The recent deal represents the biggest investment to date by a Chinese company in the North American energy sector, appearing to balance demand to develop gas fields at a time when low commodity prices are not providing companies with enough cash flow efficiently. The agreement could underscore greater exposure for resource companies to eventually export shipments to offshore markets.
On Tuesday, Richard Bernstein, Chief Executive Officer at Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC (RBA) offered bullish commentary for the broader energy sector for 2011: “if the economy is indeed beginning to enter the mid-phase of the cycle, then energy and materials stocks begin to take leadership positions. We expect both global sectors to outperform in 2011.”
Disciplined capital allocation and efficient operations have been the primary catalyst for strong results. The year has been very good for Vero Energy shareholders as prices have increased 49% since the beginning of the year to its current trading range at $6.63 per share.
The comparatively high population density of Europe could mean that shale production will run into local opposition because of the way drilling might disrupt communities, and the way that prohibitions could target the pollution associated with drilling processes.
Shell may spend $50 billion in Australia over the next decade as Europe’s largest oil company continues a shift to gas.
Suncor Energy Inc, Canada's largest energy company, has just announced that it has agreed to a transaction with Direct Energy to sell natural gas assets for about $358.5 million. The deal comes as part of Suncor’s strategic business alignment and ongoing plans to divest of a number of non-core assets totaling $2.8 billion.
Moving away from more traditional supply and demand side fundamentals, gas prices and the costs of production may increasingly be leveraged by oversight, share holder accountability, and seasonal meteorology.
Monday, February 14, 2011