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Industry is split over FERC’s proposed optional notice procedures that would enable intrastate and Hinshaw natural gas pipelines to obtain quick approval of filings on rates and operating conditions without an agency order.

Industry is split over FERC’s proposed optional notice procedures that would enable intrastate and Hinshaw natural gas pipelines to obtain quick approval of filings on rates and operating conditions without an agency order.

Supporters of oil and natural gas exploration in New York are in disagreement with the state regulators over just how much of the state would be open to high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF), while an environmental group called the latest proposal “meaningless.” However, a pair of attorneys with extensive knowledge of New York’s regulatory, business and geological climates said they believe unconventional drilling permits will be issued soon.

Over the next three years capital expenditures (capex) in the Eagle Ford Shale could top the projected spending for the Kashagan project in Kazakhstan, now the world’s most expensive standalone energy project, according to an analysis by Wood Mackenzie. In 2013 alone, $28 billion is slated to be spent in the South Texas region, according to upstream research analyst Callan McMahon.

Lamar McKay, who has served as chairman and president of BP plc subsidiary BP America since 2009, will take over as CEO of the Upstream business unit effective Jan. 1. In his new role McKay, who has worked for BP for 32 years, would lead the operator’s combined upstream businesses, which include the exploration, development and production divisions, together with the strategy and integration team. The upstream divisions were created in 2010 following the Macondo deepwater spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which led to a major reorganization designed to improve risk management and global standards. McKay would report to Group CEO Bob Dudley. McKay’s successor has not been announced.

SandRidge Energy Inc., which has been under fire from investors, has adopted a rights plan to counter any offers to take over the company that management deems to be unfair to investors.

Targa Resources Partners LP said Thursday it will acquire all of Saddle Butte Pipeline LLC’s ownership of its Williston Basin crude oil pipeline and terminal system as well as its natural gas gathering and processing operations for $950 million in cash.

The latest monthly totals for oil and natural gas production in North Dakota show continued growth in September, albeit at a slower pace than previous months, a report from the state Industrial Commission’s Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) showed Tuesday.

California energy utilities can spend nearly $2 billion over the next two years on energy efficiency programs, following authorization Thursday from the state regulatory commission. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) said the action for 2013-2014 programs will deliver overall savings that prevent the need for two new natural gas-fired power plants and will save “significant” amounts of gas. In addition to approving individual plans for the state’s four major investor-owned utilities and community choice aggregators, the CPUC created two regional energy networks for the San Francisco Bay area and Southern California to complement the utility efforts. CPUC members said the latest plans, budgeted at $1.9 billion, will refocus on “deeper, longer-lasting” results.