College

Opposition to hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in New York State has grown slightly, according to a Siena College Research Institute poll released Monday.

A Siena College Research Institute poll released Tuesday shows New Yorkers are still almost evenly split on the issue of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), but it contains some surprising numbers concerning where the practice is generating support and opposition.

Rex Energy Corp. recently spud it first Utica Shale well in Carroll County, OH.

Shale and other unconventional resource plays are getting their own information clearinghouse at the University at Buffalo (UB) College of Arts and Sciences geology department

Rex Energy Corp. is joining the ranks of companies pursuing the Utica Shale of eastern Ohio. The State College, PA-based company recently acquired 11,000 net acres in Carroll County, OH, for an estimated $40 million and plans to continue acquiring acreage in preparation for a drilling program in 2012.

Thomas S. Liberatore has joined Eclipse Resources as a partner, executive vice president and COO, the State College, PA-based oil and gas company said. Liberatore, who resigned as vice president of Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.’s East region following a restructuring there two years ago (see Daily GPI, June 1, 2009), is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Appalachian Geological Society, has served on the board of directors of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association and is a past president of the Independent Oil & Gas Association of West Virginia. Additionally, Brian Panetta, who was previously a geologist with Waco Oil & Gas and a senior geologist for Chesapeake Energy Corp., has joined Eclipse as vice president of geology. Eclipse focuses on the acquisition, exploration and development of unconventional oil and natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin, including the Marcellus Shale, Utica Shale and Upper Devonian shales.

Thomas S. Liberatore has joined Eclipse Resources as a partner, executive vice president and COO, the State College, PA-based oil and gas company said. Liberatore, who resigned as vice president of Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.’s East region following a restructuring there two years ago (see Daily GPI, June 1, 2009), is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Appalachian Geological Society, has served on the board of directors of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association and is a past president of the Independent Oil & Gas Association of West Virginia. Additionally, Brian Panetta, who was previously a geologist with Waco Oil & Gas and a senior geologist for Chesapeake Energy Corp., has joined Eclipse as vice president of geology. Eclipse focuses on the acquisition, exploration and development of unconventional oil and natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin, including the Marcellus Shale, Utica Shale and Upper Devonian shales.

Despite a recent spate of negative media attention, hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) in the Marcellus Shale is still supported by a majority of the general public, according to the results of a poll conducted by the Rochester Business Journal (RBJ).

Harold J. “Bill” Haynes, former chairman and CEO of Chevron Corp.’s predecessor company Standard Oil Company of California, died Wednesday. He was 83. Haynes interrupted his college studies to join the U.S. Navy during World War II. He then graduated from Texas A&M University and began a 34-year career with Standard Oil. He was named president in 1969 and chairman and CEO in 1974. Haynes retired in 1981. He also spent 28 years as a consultant and adviser to the Bechtel companies, the Bechtel family and Fremont Group, a private investment company. “Bill drove tremendous growth in the company and solidified its preeminent position in the industry by the time of his retirement,” said Chevron CEO Dave O’Reilly. “He left an indelible mark on our company, and our industry, by encouraging open dialogue and challenging conventional thinking. He ushered in a new era of communication between the industry, public and news media on energy issues that was truly trend-setting. I speak for our board of directors and employees in saying we are deeply saddened by his passing.”