Natural gas prices, production, and exports increased from 2016 to 2017

(Tue, 16 Jan 2018) In 2017, natural gas spot prices at the national benchmark Henry Hub in Louisiana averaged $3.01 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), about 50 cents per MMBtu higher than in 2016. The higher prices in 2017 contributed to less natural gas consumption for power generation. Increased domestic production was offset by increased exports of natural gas by pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes.

Oil and gas sector faces rising threat to upstream investment

Doubts over the future of the global oil and natural gas industry could be stoked further this year if appetites for lending and investment in the fossil fuel sector continue to wane. Climate change, the rise of renewable energies and the prospect of peak oil demand are already knocking dents into the long-term investment outlook for the oil sector.

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