Consol Energy Inc. officially started horizontal hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations at the Pittsburgh International Airport on Monday, with a ceremony that featured top company officials, Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald. Consol has already constructed one of six well pads on more than 9,000 acres of county-owned land at the airport where it plans to drill up to 45 Marcellus Shale wells through 2018. Drilling at the airport began earlier this month. The project, which cleared a series of local, state and federal regulatory hurdles beginning in February 2013 (see Shale Daily, April 25; Feb. 21, 2013), is expected to generate more than $1 billion in capital spending and revenue for the county over the next 20 years, including a $50 million signing bonus delivered to the airport authority last year, according to Consol. CEO Nick Deluliis said drilling operations at the airport could eventually be expanded to target the Upper Devonian and Utica shales.

Organizers of the Oil & Gas Awards announced Monday that the 2014 finalists have been picked. Judged by more than 110 senior executives from midstream and exploration and production companies, the Oil & Gas Awards saw more than 400 companies participate across multiple categories this year. “The Awards champion companies that display best practice in the key areas of operational excellence, environmental stewardship, corporate social responsibility and excellence in health and safety. All key areas of public interest where misinformation dissipated by industry critics has been a thorn in the industry’s side.” The Oil & Gas Awards take place regionally throughout North America in the Gulf Coast, Midcontinent, Northeast, Rocky Mountains, Southwest and West Coast. Winners of the Oil & Gas Awards will be announced at the Oil & Gas Awards Gala Dinner in the relevant region. Each gala dinner will be preceded by a regional Oil & Gas Awards Industry Summit held for participating companies and organizations that have an interest in networking and learning about challenges faced in the region. The West Coast event is being held on Oct. 21 in Bakersfield, CA, while the Southwest event will be held on Oct. 23 in Dallas, TX, and the Midcontinent one on Oct. 29 in Oklahoma City, OK. For a full list of West Coast, Southwest and Midcontinent finalists for 2014, visit https://www.oilandgasawards.com/2014-finalists/. For more information on the Industry Summit and Awards Dinner, contact info@oilandgasawards.com, or call (210) 591-8471.

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has opened an office and central equipment yard in Odessa, TX, in order to keep up with demand for its construction and maintenance services in the Permian Basin, the company said. The new location serves as the company’s central hub for Permian activities. Jacobs is in the process of selecting locations for satellite yards in the region to further support its clients on West Texas construction and maintenance projects.