General Interest

Flexibility in fracing reg seen still an open question

OGJ editors — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:09:00 GMT

Increased flexibility for operators remains an open question in a revised proposal for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing, according to a May 23 legal update by Roger W. Patrick of the law firm Mayer Brown.

PetroBakken renamed Lightstream Resources

OGJ editors — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:42:00 GMT

PetroBakken Energy Ltd., Calgary, has received shareholder approval for a name change, effective immediately, to Lightstream Resources. Ltd.

MARKET WATCH: Uncertain economy pulls down oil prices

Sam Fletcher — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:17:00 GMT

Crude prices continued falling but at a faster pace May 22, down 2% in the New York futures market on disappointing inventories, a stronger dollar, and lackluster progress in the US economy.

Warner-Kaine bill would restore Virginia sales to 2012-17 OCS plan

Nick Snow — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:07:00 GMT

Virginia’s two US senators, Democrats Mark R. Warner and Timothy M. Kaine, introduced legislation that would revise the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s 2012-17 Outer Continental Shelf program by restoring to the schedule a lease sale off the state’s coast.

US House passes Keystone XL bill despite White House's veto threat

Nick Snow — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:53:00 GMT

The US House approved Rep. Lee Terry’s (R-Neb.) bill to bypass the White House and congressionally authorize construction of the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline’s northern segment by 241 to 175 votes on May 22.

European officials, industry leaders seek energy reform

OGJ editors — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:09:00 GMT

European officials and industry leaders have taken steps toward reviving energy-market reform and setting long-term targets for renewable energy.

QPI invests in Total E&P Congo

OGJ editors — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:03:00 GMT

Qatar Petroleum International (QPI) agreed to acquire a 15% stake in Total E&P Congo, stating this reinforces its commitment to invest in Africa.

MARKET WATCH: Oil prices end brief rally as dollar strengthens

Sam Fletcher — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:49:00 GMT

Oil prices fell with front-month crude down 0.6% in the New York futures market May 21 as the US dollar rallied in expectation the Federal Reserve Bank would maintain current efforts to stimulate the national economy.

EPA proposes Tier 3 vehicle emission, gasoline sulfur limits

Nick Snow — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:36:00 GMT

The US Environmental Protection Agency proposed standards to reduce vehicle emissions and sulfur content in gasoline beginning in 2017. Comments on the so-called Tier 3 requirements will be accepted until June 13, EPA said on May 21.

Deloitte: Shale gas, oil potential increasingly apparent

Nick Snow — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:57:00 GMT

Oil and gas production from tight shale formations clearly is a long-term phenomenon and not a short-term trend, Deloitte LLP officials told reporters. The financial services company found growing confidence in unconventional energy resources in a survey it conducted last year, said John England, a vice-chairman and leader of its oil and gas practice.

Barclays: US gas exports to Mexico will accelerate

Warren R. True — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:37:00 GMT

As the US debates exporting more plentiful natural gas from new liquefaction along the East and Gulf coasts, gas exports to Mexico in the past 3 years have doubled, according to a recent research note from Barclays.

Shell official: Innovation, cooperation key to future energy success

Nick Snow — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:50:00 GMT

A combination of innovation and cooperation will be necessary to meet the world’s future energy needs, a Shell Downstream Inc. official forecast.

Rosneft changes accommodate TNK-BP merger

OGJ editors — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:39:00 GMT

Rosneft has made a series of management changes in connection with its merger of TNK-BP, which it acquired from BP and the AAR group earlier this year (OGJ Online, Mar. 21, 2013).

European Parliament approves offshore oil, gas safety directive

Paula Dittrick — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:23:00 GMT

The European Parliament authorized a new offshore oil and gas operations directive that requires operators to prove their ability to cover potential liabilities and to submit major hazard reports and emergency response plans before operations start.

Growth easing for MENA oil exporters

OGJ editors — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:13:00 GMT

Economic growth rates of oil exporters in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are moderating as oil production flattens in response to modest global demand, reports the International Monetary Fund.

