Typically

Physical gas prices overall were flat Wednesday with most price averages fluctuating within a couple of pennies. Even the typically volatile Northeast traded within 1-2 cents of Tuesday’s prices.

Initial tests of a process used in the Bakken Shale in North Dakota indicate that up to 80% of the water used in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) may be recycled successfully, according to the state’s chief oil and natural gas official.

A coalition of 69 environmental groups has urged President Obama to “employ any legal means” to halt hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and suggested a federal moratorium until further environmental studies of the practice are completed.

Despite the Fourth of July weekend typically being the lowest-demand period of the year for many utilities and end-users, the fact that holiday weather would continue to be a scorcher in several regions proved to be sufficient in causing rebounds at a majority of points Friday, as a producer had correctly predicted a day earlier (see Daily GPI, July 1). Thursday’s 5.9-cent futures gain following a modestly bullish storage injection report was an additional cash market booster.

During the first quarter predominantly shale gas-focused EXCO Resources Inc. produced more and sold it for less. The company had planned to do the former and is making the best of the latter, said CEO Doug Miller, who told financial analysts Wednesday that “it’s hard to put lipstick on this pig.”

A pair of water advocacy groups claim that two Pittsburgh-area treatment plants have been discharging oil and gas wastewater without proper permits.

Wyoming has seen an increase in water-hauling activities in the southeast part of the state, mostly because of increased natural gas and oil drilling, typically irrigation or other large-scale wells, according State Engineer Patrick Tyrrell. Most of Laramie County, where the uptick in water hauling is happening, is a designated groundwater control area, which requires additional restrictions and conditions. Most activities may be accommodated with a permit for the hauling or a temporary use agreement, both of which may be obtained from the State Engineer’s Office. For information call (307) 777-6163.

In an effort to prevent fires and explosions caused when natural gas is used to clean or purge gas pipes of debris, air or other substances, typically during facility construction and maintenance, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) in a 4-1 vote last week approved a list of “urgent recommendations” for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and others.

In an effort to prevent fires and explosions caused when natural gas is used to clean or purge gas pipes of debris, air or other substances, typically during facility construction and maintenance, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) in a 4-1 vote Monday night approved a list of “urgent recommendations” for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and others. Among the recommendations is to require “the use of inherently safer alternatives such as air blows or pigging with air in lieu of flammable gas.”