Independent

WPX Energy Inc. said its first horizontal test well targeting the Niobrara formation in western Colorado’s Piceance Basin has produced encouraging results, with the potential of more than doubling its proved, probable and possible (3P) reserves.

ConocoPhillips is selling a package of properties in the Cedar Creek Anticline (CCA) of North Dakota and Montana to Denbury Resources Inc. for $1.05 billion cash.

A federal district court judge in Colorado has rejected a proposed settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and two independent producers over alleged rigged bidding in a government lease sale, saying the punishment did not fit the crime.

The New York Independent System Operator (NY-ISO) expects to operate “in an environment of expanded dependency on natural gas-fired generation, renewable generation and retirements of less efficient generation” over the next five years, the electricity grid operator said in its 2013-2017 Strategic Plan.

Birmingham, AL-based Energen Corp., an independent exploration and production (E&P) company with a small natural gas-only utility in Alabama, is shifting its emphasis away from gas to oil and natural gas liquids (NGL) production next year, CEO James McManus told a financial analysts’ meeting.

Tervita Corp., a Calgary-based environmental and energy services company, has been selected to build and operate a facility in Carroll County, OH, to treat Chesapeake Energy Corp.’s produced and tophole drilling water from its Utica Shale operations, the companies said.

Independent exploration and production (E&P) operators in the United States have faced a funding dilemma since they began rushing into unconventionals. With more resources than capital, many have taken loans that have increased their debt, or they’ve sought out joint venture (JV) partners to pay for drilling expenses.

Independent exploration and production (E&P) operators in the United States have faced a funding dilemma since they began rushing into unconventionals. With more resources than capital, many have taken loans that have increased their debt, or they’ve sought out joint venture (JV) partners to pay for drilling expenses.

Independent researcher Battelle is deploying scientists and engineers to Ohio to collaborate with state regulators about solving water issues at Marcellus and Utica shale drilling sites with new technology.