Shale

With natural gas prices at 10-year lows thanks to an extremely mild winter and robust production from U.S. shale gas basins, natural gas price bulls have been cooling their heels for months, not days. However, as producers lay down gas rigs or redirect them to more liquids-rich plays, analysts are eager to pinpoint a date on the calendar when the cuts to drilling will translate into a tighter supply/demand balance, thus giving prices a floor and the ability to rebound.

The shale revolution — first in natural gas and then in oil — has placed the United States at the beginning of an energy system turnaround in the 21st century; however, if the country is to benefit from its new-found energy wealth, government will have to get out of the way, John Hofmeister, founder and CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy, told a Houston audience last Wednesday.

The shale revolution — first in natural gas and then in oil — has placed the United States at the beginning of an energy system turnaround in the 21st century; however, if the country is to benefit from its new-found energy wealth, government will have to get out of the way, John Hofmeister, founder and CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy, told a Houston audience Wednesday.

The shale revolution — first in natural gas and then in oil — has placed the United States at the beginning of an energy system turnaround in the 21st century; however, if the country is to benefit from its new-found energy wealth, government will have to get out of the way, John Hofmeister, founder and CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy, told a Houston audience Wednesday.

Apache Corp. on Thursday disclosed “encouraging” results from an exploratory drilling program in the emerging Whittenburg Basin in the Texas Panhandle, where five of six initial vertical tests were completed as “oil producers” in the Canyon Wash interval.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has launched a website to track oil and gas operations in the state, including those in the Marcellus Shale. The website includes reports on permitting and drilling figures, well inventories organized by county and operator, and violations. The DEP previously listed permitting and drilling information by month and production information twice each year, but the new website allows the public to view individual inspection reports. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently created a website to help pipeline operators comply with new oversight requirements. Gov. Tom Corbett signed Act 127 in late December, making the PUC the “state agent” for the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration in Pennsylvania and giving the PUC oversight over most nonutility natural gas pipelines. Among other things, the act requires the PUC to create a registry of all nonutility gas and hazardous liquids pipelines in the state, and the website includes forms to help operators comply. The act takes effect on Feb. 20.

Earthquakes such as the one that forced a wastewater disposal well in Youngstown, OH, to be closed at the beginning of the year can be avoided if oil, natural gas and service companies are more knowledgeable of the local and regional geology, according to an energy expert.

Statistics compiled by the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) tell a tale of booming production in the liquids-rich Eagle Ford Shale, with an increased emphasis on oil and condensate in the play and significantly more flaring of gas statewide.

The impact of Marcellus Shale drilling on air quality is shaping up to be a major issue this year.