David

A package of five conventional and unconventional properties in the northern Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin of Wyoming and Colorado is up for sale by Chesapeake Energy Corp. Gross acreage is estimated at more than 684,000 acres; net acreage totals about 504,000 acres, according to Meager Energy Advisors, the listing agent.

Chemical industry executives are believers in the North American shale gas miracle, and they’re investing accordingly. But there’s still time to blow it with bad policies and regulation, speakers at a Houston industry conference said.

Independent power giant NRG Energy Inc. CEO David Crane predicted Wednesday that the entire energy sector would be impacted by continuing low natural gas prices this year. Crane was a keynote speaker at the Jefferies 2012 Global Clean Technology Conference in New York City.

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) has dropped its two cents into the debate over the validity of a draft Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report on the potential link of groundwater contamination to hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in Pavillion, WY.

In a new push for development of the Marcellus and Utica shales, Ohio Gov. John Kasich has appointed former Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director David Mustine to a top post with JobsOhio, Kasich’s new private, nonprofit corporation designed to spur job creation and economic development.

A voluntary first-of-its-kind groundwater sampling program was launched this month by Colorado’s energy industry to “proactively” address concerns associated with drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

The recently formed Eagle Ford Task Force, which was created by Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter (see Shale Daily, July 29), outlined its agenda for the rest of the year at a meeting last week. The 24 task force members plan to focus on water usage and hydraulic fracturing; the impact of oil and gas production on community infrastructure; the need for public education about oil and gas production; and the promotion of economic development through the industry. At the meeting members discussed workforce issues affecting the region. Industry representatives estimated that approximately 120 jobs are connected to each drilling rig and currently there are about 200 rigs operating in the Eagle Ford. However, employers are often battling failed drug tests and background tests or the lack of commercial drivers licenses when trying to fill jobs in the burgeoning oil and natural gas play, they said.

Noble Corp.’s profit fell 75% in the second quarter, in part because of rig service interruptions in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), CEO David Williams said Thursday.

Noble Corp.’s profit fell 75% in the second quarter, in part because of rig service interruptions in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), CEO David Williams said Thursday.