/18/2010 by: Noelle Straub
Six Republican senators have introduced legislation that would require the Justice Department to publicly disclose reimbursements it pays out to environmental groups and others that sue the federal government under the Equal Access to Justice Act. The 1980 equal access law pays legal expenses for certain small entities that sue the federal government, but the lawmakers say that environmental groups have abused the statute to create self-perpetuating cycles of litigation over projects on public lands.
Senators Share Emission Bill’s Details With Industry Groups
published in: E&E News/New York Times on: 03/17/2010 by: Darren Samuelsohn
Lawmakers at the heart of Senate energy and climate negotiations revealed key details today of their legislative proposal during a closed-door meeting with major industry groups they are courting in hopes of winning over Senate moderates and avoiding an expensive advertising war. Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) shared an eight-page outline of their draft legislation that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next four decades, including provisions to limit business costs while ramping up domestic production of oil, gas and nuclear power.
Climate change’s Hail Mary
published in: CNN Money on: 03/17/2010 by: Steve Hargreaves
The horse trading over climate change law is in full swing, and Senators are trying to appease interests on both sides of the aisle. In the next couple of weeks, lawmakers are expected to unveil an unprecedented proposal that combines more oil and gas drilling with a cap on greenhouse gases and a tax on gasoline.
Poll: Obama’s energy, environment efforts fall short of expectations
published in: The Hill on: 03/17/2010 by: Ben Geman
President Obama’s job performance on energy and the environment is falling short of the public’s high expectations when he took office, a new poll finds. The Gallup poll released Wednesday finds that 52 percent of Americans polled in early March believe Obama is doing a “good job” protecting the environment, while 79 percent expected Obama to do a good job in a poll taken shortly after he took office.
Derivative regulation, end-user exemption title still in negotiations — Dodd
published in: E&E News (Subscription Required) on: 03/16/2010 by: Katherin Ling
The chairman of the Senate Banking Committee today unveiled a long-awaited comprehensive financial reform bill that would overhaul banking regulation, but final language for over-the-counter derivative regulation is not ready yet. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) said the bill’s title on derivative and swap regulation would be provided by Sens. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) as an amendment during the full committee markup. The bill markup will begin next week, although Dodd is still working with committee members to gain their support on the bill, he said.
Congressmen defend ‘fracking’ as House panel investigates drilling technique
published in: The Hill on: 03/15/2010 by: Jim Snyder
Natural Gas Caucus Co-chairmen David Boren (D-Okla.) and Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) responded Friday to questions posed by two House colleagues concerning hydraulic fracturing, a drilling technique that has greatly increased natural gas reserves but some say poses environmental risks. Writing to Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Reps. Boren and Murphy stressed the positive on an issue that has the potential to generate a fair amount of controversy on Capitol Hill, as they also offered a different spin on the potential hazards of groundwater contamination.
Western Democrats ask Obama to block EPA regs
published in: E&E News (Subscription Required) on: 03/12/2010 by: Robin Bravender
A coalition of five Western House Democrats yesterday asked President Obama to block U.S. EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from industrial facilities. Reps. Ciro Rodriguez and Gene Green of Texas, Jim Costa and Joe Baca of California and Harry Teague of New Mexico asked the administration in a letter yesterday to “halt its current plan to regulate greenhouse gases at stationary sources and leave it to Congress to develop national climate change policy.”
Natural gas lobby to Senate: Add us to ‘clean’ energy standard
published in: The Hill on: 03/12/2010 by: Ben Geman
Several natural gas industry trade groups are urging Senate lawmakers to ensure that gas is counted under any nationwide “clean energy” mandate that Congress develops. The Energy and Natural Resources Committee last June approved a so-called renewable electricity standard that requires utilities to supply escalating percentages of electricity from sources like wind and solar energy.
Media Watch
National Review: Cap And Tax
published in: NPR/National Review on: 03/15/2010 by: Editorial Staff
A tripartisan trio of senators — John Kerry (D., Mass.), Joe Lieberman (I., Conn.), and the New York Times’s favorite Republican environmentalist, Lindsey Graham (S.C.) — is working overtime to build support for “doing something” about climate change in the upper chamber of Congress. Their chosen solution for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, a combination of energy taxes and carbon controls, is politically inexpedient. That means that the Senate’s Green Three will have to buy the votes they need, sweetening the deal with special favors and parochial giveaways.
