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Will New LNG Export Activity Affect U.S. Natural Gas Prices?
 

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it conditionally approved the first West Coast LNG terminal, the Jordan Cove Energy Project in Coos Bay, Oregon, for the export of up to 800 million cubic feet of gas per day to Asian countries without free trade agreements with the U.S., such as Japan and India. 

 

The approval of exports to non-free trade agreement countries in Asia bodes well for exports to Europe in the future. All signs, in fact, are appropriately pointing to greater U.S. natural gas exports to Europe in the future - and none too soon, given Russia's recent power move in the Ukraine. Russia has been the leading natural gas supplier to Europe for some time. Indeed, certain nations in northeastern Europe, including Sweden and Finland, receive 100% of their supplies from Russia. 

 

While Russia still has an astonishing level of proven reserves (first or second in the world, depending on which source you believe, with something over 30 trillion cubic meters), in recent years, the United States has rivaled Russia as the world's largest producer of natural gas, with each nation representing about 20% of world production. 

 

Several other proposed LNG terminal projects, most of which are either on the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic coast, have been awaiting approval. Meanwhile, it was recently announced that a coalition of more than a dozen European nations has been formed to lobby the U.S. to ease restrictions on natural gas exports.

 

 Read the entire article here.
In The News
Cracker Plant Planned for Wood County, W.Va. Moves Forward

Wood County's planned petrochemical complex has announced a major investment. An agreement has been signed with Antero Resources to supply the ethane for the Ascent project.

 

Read the entire West Virginia Metro News article here.
Marcellus and Eagle Ford Led 2013's Production Gains 
The Marcellus Shale experienced stimulated production last year due to higher spot prices - increasing the total U.S. gas supplies to record levels. According to the FERC's "State of the Markets" report, futures prices fell, which is expected to strengthen long-term demand growth.
 
Read the entire NGI's Shale Daily article here.
Spilman Continues to Identify and Focus on Environmental Issues

The environmental arena is a dynamic regulatory space where federal and state/local agencies compete for authority. Just keeping up can be a daunting task.

 

In response, Spilman has launched its Environmental Forum series. These informative, full-day professional learning events are designed to help you gain an understanding of the new environmental imperatives. We've crafted a unique format, including peer-to-peer interactions, ample Q&A and minimal lecture. 

 

Our goal is to zero-in on the most important issues and topics demanding your focus and attention. Spilman attorneys, regulators and corporate professionals from legal and operations departments will help you identify the priorities, hot spots for enforcement and opportunities for improvement. 

 

Contact an attorney from our Environmental Practice Group for more information.

 

       

Featured Shale Team Member
Michael S. Garrison (Morgantown)
Mr. Garrison focuses on a wide range of litigation matters including health care, appellate work and energy law. He is well versed in government relations and labor and employment litigation. Most recently, he was involved in the overturning of an ordinance banning horizontal drilling and fracking in and around the City of Morgantown. View his professional biography.
 
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