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Granite Wash, an old-school tight gas play in the Atoka Formation, which extends from the Texas Panhandle into western Oklahoma, has more than a few new shale believers taking a second look — and grabbing acreage where they can.

Granite Wash, an old-school tight gas play in the Atoka Formation, which extends from the Texas Panhandle into western Oklahoma, has more than a few new shale believers taking a second look — and grabbing acreage where they can.

Steven L. Mueller has been promoted to CEO of Southwestern Energy Co. Mueller joined Southwestern in June 2008 as president and COO. A graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, Mueller previously worked for Tenneco Oil Co., Fina Oil Co., American Exploration Co., Belco Oil & Gas Co., The Houston Exploration Co. and CDX Gas LLC. Harold M. Korell, who is stepping down as Southwestern’s CEO, was appointed to serve as executive chairman until his retirement in early 2010, after which he would become the nonexecutive chairman.

Missouri Gas Energy (MGE) will pay $2,000 to the Missouri public school fund and will implement new procedures under an agreement approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to resolve a July staff complaint alleging PSC rules violations in connection with a natural gas explosion and fire in Blue Springs, MO, in January.

Following more than a year of investigations into Enron Corp., several former top executives, including the wife of indicted CFO Andrew Fastow, were led in handcuffs into the Houston Federal Courthouse Thursday, where they were charged in various fraud schemes. Fastow, already under indictment on 78 counts of fraud and embezzlement, also was indicted Thursday on 31 additional criminal charges.

In the same way your teacher loaded you down with books and assignments on the first day of the school year, new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Pat Wood, presiding over his first meeting Wednesday. He put a whole slew of initiatives in motion, setting meetings, rulemakings, and calling for comments.