Comments by Jim Pierobon Subscribe

On Energy Policy and Liquified Natural Gas: To Export or Not to Export?

I K:

How do you propose the US and Europe work to install a 50 GW line? How would it be financed?

~Jim

On Energy Policy and Liquified Natural Gas: To Export or Not to Export?

Kevin,

Thanks for your input. From all the tea leaves I'm tracking, more LNG terminals are virtually a done deal. It WILL be interesting to see which ones get the nod quickly enough to grab market share. 

~Jim

On Keystone XL: In the National Interest

How about this for an all-of-the-above strategy: Approve the Keystone XL pipeline AND put a price on the carbon it emits, as well. This way there is something a lot of people can agree on and something a lot of people can disagree about -- often the only way to get something done in modern-day Washington.

Of course, President Obama has the authority to approve the pipeline without Congress. The path to a carbon tax goes through Congress which requires substantial backroom bargaining. Is he up to it? Do fossil fuel interests want the pipeline THIS much? 

On Can Illinois Legislation Establish Fracking Regulations?

Ronald,

Given all of the net benefits you list, what do you think U.S. natural gas companies can and should do to overcome the barriers that still limit the success they can achieve?

~Jim

On Consortium Established to Forge Workable Rules for Fracking

Bob,

I'll guess industry refuses blanket liability because some readings might be false. Some methane and other releases might have nothing to do with hydraulic fracturing. Do share info about how "tracers" work. That's worth exploring and illuminating the technology.

I know of a handful of players who want to raise the bar and tighten the rules to help prevent accidents that could slow down the entire industry. This industry has its share of 'wildcatters.'

~Jim

On Consortium Established to Forge Workable Rules for Fracking

Ronald,

Ah, therein lies the real potential of this certification process: the role(s) for "pragmatic environmentalists," as you put it, such as the Environmental Defense Fund and the Clean Air Task Force. Each of these orgs, along with the Bloomberg philathropies, the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation and the Marcellus Shale Coalition, clearly see the light -- and the benefits -- of responsible and more transparent development of America's shale gas resources.

Good luck with your CNG-fueled vehicle(s)!

~Jim

On Consortium Established to Forge Workable Rules for Fracking

Jessee,

The "if" you note is a very big if. Since each company is deciding on its own whether to join in this certification process, I'll predict some will refuse to join primarily to guard the composition of their supposedly propriety drilling fluids.THAT is perhaps the most intriguing dimension of this certification process. Before long, I hope will be more beneficial to share than to keep everything secret.

~Jim

On Consortium Established to Forge Workable Rules for Fracking

Wilmot,

The price for irresponsible practices by the "cowboys" you speak of is going to get a lot higher; and it may ultimately cost them their ability to operate in many states. Count on the environmental activists to keep very close tabs on whose trying to short-cut the procedures that get certified.

~Jim

On Consortium Established to Forge Workable Rules for Fracking

Bob,

Yes the track record with the Keystone pipeline does give one pause. But having been aware of this effort, and two similar efforts, and talking directly to many throughout the industry convinces me these leaders, and hopefully many others in the months to come, will get on board.At a minimum, it will raise the bar and with it the general competency and risk management practices that will produce a lot more shale gas, more safely.

How do YOU think a fax on natural gas could be structured to pass our divided Congress?

~Jim

On Is Wind Energy a Cost-Effective Hedge Against Rising Natural Gas Prices?

"J":

Wind, like all other generation sources, wind is dependent on natural gas to meet all of the needs of a utility where wind is viable. But as part of that mix, it can help moderate the almost-certain increase in future natural gas prices in the middle third of the U.S. -- IF the Production Tax Credit remains for the next several years. 

~Jim Pierobon

On Is Wind Energy a Cost-Effective Hedge Against Rising Natural Gas Prices?

Wilmot,

I think you nailed the challenge facing wind energy. We've got LOTs of company believing wind can be looked to for baseload generation. But in the middle third of the U.S. where wind is becoming cost-effective, utilities would be wise not to dismiss it as part of their generation mix if they're prudently assessing the risks of rising gas prices. 

~Jim Pierobon

On Energy Innovation: Focus on Natural Gas in the U.S.

Randy,

If not this week, then at other events, Pickens and others have acknowledged that wind now can supply about 10% of the electricity consumed in Texas (assuming the wind continues to blow). That put the state above its own RPS and effectively quashed the market for new wind energy.

The only development that could boost wind is an energy storage system to capture more megawatts generated at night.

If you have any other info or data, please do share.