Natural Gas Nation

In large part because of new technology, the United States now possesses at least 90 years of proven and potential natural gas reserves from shale formations in Texas, Louisiana, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and other states, according to a recent estimate by the U.S. Department of Energy. But this abundant supply cannot be realized unless some key elements fall into place, including investment in the infrastructure to bring this gas to market, a supportive regulatory and tax environment, and the willingness of communities not accustomed to drilling and hydraulic fracturing to accept this new industry. In addition, environmental concerns have been raised recently regarding the impact of shale gas production on air quality and local water supplies. This panel will explore why the reserves of natural gas have increased and the policies and practices needed to bring this energy resource, in larger quantities, to consumers and businesses.

Moderator

• Bernard L. Weinstein, Ph.D.
  Associate Director, SMU Cox Maguire Energy Institute

Panelists

• David W. Biegler
  Chairman and CEO, Southcross Energy, LLC
• Will Brackett
  Managing Editor, Powell Barnett Shale Newsletter
• Randy A. Foutch
  Chairman and CEO, Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
  Board Member, ANGA
• John S. Lowe, LL.B.
  Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and George W. Hutchison Professor of Energy Law, SMU Dedman School of Law
• Tadeusz W. Patzek, Ph.D.
  Chairman and Professor, Department of Petroleum and Geosystems, University of Texas at Austin
• Joseph J. Sluzar
  County Attorney, Broome County, New York

Panel II will examine the driving forces behind North American natural gas demand. Particular attention will be paid to potential market and policy measures to spur demand, including using natural gas as a transportation fuel, increasing the role of natural gas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and expanding the use of natural gas in electricity generation. In the past, large price swings in the market have deterred switching to natural gas as a fuel. The panel will examine whether new technologies provide adequate “shock absorbers” in the market to satisfy potential users to increase their use of the fuel.

Moderator

• Emil Peña
  Executive Director, Energy and Environmental Systems Institute, Rice University

Panelists

• The Honorable C. Boyden Gray
  Partner, Gray & Schmitz LLP
• Peter W. Huber, Ph.D.
  Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute
• Bill Kahn
  Manager of Advanced Concepts, Peterbilt Motors
• James L. Smith, Ph.D.
  Cary M. Maguire Chair in Oil and Gas Management, SMU Cox School of Business
• John F. Young
  President and CEO, Energy Future Holdings

The Policy Roundtable brings together policymakers, regulators, industry executives, and academic experts in a broad discussion of: 1) whether natural gas is truly a “game changer” energy resource that can have a broadly positive effective on the U.S. economy, environment, and national security, and 2) if so, what specific policy steps can be taken to increase the supply and demand for natural gas.

Moderator

• The Honorable James K. Glassman
  Executive Director, George W. Bush Institute

Panelists

• Lee K. Boothby
  President and CEO, Newfield Exploration Company
• Victor G. Carrillo
  Chairman, Railroad Commission  of Texas
• Regina Hopper
  President and CEO, America’s Natural Gas Alliance
• Richard W. Kinder
  Chairman and CEO, Kinder Morgan
• Dana L. Murphy
  Commissioner, Oklahoma Corporation Commission
• Trevor D. Rees-Jones
  President and CEO, Chief Oil & Gas
• The Honorable Edward G. Rendell
  Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Scott D. Sheffield
  Chairman and CEO, Pioneer Natural Resources
• Charles B. Stanley
  President and CEO, Questar Exploration and Production Company

Five of the last six recessions have either been preceded or accompanied by a spike in oil prices. Forty six percent of our oil imports originate from OPEC countries. Rising petro-nationalism has emboldened and enriched America's antagonists in Venezuela and Iran. Going forward, competition for dwindling supplies may require an even larger national-security footprint in the Middle East and elsewhere. Much of the currently accessible crude oil requires a high environmental price to extract, refine and use. Does natural gas offer some relief? With a few exceptions, past policies aimed enhancing economic growth, a healthier environment, and a safer America have been dismal failures. Can we do better this time? If so, how? These are a few of the questions this panel will examine.

Moderator

• W. Bruce Bullock
  Director, SMU Cox Maguire Energy Institute

Panelists

• Michelle Michot Foss, Ph.D.
  Chief Energy Economist and Head, Center for Energy Economics, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin 
• Jason B. Hutt
  Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
• Greg Stringham
  Vice President, Oil Sands and Markets, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
• Bernard L. Weinstein, Ph.D.
  Associate Director, SMU Cox Maguire Energy Institute
• The Honorable R. James Woolsey
  Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency
  Venture Partner, VantagePoint Venture Partners