Oil and Gas Veteran Blake Zimmerman Praises Plans to Increase Natural Gas Exports

PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 21, 2013

In a new statement to the press, oil and gas industry veteran Blake Zimmerman weighs in on recent speculation about the future or America's natural gas industry. In particular, he points to a recent report filed by Bloomberg, which notes that the U.S. is currently breaking its own records for natural gas production. As such, the days of surging natural gas prices--and fears of natural gas shortages--are now a thing of the past, but they have been replaced by vigorous disagreement over just how much natural gas the U.S. should be exporting to foreign countries. Bloomberg says that, because of America's bounty, President Obama is expected to expand natural gas exports.

In his press statement, Blake Zimmerman puts this into context. "Ten years ago, or even five years ago, this would have been unheard of, because we would have all assumed that natural gas was scarce and that America could not afford to sell so much of it," Zimmerman states. "Now, the biggest issues we are facing are when and by how much we should increase our natural gas exports. It's a sign of how far America's energy production has come in a relatively short span of time.

Indeed, Bloomberg notes that, a few years ago, it would have been "unthinkable" to sell liquefied natural gas to non-U.S. customers. Then, demand far outstripped supply, but today's scenario is markedly different. Now, exporting natural gas is seen as "a way to help U.S. trade and blunt the influence of producers such as Russia and Iran."

Currently, the article states, the Obama Administration is reviewing applications for 20 gas export terminals. If all 20 terminals are approved, the facilities could help ship the equivalent of 41 percent of total U.S. production this year.

Energy experts expect the Administration to make its decision in "weeks and not months," the article continues.

There is some controversy over the issue of natural gas exports, particularly from companies like Dow Chemical Co. and Exxon Mobil Corp. Their fear is that, by not allowing the market to determine how much natural gas is sold overseas, exports will push up domestic prices and ruin the competitive advantages that U.S. producers have over foreign companies.

"These market concerns are important, and should be weighed carefully," Zimmerman says. "With that said, the mere fact that this is an issue is reason to celebrate America's booming natural gas production."

Blake Zimmerman is a professional from the oil and gas sector, and the owner of Houston-based NxtGen Energy, which provides well services to some of the nation's top oil and gas companies.

ABOUT:

Blake Zimmerman is a seasoned professional in the natural gas and energy industry and is the owner of NxtGen Energy based in Houston, Texas. Primarily working with oil and natural gas, Zimmerman and his company provide power and production solutions to E&P Companies at well sites. As a safer alternative to diesel or fossil fuels, this service saves harmful emissions from entering the environment. As a Texas A&M graduate and Gas Processors Association member Blake Zimmerman has proven a well-respected industry professional among his community and colleagues. Continuing to grow NxtGen Energy, he hopes to help America become more environmentally friendly in its energy usage and much more independent of foreign oil and fuel.