MARKET WATCH: Oil, gas prices continue to increase

Sam Fletcher — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:49:00 GMT

Oil and gas prices continued climbing May 20 amid optimism for a US economic recovery and the prospect of increased demand for crude this summer. Natural gas was up 0.8% on forecasts for warmer weather for most of the country.

Mining firm getting closer to acquiring Plains E&P

OGJ editors — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:29:00 GMT

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. and Plains Exploration & Production Co. said a majority of Plains shareholders have approved Freeport-McMoRan’s pending acquisition of Plains during a special May 20 meeting.

Higher gas prices unlikely under several scenarios, BPC study finds

Nick Snow — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:28:00 GMT

US natural gas prices are unlikely to rise markedly under a variety of scenarios, including those with increased demand across multiple sectors, a study by the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Energy Project staff concluded.

Alaskan government proposes new ANWR crude oil resource study

Nick Snow — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:10:00 GMT

Alaska’s state government proposed that a new study of potential crude oil resources beneath the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s coastal plain be conducted before the Obama administration decides whether to designate more of the refuge as wilderness and wild and scenic rivers.

ACC details US chemical rebound from abundant, affordable gas

Nick Snow — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:24:00 GMT

Abundant, affordable US natural gas supplies resulted in 97 announced chemical and plastics projects totaling $71.7 billion in potential new investment, the American Chemical Council said in a recent report.

Kuwait reshuffles oil and gas leadership

OGJ editors — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:48:00 GMT

Kuwait’s state-owned oil, gas, petrochemical, and services industries have new leaders.

Chesapeake Energy names Lawler as chief executive officer

OGJ editors — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:41:00 GMT

Chesapeake Energy Corp. has named Robert Douglas Lawler as chief executive officer and a member of the board, effective June 17.

MARKET WATCH: Front-month gas futures contract rallies

Sam Fletcher — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:19:00 GMT

The front-month natural gas contract rallied May 17 in New York, reclaiming most of its loss from the previous session, after the Department of Energy authorized Freeport LNG Development LP to export 1.4 bcfd of LNG to countries that do not have free trade agreements with the US (OGJ Online, May 17, 2013).

BLM releases draft plan to clean up NPR-A legacy wells

Nick Snow — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The US Bureau of Land Management's Anchorage, Alas., office released a draft plan listing near-term priorities and actions to plug and clean up legacy wells in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, but the draft quickly drew fire from the state's senior US senator.

Watching Government: Taking concerns to Washington

Nick Snow — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Heavy rain didn't dampen Western Energy Alliance members' enthusiasm the morning of May 7 as they posed for a photo on the US Capitol's eastern steps during their 2013 Washington call-up. They had too many places to go and people to see.

Changing climate politics

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

As polarization over global warming intensifies an important question emerges: If the apparent pause in observed warming becomes an established trend, will politics change? The regrettable answer: probably not.

Shale gas find declared in NWT Pointed Mountain area

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Canada's National Energy Board granted a commercial discovery declaration to Lone Pine Resources Inc., Calgary, with respect to the Upper and Lower Besa River shale intervals in the Pointed Mountain field area of the Liard basin in western Northwest Territories.

House panel questions funding support for BLM to regulate fracing

Nick Snow — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

US House Natural Resources Committee members from both sides of the aisle questioned whether Congress would be willing to fund a federal hydraulic fracturing regulatory regime at the US Bureau of Land Management.

DOE okays Freeport to start LNG exports to non-FTA countries

Nick Snow — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:02:00 GMT

The US Department of Energy conditionally approved Freeport LNG’s request to export domestically produced LNG from its Quintana Island, Tex., terminal to countries that do not have a free trade agreement with the US.

Corker-Manchin bill aims to correct unintended RFS subsidy

Nick Snow — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:20:00 GMT

US Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced legislation on May 16 aimed at correcting what they said was unintentional subsidization of foreign ethanol imports under the federal Renewable Fuels Standard.

Arctic nations adopt marine oil pollution preparedness agreement

Nick Snow — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:50:00 GMT

The world’s Arctic nations formally agreed to cooperate on marine oil pollution preparedness and response at the Arctic Council’s May 15 meeting in Kiruna, Sweden.

