Replacing

Years of research, development and production line changes will be needed to clean up the oilsands by replacing the current method of boiling them into flowing with steam heat, according to new projections by Alberta’s Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB).

After a record-setting 2011, North Dakota continues to set all-time highs in oil and natural gas production, producing wells and rig counts, according to the latest statistics from the state’s Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

ExxonMobil Corp. added 1.8 billion boe to its proved reserves base in 2011, replacing 107% of natural gas and production, the company said last week. Proved reserves now stand at 24.9 billion boe, weighted 51% to natural gas and 49% to liquids.

Boosted by unconventional natural gas and oil, particularly from North America, ExxonMobil Corp. added 1.8 billion boe to its proved reserves base in 2011, replacing 107% of natural gas and production, the company said Thursday.

ExxonMobil Corp. added 1.8 billion boe to its proved reserves base in 2011, replacing 107% of oil and natural gas production, the company said Thursday. Proved reserves at the end of last year had increased to 24.9 billion boe, weighted 51% to natural gas and 49% to liquids.

National Fuel Gas Co.’s Seneca Resources Corp. more than doubled fiscal fourth quarter production from its activities in Appalachia. This contributed to better Seneca results and for National Fuel overall during the quarter and fiscal year.

Although previously committed to replacing its coal-fired power plants with natural gas generation in Colorado, Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy said Thursday it is buying another 200 MW of wind-generated electricity supplies as part of efforts to meet the state’s 2020 renewable portfolio standard (RPS) goal of 30%.

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has named Steve Berberich as its new CEO, replacing Yakout Mansour, who retired recently after a six-year stint heading the state grid operator. A former executive with Dallas-based TXU, Berberich joined CAISO in 2005 and has served since 2010 as COO at CAISO’s Folsom, CA headquarters. Keith Casey had served as interim CEO since Mansour left CAISO.

John Bryson, the retired CEO of Edison International, was nominated Tuesday by President Obama to be the next secretary of commerce, replacing Gary Locke, the former Washington governor who is leaving the federal Cabinet post. A former chief regulator in California and a founding attorney of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Bryson will continue the U.S. Commerce Department’s efforts to increase the nation’s competitiveness in the global marketplace, according to the White House. Obama said Bryson “understands what it takes to succeed in the 21st century economy.”