Liquids

Oneok Inc. and its pipeline partnership currently are experiencing more than 90,000 b/d of ethane rejection across the natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline systems, a level expected to be in place “for much of the year,” a top executive said Tuesday.

Operators of horizontal oil and natural gas wells in Ohio face a bevy of regulatory changes — including quarterly production reports, a $25,000 per well impact fee, and new testing and disposal requirements for drilling waste — under Gov. John Kasich’s biennial budget proposal.

Hoping to head off threats of a state moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), Illinois state legislative, oil/natural gas industry and environmental leaders on Thursday announced agreement on a bipartisan bill (HB 2615) establishing rules on the use of the contested well stimulation practice.

Antero Resources announced Monday that its proved reserves had increased 73% in one year by the end of 2012, while its proved, probable and possible (3P) reserves had increased 94% and its natural gas liquids (NGL) reserves increased by 170% during the same time frame, all thanks to discoveries in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays.

Composite natural gas liquids (NGL) prices will remain weak through this year, averaging 74 cents/gallon and bottoming during the second quarter at an average of 68 cents/gallon, Raymond James & Associates Inc. said Monday.

Last year proved challenging for the North American oilfield sector, as operators moved rigs from natural gas to more lucrative liquids targets and an overcapacity in pressure pumping continued to impact margins. This year won’t be much better, Halliburton Co.’s management team said Friday.

Last year proved challenging for the North American oilfield sector, as operators moved rigs from natural gas to more lucrative liquids targets and an overcapacity in pressure pumping continued to impact margins. This year won’t be much better, Halliburton Co.’s management team said Friday.

Oneok Partners LP Thursday launched plans to invest up to $500 million between now and 2015 to build additional natural gas liquids (NGL) infrastructure in some of its Midcontinent operations, with the bulk of the funds earmarked for the Williston Basin.

Regional natural gas liquids (NGL) differentials will collapse over the next two years as new NGL pipelines create excess takeaway capacity out of all major basins (except the Marcellus Shale) into Mont Belvieu, TX, according to analysts at Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. (TPH).