Gas Processors Report

Chesapeake, Total Agree to US$2.25B Barnett Joint Venture

Chesapeake Energy continued to increase liquidity and finance future drilling and completion costs in what it calls the Big 4 shales by reaching a $2.25 billion agreement to sell a 25% interest in its Barnett production assets to France’s Total.

Targa Resources to Expand NGL Production Capacity in Mont Belvieu

Targa Resources Partners announces plans to expand its NGL production capacity at Mont Belvieu, Texas, through an expansion at its Cedar Bayou fractionation facility. The project is expected to be supported by a long-term, firm space fractionation agreement with ONEOK Partners LP.

When Will This Winter’s Coldest Temperature Snap Appear?

Natural gas traders keeping an eye on winter weather in the U.S. north-east, north-central and mid-Atlantic states should see relatively mild temperatures continue, with the exception of a fairly significant cold snap in mid-February through the early March, forecasts Michael Ferrari, vice president of applied technology and commodity research at Weather Trends International, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Box Score for the Week of Dec. 16, 2009: Ethane Down at Both Hubs

The prices of natural gas liquids (NGLs) continued to improve the week of Dec. 16, aside from ethane, which fell in value at both Conway and Mont Belvieu.

Frac Spread for the Week of Dec. 16, 2009: Mixed Bag for Margins

The frac spread margins for natural gas liquids (NGLs) for the week of Dec. 16, 2009 were a mixed bag with only propane and C5+ margins increasing.

Box Score for Week of Dec. 23, 2009: Prices Close Year on High

Natural gas liquid (NGL) prices for the final week of 2009 were up across the board as the markets closed on a high with many NGL prices hitting their yearly highs.

Frac Spread for Week of Dec. 23, 2009: Margins Continue Improvement

Natural gas liquid (NGL) frac spread margins for the final week of 2009 saw margins improve in all but one case as the continued upward movement of prices pushed profitability up.

Iso-butane Becomes Most Profitable NGL to Make

Frac spread margins were up across the board in the first week of 2010 with Conway ethane margins showing the most improvement following a 32% increase from the previous week.

NGL Prices Continue to Climb in First Week of 2010

The first week of the new year saw natural gas liquid (NGL) prices continue to improve at both Conway and Mont Belvieu. It also marked the fourth consecutive week that prices were higher in the Mid-Continent than in the Gulf Coast.

Spectra Energy Secures Supply Agreements for New York/New Jersey Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion

Spectra Energy secured supply agreements from Chesapeake Energy, Statoil and Con Edison for its proposed pipeline expansions in New Jersey and New York. These expansions will increase natural gas capacity into the areas.

Tokyo Gas Building New LNG Terminal and Processing Facilities

LNG processing and related gasification facilities are expanding in Japan to meet growing demand. Tokyo Gas Co. is building a new LNG terminal and gasification plant with startup planned in 2015.