Largely

Biased. Irresponsible. Unfathomable. And just plain wrong.

Shale gas production in the Haynesville and Marcellus shales was the bright production star in February, while output in the traditional, maturer regions fell due to cold weather and maintenance/repairs, according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) monthly natural gas report.

In a recent preliminary report, the U.S. Coast Guard and Interior Department concluded that Transocean Ltd., the owner of the doomed Deepwater Horizon rig, and its crew largely contributed to the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico a year ago.

Newfield Exploration Co. Thursday raised its 2011 capital budget to $1.9 billion from $1.7 billion set at the beginning of the year. The increase largely relates to leasing in “an undisclosed resource play,” said CEO Lee Boothby during a conference call with financial analysts.

A significant majority of Pennsylvania residents support the use of a severance tax on drilling operations to help close a projected $4 billion state budget gap, according to the results of a survey released Thursday by the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA.

W&T Offshore Inc. grew its proved reserves by 31% last year, thanks largely to two big acquisitions from Shell Offshore Inc. and a U.S. unit of Total SA. And more deals will likely be in the offing this year, according to CEO Tracy Krohn.

W&T Offshore Inc. grew its proved reserves by 31% last year, thanks largely to two big acquisitions from Shell Offshore Inc. and a U.S. unit of Total SA. And more deals will likely be in the offing this year, according to CEO Tracy Krohn.

While Talisman Energy Inc. has a diverse portfolio of international exploration and production (E&P) interests, in North America the company is focused largely on the Marcellus, Montney and Eagle Ford shales, plays in which its activities are in various stages of development. In the Marcellus, where its shale activities are the most mature, Talisman is enjoying improved well results as it continues to learn the play.

While Talisman Energy Inc. has a diverse portfolio of international exploration and production (E&P) interests, in North America the company is focused largely on the Marcellus, Montney and Eagle Ford shales, plays in which its activities are in various stages of development. In the Marcellus, where its shale activities are the most mature, Talisman is enjoying improved well results as it continues to learn the play.