Always

With the legislature looking at adjournment May 8, a bill (HB 1269) that would restrict oil and natural gas representation and participation on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (OGCC) passed out of committee on a partisan 3-2 vote late Monday night, worrying industry backers.

Energen Corp. management said the first quarter of 2013 was “both encouraging and challenging” as test wells in the Third Bone Spring and Wolfberry formations of the Permian Basin performed well, but cold weather and interference issues worked against the company as profits fell slightly.

Always an important factor in gauging summer energy supplies, particularly for power generation, Pacific Northwest river flows and water levels are getting increased scrutiny this month following an above-normally dry and warm January through March period.

Because of production growth in U.S. oilfields, Calgary’s Suncor Energy has thrown in the towel on the centerpiece of its long-planned, $20 billion oilsands expansion, the Voyageur Upgrader.

With questions lingering about whether hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and the chemicals used in the process are to blame for contaminating the water supply of some Wyoming residents, Encana Corp. has asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for “key technical data and information” about water wells re-tested near its natural gas development in Pavillion, WY, to enable the company to properly respond by an October deadline. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), however, issued two reports Wednesday that may fill in some of the blanks.

After more than three years, Pennsylvania lawmakers have passed an impact fee on gas drilling. The bill awaits Gov. Tom Corbett’s signature.

In a low-gas price environment, it’s woe that befalls the gas producer that overpays for midstream services or transportation. And because the industry’s pace has quickened as companies rush to develop shale plays, the risks of overspending at contract time are greater today, Rodney Waller, Range Resources Corp. senior vice president, told a Houston audience last week.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released its latest report on Marcellus Shale inspections and violations, while its acting secretary defended recent enforcement policy changes.

While Wednesday’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) report that 19 Bcf was injected into inventories for the week ending Nov. 5 came in below historical comparisons and most industry expectations, the injection did set a new all-time record for natural gas in storage at 3,840 Bcf, which the natural gas futures market took note of.