House and Senate Republicans last week stepped up efforts to pass legislation proposing more lease sales on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) during 2012-2017, but the action may turn out to be more show, given that the odds of legislation being voted out by both houses of Congress this session are slim.
Stepped
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Marcellus, Bakken Open New Doors for Old Philly Refinery
The Carlyle Group LP and Sunoco Inc. last week stepped up with an ambitious plan to keep the doors open at the oldest continuously operating refinery on the East Coast by using the gassy Marcellus Shale that surrounds the refinery and the oily Bakken Shale, which could provide up to 140,000 b/d of low-cost fuel supplies.
Carlyle, Sunoco JV Eyes Growth Fueled by Marcellus, Bakken
The Carlyle Group LP and Sunoco Inc. on Monday stepped up with an ambitious plan to keep the doors open at the oldest continuously operating refinery on the East Coast. The new venture is eyeing growth from the gassy Marcellus Shale that surrounds the refinery, while the oily Bakken Shale would provide up to 140,000 b/d of low-cost fuel supplies.
NGVs Accelerate in Three More States
Three states last week stepped on the (natural) gas to accelerate efforts to increase the use of the alternative fuel in vehicles. New Jersey regulators approved a $10 million pilot program; West Virginia’s governor established a statewide task force; and hydrocarbon-rich Oklahoma’s regulators approved a rebate program for natural gas vehicle (NGV) customers.
Antero Hits Aquifer in West Virginia, Blows Out Abandoned Water Wells
Antero Resources disturbed an aquifer while attempting to dislodge a stuck drillbit at a new Marcellus Shale natural gas well in West Virginia’s Harrison County on Wednesday morning, causing blowouts at four abandoned private water wells.
Chevron, EQT Anchoring Texas Eastern Appalachia Expansion
Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and EQT Corp. marketing unit EQT Energy LLC have stepped up to be anchor shippers on Texas Eastern Transmission LP’s Texas Eastern Appalachia to Market (TEAM) 2014 expansion, Spectra Energy Corp.’s Texas Eastern said last week. The project is intended to deliver more Appalachian shale gas to markets in the Northeast, Midwest and southern United States.
Chevron, EQT Anchoring Texas Eastern Appalachia Expansion
Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and EQT Corp. marketing unit EQT Energy LLC have stepped up to be anchor shippers on Texas Eastern Transmission LP’s Texas Eastern Appalachia to Market (TEAM) 2014 expansion, Spectra Energy Corp.’s Texas Eastern said Thursday. The project is intended to deliver more Appalachian shale gas to markets in the Northeast, Midwest and southern United States.
Shippers Sign Up for Texas NGL Takeaway Project
Shippers have stepped up for long-term contracts for capacity on the proposed Texas Express Pipeline (TEP) and the natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline project will move forward, a trio of project sponsors said Tuesday.
U.S. Shale Gas May Erode ‘Bridge’ to Low Emissions Future
Unconventional shale gas in the United States has proved to be a boon to the domestic economy, but if it’s only a “bridge” to a low carbon future, efforts have to be stepped up to “prepare a landing at the other end” — and that won’t be easy, energy economists said in a new report.
People
Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner Marc Spitzer stepped down from his post last Wednesday (Dec. 14), ending a five-year term on the Commission. Spitzer’s term expired on June 30, but in the absence of a replacement he was empowered to continue in the post until Congress goes into recess at the end of the year. Republican Spitzer has been known for emphasizing a cooperative, bipartisan approach to energy issues and has been supportive of the shale gas revolution and its impact on the electric power industry. The former chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commission has not said what his plans are for the future. Spitzer’s departure leaves the Commission with three Democrats and one Republican. According to FERC rules, his successor would have to be a Republican or an independent. With a clear Democratic majority and no deadline for the appointment or installation of a successor, the president has not been in a hurry to nominate a replacement.