Process

Natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale poses a danger to the Susquehanna River and its tributaries, which supply almost half of the fresh water resources in the Chesapeake Bay, American Rivers said Tuesday.

Industry officials last Wednesday accused the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) of rushing the rulemaking process under the Dodd-FrankWall Street Reform Act, and said the proposed rules issued so far are too prescriptive.

Industry officials Wednesday accused the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) of rushing the rulemaking process under the Dodd-FrankWall Street Reform Act, and said the proposed rules issued so far are too prescriptive.

Responding to concerns expressed by citizens, the government of Nova Scotia has begun a year-long review of environmental issues associated with hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking).

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement’s (BOEM) permit-issuing process for deepwater drilling is gathering steam. The Interior Department agency last week approved two more permits for drilling in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM), bringing the total permits issued for resumption of activity in the deepwater to five. One of the deepwater permits — to Chevron USA Inc. — is the first to allow completely new exploration since the federal moratorium was lifted last October.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. is buying BP America Production Co.’s 93% interest in the Wattenberg Processing Plant for $575.5 million. The plant in Adams County in northeast Colorado can process up to 195 MMcf/d of natural gas and 15,000 b/d of natural gas liquids and gas condensate. Upon closing Anadarko will operate and have 100% ownership. Anadarko volumes represent about 70% of plant throughput, said Chuck Meloy, Anadarko senior vice president of worldwide operations. “We are the largest producer in the Wattenberg field, with current sales volumes of approximately 63,000 boe/d, and our early efforts in the emerging horizontal Niobrara play are very encouraging,” Meloy said. The transaction is expected to close by mid-year, subject to regulatory approvals and contractual conditions.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement’s (BOEM) permit-issuing process is gathering steam. The Interior Department approved a fifth permit — this time for Chevron USA Inc. — to resume drilling in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM). This is the first permit issued for completely new exploration since the federal moratorium was lifted last October.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. is buying BP America Production Co.’s 93% interest in the Wattenberg Processing Plant for $575.5 million.

A review of the Louisiana program regulating the hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) of oil and gas wells has concluded that the program is well managed; however, some recommendations for improvements were made.