MARKET WATCH: Oil prices continue climbing as gas price drops

Sam Fletcher — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:28:00 GMT

Oil prices continued rising with the front-month crude contract up 0.9% in the New York futures market May 16 despite a report from the US Department of Labor showing a rise in claims for unemployment benefits, stimulating worries about economic recovery.

DOI releases revised proposal to regulate hydraulic fracturing

Nick Snow — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:19:00 GMT

The US Department of the Interior released a revised proposal to regulate hydraulic fracturing on public and Indian lands that it said would maintain important safety standards, improve integration with existing state and tribal rules, and increase flexibility for oil and gas producers.

Bill aims to protect states' shares of federal royalties

Nick Snow — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:34:00 GMT

US Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) introduced legislation to ensure states that normally receive half of federal onshore oil and gas royalties under the Mineral Leasing Act actually receive the money.

BLM seeks comments on Devon's proposed Horseshoe basin project

Nick Snow — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:21:00 GMT

The US Bureau of Land Management’s Rock Springs, Wyo., field office began a 30-day public scoping period on May 6 before it prepares an environmental assessment of Devon Energy Production Co. LP’s proposal to develop up to 20 new oil and gas wells within the Horseshoe basin unit.

MARKET WATCH: Crude barely breaks losing streak

Sam Fletcher — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:46:00 GMT

Front-month crude managed a minimal gain May 15 after four sessions of price declines in the New York market. Natural gas continued its increase, up 1%.

RWI report measures resource-rich countries’ accountability

Nick Snow — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:01:00 GMT

The lives of more than 1 billion people worldwide could be transformed if their governments managed their countries’ oil, gas, and mineral resources in a more open and accountable manner, a new Revenue Watch Institute analysis concluded.

MARKET WATCH: Oil prices continue retreat in weak economy

Sam Fletcher — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:47:00 GMT

Oil prices continued retreating May 14, with front-month crude down 1% in the New York market after the International Energy Agency cut its global demand estimates for the next 4 years.

Rosneft, Petrovietnam ink cooperation MOU

OGJ editors — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:30:00 GMT

Rosneft and Petrovietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in upstream and downstream oil and gas operations in Russia, Vietnam, and third countries.

European officials launch oil-price probe

OGJ editors — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:11:00 GMT

Officials of the European Commission and European Free Trade Association Surveillance Authority made unannounced inspections at offices of BP, Shell, Statoil, and Platts in a step the EC described as “a preliminary step to investigate suspected anticompetitive practices.”

MARKET WATCH: Stronger dollar undercuts oil prices

Sam Fletcher — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:38:00 GMT

Energy prices continued declining May 13 with crude down 1% in the New York futures market as the US dollar climbed against the yen and euro for the third consecutive session and the US Department of Commerce announced a surprise gain in April retail sales.

House bill aims to expedite US gas pipeline construction

Nick Snow — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:32:00 GMT

US Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) introduced a bill on May 9 that aims to expedite construction of US natural gas pipelines by streamlining the permitting process and expediting approvals.

MARKET WATCH: Oil prices decline in lackluster market

Sam Fletcher — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:56:00 GMT

Energy prices declined May 10 with the benchmark front-month crude contract continuing its retreat in the New York futures market. For the week as a whole, crude traded flat while natural gas fell 3% on a bearish injection report.

Statoil, Total swap Barents Sea interests

OGJ editors — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:08:00 GMT

Statoil AS and Total SA have agreed to swap 10% interests in two petroleum licenses in the Barents Sea offshore Norway.

San Leon Energy to buy Talisman’s share of Poland shale gas JV

OGJ editors — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:35:00 GMT

San Leon Energy PLC agreed to buy Talisman Energy Inc.’s share of a shale gas joint venture in Poland. Talisman is the second international major oil company to withdraw from Poland, following a decision last year by ExxonMobil Corp. to exit Poland after early results failed to produce commercial wells.

North Sea renewable gas

Christopher E. Smith — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

OTC: Deepstar focused on subsea equipment

Paula Dittrick — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Advances in deepwater technology require financial commitment by oil companies and a willingness to form partnerships with vendors and regulators, panelists discussing the DeepStar research and development collaboration told an opening session of the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston.

