Closer

The Lower 48 United States has inched closer to being an exporter of domestically sourced liquefied natural gas (LNG) with the granting of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) export authorizations to two different projects.

Moving their $8 billion stock-for-stock merger deal another step closer to the finish line, Exelon Corp. and Constellation Energy late last week filed an application for approval by FERC, which contained a list of divestitures aimed at eliminating any market power concerns held by regulators.

Natural gas found in North Texas water wells did not come from the Barnett Shale but rather the gas-bearing Strawn formation, which is closer to the surface, hearing examiners at the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) said in a report released last week. Range Resources Corp. has been accused of contaminating the wells with its Barnett drilling activities.

Natural gas found in North Texas water wells did not come from the Barnett Shale but rather the gas-bearing Strawn formation, which is closer to the surface, hearing examiners at the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) said in a report released Monday. If accepted by commissioners, the finding would exonerate Range Resources Corp., which had been accused of contaminating the wells with its Barnett drilling activities.

Natural gas found in North Texas water wells did not come from the Barnett Shale but rather the gas-bearing Strawn formation, which is closer to the surface, hearing examiners at the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) said in a report released Monday. If accepted by commissioners, the finding would exonerate Range Resources Corp., which had been accused of contaminating the wells with its Barnett drilling activities.

It’s far from a done deal, but the potential for export of U.S. natural gas from the Lower 48 states crept closer last week with announcements by Cheniere Energy Partners LP that it is in talks with two parties for capacity on its gas liquefaction and export facilities proposed for the Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Cameron Parish, LA.

Gas-on-gas competition is a concept long established in the industry. How about shale-on-shale competition?

Being closer to a major market area means cheaper transport, right? Marcellus Shale producers are benefiting from that self-evident axiom, but there is some question about their relative lack of gathering/processing infrastructure compared to such areas as the Gulf Coast and Midcontinent hindering them from realizing maximum value for their gas.

In a decision that could move a proposal for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal on the St. Croix River in Calais, ME, one step closer to FERC approval, the U.S. Coast Guard has found the Passamaquoddy Bay Waterway suitable for LNG marine traffic.