2012

FERC last Thursday approved plans by Equitrans LP to expand its natural gas pipeline system in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

In an effort to capitalize on liquids-rich gas production in Texas and the Midcontinent and provide producers with a natural gas liquids (NGL) marketing alternative to Mont Belvieu, TX, Crosstex Energy Inc. unit Crosstex Energy LP said it is planning to expand Louisiana fractionation facilities and construct a new NGL pipeline.

The pace of development in the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas is fast and steady, yet “the [stock] market continues to not appreciate the statistical and predictable nature of the learning curve” in the play, said analysts at FBR Capital Markets. They noted that in other shale plays, more wells have equaled greater knowledge, which has yielded predictable productivity gains.

Having stonewalled shale gas drilling for three years, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released its recommendations on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) late Thursday. The list includes requiring full disclosure of fracking chemicals and a ban in all primary aquifers, the watersheds of New York City and Syracuse, and all state-owned land, including state parks.

Enterprise Products Partners LP cited robust growth in Eagle Ford Shale liquids-rich gas production in South Texas as the rationale behind its plans to add yet more fractionation capacity at the Mont Belvieu, TX, natural gas liquids (NGL) complex.

Two former federal regulators appear confident that Congress will pass energy legislation this year, even though the 2012 election season is fast approaching — a time when most lawmakers shy away from contentious energy matters.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Wednesday issued a favorable environmental assessment (EA) of Equitrans LP’s proposed expansion of its natural gas pipeline system that would deliver Marcellus Shale gas to markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.

Three of Japan’s largest utilities have joined a Mitsubishi Corp.-led consortium to partner in Penn West Exploration’s shale gas project in northeastern British Columbia (BC).

Range Resources Corp. expects capital spending to be flat from 2011 to 2012 as the company becomes more efficient in the Marcellus Shale and completes its sale of assets in the Barnett Shale, but to rise in 2013 as the company increases drilling.