In the last decade, Appalachia natural gas production rocketed up to more than 35 Bcf/d, often straining infrastructure and crushing local price basis. With Mountain Valley Pipeline’s prospects at risk and no new major Northeast takeaway pipeline additions likely, producers and marketers are adapting to a new normal. What will that mean for regional supply availability/response and prices?

As the decarbonization journey continues, much is being learned about the vital role that natural gas must play going forward. Decarbonization in isolation, without considering other critical energy elements (reliability and affordability), is a hollow goal. This panel will share insight around how we can realistically achieve a low-carbon energy future, by intelligently leveraging natural gas in the energy mix. Natural gas supply is plentiful, reliable and affordable. Natural gas infrastructure (existing and new) offers great opportunities for innovation in re-purposing such as Carbon Capture, H2 blending, Certified Gas delivery, to achieve low-carbon goals.

As natural gas markets evolve through energy transition, challenges are encountered that demand improvements in technology solutions to facilitate and streamline transactions across the value chain. Fortunately, leading technology providers are rising to this challenge with innovative solutions to anticipate the evolution. This panel will introduce several examples of solutions that are available now to optimize efficiency of transactions and coalesce a fragmented market. Examples will be presented from a practical, non-technical, commercially oriented perspective. Technologies underlying these innovations include Artificial Intelligence (AI; e.g. ChatGPT); predictive analytics, simulation software, blockchain, cloud-based access from anywhere, integration (e.g. EDI), customizable APIs, data digitization, encryption and cybersecurity, workflow optimization, etc.

Gas market outlook for 2023 / 2024

As the energy transition gains momentum, innovative operators are introducing a raft of new products marketed as Responsibly Sourced Gas (RSG), with a lower carbon intensity by means of a range of creative commercial transactions that mitigate carbon content. With the market aware of potential “greenwashing” a key element of these arrangements involves use of independent tracking, analysis and certification of actual carbon footprint of various fuel sources. This Panel is comprised of Executives from leading independent analytical, assessment and certification entities that are active in the market. Discussion will include explanation of processes, supporting technologies and commercial arrangements of solutions, leveraging examples based upon real-life case studies.

From a standstill in 2015, American exports of LNG briefly approached 15 billion cubic feet per day in April 2023. That trade volume is more than Australia’s total daily gas production and the equivalent of about 90% of Canada’s gas output. These reliable supplies from the world’s largest gas producing nation played a crucial role in helping Europe and Asia turn away from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. However, the exceptionally warm winter of 2022-23 substantially reduced demand for gas as a heating fuel while a global slump in manufacturing activity simultaneously curbed its use in industrial production. The resulting surge in inventory has sent cash prices reeling and is now forcing steep cuts to U.S. field production, even as the Russian war intensifies and a new winter is less than six months away. In this talk, Colin Fenton will explain why U.S. natural gas will remain an indispensable commodity for securing the world’s economic and geostrategic health for decades to come.

Policy, regulatory and NGO resistance to continued development of natural gas markets is building. This panel examines several innovative solutions being employed by leading stakeholders to overcome these headwinds. Examples include virtual pipeline, mobile energy solutions, RNG, project development and construction, as well as traditional pipeline transportation innovations.

Please join our hosts, the Corporate Sponsors, at a cocktail reception in your honor. Don’t make your dinner plans too early as hors d’oeuvres and an open bar will be the highlight of this extremely well attended session!

End users of natural gas include Gas Distribution Utilities (Commercial & Residential), Industrial (Petrochem, Process, Heat) and PowerGeneration. Gas Buyers representing these entities often have a different perspective than other stakeholders across the value chain when it comes to market conditions, developments, and issues. Whether regulated or unregulated, Gas Buyers exist at the end of the value chain, essentially faced with reacting to market developments that are generally out of their control. Creative negotiation of commercial purchasing terms are vital to these constituents ensuring flexibility, security of supply, and competitive prices. This panel will shed light on gas buyer perspectives on a number of topical issues.
•Utilities – natgas distribution utilities; combined gas/electric utilities (regulated).
•PowerGen – utilities using natgas to generate power (regulated).
•IPPs – independent power producers using natgas to generate power (merchant power, combined cycle, etc. (non-regulated).
•Industrials – manufacturers of products that rely on natgas for process or heat.
•Petrochemical – manufacturers of petrochemical products that rely on natgas for process or heat.
•Merchant Energy – independent operators purchasing natgas to convert into other energy sources (e.g. methanol, etc.).
•We will take the Panel through the following topic categories and ask for perspectives on the various categories and specific questions.
•Buyer’s are expected to have a variety of perspectives based upon each unique situation (e.g. regulated vs. non-regulated; criticality; etc.).
•Panel discussion of each topic/question is encouraged.
•Market Fundamentals (Supply, Demand, Pricing)
•Midstream
•Energy Transition
•Gas Supply Arrangements
•Regulatory / Policy
•Power Generation

The path to net zero for a natural gas consumer is complex. Join us for a discussion on (i) what the energy transition might look like for a gas consumer; (ii) bridge products that can be incorporated in gas procurement strategies today—at scale—including carbon offsets, certified natural gas, and renewable natural gas; and (iii) future low carbon energy systems, including hydrogen and CCUS.

This panel examines N.E. Natural Gas Fundamentals, with a particular focus on diversification in the supply planning process, as well as implications of renewable energy sources in the market and LNG exports including foreign price index dynamics.

