Risk

On the heels of a mega Marcellus Shale partnership agreement in August, CONSOL Energy Inc. on Wednesday announced that Hess Corp. would become its partner on half of its nearly 200,000 acres in the prospective Utica Shale in eastern Ohio.

A section of Millennium Pipeline running from Corning to Ramapo, NY, poses “a pipeline integrity risk to public safety, property or the environment,” an investigation has found. In response to a proposed safety order, the pipeline told shippers it is operating at a reduced pressure; however, scheduled flows were not expected to be interrupted.

A section of Millennium Pipeline running from Corning to Ramapo, NY, poses “a pipeline integrity risk to public safety, property or the environment,” an investigation has found. In response to a proposed safety order, the pipeline told shippers it is operating at a reduced pressure; however, scheduled flows were not expected to be interrupted.

Furthering its plans to acquire approximately 3,650 net acres of Marcellus Shale leasehold, Westmont Resources Inc. on Friday said it has signed a memorandum of understanding for the acquisition of a 252-acre oil and gas leasehold in Pennsylvania’s southwest tier.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Friday called on Energy Secretary Steven Chu to broaden the membership of the panel charged with reviewing the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) practice used to develop shale natural gas.

Unconventional natural gas and liquids plays account for a larger slice of the gas-directed rig count pie than they did just a short time ago. More horizontal drilling and the emergence of the second generation of shale plays characterize the market today, according to analysts at Barclays Capital.

The Quebec government should impose a moratorium on offshore natural gas and oil drilling in the Gulf of St. Lawrence until a risk assessment review is completed and after public consultation, a coalition of environmental groups said Tuesday.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected several potential sites across the country to study the effects of hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) on drinking water and groundwater.

Potential risks of hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) well stimulation — particularly in natural gas shale plays — remain on the minds of activist energy company investors, some of whom are seeking more information on the practice and measures that could reduce associated risks.