Considering

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has the right idea with its measured approach to oil shale production in the western United States given the risks involved, according to a white paper by sustainability advocate Ceres.

Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly have begun considering House Bill 2399, which among other things would provide a tax credit to companies that create new jobs related to the Marcellus Shale.

Australia’s Aurora Oil and Gas Ltd. has made an A$107 (US$111.7 million) unsolicited offer for Eagle Ford Shale-focused Eureka Energy Ltd., which said Monday it is considering the proposal.

Based on two proposed orders from a regulatory law judge, California regulators are considering yet another fine against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) for shoddy pipeline system management and a broader crackdown on all in-state gas pipeline operators by requiring tougher management and financial audits of their natural gas operations. The latter is mandated by a new state law (SB 705).

Chesapeake Energy Corp., through affiliates of Chesapeake Midstream Development LP (CMD), is partnering with M3 Midstream LLC (Momentum) and EV Energy Partners LP to develop what it claimed will be the largest integrated midstream service complex in eastern Ohio to serve Utica Shale production.

Elected officials in a third town in Colorado, Erie, on Wednesday night adopted a six-month moratorium on oil/gas development on an emergency basis, making the halt effective immediately.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich will reportedly unveil a proposal next week to restructure state taxes on oil and gas drilling — including implementing new taxes on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and natural gas liquids (NGLs) — then pass the savings along to Ohioans in the form of a personal income tax cut.

El Paso Corp. is considering adding pipeline infrastructure to carry gas from northeastern Pennsylvania to an interconnection near Albany, NY, following a nonbinding open season that was held last year.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. last week said it is considering the outright sale of its Permian Basin portfolio, as well as other sales and joint venture (JV) partnerships, which together could reap $10-12 billion.