Editorial: The Big Wind-Power Cover-Up
published in: Investors.com on: 03/15/2010 by: Editorial Staff
Scandal: Spain exposed the boondoggle of wind power in 2009, discrediting an idea touted by the Obama administration. In response, U.S. officials banded with trade lobbyists to hide the facts. It was a cold day at the Energy Department when researchers at King Juan Carlos University in Spain released a study showing that every “green job” created by the wind industry killed off 4.27 other jobs elsewhere in the Spanish economy.
Editorial: The natural gas story
published in: Houston Chronicle on: 03/15/2010 by: Editorial Staff
If there’s a headline from the recent CERAWeek conference here that deserves to be flashed in neon to President Barack Obama and the rest of the nation, it is this one: “Domestic natural gas is clean, cheap and plentiful — look here for answers, Mr. President, as you seek energy security.” Indeed. Natural gas appears to be all those things — and maybe much more. A report by IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, released here last week, confirms that North American gas potential has tripled in just the past three years.
Editorial: Enviros play dirty on coal, natural gas
published in: Washington Examiner on: 03/14/2010 by: Editorial Staff
They don’t discuss the subject too openly outside their own circles, but environmentalists make crystal clear on their Web sites that they want to stop all coal-based power production in this country. They claim coal can never be made clean, so it must be eliminated before it’s too late to do anything about global warming. Ted Nace puts it succinctly in a Grist Web site post: “The stakes, for all life on the planet, surpass those of any previous crisis.”
Op-ed: Dems out of touch raising taxes, fees
published in: Pueblo Chieftain on: 03/14/2010 by: Josh Penry, Colorado Senate Republican Leader
Out of touch. That’s what the Democrats in the Colorado Legislature have shown themselves to be after rubber-stamping another $300 million in new taxes on businesses and families over the next three years — on top of the more than $1 billion in tax and fee hikes signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter last year. The package of tax increases — dubbed “The Dirty Dozen” by critics — would raise sales taxes on everything from candy and pop to napkins, farm products and even the Internet. The effects of this misguided policy will be felt by families and employers across the state. A tax hike on energy, for example, will cost Evraz Rocky Mountain Steel Mill an estimated $2 million annually and put some of the Pueblo plant’s 1,000 jobs at risk.
Carroll: Geothermal energy is heating up
published in: Denver Post on: 03/13/2010 by: Vincent Carroll
“We were not prepared as a state to facilitate the [Bureau of Land Management] lease at Mount Princeton Hot Springs,” declares state Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village. “You have this beautiful little valley and all of a sudden BLM comes in and says . . . we’re going to lease the mineral estate under your homes.” Schwartz was explaining to me why she’s sponsoring Senate Bill 174, which, among other things, would give local communities more oversight in attempts to mine underground heat to produce electric power. Last month, the BLM was all set to lease 800 acres for geothermal development in the Chalk Creek Valley in Chaffee County near Mount Princeton, but postponed the action in the face of local alarm.
Guest opinion: Salazar’s policy changes will improve BLM decisions
published in: Billings Gazette on: 03/13/2010 by: Mat Millenbach
Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar’s recent strong stand to reform the way the government leases oil and gas reminds me of a story. One day about 10 years ago I was riding in my government-issued truck with a couple of my Bureau of Land Management friends along the Rocky Mountain Front west of Great Falls. We were on our way to take a look at a gas well that was planned on a federal lease approved some years earlier. Like most federal leases this one had been issued to an oil and gas company with the expectation that, at some point in the future, it would drill a deep-gas well on the property. In this case, however, there was way more than the usual amount of controversy because of concerns over scenic qualities and high-value wildlife habitat on the Rocky Mountain Front.
