I'd like everyone to think about something that has just been brought to my attention... It had been staring me in the face for a long time but I never actually considered it.
Let's take CHK as an example.
They are involved in how many shale plays and other drilling operations right now? Lets just say 20-30 active areas around the country. I don't know for sure.
Let's ignore the availability of rigs question and get more basic with it.
How much iron do you think is needed to pipe down to 12k feet and then vertically half of that amount? In addition to what is needed to build rigs and other misc uses. With all of these "resource plays" going on at once, where is one company going to source enough iron to get down into all of these holes? That is Aubrey's bigger concern I would contend, NOT the logistics of getting rigs into place to punch holes. I would also contend that may be why you are seeing some of CHK's holdings sold off. Not only for cash infusion, but because there simply aren't enough resources to go around.
What's my point and how does this relate to Natural Gas pricing?
The market will adjust itself accordingly, drilling accelerates.... then iron prices go up, then natural gas prices go up because of drilling costs. In direct correlation with the amount of supply, demand for raw materials will increase exponentially. This will keep pricing in check...the American ... and more importantly, world economy in action.
Next question... While we will hopefully decrease our dependence on foreign hydrocarbons (we currently produce most of our own Natural Gas, maybe we can shift from Oil to Natural Gas), where will the raw materials come from? Just how much iron can we produce in America?
Randy
Tags: Economy, Gas, Iron, Natural, Prices
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