OTC: GL Noble Denton survey shows execs expect stricter US offshore regs

Paula Dittrick — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

GL Noble Denton surveyed more than 100 senior oil and gas professionals regarding their comments on new US offshore regulations in the 3 years since the deepwater Macondo well blowout and resulting explosion and fire to the Deepwater Horizon semisubmersible in the Gulf of Mexico.

API to EPA: Tier 3 so controversial it requires rulemaking process

Nick Snow — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The American Petroleum Institute urged the US Environmental Protection Agency to use a full Clean Air Act rulemaking process for its proposed Tier 3 rule instead of a rushed review process API says the agency is contemplating.

State AGs urge EPA to resist call for oil, gas methane curbs

Nick Snow — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Oklahoma Atty. Gen. E. Scott Pruitt (R) and 12 more attorneys general from producing states urged the US Environmental Protection Agency to resist a threat by seven northeastern states to sue if EPA does not impose methane emissions limits under the federal Clean Air Act.

BLM releases draft plan to clean up NPR-A legacy wells

Nick Snow — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:10:00 GMT

The US Bureau of Land Management’s Anchorage, Alas., office released a draft plan listing near-term priorities and actions to plug and clean up legacy wells in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, but the draft quickly drew fire from the state’s senior US senator.

MARKET WATCH: Crude prices slip in mixed New York market

Sam Fletcher — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:27:00 GMT

Front-month crude dipped 0.7% May 9 in the New York market amid concerns over falling demand and rising supply despite a bullish report on commercial US oil inventories that boosted prices in the previous session.

House Republicans form group to examine Endangered Species Act

Nick Snow — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:24:00 GMT

Thirteen US House Republicans formed a working group to consider ways the federal Endangered Species Act is working, how it could be updated, and how to make it more effective. ESA matters to oil and gas producers as petitions to list species as endangered are filed with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, sometimes with the potential to severely restrict or outright prohibit exploration, production, and development.

MarkWest Energy buys Granite Wash assets in Texas, Oklahoma

OGJ editors — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:21:00 GMT

MarkWest Energy Partners LP, Denver, has bought midstream assets in the Anadarko basin from a wholly owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy Corp. for $245 million.

Inpex to get stake in block off Uruguay

OGJ editors — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:52:00 GMT

Inpex Corp., through a subsidiary, has agreed to acquire a 30% participating interest in Area 15 offshore Uruguay from a subsidiary of Tullow Oil PLC (see map, OGJ, May 7, 2012, p. 60).

MARKET WATCH: Bullish inventories pull up oil prices

Sam Fletcher — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:36:00 GMT

The front-month US benchmark crude was up 1.1% in the New York market amid mixed trading May 8, following a bullish report on US inventories.

Petronas to buy OGX interests offshore Brazil

OGJ editors — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:24:00 GMT

Petronas Brasil E&P Ltda. has agreed to buy interests in two blocks in Brazil’s Campos basin from OGX Petroleo e Gas SA for $850 million.

House panel questions funding support for BLM to regulate fracing

Nick Snow — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:59:00 GMT

Canada to EU: Don't penalize oil sands

OGJ editors — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:09:00 GMT

Canada’s minister of natural resources has warned officials of the European Union against “discriminatory treatment” of fuels made from products of Canadian oil sands.

Apache to divest assets worth $4 billion

OGJ editors — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:20:00 GMT

Apache Corp. will sell properties worth $4 billion by the end of 2013 in what G. Steven Farris, chairman and chief executive officer, described as a program to “divest noncore assets while retaining those that drive long-term growth and generate cash from operations.”

Deepwater well containment exercise completed

Paula Dittrick — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:14:00 GMT

A test deployment of well control equipment was completed by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Noble Energy Inc., and the Helix Well Containment Group (HWCG) to assess Noble’s ability to respond to a potential subsea blowout in the Gulf of Mexico.

MARKET WATCH: Oil prices decline as risk premium eases

Sam Fletcher — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:04:00 GMT

Oil prices generally retreated May 7 with front-month crude ending a three-session rally in the New York market as Middle East conflict failed to heat up.

