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Transco Pipe’s Leidy South Startup Keeps Gas Prices Up in M-U
The spot price for physical natural gas traded at the Eastern Gas South trading hub near Pittsburgh (formerly called Dominion South) has taken quite a hit over the past few weeks, as evidenced by the chart at the left. However, the Eastern Gas South price most likely would have fallen even more were it not for a new pipeline expansion project for the mighty Transco system–the Leidy South project which began partial service in November with 225 MMcf/d of extra gas flows. The rest of Leidy South, a full 582 MMcf/d capacity, is set to be online sometime this month.
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A long-fought-over wastewater injection well in Plum Boro (Allegheny County, Pittsburgh suburb) finally opened for business earlier this year, having overcome all sorts of smears and slanders and lawsuits by the enviro-left (see 
Nuverra Environmental Solutions (formerly Heckmann) is one of the largest companies in the United States that handles the transportation and disposal of shale drilling wastewater and leftover rock and dirt from drilling. The company has major operations in the Marcellus/Utica region. Because of the company’s major operations in the M-U, we keep track of its performance. Quarter after quarter after quarter, for well over a year, the company has lost money (
S&P Global Platts and its analytics division is a powerhouse provider of information, analysis, and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets. We often bring you their insights. Yesterday Platts Analytics released their 2022 energy outlook. Next year, Platts Analytics expects supply will catch up and exceed demand. Let that sink in. In 2022 we will see an increase in LNG exports, a rebound in U.S. shale oil, shale gas, and shale NGLs production–and the return of investment in non-OPEC production. You can guess what all that means for prices…
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: Southwestern announces pricing of 63,976,376 shares of common stock for sale; OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Venture Global earns commissioning approval at Calcasieu Pass LNG; NATIONAL: Biden reserve sale yet to inspire action from others; Investor group to hit Exxon on climate; Harris unveils plan for electric vehicle charging network; The real climate and health crisis; How Biden’s agencies order hits natural gas; Williams announces CFO and CAO appointments; INTERNATIONAL: Putin’s coup in India will shock the U.S.
In August of this year, co-CEO of Energy Transfer, Tom Long, said “the final phase of the Mariner East Pipeline is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2021” (see 
Far-left Democrat and so-called civil rights “leader” Rev. William Barber II “preached” to a crowd of fellow lefties on Saturday. The topic of the reverend’s sermon? The evil, racist Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). We bet you didn’t know that MVP is “an abusive sin,” did you? Yeah, it’s right there in Revelation. That’s what Rev. Barber told his audience. That evil ole’ snaking pipeline will “harm the poor” and people of color. The rally was arranged ahead of this week’s Virginia State Water Control Board vote (on Tuesday) to allow MVP to cross minor creeks and swamps in the state.
Last week MDN told you about two smaller, privately-owned Marcellus/Utica drillers (both with their own pipeline gathering operations) that have contracted with certification authorities to certify their natural gas as responsibly produced (see 
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.
Each quarter NGI (Natural Gas Intelligence) runs the numbers and publishes a list of the 25 top natural gas marketers in the U.S. (or in the case of 3Q21, the top 24). These are not necessarily the top producers of natural gas, although in some cases they are, but the top sellers (vendors, jobbers) of natural gas. NGI’s latest quarterly report for third quarter 2021 shows overall the biggest sellers of natgas lost ground once again, which continues a four-year trend of year over year declines in the amount of gas sold.
The hypocrisy of Joe Biden and his administration continues. Biden has repeatedly begged Saudi Arabia and OPEC+ to increase oil production, while at the same time shutting down pipeline projects and disallowing new leases and drilling on public lands here at home. He then blames our domestic producers for not ramping up production! Here’s the latest: The Biden administration has *ordered* U.S. government agencies to *immediately* stop financing new “carbon-tensive fossil fuel projects” overseas and instead begin to push unreliable so-called renewable technology, like Chinese-manufactured solar and wind technology.
A natural gas pipeline project management company based in Canonsburg, PA, GW Ridge LLC, ceased all operations in November and filed for bankruptcy in a Texas federal court. Creditors owed money filed a competing Chapter 7 bankruptcy action against the company in Pittsburgh and GW Ridge withdrew its Texas filing and agreed to allow the Pittsburgh case to proceed. A Chapter 7 (as opposed to a Chapter 11) means the company has stopped all operations and its assets will be sold or auctioned and the money given to creditors. GW Ridge is no more.