Joined

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has joined a chorus of critics calling for greater oil and natural gas industry representation on a federal panel charged with reviewing the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) used to develop shale gas.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has joined a chorus of critics calling for greater oil and natural gas industry representation on a federal panel charged with reviewing the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) used to develop shale gas.

Three of Japan’s largest utilities have joined Mitsubishi Corp. to collaborate in Penn West Exploration’s shale gas project in northeastern British Columbia (BC) to gain knowledge about unconventional gas, as well as to secure an interest in future liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

Three of Japan’s largest utilities have joined Mitsubishi Corp. to collaborate in Penn West Exploration’s shale gas project in northeastern British Columbia (BC) to gain knowledge about unconventional gas, as well as to secure an interest in future liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

Three of Japan’s largest utilities have joined a Mitsubishi Corp.-led consortium to partner in Penn West Exploration’s shale gas project in northeastern British Columbia (BC).

North Carolina lawmakers are considering a bill that would authorize a review of existing onshore shale gas laws and create a framework for possible new state regulation, as well as allow offshore natural gas drilling and create a compact with neighboring states.

Norway’s Statoil ASA, which has extensive drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico, has joined the Marine Well Containment Co. (MWCC), which was formed after the Macondo well blowout to improve capabilities to contain future underwater well control incidents. “Our membership underpins Statoil’s continued and strong commitment to the Gulf of Mexico,” said Statoil’s Bill Maloney, executive vice president, North America development and production. “The equipment and capabilities developed by MWCC are important to build confidence and ensure safe deepwater operations as we resume drilling in the area. Statoil plans to actively contribute…” The MWCC’s interim well containment system now is capable of operating in water depths of up to 8,000 feet and processing up to 60,000 b/d of fluid. Work is under way to expand the system for delivery in 2012 to operate in water depths of up to 10,000 feet and process up to 100,000 b/d of fluid. MWCC members include U.S. offshore units of ExxonMobil Corp., Chevron Corp., ConocoPhillips, Royal Dutch Shell plc, BP plc, Apache Corp., Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and Australia’s BHP Billiton.

The Canadian Yukon province has joined an industry campaign to keep drilling open in the Beaufort Sea by convincing the National Energy Board (NEB) there will be no arctic repeat of last year’s Gulf of Mexico Macondo blowout.

The Canadian Yukon province has joined an industry campaign to keep drilling open in the Beaufort Sea by convincing the National Energy Board (NEB) there will be no arctic repeat of last year’s Gulf of Mexico Macondo blowout.