Shales

Williams and Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP are partnering on a pipeline project to carry mixed (y-grade) natural gas liquids (NGL) from the Marcellus and Utica shales to the U.S. Gulf Coast as well as the petrochemical market in the Northeast.

Williams and Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP are partnering on a pipeline project to carry mixed (y-grade) natural gas liquids (NGL) from the Marcellus and Utica shales to the U.S. Gulf Coast as well as the petrochemical market in the Northeast.

Nearly 70% of the proposed power generation capacity proposed in the last two years for the 13-state PJM Interconnection electric grid, which includes the Marcellus and Utica shales, now comes from natural gas generation, showing a marked increase in the popularity of natural gas over alternate fuels.

Two colleges already playing a significant role in shaping the development of the Marcellus and Utica shales — Ohio State University (OSU) and West Virginia University (WVU) — have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to create a joint program on shale energy research.

Marathon Oil Corp. production targets are being raised sharply for its growing plays in the Eagle Ford and Bakken Shales, while the targeted sale of assets continues, as evidenced by a $170 million sale of a gas processing interest in Louisiana, CEO Clarence Cazalot said during a 4Q2012 conference call with financial analysts.

Marathon Oil Corp. production targets are being raised sharply on growth in the Eagle Ford and Bakken shales, CEO Clarence Cazalot said last week. Targeted asset sales also continue, evidenced by the recent sale of a natural gas processor in Louisiana, he told analysts during a 4Q2012 conference call.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has undertaken five case studies in the Marcellus, Barnett and Bakken shales and the Raton Basin on the impact of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on drinking water sources as part of its multi-year review of the well stimulation technique used in unconventional plays.

Magnum Hunter Resources Corp. brought online two new company-operated Eagle Ford Shale wells three days before Christmas. The wells’ best-ever results for the company in the Eagle Ford could have Magnum Hunter rethinking its idea of divesting Eagle Ford properties, said CEO Gary C. Evans.

Australia’s Amadeus Energy Ltd. plans to acquire Fort Worth, TX-based Lonestar Resources Inc. — a player in the Eagle Ford, Bakken and Barnett shales — via the purchase of Lonestar’s holding company, Ecofin Energy Resources Plc of the United Kingdom.