BV report sees dramatic change in U.S. gas industry

Black & Veatch published its third annual Strategic Directions: U.S. Natural Gas Industry report illustrating dramatic changes taking place throughout the domestic natural gas industry.

In contrast to the 2013 report, cautious optimism has been replaced by heightened activity. Highlighting the changing sentiment, nearly 90 percent of industry respondents expect electric power generation to undergo material gas consumption increases by 2020.

“What a difference a year makes,” said John Chevrette, president of Black & Veatch’s management consulting business. “One year ago the mood across the natural gas value chain was one of cautious optimism. The 2014 Strategic Directions: U.S. Natural Gas Industry report reflects a marketplace surging with activity, driven in large part by low-cost shale gas. The strong demand for U.S. natural gas resources can help foster a new era of energy independence. Yet, it also requires industry and regulators to work together to ensure a sustainable path forward.”

The report finds that demand from power generators, exports and the transportation/natural gas vehicle sectors is expected to rise for the foreseeable future. Local distribution companies are seeking ways to secure low-cost gas from sources located closer to their markets. Abundant supplies are encouraging capital flows to develop much needed pipeline infrastructure.

Report shows also that safety remains the number one long-term industry concern, while gas supply reliability and economic growth followed among the top 10 issues of concern. Yet, many challenges remain for the industry. More than 72 percent of midstream respondents identified delays from opposition groups as the dominant challenge to new pipeline development.

Furthermore several key findings were highlighted in the report:

• Electric power pricing is increasingly tied to natural gas prices as it becomes the primary fuel for generation. 74 percent of respondents cited the growth in natural gas for power generation as a key driver of future North American natural gas price rises.
• U.S. LNG exports will net both short- and long-term benefits to the country’s economy. Increased shale gas production, increases in the U.S. natural gas price, and an increase in the U.S. economic benefit over the long term were cited as the top three potential outcomes of U.S. LNG exports.
• Progress has been made across the industry’s physical and cyber security programs. 80 percent of respondents noted the integration of cybersecurity and IT, up from 60 percent in 2013.
• More than 31 percent of LDC respondents indicated the levels of system operation and maintenance costs had increased by more than 10 percent since 2013.

[mappress mapid=”15720″]

Press Release; Image: BV