U.S. stock index futures were up with about 40 minutes before markets open,

Immelt upbeat
David Berman
RTGAM


After back-to-back weekly losses, investors do not appear to have lost faith in the stock market rebound that began in early March. On Monday morning, most major global indexes were higher.

U.S. stock index futures were up with about 40 minutes before markets open, suggesting that stocks will rise at the start of trading. Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average were up 33 points. Futures for the broader S&P 500 were up 3 points.

In Europe, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was up 0.9 per cent and Germany's DAX index was up 1.5 per cent in afternoon trading. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1 per cent in overnight trading.

The gains come on a light news day, and the start of a shortened week in North America. On Wednesday, the Canadian market will close for Canada Day celebrations. Although the U.S. Independence Day falls on Saturday, markets will close on Friday for a long weekend holiday.

Jeffey Immelt, chief executive of General Electric, may have lost some credibility when he cut GE's dividend earlier this year after insisting it was safe -- but investors are giving his forecasting skills another chance: In a speech at the London School of Economics, Mr. Immelt said that the worst of the economic crisis has passed and he believes growth will resume in 2010.

"I would say we have almost a fully functioning capital market," he said, according to Bloomberg News.

Copyright 2001 The Globe and Mail

QEC-T: significant natural fracturing and over-pressured intervals encountered while drilling

Questerre Energy Corporation: St. Edouard#1 Tested Gas in TBR; Preparing to Test Shale Intervals

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CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - June 25, 2009) -


NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION ON U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES


Questerre Energy Corporation ("Questerre" or the "Company") (TSX:QEC) (OSLO:QEC) reported today that testing will commence shortly on multiple shale intervals for the St. Edouard #1 well in the St. Lawrence Lowlands, Quebec. This follows a recent open-hole test of the deeper Trenton Black-River ("TBR") interval in this well.


Michael Binnion, President and Chief Executive Officer of Questerre, commented, "With the significant natural fracturing and over-pressured intervals encountered while drilling, we look forward to the stimulation and testing of the shales in St. Edouard #1. This well offsets the Leclercville #1 well that recently tested 900 mcf/d on a stabilized basis from the Utica."


Testing of multiple intervals in the upper shale sequences will begin this summer once equipment and personnel are mobilized.


The TBR carbonate interval was acid stimulated and the well flowed sweet natural gas over a three-day test period with a final rate of 2.2 mmcf/d and wellhead pressure of 2000 psi (14 Mpa) on a 7/32 inch (5.6 mm) choke. No water was produced on this test. The well is currently shut-in for buildup and further testing. Based on an initial review of the pressure data, the Company anticipates the TBR zone in this well will not support the tie-in costs to the distribution system on a stand-alone basis.


Mr. Binnion further added, "The natural fracturing contributed to strong initial flow rates from the TBR. More importantly, the cuttings indicate altered limestone that confirms the potential for the TBR exploration model. While we do not expect to tie-in this well, we believe the TBR remains a valid exploration target and plan to test additional prospects with future wells."


This news release contains forward-looking information. Implicit in this information are assumptions regarding commodity pricing, production, royalties and expenses, that, although considered reasonable by the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially as a result of changes in the Company's plans, commodity prices, equipment availability, general economic, market, regulatory and business conditions as well as production, development and operating performance and other risks associated with oil and gas operations. There is no guarantee made by the Company that the actual results achieved will be the same as those forecasted herein.


This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. These securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


Questerre is a Calgary-based independent resource company actively engaged in the exploration, development and acquisition of high-impact exploration and development oil and gas projects in Canada.



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