Also

EQT Gathering LLC has filed an application to build and operate the Derry Compressor Station in Westmoreland, PA, and other compression facilities to move natural gas from the Marcellus Shale region to interstate markets.

Exco Resources Inc. is back in the acquisition game after having struck a $1 billion deal with Chesapeake Energy Corp. last week, CEO Douglas Miller said Monday. There are plenty of deals, and financing is available, he told analysts following the company.

Despite protests by state officials and the energy industry, the Boulder (CO) County commission on Tuesday extended a 16-month drilling moratorium now in place by another 18 months, following the lead of the Boulder city council, which earlier this month imposed a one-year drilling permit ban (see Shale Daily, June 7).

XTO Energy Inc.’s natural gas liquids (NGL) recovery facility in Butler County, PA, has entered service processing wet gas from Marcellus and Utica shale drilling in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Atlas Energy LP (ATLS) exploration and production (E&P) subsidiary Atlas Resource Partners LP (ARP) is buying 466 Bcf of natural gas proved reserves in the Raton (New Mexico) and Black Warrior (Alabama) basins from EP Energy E&P Co. LP (EP Energy), a unit of EP Energy LLC, for $733 million.

Ohio government officials and industry experts met for a shale symposium hosted by law firm BakerHostetler LLP on Thursday, offering their opinions of what the challenges will be in the Utica Shale as the play develops.

Aurora Oil & Gas Ltd. has begun drilling activities earlier than expected on its recently acquired Eagle Ford Shale acreage, the Australia-based company said Monday.

As oil production continues its steep climb in the Eagle Ford Shale, the South Texas play is on track to surpass the Bakken, the shale oil production leader, in the near term, an RBC Capital Markets analyst said Wednesday.

Plan would also have drillers use natural gas-fueled rigs, but conflict arises between E&Ps and drilling companies regarding the use of gas at the well sites.