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Chevron Corp. unit Chevron Canada Ltd. has agreed to acquire all interests from Alta Energy Luxembourg S.a.r.l. and affiliates in the Duvernay Shale formation in west-central Alberta. The acquired interests cover 67,900 net acres.

With most of the preliminary work completed for the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in Kitimat, British Columbia, Chevron Corp. and joint partner Apache Corp. are in a “great competitive spot and on schedule” to become one of the ultimate exporters in the growing waiting line, Chevron upstream chief George Kirkland said Friday.

Gulfport Energy Corp. smashed its natural gas, oil and liquids production records in 2Q2013 with total output at 815,300 boe, with the Utica Shale the outstanding contributor. A year earlier the operator produced a total of 663,300 boe.

ExxonMobil Corp., Chevron Corp., BP plc and super independent ConocoPhillips are expected to lead all other exploration and production (E&P) spenders in the United States this year, with capital expenditures (capex) on average about 5% higher than in 2012, according to a survey by Barclays Capital. Last year’s No. 2 spender, Chesapeake Energy Corp., dropped to No. 5 after cutting its exploration plans.

In an attempt to lure foreign investment back to its shale natural gas plays following several high profile defections, the country’s finance minister said a severance tax on unconventional production will take effect in 2015 but no tax would be levied until 2020.

Royal Dutch Shell plc has clinched a production sharing agreement in Ukraine to explore shale gas deposits in the Yuzivske gas field, which may evolve into the “largest investment in Ukrainian history,” according to the nation’s energy minister.

Development of the nation’s shale natural gas plays may be a thankless job for producers today, but its value will pay off in the years to come, according to the CEO of Chief Oil & Gas LLC, who hopes to expand his company’s presence in the Marcellus and Utica shales.

Pennsylvania state Rep. Jesse White (D-Cecil), who has frequently voiced his opposition to the state’s omnibus Marcellus Shale law and the potential impacts of gas drilling in the state, sent e-mails to Range Resources Inc. — the largest driller in his home county — asking for campaign contributions and a ride to the 2011 Superbowl on Range’s corporate plane.

Two oil and natural gas industry executives lauded the economic success brought about by shale gas development, but warned that continuing success depends in large part upon educating the public on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), training future regulators and policy makers, and exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG).