Austin

A research team led by the University of Texas at Austin (UT), with input from nine of the nation’s leading natural gas producers and a conservation group, on Wednesday announced they are collaborating on a major field study to measure methane emissions at onshore gas well sites, about which only a handful of empirical data exist.

The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) said Tuesday it will work with University of Texas at Austin’s (UT) Center for Electromechanics to help remove technical barriers on commercially viable home fueling equipment for natural gas vehicles (NGVs).

Colorado School of Mines, Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) and the University of Texas at Austin (UT) on Thursday launched a shale natural gas and oil training development initiative, which initially would be funded with separate $1 million grants from ExxonMobil Corp. and GE.

Preliminary findings from a study being conducted by The University of Texas at Austin’s (UT) Energy Institute suggest no direct link between hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and groundwater contamination, researchers said Wednesday.

The Houston arm of Royal Dutch Shell plc and the University of Texas at Austin (UT) are teaming up to work on new and better ways to extract natural gas and oil from unconventional rock formations.

Barry Smitherman was appointed to the Railroad Commission of Texas for a term that is to expire at the next general election. Smitherman, who lives in Austin, TX, is chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, a position he has held since 2007. He is a member of the U.S. Department of Energy electricity advisory committee and a board member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. He is vice president of the Southwest Power Pool regional state committee and an ex officio board member of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Smitherman received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law, and a master of public administration from Harvard University.

The Texas Senate Thursday passed SB 20, creating a natural gas-fueled vehicle transportation corridor in what is known as the “Texas Triangle.” The region encompasses Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.

Range Resources unit Range Production Co. may depose an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official on Tuesday (Jan. 25), a federal judge in Austin, TX, ruled last week. The agency has accused the company of contaminating water wells with its Barnett Shale drilling activities, a claim Range disputes.

Range Resources unit Range Production Co. may depose an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official on Tuesday (Jan. 25), a federal judge in Austin, TX, has ruled. The agency has accused the company of contaminating water wells with its Barnett Shale drilling activities, a claim Range disputes.