Different

Environmental groups and supporters of the oil and gas industry have different opinions over claims by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that an increase in earthquakes in the Midcontinent region are more than likely caused by wastewater injection well activities.

Two new reports by top international research companies have come in on the high side of the great Marcellus resources debate, producing estimates that range between 267 Tcf and 698 Tcf of possible production.

Boosted by unconventional natural gas and oil, particularly from North America, ExxonMobil Corp. added 1.8 billion boe to its proved reserves base in 2011, replacing 107% of natural gas and production, the company said Thursday.

The Texas Supreme Court may soon decide on a request to revisit a 2011 opinion on the use of eminent domain that some industry representatives say could stymie the efforts of companies trying to build oil and gas pipelines to service growing production in the state’s shale plays.

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP has signed a memorandum of understanding with Mountaineer Keystone LLC to build a 42-mile natural gas gathering system in northeast West Virginia, a project that would for the first time open the Marcellus Shale to the Houston-based midstream partnership.

Don’t expect the energy pie to get bigger, John Hanger, the former head of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), told a Pittsburgh audience Thursday.

A panel of West Virginia lawmakers approved three amendments to a draft Marcellus Shale regulatory reform bill on Monday, recommending that the state expand the public notice and comment period over drilling activities and change the way it hires natural gas well inspectors.

With Marcellus Shale production growing exponentially, midstream players are handling that additional supply in different ways, company officials told a Pittsburgh-area audience recently.

With Marcellus Shale production growing exponentially, midstream players in the region are handling that additional supply in different ways, company officials told a Pittsburgh-area audience last week.