Highest

U.S. domestic crude oil production is at its highest level in 20 years, outstripping pipeline capacity and, increasingly, making its way to refineries and storage centers via railroads, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

U.S. domestic crude oil production is at its highest level in 20 years, outstripping pipeline capacity and, increasingly, making its way to refineries and storage centers via railroads, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

A district court judge has reconsidered her decision last month to pass a key surface rights case on to the highest court in West Virginia, the Supreme Court of Appeals.

Overall oil production in Texas declined somewhat in January from December, according to preliminary January production figures from the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC). But the Eagle Ford Shale kept on pumping, with leading Eagle Ford counties charting substantial oil production increases from year-ago levels.

With a recently signed joint venture agreement targeting the Wolfcamp Shale in hand, Pioneer Natural Resources Co. this year plans to step up horizontal drilling there. In the Eagle Ford, longer laterals and more white sand proppant instead of ceramic are on the agenda.

Texas lawmakers on Wednesday gained some insight into where an increasing amount of money in the Lone Star State comes from: the Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas patch. The state is producing more oil than it has in the last 25 years, thanks in large part to the unconventional play in South Texas.

Moving right along on the energy regulatory front, Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Wednesday launched a study of air emissions tied to oil and gas development.

Cash prices overall advanced on average of about 9 cents Thursday, and futures settled at the highest point since December 2011. Particular strength was noted in the Midwest and eastern prices rose as cooler temperatures were forecast. California and West Coast prices firmed following repairs to a compressor station.

Midland, TX-based Escondido Resources II LLC touted Wednesday what it said is the highest-producing natural gas well to date in the Eagle Ford Shale of South Texas: its Spohn Ranch 1H well in the Hawkville Field in Webb County.