High natural gas prices are bad news for consumers but good news for Houston-based Burlington Resources, one of the largest independent oil and gas producers in North America. The prices, combined with low-cost property acquisitions in the U.S., Canada, and the North Dutch Sea, helped lift 2003 profits by 181%. While overall production was flat last year, Shackouls says the company is now entering "a period of accelerated production growth." He expects 3% to 8% higher production per year over the next few years. The cash-flow gains will be funneled into more exploration and production.