Shell

XTO Energy Inc.’s natural gas liquids (NGL) recovery facility in Butler County, PA, has entered service processing wet gas from Marcellus and Utica shale drilling in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Operators developing plans to work in Alaska’s offshore, notably Royal Dutch Shell plc, have faced stiff and costly opposition for years, but Gulf of Mexico (GOM) operators should be aware that a growing threat of more lawsuits could derail some projects as well, industry executives said Tuesday at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston.

Sanchez Energy Corp., which targets the liquids-rich Eagle Ford Shale, charted first quarter production of 355,000 boe, an increase of 106% from the fourth quarter and 320% from the year-ago period, the company said.

John Hofmeister is a man on a mission.

Privately-held Marcellus GTL LLC plans to build a natural gas-to-liquids (GTL) processing plant in Blair County, PA, in the heart of the Marcellus Shale.

The petrochemical industry in the United States is poised for a “spectacular comeback,” thanks to an abundant supply of feedstock from shale reserves, industry analysts with GlobalData said Monday.

Two oil and natural gas industry executives lauded the economic success brought about by shale gas development, but warned that continuing success depends in large part upon educating the public on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), training future regulators and policy makers, and exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG).

In a move anticipated by oil and natural gas producers, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) said Monday it was suspending 64 water withdrawal permits due to ongoing drought conditions in the basin, the highest number of suspensions since it began issuing permits in 2008.

The Marcellus Shale’s location near high-consumption centers, its bountiful reserves and its chameleon-like ability to produce wet or dry natural gas in abundance have made it a worthwhile destination for midstream operators, and it should remain so for several years, according to Fitch Ratings.