Member Info for MarktheSpark

Yes encouraging definitely but unfortunately the govt has been saying these things for years, certainly since Cameron wass PM. Fine words butter no parsnips. The real change will come in Q3 with first gas from Cuadrilla. Cuadrilla have requested final permission to frack, let�s hope the Govt follow their own lead and reply promptly.

The Energy Minister Claire Perry said: "This package of measures delivers on our manifesto promise to support shale and it will ensure exploration happens in the most environmentally responsible way while making it easier for companies and local communities to work together." BBC website comment thoroughly one-sided and negative. As an organisation with a hard won reputation for fairness and objectivity they seem to have lost the plot regarding shale development.

RNS message & BBC announcement. Planning laws on fracking might be relaxed following a government announcement today. Preliminary drilling may be classed as permitted development. Ministers are also proposing a Shale Environmental Regulator and a new Planning Brokerage Service. The Energy Minister Claire Perry said: "This package of measures delivers on our manifesto promise to support shale and it will ensure exploration happens in the most environmentally responsible way while making it easier for companies and local communities to work together." BBC website comment thoroughly one-sided and negative. As an organisation with a hard won reputation for fairness and objectivity they seem to have lost the plot regarding shale development.

Just a note about Russian influence on European gas supplies, the consultancy Timera notes that there has been a 77bcm increase in European demand for gas since 2014 and Russia has supplied 45bcm of those 77bcm The UK gets most of its gas from the North Sea and Norway so is less dominated by Russian supplies than say Eastern Europe but these figures illustrate the way the market is developing.. A second source of concern is our rising dependence on LNG which is imported on a Just in Time basis into relatively limited storage tanks holding about 10 days supply. These supplies are bought at the market price on a world market. For a while there was a glut of LNG on the market but with massively increased demand from the Far East (mainly to meet pollution concerns about coal ) so the market has moved more into balance and there is la risk of a shortage in winters to come. Russia is one of the new players in the LNG market having developed LNG exporting facilities in the North of Russia.

AF, Russian gas is mixed into the European market so it�s difficult to work out the exact percentage. It�s true that generally the percentage is lowish but at times of gas shortage, such as during the �Beast from the East� , that is at times of maximum vulnerability, we rely more on European imports and on LNG �just in time imports� , both of these sources can have higher Russian content. Generally it is predicted our reliance on imports generally will increase as coal and nuclear reduces.

I don�t have a lot invested in either company but to answer your question, I think it�s a difficult choice. In the short term If Edr get their planning approval then you should see a decent return. Big IF. They also have shale assets but I don�t think they are as fully advanced as Igas. Overall I would favour IGAS by a squeak, they have a bigger conventional asset base and more advanced shale exploration by way of two exploratory wells due to spud. In a funny way we we�ve come round 5 yrs or so to arrive at the same place; when Andrew Austin founded the company it was based financially on a high oil price with the prospect then of rapidly developing interest in shale, which is where we are now. You�ll do OK with either company if the Cuadrilla well produces as forecast, but it�s a risk because of course if that enterprise goes tits up it would put things back for years and you might lose a fair packet. I suppose as the financial advisors say it�s about your appetite for risk and how much losing a proportion would mean to you. If you want a securer bet then Shell, which has invested heavily in natural gas will give a decent dividend and hope of a decent (but smaller) price rise would be better., or Weir who make frack pumps (but are already well priced). I have the other third of my little investment in the latter company. Just a word of warning, I started my investment journey by investing in Lloyd�s Bank and Persimmon , I nearly doubled my money and then discovered shale gas, since then I think I have lost about three-quarters of that pot, so I�m hardly the one to offer advice.

Yes you�re right.... �Shale appraisal and development plan covered by up to c. $240 million carried work programme� ....I think by Total mainly.

I guess it makes sense for IGAS to focus their limited resources on areas they think have the best potential. The PEDL�s are granted on the basis of an exploration plan and if IGAS can�t or doesn�t wish to proceed they will lose the licences anyway.

