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Natural gas and motor gasoline never had much to do with each other, but new environmental rules and the natural gas liquids (NGL) abundance from shale plays could make for a bit more of a connection, Bentek Energy LLC and Turner, Mason & Co. (TMC) have found.

Natural gas and motor gasoline never had much to do with each other, but new environmental rules and the natural gas liquids (NGL) abundance from shale plays could make for a bit more of a connection, Bentek Energy LLC and Turner, Mason & Co. (TMC) have found.

Although noting that industry never wants to be taxed, one of the largest players in the Marcellus Shale said it supports an impact fee in principle.

August natural gas scored a double-digit gain Friday as traders noted what seems to be a never-ending series of forecasts calling for above-normal temperatures. At the close August was up 16.8 cents to $4.546 and September had added 16.2 cents to $4.520. August crude oil made an advance of its own adding $1.55 to $97.24/bbl.

Marcellus Shale gas operators in Pennsylvania are poised to comply with last month’s request by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to stop delivering wastewater to 15 municipal wastewater treatment facilities by Thursday (May 19).

Atlas Energy Inc. shareholders have overwhelmingly approved a proposed $4.3 billion merger with Chevron Corp., Pittsburgh-based Atlas said Wednesday.

The more one learns about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) investigation of alleged well water contamination in North Texas by Barnett Shale gas wells drilled by Range Resources Corp., the more something smells, an industry newsletter publisher claims. After examining evidence presented in the case, Gene Powell Jr. said a congressional investigation of the EPA’s action is in order.

“Better late than never” might have been the mantra of natural gas futures bears on Wednesday as the February contract finally corrected Monday’s 24.5-cent rally. Riding updated forecasts that show temperatures might not be as cold as previously expected in the coming weeks, the prompt-month contract recorded a $4.447 low on Wednesday before closing the regular session at $4.473, down 19.6 cents from Tuesday’s finish.

The U.S. energy sector is “at the cusp” of a structural shift, boosted by abundant shale gas and liquids, developing scarcity in domestic coal and the never-ending quest for oil, FBR Capital analysts said in a report.