The first oilsands project with longer term commercial possibilities in Utah has gotten approval to move forward from a citizen appeal board for the state Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM). It’s backers say it is the first commercial-scale oilsands project in the United States.
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Articles from City
Gas Drilling Sites’ Impact on Drinking Water Reviewed
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has undertaken five case studies in the Marcellus, Barnett and Bakken shales and the Raton Basin on the impact of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on drinking water sources as part of its multi-year review of the well stimulation technique used in unconventional plays.
Washington Regulatory Staff Finds Cause of Pipe Explosion
An investigation by the state of Washington’s Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) concluded Wednesday that a downed city utility electrical line punched a hole in a natural gas distribution pipeline, resulting in an explosion in a north Seattle home in September 2011.
Hedge Fund Seeks Ouster of SandRidge Energy Board
Hedge fund TPG-Axon Capital, one of SandRidge Energy’s largest investors, continues to push for changes at the Oklahoma City-based exploration and production company, calling for the replacement of SandRidge’s entire board of directors.
Hedge Fund Wants SandRidge Energy Board Replaced
Hedge fund TPG-Axon Capital, one of SandRidge Energy’s largest investors, continues to push for changes at the Oklahoma City-based exploration and production company, calling for the replacement of SandRidge’s entire board of directors.
Industry Brief
Colorado regulators have approved a settlement for Rapid City, SD-based Black Hills Corp.’s natural gas utility operations in the state, allowing a small rate increase amounting to less than 1% annually. Black Hills/Colorado Gas Utility Co. put the recommended rate hike into effect Monday, the first base rate increase for the utility since April 2009. Although the increase amounts to only $174,000 more in revenue annually, or an 0.83% increase, Black Hills officials said the approved rates allow it to recover the nearly $30 million the utility has invested in its infrastructure since 2008, along with a 9.6% return on equity. The increase was hammered out in a settlement earlier this year among the utility, Colorado Public Utilities Commission staff and the state Consumer Counsel Office.
Policy Expert An ‘Optimistic Cynic’ on Keystone XL
The fate of the northern portion of the multi-billion-dollar Keystone XL oil pipeline from western Canada to the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) in the hands of the Obama administration will be the bellwether this coming year, determining if the U.S. technology-driven abundance of hydrocarbons is going to be cashed in as part of a North American-wide energy transformation, according to a former private equity energy star and now senior think tank fellow.
Renewable Natural Gas Touted as Transport Fuel
Natural gas from organic waste is being endorsed as an alternative transportation fuel by New York City-based nonprofit Energy Vision (EV) and California technology firm CALSTART.
Bakken’s Largest Leaseholder Raises Estimates 57%
Oklahoma City-based Continental Resources Inc., the Bakken’s largest leaseholder, said Monday it has raised its reserves estimates for parts of the Bakken Three Forks area by 57% to 903 billion bbl following completion of an initial test well.
Shale’s Impact Prompts Effort to Synch NatGas, Electricity Markets
With production out of the nation’s shale plays holding down natural gas prices and electricity generation becoming ever more dependent on inexpensive gas, coordination between the two markets will continue to be a top priority and a series of other issues need to be resolved, according to panelists at the Energy Bar Association (EBA) Mid-Year conference in Washington, DC, Friday.