Manufacturers

Bucking the trend of rising energy prices for manufacturers, a surge in domestic natural gas production from shale formations resulted in a 36% decrease in the average gas price paid by manufacturers between 2006 and 2010, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The second version of the U.S. Department of Interior’s (DOE) proposed rule to regulate hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on public lands isn’t as bad as the first, but with a projected cost per well of $96,913, it still leaves much to be desired, industry groups said.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the deadline from April 30 until Nov. 15 for the public to submit data and scientific literature as part of the agency’s study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on drinking water sources.

Coming on the heels of the departure of chemical giant Dow Chemical Co. from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) over a dispute involving liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and a decision by chemical firm Huntsman Corp. to join a coalition opposing gas exports, associations representing interstate natural gas pipelines and gas distribution lines expressed their unwavering support for U.S. sales of domestically produced gas to foreign countries.

U.S. manufacturers of ammonia-based nitrogen fertilizer made with low cost natural gas feedstock are raking in profits and moving ahead with plans to expand domestic operations.

The potential of the New Albany Shale is still unproven, industry officials said.

Onsite power with low emissions and maintenance is an increasing necessity for operators in burgeoning oil and gas shale plays, and a couple of Southern California-based manufacturers are seeking markets for their distributed generation devices (see Shale Daily, Dec. 28, 2011).

Thousands of jobs would be created in West Virginia if a thermal cracker facility was built to process ethane gas from Marcellus Shale drilling, state officials said Wednesday.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar Tuesday said the department is weighing how it will move forward with a policy requiring producers to disclose the fluids associated with hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on public lands. Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees 250 million acres, which contains 11% of the nation’s natural gas supply.