Official

Living up to preliminary estimates earlier in the year calling for a 50-year high (see Shale Daily, Jan. 25), Colorado oil/natural gas officials released statistics showing oil production was up 22% last year, soaring past the 40 million bbl mark for the first time in a half-century at 47.9 million bbl.

A Pennsylvania official said royalties from Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling on public lands will add about $60 million to state coffers this year.

Any action to restrict greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will primarily come at the regulatory level rather than in Congress this year, said an official with the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). The would be the best route for President Obama, who begaun his second term in office last week and indicated one focus would be on climate change.

Any action to restrict greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will primarily come at the regulatory level rather than in Congress this year, said an official with the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). The would likely be the best route for President Obama, who started his second term Monday, to make effective climate changes.

This year will be a busy one for oil and gas operators in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in terms of new regulations, said an official for a group representing the offshore industries.

This year will be a busy one for oil and gas operators in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in terms of new regulations, said an official for a group representing the offshore industries.

An Encana Corp. official on Thursday once again urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw a year-old draft report of groundwater samples near natural gas drilling sites in Pavillion, WY, saying the report was “sloppy” and had led to a “misguided response.”

An official with Range Resources Corp. said he believes the federal government will eventually allow the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) but cautioned that the industry shouldn’t be complacent and just assume exports will be approved.

An official with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said a progress report on its study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on drinking water should be issued before the end of the year, and the final report published in 2014.