Xpress Natural Gas Truck Hauling CNG Catches Fire on NY Thruway
At 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, an Xpress Natural Gas (XNG) tractor-trailer carrying a full load of compressed natural gas (CNG) canisters caught fire on the New York Thruway (I-90) in Montgomery County, triggering a hazardous materials emergency and closing the highway between Little Falls and Canajoharie. The intense blaze required firefighters to call in water tankers from surrounding areas due to a lack of local hydrants. Following federal safety protocols, authorities evacuated 165 residents within a one-mile radius of the scene. The situation was successfully brought under control by 11 a.m., allowing residents to return home. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The question is, why did the rig catch on fire? And, did any of the CNG canisters explode?
1/9/26 UPDATE: We now know the likely cause the rig caught fire. See below.
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Henry Hub spot gas prices “collapsed to $2.86 per MMBtu” on Monday. Less than a month ago, on Dec. 8, the HH spot price was $5.01. Yeah, that constitutes a collapse! What about across the Marcellus/Utica region? The Appalachian Regional Average yesterday (as near as we can tell) was $2.28/MMBtu, down from $4.80 on Dec. 8. Also a collapse. Why the drop in the M-U? We’ll tackle some reasons below. What about the NYMEX futures price for natgas? That price was $3.35 yesterday, down for the fifth consecutive trading session and the lowest since Oct. 28. 
In November, Pennsylvania finally passed a budget—four months late. As part of the deal struck between Democrats and Republicans, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) carbon tax scheme was permanently ash-canned (see 
It’s always fun for us to discover a new pipeline project that has the potential to flow more Marcellus/Utica molecules to other markets—particularly the Southeast and Gulf Coast markets. Here is one such project that (until now) had escaped our notice. On Dec. 29, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Southeast Compression for Utility Reliability Expansion (SECURE) Project, a compressor-focused expansion project designed to enhance compression infrastructure across Mississippi and Louisiana for the Gulf South Pipeline Company. The project will expand the Gulf South Pipeline system to provide an extra 280,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of firm natural gas transportation service (280 MMcf/d) to markets in the Southeast, including support for power generation customers. 
The short answer to the question posed in our headline is, “We sure hope so!” Yesterday, MDN reported that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has officially adopted a final version of updated Environmental Justice (EJ) regulations (see 
Natural gas markets have experienced plenty of changes over the past few years. Some of those changes include rising associated gas production in the Permian, new pipeline and storage capacity, new LNG demand, and gyrations in prices. However, an RBN Energy blog article argues that all this was merely a prelude. RBN says the “main event” — a veritable transformation of gas markets, especially along the Gulf Coast — is about to begin. Buckle up! What’s coming? A doubling of LNG demand (to 32 Bcf/d!). Another 10 Bcf/d of new pipelines out of West Texas, plus at least 15 Bcf/d more along the coast. Production revivals in various shale plays. And don’t forget soaring demand for gas-fired power generation. 
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: New York State 2026 RGGI Operating Plan Amendment comments; NATIONAL: Strategists forecast USA crude inventory drop; Should LCOE finally be retired from energy policy?; Energy Transfer to spend up to $5.5 billion on natgas pipelines in 2026; More U.S. LNG growth expected after record-breaking year; INTERNATIONAL: Crude price falls as market refocuses on glut; Venezuela’s oil industry could be poised for a rebound, but it will take time; Renewables turn LNG glut into a sinkhole. 
The Baker Hughes rig count turned in its weekly report early last week, on Dec. 30 (Tuesday instead of the usual Friday), due to the holiday—for a second week in a row. The Marcellus/Utica rig count gained 1 rig four weeks ago in the Ohio Utica, bringing the total to 39 rigs. For the past four reports in a row, the M-U has maintained that count—the most rigs it has operated in more than a year. It’s a great way to start the New Year! Pennsylvania has held at 18 active rigs for seven consecutive weeks. Ohio has operated 14 rigs for four straight weeks (its highest in over a year). And West Virginia maintained 7 rigs, which it has operated since May 30. There were 24 rigs targeting the Marcellus and 15 targeting the Utica. The national count picked up 1 rig, bringing the total to 546 active rigs. 
Ascent Resources announced yesterday that its CEO, Jeffrey A. Fisher, who is both Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, will retire from his executive roles effective January 31, 2026. Following his retirement, he will serve as Special Advisor to executive management and the Board through December 31, 2026. The board has appointed Brooks M. Shughart, currently President & CFO, to succeed Fisher as CEO on January 31. While the official announcement does not refer to it, the company is currently in the middle of a bidding war to take it over. 
On December 17, 2025, a casing failure and loss of well control occurred at one of three wells during fracking operations at a Range Resources pad in Washington County, PA. After gas pressure spiked to 2,000 psi, the company stabilized the well and later installed two kill plugs. Despite Range sending an immediate email notification, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) cited Range for failing to use the required website portal for instant alerts. Additionally, the company missed deadlines for a mandatory Area of Review report regarding potential “communication” with other O&G wells and/or water wells in the area. 
In what we consider a misguided move, a Republican State Senator in South Carolina, Shane Massey (the SC Senate Majority Leader), has introduced a bill that would eliminate the use of eminent domain by pipeline companies. The move comes in response to concerns over a 71-mile Kinder Morgan pipeline that will flow Marcellus/Utica molecules to a planned 1,020-megawatt (MW) gas-fired power plant in the state’s Lowcountry, in Colleton County. 
In August 2024, Quantum Capital Group entered into an agreement to acquire Cogentrix Energy, an independent power producer, from another investment firm (Carlyle) for $3 billion (see 
The combined number of new permits issued to drill shale wells across the Marcellus/Utica region was 26 for the week of Dec. 22 – 28, more than double the 12 issued two weeks ago. Pennsylvania issued 15 new permits, Ohio issued 6, and West Virginia issued 5. Among the companies receiving new permits were Antero, EOG, EQT, Hilcorp, INR, and Range Resources. 