Investigate

Improved development and drainage of shale plays is among the topics researchers at the University of Texas (UT) will investigate as part of an energy partnership agreement signed by UT and Statoil in Austin, TX, Monday.

The attorney general of New York has issued subpoenas to three companies looking to develop oil and gas resources in the Marcellus Shale, part of an investigation into how the companies calculated production estimates and drilling costs to investors.

Researchers from Duke University plan to return to Pennsylvania next week to conduct additional testing of residential water wells in the northeastern part of the state, including wells that are not currently near any Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.

Temple University announced Wednesday that three faculty members will investigate the source of methane gas that has contaminated water wells near Marcellus Shale drilling sites in Susquehanna County, PA, and will also study how the debate over hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is affecting public policy.

A self-described national ethics organization has asked the New York Times’ public editor, who essentially serves as the newspaper’s ombudsman, to investigate its controversial front-page series deriding the shale gas industry.

A self-described national ethics organization has asked the New York Times’ public editor, who essentially serves as the newspaper’s ombudsman, to investigate its controversial front-page series deriding the shale gas industry.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is requiring its inspectors to get all actions related to Marcellus Shale activities pre-approved by DEP Secretary Mike Krancer.

The forged letters are “cause for alarm,” said a CFTC commissioner.

Reps. Dan Boren (D-OK) and Tim Murphy (R-PA) have fired off a letter to House Energy and Commerce officials criticizing their decision to investigate the risks associated with hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) on the environment and public health, saying it is unnecessary and duplicative given the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) planned study of the same issue.