OTC: Petrobras emphasizes safety in FPSO design, operation in gulf

Paula Dittrick — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:33:00 GMT

Safety was a priority for engineers planning the first floating production, storage, and offloading vessel installed in the Gulf of Mexico, Petrobras America Inc. executives told a May 6 technical session of the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston.

Schanck to retire from Sonde Resources top posts

OGJ editors — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:26:00 GMT

Jack Schanck, president and chief executive officer of Sonde Resources Corp., Calgary, has formally notified the board of his intention to retire from Sonde for personal reasons.

API to EPA: Tier 3 so controversial it requires rulemaking process

Nick Snow — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:55:00 GMT

LNG exports may help put US in stronger global position, Jaffe says

Nick Snow — Wed, 08 May 2013 03:17:00 GMT

Debate over whether the US should authorize more LNG exports has been too narrowly focused on potential domestic impacts, an energy and geopolitical expert told a US House subcommittee.

HRT to acquire Campos basin shelf oil field from BP

OGJ editors — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:43:00 GMT

HRT Oil & Gas Ltd., Rio de Janeiro, will acquire BP PLC’s 60% interest in Polvo oil field in shallow water in the southern Campos basin offshore Brazil for $135 million cash.

MARKET WATCH: Syria bombings hike oil prices

Sam Fletcher — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:53:00 GMT

News of a second Israeli air strike on Syria during the weekend pulled the oil market out of a morning slump May 6 with front-month crude up nearly 1% by the end of the New York market session.

OTC: GL Noble Denton survey shows executives expect stricter US offshore regulations

Paula Dittrick — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:43:00 GMT

EQT acquiring more Marcellus shale assets

Tue, 07 May 2013 16:34:00 GMT

EQT Corp. agreed to buy 99,000 net acres in southwestern Pennsylvania and 10 horizontal Marcellus wells in Washington County, Pa., from Chesapeake Energy Corp. and partners.

Independent to acquire GeoMet Alabama CBM assets

Tue, 07 May 2013 16:30:00 GMT

A private independent oil and gas company with interests in Alabama will purchase the Alabama coalbed methane properties of GeoMet Inc., Houston, for $63.2 million. The buyer’s name has yet to be released.

Statoil warns against Norwegian tax move

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:24:00 GMT

Statoil says a proposal by the Norwegian government to lower an allowance against the special petroleum tax would hurt the allure of future offshore projects.

Athabasca Oil chief executive assumes role as president

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:15:00 GMT

Sveinung Svarte, chief executive officer of Athabasca Oil Corp., Calgary, will function also as president after the departure of Bryan Gould and formation of an executive operational and development committee to be chaired by Ronald Eckhardt, a director.

API broadens its technical programs to address public scrutiny

Nick Snow — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:09:00 GMT

Growing public scrutiny of oil and gas operations has forced the American Petroleum Institute to broaden its technical program coverage to suppliers of goods and services, API executives said.

State AGs urge EPA to resist call for oil, gas methane curbs

Nick Snow — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:43:00 GMT

OTC: Deepstar focuses on subsea equipment

Paula Dittrick — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:48:00 GMT

MARKET WATCH: Oil prices climb; gas regains moderately

Sam Fletcher — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:49:00 GMT

Oil prices continued climbing May 3 with crude up 1.7% in the New York futures market, pulled along by the strong performance in the equity market following a favorable jobs report.

Watching Government: Federal fracing research update

Nick Snow — Mon, 06 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Four agencies are moving ahead and continuing to coordinate federal hydraulic fracturing research despite missing a pair of deadlines, officials told a pair of US House Science, Space, and Technology Committee subcommittees on Apr. 25.

TransCanada delays Keystone XL in-service date to second-half 2015

Christopher E. Smith — Mon, 06 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

TransCanada Corp. is pushing back the in-service date for its Keystone XL pipeline from late-2014 or early-2015 to second-half 2015.

House panel begins US-Mexico Trans-boundary treaty discussions

Nick Snow — Mon, 06 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Congressional approval of the 2012 US-Mexico Trans-Boundary Hydrocarbons Treaty would produce significant benefits for both countries, witnesses told a US House Natural Resources subcommittee.

