Williams 1Q – Regional Energy Access Pipe Coming Online Early
Williams, one of the largest pipeline companies in the world, issued its first quarter update yesterday. The company reported 1Q23 net income increased by $547 million to $926 million, up from $379 million in 1Q22 due to unrealized gains (and losses) on commodity derivatives, the benefit of higher service revenues driven by contributions from recent acquisitions, increased volumes at Ohio Valley Midstream, as well as higher commodity marketing margins. CEO and President Alan Armstrong said, “We remain squarely focused on our natural gas-focused strategy.” The Marcellus/Utica plays a big part in the company’s gas-focused strategy.
Read More “Williams 1Q – Regional Energy Access Pipe Coming Online Early”
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), which tracks all things energy, reports natural gas production in the U.S. has increased for 23 consecutive months, due to an increase in demand from gas-fired power plants and LNG export operations. In fact, U.S. dry natgas production in February averaged 101.5 Bcf/d (billion cubic feet per day), the highest level for any month since 1973! Gross withdrawals (usage, including exports) were 123.1 Bcf/d in February, the highest daily rate of gross withdrawals for any month since 1980! Why do we not see mainstream media trumpeting these numbers?
We are currently in the latest quarterly update season. In fact, we are about done with quarterly updates for the first quarter. Most (if not all) of the publicly traded Marcellus/Utica drillers have turned in their quarterly updates, as well as gas drillers from other plays (like the Haynesville). If you review the statements made by U.S. gas drillers in this latest round of updates, you’ll find the sentiment expressed that although we’re currently in the price basement for natural gas, most drillers don’t think it’s going last long. They think low prices for natgas are short-lived and that a rebound awaits us in 2024.
CNX Resources held its annual meeting yesterday, which lasted all of 13 minutes. As we previously reported, one of CNX’s shareholders, a hotel owner from California (Jon Handerly), sought to force CNX to issue annual reports about the company’s efforts to comply with the so-called Paris goals of lower carbon dioxide emissions (see 
The Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) continues its delay, deny, and defend strategy with a PennEnergy Resources to draw water from Big Sewickley Creek for use in fracking operations. More than two years ago PennEnergy requested permission to draw water from the creek. So far, with the help of anti-fossil fuel groups pressuring the DEP, PennEnergy hasn’t withdrawn a single 8-ounce cup of water from the creek.
New shale permits issued for Apr. 24-30 in the Marcellus/Utica fell from the prior week. There were 18 new permits issued last week, down from 25 in the prior week. Last week’s tally included 8 new permits for Pennsylvania, 4 new permits for Ohio, and 6 new permits in West Virginia. Last week the top receiver of new permits was Antero Resources, with 6 permits issued in Tyler County, WV. EQT (Rice Drilling) was second-highest, with 4 permits issued in Greene County, PA.
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: WV Senate seat shifted to ‘safe Republican,’ Manchin endangered; NATIONAL: New EPA rule shows Joe Biden’s EV push is just a pipe dream; Despite ‘woke’ investing, traditional energy performs; Biden nominee pushing EVs faces opposition from energy industry; INTERNATIONAL: Big oil amounts heading toward China says shipping data.
Chesapeake Energy Corporation issued its first quarter 2023 update yesterday. The company reports making a profit of $1.39 billion in net income during 1Q23, versus losing $764 million in 1Q22 (the loss last year mainly due to derivatives). Chessy generated $241 million in free cash flow. First quarter net production was approximately 4,069 MMcfe per day (or 4.1 Bcfe/d, 90% natural gas and 10% total liquids), using an average of 14 rigs to drill 60 wells and placing 53 wells on production. Although Chesapeake drills for natural gas in both the Marcellus and the Haynesville, the company gave slightly more love to the Haynesville in 1Q23.
Gulfport Energy, the third-largest driller in the Ohio Utica Shale (by the number of wells drilled), emerged from bankruptcy in May 2021 with a new board and new top management. In January of this year, the company appointed a new CEO, John Reinhart, the former President and CEO of M-U driller Montage Resources Corporation before that company was gobbled up by Southwestern Energy (see 
Last September, EQT Corporation announced it is buying privately-owned Tug Hill Operating’s West Virginia shale assets for $5.2 billion (see 
The proxy firm hired by California hotel owner Jon Handerly is accusing CNX Resources of lying about its attempt to silence CNX CEO Nick DeIuliis. Handerly, using Proxy Impact, is attempting to get CNX shareholders to pass a proposal requiring the company to file annual reports on how the company measures up to the cockamamie “Paris goals” of reducing carbon dioxide emissions (see 
Two days ago, we brought you the very sad news that New York State has fallen and is now under a Communist dictatorship (see 