Have I got this right? 1000 cu ft of gas equals 10 therms, so the predicted daily output of Albury at 1.5 million cu ft a day is 15000 therms. Current wholesale price of gas is 50p a therm which would bring in �7.5K a day or about �2.8million a year. I expect wellhead prices are lower than wholesale but even so it looks like Albury will make a very useful contribution to revenue. Obviously with worldwide prices of gas on the up this becomes an even better development.

Very encouraging write-up in the excellent Malcy�s Blog. Hope he doesn�t mind if I repeat it here... �Met with Steve Bowler, CEO of IGas yesterday and can confirm that things are going very well at the company on both major fronts. Today�s AGM statement confirms current production of 2,323 b/d and guidance of 2,300-2,400 is maintained. With high crude prices and opex this year a likely $32.50, the conventional side of IGas is providing massive underpinning to the stock. The other front is of course the unconventional and at long last both IGas and the industry have a much better shale season in front of them. With the application due in for Ince Marshes this summer and spudding of both Tinker Lane and Springs Road also due in the summer things are looking up on this front. The situation in the winter which showed just how dependent we are on foreign gas must be something that is encouraging not just for IGas but the others with upcoming work programmes as well. With a carry of $240m IGas is in a perfect spot and the valuation is extremely undemanding at this price.�

Yes he must be confident that he can overcome the planning decision problems and really get the company moving, either that or he can feel a takeover offer on the horizon. The rising oil price puts these small producers like Egdon and Igas on a more secure footing with the shale prospects a massive upside prospect.

Just wondering why the spread on IGas shares is relatively low at the moment compared to how I remember it in the past and compared to many other similar AIM stocks. Spread is a function of volatility and the supply/demand balance. I suspect its a sign that most investors both institutional and private are hanging onto their shares pending the outcome of Cuadrilla's exploration which is restricting the availability of shares.

Bad News - There might be a Third World War. Good News - At least the Oil Price Will Rise. Take Care & Have a good day.

Timera the Uk energy consultants report that Europe faces a steep decline in domestic gas production. Output (excluding Russia !! ) will decline by 40% by 2030. There will be an associated decline in supply flexibility so our ability to respond to events such the "Beast from the East" will be curtailed somewhat especially as rapidly increasing demand for LNG from the Far East in particular may turn the current worldwide glut of LNG into market balance of even shortage.

The guy who sold 250K shares at 3.25pm (assuming it was a sell) must be kicking himself.

The Dutch government has announced that it will limit output from the Groningen gas field, one of Europe�s biggest gas fields, with an aim of stopping production by 2030. This measure will further limit sources of import supply into the UK and gradually increase reliance on LNG and imports from the rest of mainland Europe through Bacton which is 40% Russian sourced gas, especially at times of shortage.

Igas up 7% on positive media coverage. Poor old Egdon seems to have been forgotten. I think you call that a buying opportunity.

In the Telegraph Ambrose Evans-Pritchard has said Britain must double down on shale gas and offshore wind to defend itself and preserve national energy security. At an US Oil Conference David Cameron (remember him) has berated the UK for its slowness in exploiting our potentially massive shale gas resources. I guess the market is smelling the coffee. Unfortunately we now have Easter for all the Green Bunnies to fill the news with anti propaganda, possibly financed by Putin and his cronies.

I'm in the same mire only higher and deeper, having bought mostly at 85-125p before re-structuring. Igas will need to strike gold for me to get my money back. My own stupidity of course, waiting for some takeover or massive discovery. My consolation is that I've discovered a very nerdy interest in all things energy policy related which provides mental stimulation for an old bloke in his retirement.

Gas prices already high this week in anticipation of colder weather at the weekend with low stocks both in medium range storage and in LNG importation tanks. We'll again be reliant on expensive pipeline purchases from Europe if demand increases above seasonal norms. If this, along with Putin's murderous plots, don't make central government pull their finger out about onshore shale development, I don't know what will.