Anadarko

The first glimpse of Utica Shale productivity makes two things clear: Chesapeake Energy Corp. is leading the way and it is producing a fair amount of natural gas.

Linn Energy LLC has agreed to acquire Midcontinent oil and gas properties primarily in the Granite Wash of Texas and Oklahoma from Plains Exploration & Production Co. (PXP) for $600 million.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued 277 permits for Marcellus Shale drilling and operators reported drilling 226 wells into the play in August, according to recently released figures.

The attorney general of New York has issued subpoenas to three companies looking to develop oil and gas resources in the Marcellus Shale, part of an investigation into how the companies calculated production estimates and drilling costs to investors.

Forced pooling is critical to ensuring that the Marcellus Shale is developed to its fullest, but crafting those laws will be difficult because of the unique nature of shale and the slim legal history of pooling in Appalachia, a natural resources legal expert told a Pittsburgh audience Tuesday.

If recently announced drilling programs are any indication, 2011 could be the biggest year to date for Utica Shale exploration.

SemGas LP has signed an agreement with Eagle Energy Co. to gather and process natural gas from its dedicated acreage in Region 1 of the Anadarko Basin in northern Oklahoma, the Tulsa-based SemGroup Corp. The agreement includes the installation of a 30 MMcf/d cryogenic plant in Hopeton, OK facility to support Eagle’s drilling activities into the Mississippi and Hunton geological formations. SemGas will continue to support Eagle’s drilling activity from its Nash, OK facility with further expansion capabilities available as needed, the company said. Founded in 2009, Eagle focuses on acquiring and drilling properties in the Mid-Continent. Its primary activity focuses on horizontal drilling in the Mississippian formation, where it has a leasehold position exceeding 50,000 acres and production weighted 60% oil. Eagle also has more than 50,00 net acres (primarily gas) in the Hunton Lime and Woodford Shale resource plays.

Western Gas Partners LP, which until now has built its portfolio by acquiring assets from parent Anadarko Petroleum Corp., agreed last week to pay $303.3 million to buy some U.S. midstream properties from Encana Corp.

Western Gas Partners LP, which until now has built its portfolio by acquiring assets from parent Anadarko Petroleum Corp., said Tuesday it would pay $303.3 million to buy some midstream properties from Encana Corp.’s U.S. subsidiary.