Jointly

Wasting no time in making its presence felt in North America, Gazprom Marketing & Trading Ltd. (GM&T), a subsidiary of Russian natural gas giant Gazprom, jointly announced Tuesday with France’s EDF Trading an agreement to swap natural gas between the United States and United Kingdom markets.

Newfield Exploration Co. and Hess Corp. launched plans to jointly explore 140,000 gross acres of the Marcellus Shale. Financial details were not disclosed; the terms of the transaction are dependent upon Newfield and Hess finalizing additional agreements over the next few weeks, the companies said. The equal partnership would cover acreage primarily in Susquehanna and Wayne counties, PA. Newfield, based in Houston, would operate the venture. Newfield entered the Woodford Shale in 2003 and assembled 165,000 net acres. To date the producer has drilled close to 300 horizontal wells; current gross operated production is about 300 MMcfe/d. Marcellus drilling is not expected to begin until 2010. Newfield said this year’s Marcellus Shale activities would be budgeted under its existing $1.45 billion capital expenditures.

Newfield Exploration Co. and Hess Corp. launched plans Wednesday to jointly explore 140,000 gross acres of the Marcellus Shale.

A major retail gas provider of Hawaii, The Gas Company LLC (TGC), said Monday it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with California-based Primoris Renewables to jointly develop the production of up to half the utility’s synthetic gas supplies from renewable resources in the next five years. Both companies said they intend for the MOU to lead to a joint development agreement.

Tenaska Capital Management LLC (TCM) and Energy Spectrum Partners V LP said Monday they have formed and plan to jointly operate Frontier Gas Services LLC to acquire, develop, own and operate natural gas infrastructure primarily in the Midcontinent, Permian Basin, East Texas and unconventional shale plays across the United States. The partnership pledged “at least” $250 million to fund the development.

Williams is continuing its quest to expand operations in the Marcellus Shale after agreeing last week to jointly develop a natural gas leasehold with Rex Energy Corp.

Williams is continuing its quest to expand operations in the Marcellus Shale by agreeing to jointly develop a natural gas leasehold with Rex Energy Corp.

MarkWest Energy Partners LP and NGP Midstream & Resources LP (M&R) are joining forces to jointly construct and operate natural gas midstream services in the Marcellus Shale. Under terms of the joint venture agreement, to be owned 60% by MarkWest and 40% by M&R, MarkWest would contribute $100 million of its Marcellus shale assets and operate the facilities. M&R would invest $200 million, which would be used to fund the project this year. Capital funding for 2010 and 2011 would be driven by producer drilling programs. To achieve the 60/40 capital structure, MarkWest would invest another $200 million in incremental capital by the end of 2011. MarkWest and M&R expect the joint venture to be capable of processing up to 240 MMcf/d for Range and other producers by the end of this year.

MarkWest Energy Partners LP and NGP Midstream & Resources LP (M&R) are joining forces to jointly construct and operate natural gas midstream services in the Marcellus Shale, they said Tuesday.