Weak Prices Gassing Energy Producers

The United States has still not embraced natural gas anywhere to the extent it should as part of its energy infrastructure, and yet the major gas producers keep drilling and pumping away. The exploitation of shale gas reserves has been a resounding success, but the impact on prices has been severe - from peak prices in the mid-teens in 2005 and 2008 (and talk of possible "peak gas" and gas shortages), natural gas prices for December now languish below $4. That makes it tough to make a buck in the gas business. 

A Mixed Bag In Calendar Q3
At first glance, there does not seem to be much cause for worry in the gas patch. Netting out the impact of derivatives and other hedges, Ultra Petroleum (NYSE:UPL) reported revenue growth of 15%, Chesapeake (NYSE:CHK) posted 23% growth, Devon (NYSE:DVN) delivered 13% growth and EOG (NYSE:EOG) saw revenue rise about 9%. In the cases of Ultra and Chesapeake, output was likewise strong, with growth of 21% and 23%, respectively.

Profitability was also relatively solid on the whole. Ultra saw operating income more than double (up about 120%), while Chesapeake logged 11% EBITDA growth and Devon saw EBITDA grow 22%. EOG was admittedly a laggard here, though, as EBITDA fell almost 9%.

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