The recently formed Eagle Ford Task Force, which was created by Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter (see Shale Daily, July 29), outlined its agenda for the rest of the year at a meeting last week. The 24 task force members plan to focus on water usage and hydraulic fracturing; the impact of oil and gas production on community infrastructure; the need for public education about oil and gas production; and the promotion of economic development through the industry. At the meeting members discussed workforce issues affecting the region. Industry representatives estimated that approximately 120 jobs are connected to each drilling rig and currently there are about 200 rigs operating in the Eagle Ford. However, employers are often battling failed drug tests and background tests or the lack of commercial drivers licenses when trying to fill jobs in the burgeoning oil and natural gas play, they said.
Formed
Articles from Formed
Quantum Forms Billion-Dollar Upstream Fund
Private equity firm Quantum Energy Partners has formed Bluestem Energy with industry veteran Jack Hightower to mainly acquire oil and gas producing properties as well as engage in the exploitation and exploration of reserves in North America.
Morgan Stanley Buys Into Oil Shale Midstream
Morgan Stanley Private Equity has taken a majority stake in newly formed Sterling Investment Holdings LLC, the firm and Sterling Energy Co. said Thursday. The move is intended to support growth of Sterling Energy’s midstream business in Colorado and North Dakota.
Pennsylvania Health Secretary Wants to Track Marcellus Area Illnesses
Pennsylvania should create a registry to monitor the health of state residents and search for potential health impacts of Marcellus Shale drilling, said Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Eli Avila.
Congressional Natural Gas Caucus Critical of EPA Actions
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has overstepped its jurisdiction in Pennsylvania and should leave regulation of oil and gas to state officials, according to some members of Congress.
Southern Union, BG Form JV to Export LNG
A joint venture formed by Houston-based Southern Union and BG LNG Services LLC, a subsidiary of BG Group plc, has filed an application with the Department of Energy (DOE) to export liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Industry Briefs
Norway’s Statoil ASA, which has extensive drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico, has joined the Marine Well Containment Co. (MWCC), which was formed after the Macondo well blowout to improve capabilities to contain future underwater well control incidents. “Our membership underpins Statoil’s continued and strong commitment to the Gulf of Mexico,” said Statoil’s Bill Maloney, executive vice president, North America development and production. “The equipment and capabilities developed by MWCC are important to build confidence and ensure safe deepwater operations as we resume drilling in the area. Statoil plans to actively contribute…” The MWCC’s interim well containment system now is capable of operating in water depths of up to 8,000 feet and processing up to 60,000 b/d of fluid. Work is under way to expand the system for delivery in 2012 to operate in water depths of up to 10,000 feet and process up to 100,000 b/d of fluid. MWCC members include U.S. offshore units of ExxonMobil Corp., Chevron Corp., ConocoPhillips, Royal Dutch Shell plc, BP plc, Apache Corp., Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and Australia’s BHP Billiton.
Corbett Still Opposes Severance Tax; Might Consider Impact Fees
On the eve of the first meeting of his recently formed Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett remains firmly opposed to a state-imposed severance tax on the natural gas industry, but is open to the idea of local impact fees. And those fees can’t be considered until the local impact of drilling is quantified, a Corbett spokesman told NGI Thursday.
Corbett Remains Opposed to Severance Tax; Might Consider Impact Fees
With the first meeting of his recently formed Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission set for Friday, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett remains firmly opposed to a state-imposed severance tax on the natural gas industry, but is open to the idea of local impact fees. And those fees can’t be considered until the local impact of drilling is quantified, a Corbett spokesman told NGI’s Shale Daily Thursday.
Shale Liquids Prompt $1.9B NGL Asset Deal
Midstream players Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETP) and Regency Energy Partners LP have formed a joint venture to follow their producer customers to where the money is: liquids-rich shale plays. The partners are acquiring natural gas liquids (NGL) storage, fractionation and transportation assets to expand their producer service offerings.
