Restrictions

The overall cash market added just under a dime on average as forecasts for warmer temperatures, pipeline restrictions and higher power prices at eastern points paved the way for well-bid cash trading. Rocky Mountain quotes were firm as well. At the close of trading July futures fell 2.8 cents to $3.800 and August was off 2.7 cents to $3.821. July crude oil eased 26 cents to $95.77/bbl.

Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. (CGT), a NiSource Inc. subsidiary, has applied for FERC approval of a pair of projects designed to collectively increase the company’s transportation capacity out of the Marcellus Shale by an additional 444,000 Dth/d.

House Republicans last Tuesday called for greater access to oil and natural gas resources on public lands, restrictions on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority over the energy industry and for Congress to revisit flawed financial reform regulations in the Dodd-Frank law.

House Republicans Tuesday called for greater access to oil and natural gas resources on public lands, restrictions on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority over the energy industry and for Congress to revisit flawed financial reform regulations in the Dodd-Frank Law.

Two colleges already playing a significant role in shaping the development of the Marcellus and Utica shales — Ohio State University (OSU) and West Virginia University (WVU) — have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to create a joint program on shale energy research.

Despite producing less wastewater per unit of natural gas produced compared with conventional wells, the enormity of the Marcellus Shale’s growth has increased total wastewater generated in the region by about 570% since 2004, “overwhelming current wastewater disposal infrastructure capacity,” according to a study by researchers at Duke and Kent State universities.

Responding to pleas from commercial energy companies, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Friday proposed to loosen restrictions on the aggregation of speculative trades under its position limits rule. Under the rule as initially stated companies would have to aggregate with its own all the trades of any entities in which it had more than a 10% interest.

Responding to pleas from commercial energy companies, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Friday proposed to loosen restrictions on the aggregation of speculative trades under its position limits rule. Under the rule as initially stated companies would have to aggregate with its own all the trades of any entities in which it had more than a 10% interest.

The Colorado Mining Association (CMA) has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider its challenge to the Clinton-era “roadless rule,” which places restrictions on road-building to carry out energy exploration and production, logging and other commercial activities on forest lands. The CMA petition comes only days after the State of Wyoming petitioned the high court to review the October 2011 decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which had overturned a 2008 U.S. District Court ruling permanently enjoining the enforcement of the roadless rule (see Daily GPI, Oct. 25, 2011). Because the roadless rule violated the National Environmental Policy Act and Wilderness Act. it “must be set aside,” U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer of Wyoming wrote in his 2008 decision (see Daily GPI, Aug. 14, 2008). “If allowed to stand, the roadless rule will effectively prevent future mining operations on roadless lands lead to a decrease in mineral and coal production, job losses and sharp decreases in taxes and revenues,” said attorney Paul Seby, who filed the CMA’s petition with the high court.