As of this writing, the price of natural gas was almost up six percent to a six-month high, and it was reported that Western Colorado has 40 times more natural gas than earlier projected.
According the Energy Information Administration (EIA), natural gas prices are expected to rise over the next two years. Over the past few years, natural gas has traded as high as $6.50 and as low as $1.64.
The EIA is forecasting that the U.S. will be a net exporter of natural gas in mid-2017. Natural gas growth for U.S. power generation remains high. A record high for natural gas burned for power generation occurred in 2015.
In 1977, I began working as a petroleum landman. I did not realize at that time that some of the oil and gas leases that I was purchasing would wind up as locations for some of the deepest natural gas wells not only in the Anadarko Basin of western Oklahoma but in the world (over 20,000 feet), and that natural gas would be playing a significant role in meeting the energy needs in the 21st century.
It is important that there be an understanding of the history of natural gas in Oklahoma, especially the drilling for deep natural gas. In 1977, I began primarily purchasing oil and gas leases on behalf of The GHK Company (GHK), a company led by Robert Hefner III through Cooper West’s firm, which was based in Elk City, Okla.
Hefner was the pioneer who led this nation towards natural gas. In 1959, at age 24, Hefner founded the GHK. He is now known as the “Father of Natural Gas.”
GHK drilled a well in western Oklahoma near Elk City, named the #1 Green well. The well was completed in 1969 to 24,473 feet. It was then the second deepest well in the world.
Along the way, Robert and his team met the challenges of “innovating the technologies.” He also had the challenge of communicating to the leaders of this country that natural gas was uneconomical to produce at controlled prices. Therefore, he led the effort to deregulate natural gas prices in the ’70s. His pioneer spirit and drive are major reasons that today billions of dollars have gone into the economy.
The government stepped in after the deregulation passage with a piece of legislation that did not allow the use of natural gas for electric generation. That legislation was a great setback to the natural gas industry.
Hefner’s drive, persistence and focus on natural gas led GHK to several countries for exploration. He founded natural gas fields not only in western Oklahoma and eastern Oklahoma but throughout the world.
He appeared before 18 Congressional committees “testifying on natural gas pricing, deregulation, and the abundance of America’s natural gas resources.”
Today, it is vital to America’s economy that we have a strong natural gas industry. Thanks to Hefner, a strong foundation has been established to carry on the natural gas torch throughout this century and beyond.
Hefner’s book entitled The Grand Energy Transition in the past few years has brought national and international attention. Ted Turner purchased several hundred copies of Hefner’s book and had them distributed to Congressmen and Fortune 500 executives. Turner stated about the book “if you care about the future you must read the book.”
Donald Trump stated “I know the economic and environmental importance of energy. Robert Hefner, with over 50 years of hands-on experience in the complex world of energy production, consumption, and politics has written a groundbreaking book that cuts through the confusion and shows us a clear, common sense path forward. His concept that The Grand Energy Transition is choosing the energy winners is critically important. America does not have time for energy losers.”
In 2012, Gray Frederickson, Academy Award winning producer, MeiLi Hefner and I were producers of The GET, (The Grand Energy Transition) documentary based upon Hefner’s book. We believed that it was important that natural gas be a focus in the national energy debate.
Having been in the natural gas industry for close to 40 years, it is my strong belief that America Needs Natural Gas! In Los Angeles, I have seen how natural gas is making an impact. I have seen up and down the busy streets of Los Angeles the nation’s largest fleet of buses in the country running on compressed natural gas. Natural gas is making an impact.
We need to strengthen our support for the Natural Gas Industry. We need to support Advocacy/Education. America Needs America’s Energy, and America Needs America’s Natural Gas!
Mark A. Stansberry, Chairman of The GTD Group, is an award-winning author, columnist, film and music producer, radio talk show host and 2009 Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee. Stansberry has written five energy-related books. He has been active in the oil and gas industry for over 44 years, having served as CEO/President of Moore-Stansberry, Inc., and The Oklahoma Royalty Company. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma, Chairman 2016-2017 of the Gaylord-Pickens Museum/Oklahoma Hall of Fame Board of Directors, Lifetime Trustee of Oklahoma Christian University, and Board Emeritus of the Oklahoma Governor’s International Team. He has served on several public and private boards.
- Mark Stansberryhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/mark-stansberry/
- Mark Stansberryhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/mark-stansberry/
- Mark Stansberryhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/mark-stansberry/
- Mark Stansberryhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/mark-stansberry/
- Mark Stansberryhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/mark-stansberry/
- Mark Stansberryhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/mark-stansberry/
Oil and gas operations are commonly found in remote locations far from company headquarters. Now, it's possible to monitor pump operations, collate and analyze seismic data, and track employees around the world from almost anywhere. Whether employees are in the office or in the field, the internet and related applications enable a greater multidirectional flow of information – and control – than ever before.