As 2009 began, the US oil and gas industry wondered how the change Barack Obama promised in his successful 2008 presidential campaign would affect its business. It was clear as the year ended that changes could be substantial, and not necessarily good for all. But 2009 wasn't entirely bad as policymakers increasingly embraced natural gas as the primary fuel in the nation's energy future."There certainly will be opportunities, but there are also many moving parts in many areas…. There will be a lot going on. Whether a lot gets done may be a different matter."  —Tom Fry, president, National Ocean Industries AssociationThis year consequently began with a mixture o...