NATURAL GAS

Regulation of the natural gas industry in the United States has historically been a tumultuous ride, resulting in dramatic changes in the industry over the past 30 or more years. This section will outline the major historical regulatory events related to the natural gas industry, and show how the current structure of the industry in the U.S. is the product of a long regulatory evolution.

Today, competitive forces are being relied upon more heavily to determine market structure and operation. However, this has not always been the case. Almost all aspects of the natural gas industry were regulated at one point - a situation which led to tremendous difficulties in the industry, including the natural gas shortages experienced in the 1970s.

Approx. 70,000 acres of Federal leases acquired, 50,000 acres currently held by production. 163 producing natural gas wells, btu 1.3 or better. Producing wells, pipeline infrastructure.