Extract

Det Norske Veritas (DNV), a Norwegian-based risk management foundation, has published recommended practices (RP) to guide operators that extract shale natural gas.

Enterprise Products Partners LP has started the first train at its new cryogenic gas processing plant at Yoakum, TX. This facility has a design capacity of 300 MMcf/d and can extract 37,000 b/d of natural gas liquids. During the start-up period, the plant will process existing Eagle Ford Shale production in a reduced recovery mode to enable testing of the plant and supporting facilities and make adjustments to plant operations. Incoming gas volumes and recovery percentages at the facility will continue to increase throughout May, with full production from the plant expected by June 1. Prior to the start-up of the Yoakum plant, Enterprise had been utilizing capacity at processing plants owned by third parties. Most of these volumes will now be diverted and processed at the Yoakum facility. “The long-term outlook in the Eagle Ford Shale continues to show growth in rich gas production and Enterprise is well-positioned to help meet the need for midstream infrastructure through the cost-effective expansion of our integrated network,” said Jim Teague, COO of Enterprise’s general partner.

Citing commercial, environmental and technological uncertainties, the environmental group Western Resource Advocates (WRA) released a report casting doubts on oil shale, and emphasizing its distinct differences with shale gas and shale oil.

Even though northern shale drilling remains in its infancy, the British Columbia cradle of the emerging natural gas source is catching up fast to the traditional mainstay of Canadian supplies.

Two U.S. shareholder groups that together have more than $130 billion in investor assets on Tuesday called for more transparency by natural gas operators that use hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

Preparing to operate within the new, stiffer federal emissions restrictions is the major focus of Edison International’s ongoing attempt to extract value from its largely coal-fired fleet of Midwest and Eastern merchant power plants, officials said Thursday.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has set aside $12.4 million to help fund 11 research projects designed to help find ways to extract more energy from unconventional oil and gas resources while reducing environmental risks.

The Allegheny County (PA) Council has scheduled a hearing for 5 p.m. EST Thursday in Pittsburgh to hear public comment regarding Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling within the county.

Natural gas futures plunged in active trading Tuesday as traders elected to extract a storm premium from the market once it was realized that tropical storm activity was not a threat to Gulf infrastructure.