American Gas Association Study Discloses Highest Gas Reserves in 35 Years and Shift in Holdings among Large and Small Producers

摘要

A new study completed on behalf of the American Gas Association (AGA), Preliminary Findings Concerning 2009 Natural Gas Reserves, says the U.S. could hold 245 Tcf of natural gas reserves by the end of 2009, the highest level in 35 years. U.S. reserves totals increased for the eleventh straight year between 1999 to 2009. AGA attributed the gain to more onshore unconventional drilling activity and continued offshore Gulf of Mexico discoveries. "New discoveries tied to investment in onshore drilling opportunities in the lower-48 states, specifically gas shales, were a significant factor in this increase." Although well-known producers such as ExxonMobil, British Petroleum (BP), ConocoPhillips, and Chesapeake Energy, are top reserve holders, less well-known companies such as XTO, Devon Energy, EnCana, Newfieid Exploration and numerous others have become "key players" in exploration, development and production, AGA concluded. Among the 30 reserve holders in AGA's sample, the median price of gas at the wellhead increased from $6.56/Mcf in 2007 to $7.75/Mcf in 2008 (a 19% increase). Median wellhead prices fell, however, in 2009 to $4.03/Mcf - a 48% decrease.