Energy Politics

Hart Energy’s 2009 Developing Unconventional Gas conference concluded yesterday with more than 600 attendees from around the world having gathered to share their views on shales, tight sands and other unconventional gas subjects.

Being held at the first time at the new Omni Fort Worth Hotel, the conference provided plenty of opportunities for energy businessmen to mingle and share the latest issues near and dear to their companies.  The big problems discussed include the energy commodity prices, which are only now beginning to climb above $50, what to do with all the excess LNG which is quickly filling up U.S. holding terminals, plus shedding some light on the Eagle Ford, Utica and other shales that are often overlooked by the much more well-known Barnett, Haynesville and Marcellus shales.

I was pleased to see a professor from my old alma mater, Sam Houston State University, deliver a presentation about the public’s perception of the gas industry. Among his findings, non surprisingly, were that people with ties to the oil and gas industry tend to have more favorable views of the business, plus residents of counties that are relatively new to the gas production business tend to be less informed and hold more hostile views toward the industry, such as arguing that E&P companies don’t care about the environment and they must do more to be good stewards to the land.

So here’s hoping that 2010’s DUG conference is a hit as well!

–Stephen Payne, Editor, Oil and Gas Investor This Week; www.OilandGasInvestor.com; spayne@hartenergy.com

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