Regulating

Supporters and critics of natural gas development often point to Pennsylvania and New York as two different approaches to regulating shale, but that difference may have been more of an inevitability than a choice, according to a panel of experts speaking in Pittsburgh Wednesday.

Both supporters and critics of natural gas development often point to Pennsylvania and New York as two different approaches to regulating shale, but that difference may have been more of an inevitability than a choice, according to a panel of experts speaking in Pittsburgh Wednesday.

Regulators in North Dakota are considering a lawsuit to block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating hydraulic fracturing (fracking) well stimulation. The state’s Industrial Commission might ask lawmakers for $1 million for the effort.

A Pennsylvania lawmaker plans to introduce a bill soon that would prohibit gas gathering companies from becoming public utilities.

While unconventional energy plays require more water than their conventional counterparts, it’s the rapid growth of those new plays that is shining a spotlight on how the oil and gas industries use water, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor told attendees at CERAWeek 2011 in Houston last week.

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.

Increased drilling activity in West Virginia’s Marcellus Shale area and a dramatic decline in revenues from natural gas drilling permits have prompted the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to seek a larger piece of the state’s budget pie, a larger staff to handle about 750 active wells and a dramatic increase of horizontal permitting fees.

Pennsylvania’s program for regulating the hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) well stimulation activities of oil and gas producers “is overall, well managed, professional and meeting its program objectives,” according to a newly completed review.

Pennsylvania’s program for regulating the hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracing) well stimulation activities of oil and gas producers “is overall, well managed, professional and meeting its program objectives,” according to a newly completed review.