As the energy transition initiative gains momentum, natural gas markets face new opportunities and challenges. Savvy operators leverage the latest technologies as a force multiplier to optimize efficiencies, reduce risk and maximize opportunities for transactions across the commercial value chain. This panel will introduce several such innovations from practical, non-technical, commercially oriented perspective. Technologies underlying these innovations include cloud-based access from anywhere, customizable APIs, EDI, encryption and cyber security, predictive analytics, etc.

There is certainly no shortage of Policy & Regulatory initiatives recently
tabled as part of the ongoing energy transition process. This Panel of
Executives from leading natural gas industry trade associations will examine
several of these initiatives and offer informed perspectives on practical
realities and commercial impacts. Discussion topics include natural gas’
continuing role in a low carbon environment, climate for new infrastructure
projects, leveraging existing infrastructure, LNG exports, electrification,
drilling permitting, FERC policy statements, NRPA re-write, etc.

•The U.S. Natural Gas Industry has expanded significantly - This expansion has been transformational for the U.S.
•High prices for oil and natural gas likely resulting in significant production growth
•In-ability to build new pipelines in the Marcellus & Utica limits growth from the most economic gas basin in the U.S.
•Balanced market for 2022, but risks for 2023 - Logistical issues for coal resulting in strong demand in 2022 but production growth likely to catch up with the market by 2023

As the energy transition gains momentum, innovative operators are introducing a raft of new products marketed as Responsibly Sources Gas (RSG), with a lower carbon intensity by means of a range of creative commercial transactions that mitigate carbon content. With the market aware of potential “greenwashing” a key element of these arrangements involves use of independent tracking, analysis and certification of actual carbon footprint of various fuel sources. This Panel is comprised of an Executive from the leading independent analytical, assessment and certifying body, and an Executive from the leading market operator for ESG-inclusive commodities. Discussion will include explanation of processes, supporting technologies and commercial arrangements of solutions, leveraging examples based upon real-life case studies.

This Panel reviews latest developments of pending N.E. region pipeline
projects, as well as planned initiatives. Also discussed are recent innovations
beyond traditional infrastructure system design that facilitate transition to
lower carbon environment as well as new initiatives and process technologies to
support energy transition.

With increasing policy, regulatory and NGO resistance to midstream
infrastructure additions/expansions, traditional development approaches face
strong headwinds. This panel explores creative, non-traditional, turn-key
methods to get gas to markets. Methods include virtual pipeline, LNG transport,
micro LNG, CNG transport, etc. Both mobile and off-pipeline situations are
explored. Additionally, the panel will discuss how generating clean emissions
free power from waste heat can help companies with their ESG goals. In
addition, the panel will also discuss differentiated gas product alternatives such
as RSG, RNG, LNG, etc. and how these product offerings can be leveraged to
contribute to achieving lower carbon attainment targets.

Please join our hosts, the Corporate Sponsors, at a cocktail reception in your honor. Don’t make your dinner plans too early as hors d’oeuvres and an open bar will be the highlight of this extremely well attended session!

Appalachian gas prices are the highest since the start of the Shale Revolution and production from the region has grown at a rate that has completely reshaped the U.S. natural gas landscape. But the midstream buildout that enabled that revolution is over now and any remaining takeaway pipeline projects are facing regulatory gauntlets. Nevertheless, gas demand is growing in the Northeast and overall as LNG feedgas demands ramp up – and that’s going to have a big impact on gas prices and the effects will ripple not only in the Northeast, but in energy markets around the world.

Organizations are at a critical turning point in history when it comes to climate change. No longer can we ignore the impacts of carbon emissions on our environment or the increased need for energy resiliency. Today's turning point places a critical emphasis on meaningful ESG and net zero carbon goals, and RNG is a critical tool in achieving them. What are the key benefits that RNG offers on the path to net zero compared to other available alternative fuels? What role should RNG play in helping organizations reach net zero carbon goals and ESG initiatives? How can organizational leaders incorporate RNG into their strategic plans? In this session, we'll hear directly from individuals who are facing these challenges head on by helping shape their customer's journey with RNG. Join this session to learn from a seasoned Executive in the cleantech space who is helping customers such as [client name], [client description], to lay the groundwork for a more sustainable future, one renewable and resilient step at a time.

When it comes to current market conditions, policy, and regulatory initiatives,
Gas Buyers often have a different perspective than other stakeholders across
the value chain. Whether regulated utilities, or non-regulated industrials, gas
buyers are located at the end of the value chain where they are faced with
essentially react to market developments that are largely out of their control.
Creative negotiation of commercial purchasing terms to ensure predictability,
security of supply, flexibility, and market pricing are vital to these constituents.
This Panel will offer their unique perspectives on variety of topical issues
facing the market.

1. Current market conditions
- Perspectives on prices, volatility, supply/demand, etc.
- Impact on go-forward purchasing strategies
- growing LNG exports

2. Energy transition
- meeting low carbon mandates by deadlines
- ESG
- electrification, etc.

3. Lower carbon energy product alternatives
- end use customer interest around products (RSG, RNG, H2, offsets, CCS, etc.)
- expectations for economics to introduce such alternatives
- expectations for suppliers to introduce new products innovations
- expectations for third party certification of product carbon content

4. End use customer perspectives
- demand for continued use of natural gas
- ability to convert to lower carbon energy alternatives, etc.

5. Commercial terms
- how has energy transition & current market conditions affected structuring of commercial terms for gas supply agreements
- length of term, indexing, weather, hedging, etc.

6. Midstream
- constraints, ability to meet future supply requirements
- storage
- virtual pipeline, small-scale LNG, etc.

7. Regulatory (utility)
- LDC cost recovery mechanisms
- rejection of gas supply planning elements (e.g. new midstream capacity)