Daniel Fisher, a senior editor at Forbes has a blog post titled: “A New World of Cheap Gas“. In the post he explores the impact of new gas production on contract rates, natural gas uses, the impact on renewable energy technology, government policy and more.

An article in MetalMiner explores how the recovery in land rig utilization is moving at a faster than expected rate. Although the rig count is still significantly below the 2008 peak it is climbing at the most rapid sustained rate in more than a decade.

The new abundance of natural gas produced from shale plays in the 48 states is going to damage the economics of the North Slope, Alaska gas industry. An article in NewsMiner addresses the impact on production companies. An article on KTUU.com addresses the impact on pipeline projects.

“EIA expects U.S. net imports to be slightly higher in 2010 as a projected decline in pipeline imports is offset by lower exports and higher imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG). While cold weather across the northern hemisphere has helped absorb some of the new LNG supply that has recently come on-stream, U.S. LNG imports are forecast to increase by nearly 0.8 Bcf/d over last year in the first quarter 2010. For 2010 as a whole, U.S. LNG imports are forecast to increase by about 45 percent (or 0.56 Bcf/d). As global LNG demand and import capacity expand next year, EIA expects U.S. LNG imports to show little year-over-year growth in 2011. ” Quoted from the EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook.

“EIA expects this year’s annual average natural gas Henry Hub spot price to be $5.17 per million Btu (MMBtu), a $1.22-per-MMBtu increase over the 2009 average. EIA projects price increases to continue in 2011, averaging $5.65 per MMBtu for the year. Projected working gas inventories end the first quarter of 2010 at about 1,550 billion cubic feet (Bcf) compared with 1,644 Bcf in the previous Outlook because of colder-than-normal weather in February. Natural-gas-weighted heating degree-days were nearly 11 percent above the 30-year norm last month.” Quoted from EIA Short-Term Energy OutlookEIA.

The Headline article in the West Virginia Observer gives a review of the objections to hydraulic fracturing and discusses potential actions by the West Virginia legislature aimed at protecting public health and the environment.

Increasing production of natural gas from shales around the world is changing the dynamics of LNG markets and has put pressure on Gazprom, the European gas giant. More in an article on the Business Insider website.

Does the US have an unlimited supply of inexpensive natural gas from shale that will be quickly produced or will the resource be produced more slowly and sold for higher prices? An essay in the Financial Times explores this question.

An article in the Evansville Courier & Press reports that Eagle Resources is planning to drill the New Albany Shale in Edwards County Illinois. They have paid $6/acre/year for the leases.

An article in Reuters explains that Statoil has a deal with Tennessee Gas Pipeline to transport Marcellus Shale natural gas from Pennsylvania to New York City and parts of New Jersey. This connection to cities on the east coast is part of what makes the Marcellus Shale gas play so important.

An article in the Vancouver Sun reports that most major oil companies have a strong interest in European shale gas plays. They are getting a slow start because there are currently very few rigs in Europe.

Range Resources has their 2009 production, reserves and drilling activity posted on the web. Their production increased 13% and their proved reserves were up by 18% with a leasehold position of 2.5 million net acres.

An article on The Vancouver Sun website explains how most of the major oil companies are looking for shale gas in Europe. A big problem is that there are currently very few rigs there.

An article on TheGlobeAndMail website reports on early results in the Utica Shale Gas Play in Quebec, Canada which could contain 20 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

The Houston Chronicle reports on the “Natural Gas Act” – legislation that could expand the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel by providing tax incentives for natural gas vehicles and refueling stations. Versions of the bill are in the House and Senate.