Recommended

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) on Tuesday approved RRC staff-recommended revisions to proposed changes to commission rules governing casing, cementing, drilling and completion of wells; cathodic protection wells; and seismic holes and core holes. Changes were initially proposed in September in response to action by the Texas Legislature. The revised proposal for changes takes into account responses received by commission staff during a public comment period. The current 45-day public comment period will end at noon April 1. A public hearing is scheduled for 1:30 CST Feb. 21 at the RRC’s Austin office.

A proposed Wyoming Senate bill (Senate File 157) that would require baseline groundwater testing by oil and natural gas operators before drilling begins has stirred up controversy, with industry officials questioning whether the law is needed.

Natural gas from the Marcellus Shale could be the answer to Pennsylvania’s energy problems, “should we choose to embrace it,” according to former Gov. Ed Rendell.

Due to the high level of storage overhang at the end of winter, which was the result of record gas production in 2011 and a warm winter, the construction of new storage facilities in the United States is not recommended, according to a report issued by FERC’s Office of Enforcement (OE) Thursday.

Analysts at Goldman Sachs said Wednesday they expect natural gas prices will remain low this summer, but recommended buying longer-dated natural gas futures on the presumption that slower production, a declining rig count and a return to normal winter weather would boost prices in 2013.

A committee appointed by Quebec’s environment minister to study hydraulic fracturing (fracking) said the practice requires further study and recommended against authorizing any test wells that would conduct fracking for research purposes.

Although only two of its counties overlay the Marcellus Shale, Maryland could earn on average about $441 million in severance taxes over a 30-year period if drilling were permitted there, according to a report released Thursday by the Maryland Petroleum Council (MPC).

A New Jersey Assembly panel on Monday approved legislation to ban the treatment, disposal or storage of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the state.

Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Egan-Jones Proxy Services have recommended that Southern Union Co. shareholders vote in favor of the company’s proposed acquisition by Energy Transfer Equity LP, Southern Union said Monday. ISS said the Energy Transfer offer is “significantly higher than Southern Union’s all-time high trading price prior to the initial announcement of the merger.” Egan-Jones said the proposed deal is a “desirable approach in maximizing shareholder value.” A special meeting of shareholders is scheduled for 11 a.m. EST Dec. 9. Williams has also pursued Southern Union but has been repeatedly rebuffed (see Daily GPI, Oct. 13).