Prepared

A series of legislative proposals that would allow hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and enact several other changes to North Carolina’s energy policies within two years have cleared an important hurdle and could come to a vote this summer.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich said he is prepared to fight his fellow Republicans in the General Assembly who are unenthusiastic about his plans to restructure taxes and regulations on the oil and natural gas industry.

After getting a first hand look at hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale — and with a comprehensive study of the practice due out in her state later this spring — North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue on Wednesday said she believes fracking can be done safely.

State regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) practices in Arkansas is “well managed and professional” but has room for improvement in a few areas, a recent review found.

As Pennsylvania prepares to put in place a unique mega-law (HB 1950) to regulate and tax its blockbuster baby, the Marcellus Shale, nobody thinks it’s perfect, but most are prepared to live with it and work to improve it.

As Pennsylvania prepares to put in place a unique mega-law ( H.B. 1950) to regulate and tax its blockbuster baby, the Marcellus Shale, nobody thinks it’s perfect, but most are prepared to live with it and work to improve it (see related story).

Chesapeake Energy Corp. last week curtailed 0.5 Bcf/d, or 8%, of its operated gross natural gas output in the U.S. onshore and said “if conditions warrant” it was prepared to double its curtailment to as much as 1 Bcf/d. The second biggest gas producer in the United States also cut by by half its operated gas drilling activity and slashed dry gas spending by 70% this year.

Noting that progress never comes without some hardship, North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple on Tuesday said his state is prepared to spend up to $1.2 billion over the two fiscal years ending in mid-2013 to pay for enhanced local infrastructure and services needed to support the rapid oil/gas development in the western part of the state. From July through October $312 million was already allocated for infrastructure, water and housing needs.

December natural gas settled modestly higher Tuesday as traders prepared for a double whammy in the form of a government inventory report and options expiration Wednesday. In addition, December futures expire Monday following an extended holiday period. At the end of the day December had added 1.6 cents to $3.415 and January had tacked on 0.3 cent to $3.561. January crude oil added $1.09 to $98.01.