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ExxonMobil Corp. and Russia’s OAO Rosneft on Friday clinched a partnership agreement to develop oil reserves in tight, low-permeability formations in Western Siberia using advanced drilling technologies that ExxonMobil has employed successfully in North America’s onshore.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) said Wednesday the dunes sagebrush lizard (DSL) does not need to be listed on the Endangered Species Act after New Mexico and Texas voluntarily agreed to protect the animal’s habitat.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration is reportedly working on a plan to allow horizontal drilling using high-volume hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in five counties in the Southern Tier of the state, but only in localities that support the practice.

Methane emissions from natural gas wells, particularly those from unconventional wells using hydraulic fracturing (fracking), are 50% lower than the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) estimate in 2010, according to a joint report released by two industry groups last week.

Methane emissions from natural gas wells, particularly those from unconventional wells using hydraulic fracturing (fracking), are 50% lower than what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated in 2010, according to a joint report released by two industry groups Monday.

State officials squared off with House subcommittee Democrats Thursday over the role, if any, that the Obama administration should have in regulating hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

Some opponents of exporting liquefied domestic gas argue that doing so would encourage more development of shale gas resources using hydraulic fracturing (fracking) well stimulation. Since fracking is bad (causes pollution), so are liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, they argue. But that’s not how it works, FERC said in approving facilities proposed by Cheniere Energy Inc. units to liquefy and export gas from the Louisiana coast.

The California Department of Conservation (DOC) is requesting that oil and natural gas operators voluntarily disclose where they are using hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for their drilling operations and what chemicals are being used in the process. Meanwhile, the state legislature has reintroduced a proposal to require the drilling information, which already has been enacted by several states across the country and is being voluntarily disclosed by many of the biggest operators in the shale business (see Shale Daily, March 30).

Investors apparently approved of Philadelphia-based Atlas Resource Partners LP’s deal to acquire 277 Bcfe of proved reserves, including undeveloped drilling locations, in the Barnett Shale from Carrizo Oil & Gas. Atlas shares closed up 32% Friday following the deal’s announcement.