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AltaGas Ltd. has received approval from the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) for its Harmattan Co-stream Project.

The U.S. State Department signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas that will allow the two countries to share technical expertise on shale gas resources. Preliminary estimates by India’s Association of Petroleum Geologists indicate that India’s shale gas reserves may be larger than its proven conventional gas deposits. The MOU would help India assess its shale gas resources and help to train Indian personnel. As part of the agreement, the U.S. Geological Survey plans to study India’s shale gas resources. The United States also would help India prepare for its first shale gas auction, which is scheduled to be held by the end of 2011.

Quebec is working on a plan that would allow it to develop its portion of the Old Harry formation in the Laurentian Channel, which some experts consider one of the largest untapped natural gas and oil reservoirs in Eastern Canada’s offshore.

Quebec is working on a plan that would allow it to develop its portion of the Old Harry formation in the Laurentian Channel, which may be one of the largest untapped natural gas and oil reservoirs in Eastern Canada’s offshore.

Quebec’s shale gas could generate as many as 19,000 jobs and more than C$1 billion in annual royalties for the province, according to an economic benefits study issued on Friday.

Range Resources Corp. is developing an office facility in Canonsburg, PA, south of Pittsburgh, to allow it to eventually more than double its Marcellus Shale regional office workforce, which is currently 225. Most of the new jobs are to go to area residents, according to Ray Walker, senior vice president of the Houston-based producer’s Appalachia Shale unit. The five-story building is to include energy efficient measures that include reflective roof material, reflective glass, shade fins, energy management systems and waste recycling. The project is being developed under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification under guidelines set up by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is considering a long-term plan for state forests that would allow more land to be leased for natural gas and oil development.

Quebec will allow producers to work on preliminary natural gas shale development while regulatory issues are reviewed, Natural Resources Minister Nathalie Normandeau said last week.

Quebec will allow producers to work on preliminary natural gas shale development while regulatory issues are reviewed, Natural Resources Minister Nathalie Normandeau said Tuesday.