Pennsylvania

Natural gas royalties in Pennsylvania exceeded $1 billion in 2017, the latest period for which data is available, while payments made in 2018 are projected to be even higher, according to the state’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO).

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has ruled that a state senator does not have standing to challenge the Mariner East (ME) pipeline system, clearing the project to move forward with long-delayed construction in one county and bringing the pipelines a step closer to full service.

Pennsylvania regulators have fined Sunoco Pipeline LP for violations that occurred over the last two years during construction of the Mariner East (ME) 2 pipeline, this time issuing two penalties for more than $300,000.

A Pennsylvania appeals court has finally weighed in on the remaining aspects of a lawsuit filed by the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) nearly three years ago that challenged the state’s regulatory overhaul for unconventional natural gas producers, issuing a mixed opinion that still leaves the industry in search of answers.

A wide-ranging proposal pitched by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf earlier this year to implement a severance tax that would fund a $4.5 billion infrastructure revitalization program across the state has been introduced in the state legislature with near majority support in both chambers.

Signs of the anticipated slowdown in the Appalachian Basin were evident in Pennsylvania during the first quarter, as data recently released by the state’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) shows sequential natural gas production was essentially flat during the period.

Oil and natural gas production in Ohio’s Utica Shale declined in the first quarter as operators pared activity heading into the year in response to a variety of factors that are likely to see the trend continue.

A natural gas transmission line and a distribution line have been taken out of service in northwest Pennsylvania as state regulators continue to probe what caused an explosion that injured one person and destroyed a home, garage and greenhouse on May 28.

Signs of the anticipated slowdown in the Appalachian Basin were evident in Pennsylvania during the first quarter, as data released by the state’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) showed sequential natural gas production was essentially flat during the period.