Shale

If one believes the shale gas story — that North America is swimming in the stuff — then it’s obvious that the market needs a sponge to soak up the supply. Gas-fired power generation is easily the largest and most likely, but its absorbency will be dictated by constraints on coal-fired power emissions that have yet to be worked out, let alone understood.

Strong earnings from U.S. natural gas and oil shale operations in 2Q2010 lifted several of the biggest oilfield service company profits, but rough seas are ahead for U.S. offshore operators because of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) drilling moratorium, Halliburton CEO Dave Lesar said last week.

Strong earnings from U.S. natural gas and oil shale operations lifted Halliburton’s earnings in 2Q2010, but rough seas are ahead for U.S. offshore operators, CEO Dave Lesar said Monday.

Regulations that would restrict wastewater discharges from drilling operations in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale area to a more stringent 500 milligrams per liter (mg/l) standard, while other new and expanded facilities in general use would be allowed discharges up to a threshold of 2,000 mg/l, may be on a fast track to approval.

Regulations that would restrict wastewater discharges from drilling operations in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale area to a more stringent 500 milligrams per liter (mg/l) standard, while other new and expanded facilities in general use would be allowed discharges up to a threshold of 2,000 mg/l, may be on a fast track to approval.

Marketers reported an overall 4Q2009 decrease of less than 1% from the previous year’s period, but a flood of of production from shale plays could influence the market’s next move. read more

Producer activity in Louisiana’s Haynesville Shale generated about $10.6 billion in new business sales within the state last year, according to a recent analysis. That’s more than four times the amount that a similar analysis found was generated during 2008.

Producer activity in Louisiana’s Haynesville Shale generated about $10.6 billion in new business sales within the state last year, according to a recent analysis. That’s more than four times the amount that a similar analysis found was generated during 2008.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has scheduled a meeting in May with natural gas and oil companies that hold permits to drill in the Marcellus Shale to discuss what steps the industry will be required to take to prevent gas from mitigating from wells and polluting the state’s natural resources.