Session

Texas House lawmakers Sunday night voted to require public disclosure of the chemicals in fluids used for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) after disparities with legislation passed earlier by the Senate (see Shale Daily, May 27) were hammered out in conference committee.

Texas House lawmakers Wednesday approved a bill that would require disclosure of the contents of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) fluids used in natural gas wells in the state.

With the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) this legislative session it could be a case of “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” While a recent review of the agency recommended sweeping changes, state lawmakers now appear headed for a compromise that could change the RRC’s name and make other less drastic adjustments.

Public support for a state-imposed tax on natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale region remains solid, according to the results of a survey of 800 registered voters conducted between Dec. 27 and Jan. 2.

Acting West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Wednesday night said he would continue to fight for the state’s huge coal industry, but he also urged state residents to embrace the opportunities that would come from natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

Arkansas should increase its severance tax rate on natural gas production, including production from the Fayetteville Shale, to help pay for road repairs in gas producing areas, said Sheffield Nelson, former CEO of Arkla Inc., the state’s largest gas company. Nelson was among those who pushed for the state’s last severance tax increase three years ago.

December natural gas futures traded in a tight 10-cent range on Friday before closing the regular session at $3.937, up 8.1 cents from Thursday’s finish but 10.1 cents lower than the previous week’s close.

Natural gas futures traders put the brakes on last week’s late rally as the December contract on Monday recorded a low of $3.825 before closing out the regular session at $3.832, down 20.6 cents from Friday’s finish.

Even with three days of flat to much stronger pricing Monday through Wednesday, only Marcellus Shale numbers in northeast Pennsylvania were able to eke out a small gain during the week ending Thursday. Other plays fell 6-12 cents during that period.