Survey

Environmental groups and supporters of the oil and gas industry have different opinions over claims by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that an increase in earthquakes in the Midcontinent region are more than likely caused by wastewater injection well activities.

Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) say there has been a “remarkable” increase in the number of earthquakes in the Midcontinent region, and believe the seismic activity is more than likely attributable to injection wells that handle wastewater from oil and gas drilling.

Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said a “remarkable” increase in the number of earthquakes in the Midcontinent region is more than likely from injection wells that handle wastewater from oil and natural gas drilling.

Companies participating in NGI’s quarterly North American natural gas marketer survey reported nearly the same results in 4Q2011 as in the year-ago period, and a 1% decline in full-year 2011, compared with 2010. read more

The $45 million cost of a proposed study of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to be performed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) should be paid by the oil and gas industry, according to Sen. Al Franken (D-MN).

Officials with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Information Administration (EIA) said they plan to publish their annual report on proved reserves in the Marcellus Shale by spring. However, budget cuts last year temporarily forced the agency to cut the report.

A geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) believes at least two minor earthquakes in South Texas, including a 3.0-magnitude temblor on Feb. 4, were caused by oil and natural gas drilling.

Domestic upstream merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in 2011 set another record, fueled by unconventional oil and natural gas, a survey by PLS Inc. has found.

Pennsylvania regulators say “improper” construction at Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. wells in northeastern Pennsylvania led to contamination at nearby private water wells.