Environment and Wildlife
Sage grouse saga far from over
published in: Idaho Mountain Express on: 03/17/2010 by: Jason Kauffman
The Hailey-based Western Watersheds Project has gone to bat once more in an effort to force the federal government to protect the greater sage grouse and its habitat in Idaho and 10 other Western states. On Monday, March 8, the environmental group filed a legal challenge in Idaho federal court against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a continuing effort to force the agency to give the wide-ranging bird full protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Groups petition Interior over haze in Rocky Mountain NP
published in: E&E News (Subscription Required) on: 03/16/2010 by: Noelle Straub
Two conservation groups yesterday asked the Interior Department to declare that pollution from coal-burning power plants is impairing visibility in Rocky Mountain National Park and require Colorado to revise its air quality requirements. WildEarth Guardians and the National Parks Conservation Association petitioned the National Park Service to certify that 12 coal-fired boilers and one coal-fired cement kiln in Colorado are contributing to visibility problems in the park. The Clean Air Act provides special protections for national parks and wilderness areas aimed at eliminating air pollution that reduces visibility.
WRAP Phase III – Draft Wind River Basin 2012 Projections
The draft Wind River Basin 2012 Projections are ready for producer review, and are available on the IPAMS WRAP Phase III page. Please provide any comments to Doug Henderer, IPAMS Air Quality Integrator by March 31st.
Technology, Alternative & Renewables
Natural-Gas Companies Push Use in Vehicles
published in: Wall Street Jounral (Subscription Required) on: 03/17/2010 by: Angel Gonzalez
Some U.S. energy producers say that there is nothing wrong with having your car running on fumes. Independent natural-gas companies, unexpectedly blessed with a flood of natural-gas supplies, have been touting the fuel’s virtues, mostly targeting reluctant power providers and Washington officials suspicious of the energy industry. They say natural gas burns more cleanly than coal and that the recent exploitation of vast reserves trapped in tight rock formations known as shales guarantee an ample, cheap supply for years to come.
Study: Corn Ethanol an ‘Unattractive Compliance Option’ for Carbon Mandates
published in: E&E ClimateWire/New York Times on: 03/15/2010 by: Jenny Mandel
The use of corn ethanol in place of gasoline causes enough carbon emissions from land-use changes to cancel immediate tailpipe benefits, according to research published last week that confirms a controversial earlier study. The analysis examines a hypothesis by Timothy Searchinger and his co-authors published in 2008 in Science magazine that says using U.S.-grown corn for fuel triggers commodity price changes that ultimately lead to native ecosystems being destroyed, with a high carbon price tag.
Wind power industry catches breath
published in: Argus Leader on: 03/15/2010 by: Theo Emery
Early last year, wind energy appeared poised for substantial growth, buoyed by a new administration, a push to cut greenhouse gases and dependence on foreign oil, and a Congress with comfortable Democratic majorities. Today, the industry is on the defensive. With millions of dollars and thousands of jobs at stake, backers of wind energy hope to regain the momentum they enjoyed a year ago, insisting that proposed “buy American” legislation is misguided and that a national renewable energy requirement remains within reach.
Markets
A gas cartel: Gas isn’t traded like oil, so can they really do it?
published in: Financial Times on: 03/17/2010 by: Carola Hayos
Every time the topic of a gas cartel comes up, so does the question: Could they really do it? With more and more gas traded on the spot market, rather than tied up in long-term supply contracts, the answer is increasingly yes. That doesn’t mean it will be easy, or likely to be a quick success.
Crude oil, natural gas prices take tumble
published in: Oil & Gas Journal on: 03/15/2010 by: Sam Fletcher
Oil and gas prices fell Mar. 12, with crude dropping to the lowest settlement since Mar. 4 but still above $81/bbl as the front-month contract ended its latest rally in the New York market. On Mar. 15, analysts in the Houston office of Raymond James & Associates Inc. reported crude was below $81/bbl in early trading, continuing the retreat “on renewed concerns the recent rally may have outpaced demand fundamentals.” They said, “Separately, reports showing the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries increased drilling at the fastest rate in over 2½ years in January-February may place pressure on prices.
An unconventional glut
published in: Economist on: 03/11/2010 by: Staff
Some time in 2014 natural gas will be condensed into liquid and loaded onto a tanker docked in Kitimat, on Canada’s Pacific coast, about 650km (400 miles) north-west of Vancouver. The ship will probably take its cargo to Asia. This proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, to be built by Apache Corporation, an American energy company, will not be North America’s first. Gas has been shipped from Alaska to Japan since 1969. But if it makes it past the planning stages, Kitimat LNG will be one of the continent’s most significant energy developments in decades. Five years ago Kitimat was intended to be a point of import, not export, one of many terminals that would dot the coast of North America. There was good economic sense behind the rush.
