The final buildout of the Rocky Mountains’ dry natural gas infrastructure is nearly complete. Now, new infrastructure plans are focusing on gas-liquids plays.

Most views on near-term natural gas pricing remain pessimistic, with production continuing to outstrip demand. Upcoming regulations may help.

Following the presumed plugging of the Macondo deepwater well, Gulf operators moved out of the top of the performance tables.

Wyoming tight-sands gas production in the Jonah and Pinedale fields has peaked in performance, according to Bernstein Research analysts’ review of production and fracturing data of more than 2,300 wells from 2003 to 2008.

Chairman, president and chief executive of Salt Lake City-based Questar Corp., Rattie is leading the company through challenges—everything from low natural gas prices to new federal initiatives that are not always favorable to fossil fuels.

Both fields are regional, as well as national, gas powerhouses.

The story in natural gas supply today is the ascendancy of the Rocky Mountain region. The Greater Green River, Uinta-Piceance, Powder River and Raton basins will deliver the lion's share of production growth going forward.

Natural gas from the Rocky Mountain region is a crucial and growing component of the nation's supply.

Questar Exploration and Production and Ultra Petroleum are well on the way to unlocking the huge production and reserve potential of Wyoming's Pinedale Anticline.

E&P Momentum

The recent surge in Rockies upstream M&A activity may be just the tip of the consolidated iceberg. Which producers will be next on the buyout block?

Here are the top upstream stock picks for 2004, as selected by seven prominent E&P analysts.

Amid improved natural gas prices and greater pipeline-takeaway capacity from the region, the gas-rich Greater Green River Basin is witnessing a new round of drilling growth.

Once a pure midstream player, Western Gas Resources now projects 44% of its 2004 operating income will come from oil and gas production.

The Green River Basin's Pinedale Anticline is emerging as the next giant Wyoming gas field.