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The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy last week inked an agreement at the LNG 17 conference in Houston to work together — and with potential investors — to dig down and study unconventional energy resources in Alaska’s Arctic.

Randy L. Limbacher, former chairman, CEO and president of Rosetta Resources Inc., is taking the helm of Tulsa onshore operator Samson Resources Corp. Limbacher, who has 32 years in the exploration business, ran Rosetta from November 2007 until the end of February. He previously was president of exploration and production in the Americas for ConocoPhillips and worked at predecessor Burlington Resources Inc. for 20 years. “With positions in some of the best plays in North America, a dedicated team of talented executives, and the backing of leading energy investors, Samson is well positioned to begin its next phase of growth,” said Limbacher.

President Obama’s nominee for administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sailed through her confirmation hearing last Thursday, fielding softball questions from Democrats. The issues raised by Republicans were more pointed, but not by much. Gina McCarthy was not pressed on one of the most important issues to oil and gas — regulations pertaining to hydraulic fracturing (fracturing).

Williams officials said they have concluded that “a failed pressure gauge is the source of the hydrocarbon fluids” the company found last month near its Parachute Gas Plant. “The leak was stopped on Jan. 3, 2013 at 12:33 a.m. The gauge was part of valve set on a four-inch NGL pipeline belonging to Williams Partners.”

Energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions last year were the lowest in the United States since 1994 at 5.3 billion metric tons due to the increasing reliance on lower-priced natural gas to fuel power generation, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). With the exception of 2010, carbon emissions have declined every year since 2007.

Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) indicated last week as it launched an open season that it is seeking market support of its plan to increase capacity on a pipeline to potentially benefit more of New England and Atlantic Canada customers.

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead last week laid down the gauntlet to an edict by the U.S. Interior Department to withhold payment of mineral revenues to his state because of federal sequestration. Wyoming is faced with not receiving more than $53 million due over a five-month period through July.

America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) last Wednesday announced that Martin J. Durbin, a top lobbyist at the American Petroleum Institute (API), has been named president and CEO, effective May 1. Durbin comes to ANGA after serving as executive vice president at API, where he led advocacy efforts on behalf of the oil and gas industry (see related story).

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said last week natural gas production in Pennsylvania increased 69% in 2012, despite a reduction in drilling activity.