Highlights

Factors Affecting Natural Gas Prices – Basics

Natural gas prices are a function of market supply and demand. Due to limited alternatives for natural gas consumption or production in the short run, changes in supply or demand over a short period often result in large price movements to bring supply and demand back into balance.

 August 9, 2011 Release                                        

Nearly all pricing points were down modestly for the week following passage of the heat wave that had earlier gripped most of the country. The Henry Hub price decreased 20 cents per million Btu (MMBtu) over the week (down 4.5 percent) to close at $4.26 per MMBtu on August 3.

 (Reuters) - Top global miner BHP Billiton will buy U.S. Petrohawk Energy Corp for $12.1 billion in cash, ramping up its bets on the booming but environmentally controversial shale gas industry.

 Will growing environmental pressure group opposition cripple the ongoing surge in unconventional oil and gas drilling? In a number of states and municipalities, new regulations are either being implemented or considered that aim to restrict oil and gas development.

The human suffering and dislocation caused by the recent events in Libya and Japan, whether due to violent conflict or natural disaster, is both broad and widely felt. While our thoughts focus mainly on prospects for bringing resolution and relief to those affected, both Libya and Japan, each in its own way, are vital links in the global energy supply chain. The disruption to normal economic and productive activities in both countries carries worldwide consequences.