The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said natural gas production in Pennsylvania increased 69% in 2012, despite a reduction in drilling activity.
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Pennsylvania Shale Gas Production Exceeded 2 Tcf in 2012
Natural gas production from unconventional sources in Pennsylvania hit a record 2.04 Tcf in 2012, as the state’s Marcellus/Utica shale gas for the first time edged ahead of the granddaddy Barnett Shale in Texas.
Pennsylvania DEP Issues Disclaimer After Production Data Hiccups
Following a few reporting snafus in its biannual oil and natural gas production report released in August, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has added a click-through disclaimer notice on the Marcellus Shale production section of its website noting that the agency “expressly disclaims any liability for errors or omissions related to the production data” contained within the reports.
Mid-Atlantic Generators: Don’t Mandate Firm Pipe Capacity
Mid-Atlantic power generators last Thursday opposed a suggestion that generators be mandated to commit to firm pipeline capacity to ensure reliable delivery of natural gas and the expansion of pipe infrastructure to serve them. At the fifth and final technical conference on the coordination of natural gas and power markets, some generators also said they viewed shale gas as a doubled-edged sword for the Mid-Atlantic region, supplying it with abundant, low-cost supplies and paving the way for a manufacturing “renaissance,” while at the same time putting pressure on an already over-taxed pipeline infrastructure.
Mid-Atlantic Generators: Don’t Mandate Firm Pipe Capacity
Mid-Atlantic power generators Thursday opposed a suggestion that generators be mandated to commit to firm pipeline capacity for the delivery of natural gas. At the fifth and final technical conference on the coordination of natural gas and power markets, some generators also said they viewed shale gas as a doubled-edged sword for the Mid-Atlantic region, supplying it with abundant, low-cost supplies while at the same time putting pressure on an already over-taxed pipeline infrastructure.
Pennsylvania Unconventional Gas Output Soaring
The fourth iteration of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) biannual production report issued last week indicated that natural gas production from unconventional wells totaled 894.8 Bcf during the first six months of this year, a figure that includes Marcellus Shale wells along with some targeting the Utica Shale and other formations. Operators also reported producing 672,550 bbl of condensate and 49,194 bbl of oil from January through June.
EPA’s Jackson Defends Budget Proposal, Fracking Study
Going to bat in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2013 budget request of $8.344 billion before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittees on Energy and Power, Environment and the Economy, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on Tuesday testified that the proposal focuses “on fulfilling EPA’s core mission of protecting public health and the environment, while making the sacrifices and tough decisions that Americans across the country are making every day.” She said the proposal represents an approximate $105 million trim from current funding levels.
EPA Plans Fracking Field Work This Summer
As part of its congressionally mandated study of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), the Environmental Production Agency (EPA) Wednesday said it plans to conduct field work in various regions of the country starting this summer to determine the potential impacts of fracking on drinking water sources (see Daily GPI, March 22, 2010).
Oil Spill Bill Moves in House; Senate May Punt
The House of Representatives Friday was poised to vote out its oil spill legislation that imposes stiffer financial responsibilities and safety standards on offshore and onshore production and development, but the Senate was not expected to pass its slimmed-down oil spill bill before the August recess.
Transportation Notes
Algonquin Gas Transmission (AGT) will be conducting Department of Transportation-mandated pipeline investigations on its G-System through gas day May 22. During these investigations AGT will be required to lower its operating pressure on the G-system to 575 psig. The pipeline said customers/point operators should be aware of the impact of nonratable takes from the system, which may cause delivery pressures to reach lower than desired levels. Accordingly, AGT requests that customers/point operators in this region minimize nonratable take patterns during this outage.