As 2007 moves to a close, a number of major infrastructure projects will be nearing completion. Rockies Express will come onstream early next year, unlocking the unconventional gas potential of the Rocky Mountain region. New liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminals will be completed as well, opening the door for rapidly growing LNG supplies to come to the North American market. These projects will fundamentally alter key flow patterns on the North American pipeline grid, leading to greater integration of the North American gas market, both internally and with the emerging global gas market. As this wave of investment comes to fruition, however, surging costs, environmental uncertainty, and a looming credit crunch threaten to slow new investment, raising the prospect of a new cycle of market tightness in the next decade.

CERA insights presented at this Roundtable will assist clients in their strategy development and investment decision making during the next six months and beyond, as they consider the risks and rewards in the North American natural gas market.

• Unconventional Gas Tips the Domestic Supply Balance
• LNG Update: The Import Surge Begins
• Pipeline Expansions and Changing Flows: Impact on the Market
• Prospects for New Investment in Uncertain Times: Strategic Implications
• Canadian Gas Focus
  
  

As power companies embark on a major infrastructure investment wave, a careful assessment of the business environment becomes critical to successful strategies. In formulating their strategies for the imminent major infrastructure investment wave, savvy power company decision makers recognize that a careful assessment of the business environment is critical to success. Uncertainty around carbon dioxide policy, spreading opposition to coal, the need for major transmission expansion to connect renewable power to the grid, the long lead time required to bring on new nuclear power, increasing reliance on imported LNG, unrealistic expectations regarding the cost of energy efficiency, and the prospect of an economic downturn all contribute to a murky and complex investment environment. A robust understanding of the current business environment and of potential future developments will help energy executives and regulators to make optimal investment choices, avoid project delays, and meet energy needs. At this fall 2007 Roundtable, CERA will present the highlights of our latest research on

• North American Power: Key Market Trends and Strategic Issues for 2008
• Demand Trends and the Cost of Energy Efficiency

Anxiety is the watchword for today’s oil markets. Will there be enough oil to meet demand and provide an adequate safety margin? Or will supply concerns continue to drive oil prices to new record highs? At this CERA Roundtable we will analyze oil market fundamentals and investment patterns and spotlight our price outlook for 2008–09. Participants will benefit from an integrated perspective on supply and demand issues and how they shape our near-term price expectations.