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With its flagship master limited partnership (MLP) too large to grow revenue and investor distributions, Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) is abandoning the master limited partnership structure and consolidating its businesses into one corporate entity.

Australia’s Austin Exploration Ltd. has struck an agreement for Houston-based Halcon Resources Corp. to participate in its Birch Project in the northeastern Eagle Ford Shale. Halcon’s founders are Eagle Ford veterans, having pioneered the play with a previous company.

Denver-based Whiting Petroleum Corp. officials said Friday they expected to greatly ramp up production in both the Bakken and Niobrara shale plays later this year as they reported production for the second quarter that was up substantially from the same period in 2012.

The oil and gas industry is lionizing George Phydias Mitchell, 94, who died at his home on Friday in Galveston, TX. Mitchell is credited with pioneering unconventional drilling techniques that have opened up North America’s natural gas and oil potential.

Baker Hughes Inc. and Halliburton Co. said last week they have received civil investigation demands (CID) from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide documents and information on their pressure pumping businesses.

Baker Hughes Inc. and Halliburton Co. said they have received civil investigation demands (CID) from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide documents and information on their pressure pumping businesses.

Denver-based Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp., which is focused on the Bakken Shale in North Dakota’s Williston Basin, grew oil and gas sales volumes by 83% during the second quarter compared to a year ago; crude oil accounted for 87% of second quarter sales. The company has raised capital spending and production guidance for the remainder of the year.

There is “significant concern” among oil and gas interests that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court could deadlock in a 3-3 tie over the constitutionality of Act 13 because the high court’s newest appointee will not participate in the case challenging the law.

Houston-based Memorial Production Partners LP (MEMP) has agreed to acquire oil and gas properties in the Permian Basin, East Texas and the Rockies from its sponsor, Memorial Resource Development LLC, and affiliates of Natural Gas Partners for $606 million. The deal is MEMP’s largest acquisition to date and gets the partnership’s foot in the door in the Permian and Rockies.