Water increasingly crucial in energy policies, experts say

Nick Snow — Fri, 03 May 2013 21:42:00 GMT

Energy policymakers worldwide should look beyond supply security and environmental questions and consider water resource availability if they expect to succeed, experts said May 3 during a forum at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

MARKET WATCH: Oil prices bounce back on stronger economy indicators

Sam Fletcher — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:44:00 GMT

Front-month benchmark crude prices jumped 3% in both the US and UK futures market May 2, wiping out losses from the previous session, after the European Central Bank cut its benchmark interest rate to a record low of 0.5% from 0.75%.

Dingley named to Horn Petroleum, Africa Oil posts

OGJ editors — Thu, 02 May 2013 21:04:00 GMT

Mark Dingley has joined Horn Petroleum Corp. as chief operating officer effective May 1, and also has been appointed president of Africa Oil Ethiopia BV, a subsidiary of Africa Oil Corp. Both firms are based in Vancouver, BC.

MARKET WATCH: Bearish inventory, economy drop oil prices

Sam Fletcher — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:35:00 GMT

Oil prices dropped sharply May 1 with the front-month crude contract down 2.6% in the New York futures market after federal officials reported oil inventories at the highest level since 1982.

WEA survey: Voters back US oil, gas development

Nick Snow — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:30:00 GMT

US voters strongly support domestic oil and gas development and recognize its significant benefits to the general economy, a survey released by the Western Energy Alliance in Denver indicates.

New York appeals court says towns can ban hydraulic fracturing

Paula Dittrick — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:23:00 GMT

The New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division ruled May 2 that townships in New York state can ban hydraulic fracturing and shale gas drilling within municipal borders.

Cedigaz: Global gas trade in 2012 shows mixed trends

OGJ editors — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:51:00 GMT

Global marketed natural gas production and “apparent” consumption in 2012 grew slowly, according to a new report from Cedigaz, the international natural gas association based near Paris.

Shell appoints executive vice-president for Arctic

OGJ editors — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:52:00 GMT

Royal Dutch Shell PLC said Ann Pickard, currently vice-president, Australia and New Zealand, upstream international, will be moved to the position of executive vice-president, Arctic, upstream Americas, effective June 1.

MARKET WATCH: Rising unemployment in Europe brings down oil prices

Sam Fletcher — Wed, 01 May 2013 17:43:00 GMT

Oil prices fell Apr. 30 with crude dropping 1.1% in the New York futures market after the Euro-zone reported record high unemployment of 12.1%. There also was continued concern of possible US intervention in Syria.

Energy Information Administration's view of shale gas, tight oil potential*

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

People

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Local economies thrive from South Texas Eagle Ford growth

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

ATASCOSA COUNTY, Tex.—The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Center for Community and Business Research reported in March 2013 that Eagle Ford shale development added more than $61 billion in total economic impact during 2012.

EAGLE FORD briefs

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Fayetteville groundwater study shows no signs of contamination from recent drilling activity

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

FAULKNER COUNTY, Ark.—In January, the USGS announced results from its year-long groundwater study in the central portion of Arkansas' Fayetteville shale.

New York Marcellus development still faces hurdles

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

ALBANY, NY—Marcellus Shale production reached 7 bcfd, surpassing the Haynesville to become the largest gas producing play in the US, according to a recent report from IHS.

Pennsylvania's historic transformation continues

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Given the demanding schedules oil and gas professionals must maintain, it is easy to lose sight of the positive progress the industry continues to make—and what these collective efforts, aimed at safely producing clean-burning domestic natural gas, mean for the Northeastern US and the country as a whole.

Central US briefs

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Mississippi: New, lower severance tax regime creates positive cash flow for horizontal drilling projects

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The Tuscaloosa Marine shale, located along the Gulf Coast in both Louisiana and Mississippi, is underexplored. "We're in the midst of trying to develop the commercial potential of the Tuscaloosa Marine shale resource," said Doug Hock, spokesman for Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. "Our focus is on reducing well costs."

MARCELLUS/UTICA briefs

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

CANADA briefs

Wed, 01 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT