BP plc has appointed John Minge as chairman and president of BP America Inc., the producer’s chief U.S. representative. Former chief Lamar McKay is to lead BP’s upstream business. BP’s capital investments in the United States over the past five years exceed $52 billion, more than any other company and more than BP invests in any other country. Minge, who takes over the Houston-based U.S. operations on Feb. 15, has led BP Alaska since January 2009. In 2012, BP Alaska achieved the lowest recordable incident rate in its history, with a 50% reduction from 2009. Minge, who began his BP career in the Gulf of Mexico as a drilling engineer, formerly was president of BP Indonesia, chief of BP’s Asia Pacific Unit and president of exploration and production for Vietnam and China. BP also has named Bob Fryar, now executive vice president for upstream production, as executive vice president for Safety and Operational Risk. Mark Bly, who has headed safety functions since March 2008, plans to retire.
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John Hanger, the former secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), said he plans to challenge Gov. Tom Corbett in 2014. Hanger, 55, would be the first of several Democrats who are expected to challenge the Republican governor. The attorney, who is special counsel at Eckert Seamans, served as DEP secretary under Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell and was a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for five years. He also was president of advocacy group Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future. Hanger in early 2011 defended the state’s regulation of the natural gas industry, calling a story on drilling by a New York Times reporter “deliberately misleading” (see Daily GPI, March 1, 2011).
San Bruno Mediator Out on Conflict Concerns
Former Sen. George Mitchell will not mediate talks to resolve enforcement cases against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) regarding the natural gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno, CA, in September 2010, as had been previously announced by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the regulator said last Friday.
San Bruno Mediation Stumbles
Former Sen. George Mitchell will not mediate talks to resolve enforcement cases against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) regarding the natural gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno, CA, in September 2010, as had been previously announced by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the regulator said Friday.
Former Senator to Mediate PG&E’s San Bruno Case at CPUC
Former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell has been appointed to serve as mediator in ongoing talks aimed at resolving a series of enforcement cases against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) stemming from a natural gas transmission pipeline rupture and explosion two years ago in San Bruno, CA, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) said.
Chesapeake Sues Gastar Over Failed Partnership
Chesapeake Energy Corp. filed a lawsuit against former partner Gastar Exploration Ltd., alleging that it is owed $130 million from a failed joint venture in Texas.
New Director Takes Helm at COGCC
Former Colorado Assistant Attorney General Matthew Lepore on Monday took the reins as director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC).
Colorado Officials Brief Californians on Drilling Rules
A Colorado State University (CSU) team led by former Gov. Bill Ritter briefed California’s oil and natural gas officials about how Colorado’s drilling rules that encompass hydraulic fracturing stipulations were able to satisfy environmental concerns — an issue California faces as legislators consider whether to establish a fracking moratorium or not (see Shale Daily, June 28).
Congress Urged to Keep Tabs on EPA Regional Offices
Citing the the recent disclosure of a “crucify them” enforcement approach by a former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official and several missteps involving agency investigations into allegations of water contamination from hydraulic fracturing, Congress last Wednesday was called upon to exercise greater oversight over the agency’s regional officials and their activities.
Congress Urged to Keep Closer Tabs on EPA Regional Offices
Citing the the recent disclosure of a “crucify them” enforcement approach by a former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official and several missteps involving the regulation of hydraulic fracturing, Congress Wednesday was called upon to exercise greater oversight over the agency’s regional officials and their activities.