Industry News and Events
U.S. companies looking to shale, this time for oil
published in: Reuters on: 03/17/2010 by: Michael Erman and Anna Driver
Independent U.S. oil and gas companies are scrambling to pick up land where oil is trapped in shale formations in a bid to benefit from relatively high prices for the commodity. Companies and investors are increasingly scouring the country for shales rich in oil and natural gas liquids rather than the gas-rich shales that had been the focus of a series of recent deals.
Exxon-XTO deal clears regulators
published in: Reuters on: 03/16/2010 by: Anna Driver
Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) has received clearance from U.S. and Dutch regulators for its $27 billion acquisition of U.S. oil and gas company XTO Energy Inc (XTO.N), Exxon said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday. The approvals put the U.S. oil major one step closer to completing a deal meant to ramp up global exploration for natural gas in substances like shale or impermeable sands.
ANGA selects Anadarko’s Hackett as chairman
published in: Oil & Gas Journal on: 03/15/2010 by: Staff
America’s Natural Gas Alliance has selected Jim Hackett, chairman and chief executive officer of Anadarko Petroleum Corp., as the organization’s new chairman. Hackett has more than 30 years of experience in the energy industry and has served as Anadarko’s top executive since 2003. Before joining Anadarko, he served as president and chief operating officer of Devon Energy Corp. Hackett succeeds David Trice, ANGA’s founding chairman, who recently retired as president and chief executive of Newfield Exploration Co. and now serves as the company’s nonexecutive chairman. [end of article]
US natural gas rig count up for 11th straight week
published in: Reuters on: 03/12/2010 by: Edward McAllister
The number of rigs drilling for natural gas in the United States rose by one this week to a fresh one-year high of 927, according to a report on Friday by oil services firm Baker Hughes in Houston. It was the eleventh straight weekly gain and puts the gas rig count at its highest level since Feb. 27, 2009, when there were 970 gas rigs operating.
Natural Gas STAR Tech Transfer Workshop
March 23-24, 2010 in Vernal, UT
EPA’s Natural Gas Star Program in conjunction with Anadarko, Newfield, IOGCC and IPAMS will be hosting a Producer Technology Transfer Workshop in Vernal on March 23rd from 9:30 – 4:15, with a field trip of Newfield’s operations on March 24th. Click here for more information about this free workshop.
Oil & Gas Stormwater Certification Course
March 25, 2010 in Littleton, CO
Buys & Associates will be hosting the Oil & Gas Stormwater Certification Course covering how to minimize sediment run-off from production sites, the changing regulations to the oil & gas industry, consequences of not controlling Stormwater runoff, and ultimately will assist in minimizing operators’ violations & liability.
The cost of the course is $149/person and includes a lunch and course certification. Group rates are available for parties of four or more. To register please contact Nikki Niekerk @ (303) 781-8211 or click here.
Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA) Unconventional Gas Conference 2010: Technological Keys to Unlocking Additional Reserves
April 6-7, 2010 in Golden, CO
The meeting will cover recent results from the RPSEA Unconventional Gas Research program with many topics of interest to Rocky Mountain Producers. RPSEA has an active research program with a current portfolio of 28 projects all targeting development of unconventional gas in the U.S. including activities in coalbed methane, tight gas formations, and shale gas. Unconventional gas currently represents almost one-half the domestic production in the U.S. This conference offers an ideal opportunity to hear the latest perspectives and exchange ideas with industry experts.
Click here to access the agenda and how to register.
Piceance Basin Tight Gas Research Seminar
April 8th, 2010 in Denver, CO 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
This meeting will review the first year of RPSEA-sponsored collaborative research on tight gas in the Piceance basin, Colorado, including basin-wide regional studies as well as reservoir research on the Mamm Creek field. Researchers from CSM, CU-Boulder, iReservoir and Mesa State will present findings from the first year’s research – and take advice and directions for next year’s work.This meeting will be hosted by EnCana, 40th Floor of Republic Plaza Building, 370 17th St, Denver. Click here for more information.
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.
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.
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