DUG East Summary: Things are (Mostly) Looking Up for M-U in 2022
It’s a wrap on Hart Energy’s DUG East (Developing Unconventional Gas) conference, held in Pittsburgh last week. Overall the sentiment, from the reports we’ve read, was a positive “up” kind of attitude among those attending. However, some words of caution were shared as well. One analyst, with rig counting giant Enverus, said he thinks more natural gas production is returning to the Marcellus/Utica, but not as much as growth (percentage-wise) as the M-U’s chief competitor, the Haynesville Shale.
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What role do hydrogen (H2) and carbon capture and sequestration (CSS) play in the future of the Marcellus/Utica (and all oil and gas)? That’s the gajillion-dollar question. Will H2 and CSS play a big role? Minor role? Is H2 the fuel of the future, really? No one knows, but we can’t afford to ignore it. The number one source for the manufacture and creation of H2 is…natural gas. If the H2 market takes off, it could be an important new customer for M-U molecules. You can get a front-row seat to learn more about H2, CSS, and the intersection of them with the M-U at the
We are fast approaching the must-attend event of the year for the Marcellus/Utica:
Last Wednesday the Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association (PIOGA) held its Spring Meeting for 2021–in person! The meeting convened at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. The several hundred who attended got the pleasure of hearing people talk positively about oil and gas and fossil fuels in general. PIOGA President Dan Weaver said, “Don’t be afraid to stand up and speak out.” CNX CEO Nick DeIuliis said, “This industry is a noble one. You are doers that should be celebrated by all and appreciated by the informed.” God bless them both! Isn’t it great to be affirmed for the good work you do, rather than smeared and lied about?
The push is on to make the Marcellus/Utica the country’s second petrochemical hub. The U.S. Gulf Coast is the country’s first and primary petchem hub, but in light of multiple hurricanes and even snowstorms this past year (with multiple disruptions), it’s obvious to everyone that the M-U region can and should become a second petchem hub. An entire conference to discuss how to make that happen will be held next week in Wheeling, WV. The 2nd annual 
Each year one of MDN Editor Jim Willis’ favorite events to attend is the
MDN is proud to partner with NGVAmerica (natural gas vehicles) to promote this year’s 
Yesterday kicked off the first day of the three-day Shale Insight conference, 10th annual edition. This year’s event is all-virtual due to the coronavirus. Headliners for the first day included presentations by Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, Vice President for Shell (in charge of the cracker plant) Hilary Mercer, and Secretary of the Dept. of Energy Dan Brouillette. There were a number of other presenters too. We have a summary below.
It seems we are just now beginning to come out of the COVID-19 stupor. Folks are shopping a little bit more. Drive-in theaters are popping up on every corner. Camping has certainly made a big comeback. But there are still a few areas where normalcy has not returned–like in-person conferences and events. Until now, that is. Two important M-U events–
Each year the folks at Petrochemical Update (now owned by Reuters Events) hosts two concurrent events in Houston, Texas:
Over 700 people gathered yesterday in Columbus, OH for OOGA’s (Ohio Oil & Gas Association) 73rd Annual Meeting. Industry leaders soberly assessed the state of current affairs. According to OOGA president Matt Hammond, the industry may have to downsize for a while. Jeff Fisher, CEO of Ascent Resources, agreed. Hammond said, “it’s just going to look a little bit different in the next few years” before the price of gas rebounds. The sentiment was clearly what we’ve been preaching: Expect lower for longer when it comes to gas prices.