Shell Energy, TransCanada, CME Group and POWER Magazine Executives to Keynote LDC Gas Forum in Chicago

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LDC Gas Forums, the premier events for natural gas buyers and sellers in North America, announced today that Bryan T. Durkin, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, Products & Services, CME Group, will be delivering the Opening Keynote on Sept. 12, 2011, 8:45–9:45am, at the LDC Gas Forum Mid-Continent. The conference is scheduled for Sept. 12-14 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.

“The industry support for the LDC Gas Forums this year has been phenomenal, with our most recent Forum drawing the most attendees in the brand’s 23-year history”

The Keynote slate also includes Lee Hobbs, Senior Vice President and General Manager, TransCanada U.S. Pipelines, who will deliver the Morning Keynote, on Sept. 13, 2011, 9:00–10:15am; Frans Everts, President, Shell Energy North America (US), L.P., who will deliver the Luncheon Keynote on Sept. 13, 12 noon–1:45pm; and Dr. Robert Peltier, PE, Editor-in-Chief, POWER magazine, who will deliver the Morning Keynote on Sept. 14, 9:15–10:15am.

“The industry support for the LDC Gas Forums this year has been phenomenal, with our most recent Forum drawing the most attendees in the brand’s 23-year history,” said Christy Coleman, Director, LDC Gas Forums. “We expect Chicago will continue this positive trend. Our robust line-up of speakers, coverage of the key global and regional issues, and industry networking make the Forum a can’t-miss event for natural gas buyers and sellers in the Midwest.”

Durkin’s Keynote is entitled, “Powering Progress,” and will explore the role of natural gas in energy supply and discuss managing risk and volatility through market-based instruments. He will also give his perspective as a global exchange leader of the impacts of regulatory reform and product innovation on the changing dynamics of the gas industry.

Hobbs’ Keynote is entitled, “Interstate Pipeline Perspective on Current Gas Industry Environment,” and will focus on (1) Impacts of shifting natural gas supply on interstate pipelines, (2) Opportunities and challenges for pipelines of increased natural gas demand, and (3) Commercial and operational responses by pipelines to the changing natural gas outlook.

Everts’ Keynote is entitled “Shale Gas: Changing the Power Generation Landscape,” and will focus on (1) Environmentally friendly fossil fuel that is Abundant, Affordable and Acceptable, if you do things the right way; (2) Shell Onshore Tight/Shale Oil and Gas Operational Principles; and (3) New options for power generation.

Peltier’s Keynote is entitled, “Natural Gas Threatens to Disrupt Power Industry Status Quo,” and will focus on (1) How massive shale gas reserves promise long-term stable prices; (2) Why low-price gas threatens nuclear and all renewable generation; (3) Whether natural gas can edge out the coal option in the future; and (4) What problems follow a newly-crowned ‘King Gas’?

For the latest info on the LDC Gas Forum Mid-Continent, including opportunities to sponsor, speak or attend, and a complete attendee list, please visit www.ldcgasforums.com/mc or contact Christy Coleman at 713-343-1873 or [e-mail]. QUALIFIED GAS BUYERS are eligible to register for FREE admission.

About LDC Gas Forums

The LDC Gas Forums are a series of five annual “super-regional” conferences in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and Canada, which are each currently the largest gas industry event in each of the five regions. The Forums highlight current regional topics that are relevant to buyers and sellers of natural gas, and are designed to maximize industry networking.

About TradeFair Group

A leading energy industry information provider, with conferences, tradeshows, e-media and print publications for the oil, gas, chemical, petrochemical, power generation, renewable energy and coal industries, TradeFair Group, an Access Intelligence Company, produces events throughout North America, and its publications and online properties serve a global marketplace. Additional information is available at www.TradeFairGroup.com.