Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, based on Ventyx's Energy Velocity Suite.
Note: New Marcellus in the graph includes the Leidy, TGP 219, TGP 313, and TGP Zone 4 Marcellus trading points. 2011 includes data through November.Several factors are likely contributing to increased natural gas spot trading in the Marcellus area:
- Marcellus production gains. Bentek Energy, LLC estimates that Marcellus natural gas production now exceeds 4 Bcfd, up significantly in recent years.
- New trading points. In addition to several new Marcellus production area trading points, the extension of the Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) to Clarington, Ohio led to new natural gas trading points formed to facilitate commercial transactions. REX deliveries to Clarington, Ohio averaged over 1 Bcfd from January through December of 2011.
- Greater reliance on natural gas for electricity generation. Falling natural gas prices coupled with historically high spot coal prices created incentives for generators to use more natural gas to fuel their plants. Pennsylvania is one state that has seen significant growth in natural gas-fired electric generation.
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