The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said domestic water wells in two Arkansas counties showed no evidence of contamination from oil and natural gas drilling in the Fayetteville Shale, but it cautioned that additional testing would be necessary to provide an adequate comparative analysis.
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Articles from Program
For Third Consecutive Year, Comstock Targets Oil in South, West Texas
Comstock Resources Inc. announced Monday that it plans to spend about $420 million on exploration and development activities in 2013, with a drilling program focused on its oil-weighted holdings in South and West Texas — in the Eagle Ford Shale and Wolfbone and Wolfcamp formations in the Permian Basin, respectively.
Bakken Fracking In a Lull, But 2013 Looms Big
In the midst of continued oil/natural gas production growth, albeit at a slower pace, North Dakota’s drilling activity has slowed significantly and the amount of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) even more so, according to the state’s top oil/gas official. Activity is projected to increase again next year, however, with continuing technology advances.
Colorado Considers Groundwater, Setback Drilling Rules
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) has drafted proposed rules for sampling and monitoring groundwater before and after new wells are drilled, as well as changes to setbacks, which formalizes some procedures that the industry had begun voluntarily last year (see Shale Daily, Aug. 4, 2011).
Crestwood Bolts On More Gas Assets in West Virginia
Crestwood Marcellus Midstream LLC (CMM) is adding more bolt-on natural gas compression and dehydration assets in West Virginia’s Harrison and Doddridge counties that provide services to a unit of Antero Resources through a $95 million acquisition from Enerven Compression LLC.
Pennsylvania DEP Publishes Final Permit Improvement Policies
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced Friday that it has finalized new guidelines intended to expedite the drilling permit application process.
Chesapeake Still ‘Battling Natural Gas Headwinds,’ Says McClendon
Chesapeake Energy Corp. can see some daylight following the deluge of U.S. natural gas, but it won’t be until the end of the year that the producer is able to report a decline in domestic output, CEO Aubrey McClendon said Friday.
ExxonMobil Builds Bakken Portfolio with Denbury Agreement
ExxonMobil Corp. has increased its hold in the Bakken Shale to nearly 600,000 net acres after agreeing to acquire Denbury Resources Inc.’s entire portfolio in the play, 196,000 net acres. The North Dakota and Montana properties had average production in the first six months of this year of about 15,400 boe/d, 88% weighted to oil and liquids.
Besting Expectations, Pennsylvania Producers Pay $206M in Impact Fees
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) said Monday that natural gas producers have paid most of about $206 million owed under the drilling impact fee enacted under Act 13, surging past the $180 million the state thought it would take in this year from its new omnibus Marcellus Shale law.
Pennsylvania DEP Opens Expedited Permit Process to Public Comment
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said Thursday it will publish a draft version of new guidelines intended to expedite the drilling permit application process. DEP will accept public comments on its proposals until Oct. 1.