Formations

The ability to convert shale and tight sands formations into affordable natural gas and oil is “the game changer” for the United States “because it changes the most important game in the world, the game of war,” according to global intelligence expert George Friedman.

The North Dakota Industrial Commission on Monday delayed for further study a decision on a $1.1 million state grant for a pilot project to turn flared natural gas in the Bakken Shale into fertilizer for the state’s farming industry. The three-member commission of elected officials, including the governor, wants more study of the project’s feasibility.

Reports posted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) indicate that the state saw substantial growth in natural gas production during the first half of 2012, perhaps more than 82%, although production totals from some operators are missing from the latest report and the reporting criteria had changed.

The ability to convert shale and tight sands formations into affordable natural gas and oil is “the game changer” for the United States “because it changes the most important game in the world, the game of war,” global intelligence expert George Friedman said last Wednesday.

Converting shale and tight sands formations into affordable natural gas and oil reserves have become the true “game changer” for the United States “because it changes the most important game in the world, the game of war,” according to global intelligence expert George Friedman.

Armada Oil Inc. has signed a geophysical data acquisition agreement with Geokinetics USA Inc. to conduct seismic testing on land in the Niobrara and Casper formations in southern Wyoming, the Houston-based independent oil and gas company said.

ExxonMobil Corp. and Russia’s OAO Rosneft on Friday clinched a partnership agreement to develop oil reserves in tight, low-permeability formations in Western Siberia using advanced drilling technologies that ExxonMobil has employed successfully in North America’s onshore.

Petroleum Development Corp. (PDC) said Monday it would pay $330.6 million to acquire close to 35,000 net acres in a liquids-rich area of the Niobrara and Codell formations in Colorado from an undisclosed seller.

Encana Corp. said Friday it has secured a well-heeled unit of Toyota Tsusho Corp. to partner in its languishing Alberta coalbed methane (CBM) gas fields in the Horseshoe Canyon Fairway, agreeing to sell close to a one-third stake in the resource play, including natural gas production from 5,500 existing wells.