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An ExxonMobil Corp. oil pipeline spill late last month in Mayflower, AR, has left many questions in its wake for regulators and state officials about what the accident may mean for future pipeline projects from, including the controversial Keystone XL project that would carry oilsands crude to Gulf Coast markets.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has scheduled three forums on natural gas issues in May. The forums, which would be held in a roundtable format “to encourage discussion and allow flexibility to find areas of agreement,” would include input from members and a variety of stakeholders, according to committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and ranking member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). Topics for the forums are “Infrastructure, Transportation, Research and Innovation” (May 16), “Domestic Supply and Exports” (May 21) and “Shale Development: Best Practices and Environmental Concerns” (May 23).

Development of oil and natural gas in the Eagle Ford Shale added more than $61 billion in total economic impact during 2012, according to a study by the Center for Community and Business Research in The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Institute for Economic Development.

North American oil and natural gas producers are in the “middle to latter stages of the land grab” for unconventional properties, but there still will be opportunities down the road for others to pitch a claim, said Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Inc.’s (TPH) Bobby Tudor.

The House Natural Resources Committee sent a letter to the Interior Department Thursday expressing concern about the scientific integrity of and the imposition of what it said were arbitrary deadlines on a decision to potentially list the sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

Regency Energy Partners LP is adding to its midstream asset collection a 5,600-mile gas gathering system and about 500 MMcf/d of processing and treating facilities in West Texas and New Mexico for natural gas and natural gas liquids with a deal that gives it Southern Union Gas Services Ltd. (SUGS).

Elected officials in Ft. Collins, CO, the university town about 57 miles north of Denver, have passed a ban on oil and natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) within the city limits. The measure still must pass on a second reading in early March.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) needs to improve air emissions data for the oil and natural gas production sector, according to a report issued by the agency’s Inspector General.

McMoRan Exploration Co. Wednesday began crowing about a Lineham Creek ultra-deep exploratory well located onshore in South Louisiana in which it has a minority stake. The well is not yet at total depth, but McMoRan said estimated proved, probable and possible oil and gas reserves are 546.7 Bcfe gross.