Professionals

Seeking to create a uniform standard for how the oil and gas industry in the Appalachian Basin goes about drill site planning, developing and restoring the landscape once operations are complete, the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) has released its first Recommended Practices (RP) report.

Youngstown State University (YSU) is planning an on-campus institute to educate professionals and provide research for the Utica and Marcellus shale industry in Ohio and Pennsylvania, university officials said.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) is scheduled to consider a set of new rules on the disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) early next month, but the debate is already picking up steam regarding proposed exemptions for trade secret chemicals.

Officials with the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) said they hope to have all rules governing the public disclosure of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) fluids — including one key rule with a separate deadline — finalized by the end of the year.

In two deals announced Monday Magnum Hunter Resources Corp. is growing its foothold in the Appalachian Basin in what CEO Gary C. Evans called “a long-dated call option in natural gas.

Encana Corp. CEO Randy Eresman on Thursday joined a growing chorus of professionals who are urging the natural gas industry to champion the advantages of using gas not only for more power plants but also as transportation fuel.

Encana Corp. CEO Randy Eresman on Thursday joined a growing chorus of professionals who are urging the natural gas industry to champion the advantages of using gas not only for more power plants but also as transportation fuel.

A top official with Virginia-based Dominion told a gathering of financial professionals last Tuesday that the energy company is “not interested” in pursuing a merger. Meanwhile, Michael Morris, CEO of American Electric Power (AEP), told the same conference that AEP is “not excited” about merger and acquisition (M&A) activities.

Duke Energy CFO David Hauser on Monday told an audience of investment professionals that his company is open to the idea of partnering its troubled Duke Energy North America (DENA) unit with an entity with deep pockets, such as a bank, as DENA continues to face tough times in the merchant power sector.