Recent Reports


2012-01-09: Oil & Gas: Refining, Independent and Major Integrated Report
6 leading Analysts; and top management from 3 Sector Firms examine this industry.
Order this Report
More Information

2011-12-19: Gold and Precious Metals Report
3 leading Analysts; and top management from 8 Sector Firms examine this industry.
Order this Report
More Information

2011-08-16: 2011 Global Energy Review
In Depth Review of Global Energy featuring 21 leading Analysts; and top management from 13 Sector Firms.
Order this Report
More Information

2011-08-08: Agricultural & Specialty Chemicals Report
4 leading Analysts; and top management from 3 Sector Firms examine this industry.
Order this Report
More Information

2011-07-11: Oil & Gas: Refining & Marketing Report
5 leading Analysts; and top management from 4 Sector Firms examine this industry.
Order this Report
More Information

2011-06-27: Oil & Gas: Drilling & Exploration and Equipment & Services Report
4 leading Analysts; and top management from 2 Sector Firms examine this industry.
Order this Report
More Information

2011-04-18: Oil and Gas Master Limited Partnerships Report
3 leading Analysts; and top management from 3 Sector Firms examine this industry.
Order this Report
More Information

2011-04-18: Metals and Mining Report
2 leading Analysts; and top management from 5 Sector Firms examine this industry.
Order this Report
More Information

2011-03-21: Chemicals, Rubber and Plastics Report
2 leading Analysts; and top management from 5 Sector Firms examine this industry.
Order this Report
More Information

2010-12-20: Gold and Precious Metals Report
1 leading Analyst; 3 Money Managers; and top management from 8 Sector Firms examine this industry.
Order this Report
More Information

2010-12-20: Metals and Mining Report
2 leading Analysts; and top management from 5 Sector Firms examine this industry.
Order this Report
More Information

Search TWST Online

TWST Newsletter

Give us your email address and receive the TWST Newsletter.


Analyst Interview Excerpt
Unconventional Plays in Natural Gas - Darren Horowitz - Raymond James & Associates


Full article published: 12/07/2009


For Subscribers

Get this article online now!

Order just this article
TWST: Are we stuck here in a 5-plus-or-minus price range for gas?
Mr. Horowitz: When you look at the supply/demand fundamentals of the domestic natural gas market, there are several variables that we consider. First, natural gas storage levels are now above 3.8 Tcf, approximately 20% above the normal level for this time. As we have witnessed, the marginal cost of production has decreased across the board, with the most pronounced impact being experienced in the prolific shale plays - Haynesville, Eagleford, etc. That said, when we consider improved capital market access and how much of that capital is being spent through the drill bit in these and other nonconventional areas, it certainly argues for a sustainably higher productive environment for the foreseeable future. Most importantly, we really haven't experienced the significant natural gas production rollover that the market was previously forecasting. As a matter of fact, when reviewing the sequential production figures, it suggests supply is only fading modestly. Furthermore, we've stacked up quite an inventory of wells that have been drilled but not yet completed or hooked up to gathering lines. That said, should the slope of the forward natural gas curve improve in the near term, the associated productive response from those wells being completed/hooked up could be material. Secondly, we can't forget about the potential impact of incremental LNG entering the Gulf Coast. While it's difficult to quantify, additional cargoes entering the domestic market this winter could further compound an already oversupplied market. The offsetting mechanism to this supply issue, obviously, is going to price-sensitive demand. To that point, we've only seen a minimal increase in industrial/commercial demand recently, and we're concerned that the magnitude of change could be offset by gas-to-coal switching in the coming months, which would mark a trend reversal from earlier this year. Absent any colder-than-normal spells this winter, an oversupplied market may continue well into FY10. Creating a perpetuating overhang may act to keep a lid on pricing in the 5 to 6/Mcf range.

 

Tickers included in this excerpt: EPB, EPD, ETE, NRGY, NSH, PAA, SEP, SPH, TGP, TOO

 

For more information call (212) 952 7433. The Wall Street Transcript does not endorse any of the comments made by interviewees, and does not make stock recommendations.