Drafted

California’s preliminary state agency-drafted rules for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) have been targeted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which has criticized state regulators as being in “denial” of potential harmful environmental impacts of fracking.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) has drafted proposed rules for sampling and monitoring groundwater before and after new wells are drilled, as well as changes to setbacks, which formalizes some procedures that the industry had begun voluntarily last year (see Shale Daily, Aug. 4, 2011).

U.S. shale gas supplies and pipeline exports have been drafted into playing backup for Canadian energy merchants’ plans to expand into overseas markets.

U.S. shale gas supplies and pipeline exports have been drafted into playing backup for Canadian energy merchants’ plans to expand into overseas markets.

West Virginia lawmakers have drafted revised rules and fees for Marcellus Shale drillers that could hike drilling and license fees by thousands of dollars.

The natural gas industry may have been absent from the negotiating table when the House drafted its landmark climate change legislation, but it and its supporters are expected to be front and center when the Senate takes up a companion bill this fall, Washington, DC, sources say.

The natural gas industry may have been absent from the negotiating table when the House drafted its landmark climate change legislation, but it and its supporters are expected to be front and center when the Senate takes up a companion bill this fall, Washington, DC, sources say.

Citing “a combination of receipt underperformance and takes in excess of scheduled quantities,” El Paso said Wednesday its system “is being drafted at rates that are not sustainable.” It added that performance caps will be placed on receipt points that are not performing up to scheduled quantities and urged shippers to bring their supplies in balance with their takes. Shippers owing gas to El Paso can arrange to pay gas back, the pipeline said, but if the situation fails to improve, a declaration of Strained Operating Condition may be required.

Saying its system continues to experience low linepack conditions, Westcoast asked shippers Thursday to ensure that “any accounts in a drafted position are trending toward zero to a slight pack.” It also noted that colder weather is being forecast for the weekend in the British Columbia and Pacific Northwest regions. “Historically, during the first cold snap, production tends to be at risk of falling off,” Westcoast said, and if it observes that production has been lost, a shipper’s account availability may be reduced to match actual production.