Driven

A “stunning” increase in Texas oil and gas industry employment, which was revealed by revisions to recent workforce statistics, was driven by gains in the number of jobs supporting oil and gas exploration and production, said the economist who compiles the Texas Petro Index (TPI), a barometer of the industry’s health in the Lone Star State.

Driven by abundance north of the border and growing need to the south, U.S. exports of natural gas to Mexico hit their highest level since export data collection began in 1973, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said. Meanwhile, cross-border pipeline export capacity from the United States is expected to grow significantly.

Driven by abundance north of the border and growing need to the south, U.S. exports of natural gas to Mexico hit their highest level since export data collection began in 1973, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said. Meanwhile, cross-border pipeline export capacity from the United States is expected to grow significantly.

Westlake Chemical Corp. enjoyed record fourth quarter and full year results last year, driven in large part by lower ethylene feedstock costs resulting from the abundant supply of natural gas liquids (NGL) coming out of North American shale plays, CEO Albert Chao told analysts during a conference call Tuesday.

Westlake Chemical Corp. enjoyed record fourth quarter and full year results last year, driven in large part by lower ethylene feedstock costs resulting from the abundant supply of natural gas liquids (NGL) available in North America, CEO Albert Chao told analysts during a conference call Tuesday.

Domestic natural gas production surged in 2011 to 28.48 Tcf, a 1.66 Tcf (6.2%) increase compared to 26.82 Tcf in 2010, and it was production from the nation’s shale plays that gave the total its biggest boost, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Driven by the U.S. shale boom and resulting low natural gas prices, the issue for local utility gas providers of extending their distribution pipeline systems is drawing re-examination by regulators and industry researchers.

Antero Resources announced Monday that its proved reserves had increased 73% in one year by the end of 2012, while its proved, probable and possible (3P) reserves had increased 94% and its natural gas liquids (NGL) reserves increased by 170% during the same time frame, all thanks to discoveries in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays.

Continental Resources Inc. announced Wednesday that its proved reserves have nearly doubled, driven primarily by strong production growth in North Dakota and Montana’s portions of the Bakken Shale, and part from a legacy play in south-central Oklahoma.