Streams

The “reality and potential” of expanding natural gas and liquids from shale continues to have a dramatic impact on the regional and global balances for the two resource streams, PIRA Energy Group said in a new report. The energy consultant released its Annual Scenario Planning Guidebook in “the most uncertain economic environment in decades,” the New York City-based firm stated.

As drillers compete for access to water for their operations, researchers are looking for new ways to reuse and recycle wastewater for the good of the environment, as well as looking ahead to the possibility of more restrictions at the state or federal level that may be imposed on underground injection wells, according to Accenture.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed a bill that authorizes the state Department of General Services (DGS) to lease state-owned land for oil and natural gas drilling, as well as mining for coal, limestone and collecting coalbed methane.

The U.S. chemical industry “feels overwhelmingly upbeat” these days in part because of abundant, low-cost natural gas supplies from shale resources, but operators need to prepare for a big transformation of their businesses before chemical supply outstrips demand, according to a new report by KPMG LLP.

Inspectors with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) found methane gas in three residential water wells and two streams in Bradford County. DEP has launched an investigation to determine the source.

With the aim of reducing truck travel and pollution, while increasing efficiency for Marcellus and Utica shale oil and natural gas producers, Eureka Resources LLC said Thursday it plans to construct a centralized wastewater treatment facility in Standing Stone Township in Bradford County, PA, the epicenter of Marcellus development.

Two environmental groups have asked a federal court in Pittsburgh to enjoin the Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport from accepting any wastewater from Marcellus Shale drilling operations at its sewage plant, but an official with the facility says it hasn’t accepted Marcellus wastewater for the last three months.

Three workers were burned when a fire broke out at a Chesapeake Energy Corp. drilling site in Washington County, PA, on Wednesday night.

Learning how to tap successfully into the Marcellus Shale has come at a big cost and a lot of work, and the producer continues to find ways to become more cost efficient, Range Resources Corp. COO Jeff Ventura said Tuesday.