Fracturing

Hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) is the key that unlocks gas shale plays — the bedrock of the industry’s supply renaissance. While growing environmental concern over the well stimulation technique has sent shivers through the gas patch, a researcher at Houston’s Rice University and a small start-up company think they have something that could all but eliminate the worries while simplifying the process and cutting producer costs.

Hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) is the key that unlocks gas shale plays — the bedrock of the industry’s supply renaissance. While growing environmental concern over the well stimulation technique has sent shivers through the gas patch, a researcher at Houston’s Rice University and a small start-up company think they have something that could all but eliminate the worries while simplifying the process and cutting producer costs.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. has entered a consent order and agreement (CO&A) with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) concerning drilling and hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) activities in an approximately nine-square-mile area in Susquehanna County, PA, which requires the company to provide a temporary water supply or treatment device to 13 homes. The area was identified by DEP because of concerns about the presence of methane in groundwater supplies. None of Cabot’s activities outside the nine-square-mile area are affected by the agreement, officials said. By taking these precautionary measures, Cabot and DEP “are assured that the safety and health of the residents in the area are fully protected while the investigation of causes of methane in the groundwater continues,” the Houston-based producer said. In a separate incident Cabot in October was allowed to resume hydrofracing operations in Susquehanna County after DEP said the company had complied with the terms of an order that was issued after a hydrofrac lubricant was spilled three times over a one-week period at a company drilling site (see Daily GPI, Oct. 20).

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. on Friday resumed hydraulic fracturing (hydofracing) operations in Susquehanna County, PA, after the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said the company had complied with the terms of a Sept. 24 order.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. has stopped hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) of its natural gas wells in Susquehanna County, PA, until it completes a state-ordered compliance plan, but the independent said last week it still expects to meet its production guidance in 3Q2009.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. has stopped hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) of its natural gas wells in Susquehanna County, PA, until it completes a state-ordered compliance plan, but the independent said it still expects to meet its production guidance in 3Q2009.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Friday ordered Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. to stop using hydraulic fracturing (hydrofrac) on its natural gas shale wells in Susquehanna County.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Friday ordered Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. to stop using hydraulic fracturing (hydrofrac) on its natural gas shale wells in Susquehanna County.

Baker Hughes Inc. struck a cash-and-stock deal valued at $5.5 billion shortly after midnight Monday to acquire shale fracturing expert BJ Services Co., in the largest oilfield services acquisition in more than a decade.