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Another Appalachian-focused exploration and production (E&P) company has secured an equity commitment of up to $800 million to lease and operate land in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) has launched a new website that is intended to improve the availability of commission data and information on its oil and gas regulatory activities. It’s part of the first phase of an information technology (IT) overhaul at the commission.

Powhatan Energy Fund LLC, a private hedge fund based in Virginia, has launched a website defending itself against allegations leveled by FERC that it manipulated energy markets through a contract trader in 2010.

A four-month-old group supporting hydraulic fracturing (fracking), Coloradans for Responsible Energy Development (CRED), has launched a website (www.StudyFracking.com) to spread its message in a state where fracking faces increased opposition from activists.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. (Oxy) unit Centurion Pipeline LP is holding an open season through July 1 for capacity to transport crude oil from Irion, Sterling, Coke, Tom Green and Mitchell counties in West Texas to Centurion’s Colorado City, TX, station. The project targets crude oil production from the Permian Basin’s Cline Shale, which is thought by some to be “the next Eagle Ford.”

Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has finalized revisions to general permits for natural gas-fired engines and equipment at compressor stations, which are “75-90%” stricter than current limits for the largest, most common types of engines used at compressor stations. DEP also is suggesting revisions to one section of the air quality permit exemption list governing well drilling sites.

A Pennsylvania judge ruled that the state Public Utility Commission (PUC) had no authority to review local drilling ordinances for compliance with Act 13, a decision that could force the agency to release nearly $1 million in impact fee revenue withheld for noncompliance.

Chesapeake Midstream Partners LP has become Access Midstream Partners LP and is trading under the ticker ACMP on the New York Stock Exchange. A new website, www.accessmidstream.com, also was launched. In June Global Infrastructure Partners acquired the midstream partnership from Chesapeake Energy Corp. (see Daily GPI, July 3). New board members CEO J. Mike Stice, COO Robert S. Purgason and GIP principal William J. Brilliant join David A. Daberko, Domenic J. Dell’Osso Jr., Philip L. Frederickson, Matthew C. Harris, Suedeen G. Kelly and William A. Woodburn.

California lawmakers on Thursday rejected an industry-opposed bill (SB 1054) on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), but a second fracking measure (AB 591) is still alive.