Well

Researchers have discovered that in the five months following the devastating April 2010 Macondo well blowout, naturally occurring bacteria that exist in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) consumed and removed at least 200,000 tons of oil and natural gas that spewed into the deepwater from the ruptured wellhead.

Independent oil and natural gas producers Monday called on the Obama administration to meet with them face-to-face to discuss their concerns with the federal government’s proposed rule on hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and unconventional drilling pioneer George Mitchell last week offered their unqualified support and a big financial boost for “common sense” hydraulic fracturing (fracking) regulations, just days ahead of expected new guidelines for New York state drillers.

A growing realization is dawning for European shale gas operators that “serious” man-made and technical obstacles may block attempts to replicate U.S. experiences with shale gas, according to London-based analyst Chatham House.

The North Dakota Industrial Commission on Monday delayed for further study a decision on a $1.1 million state grant for a pilot project to turn flared natural gas in the Bakken Shale into fertilizer for the state’s farming industry. The three-member commission of elected officials, including the governor, wants more study of the project’s feasibility.

In the story published Wednesday, “IHS: Technology to Push Domestic Reserves ‘Well Over’ 3,000 Tcf” (see Daily GPI, Aug. 15), IHS Inc.’s Pete Stark was misquoted. He said the United States today was “talking about launching U.S. exports,” not imports. NGI regrets the error.

A write-down on U.S. natural gas resources, a decision to cancel a flagship drilling project offshore Alaska, and the continuing impact of the Macondo well blowout pummeled BP plc’s profits in the second quarter.

Domestic proved oil and natural gas reserves achieved record annual volumetric increases in 2010, thanks in large part to advances in drilling technology, according to a report released by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) Wednesday.

ExxonMobil Corp. now has about 51 natural gas and oil rigs operating in the U.S. onshore, which is down from the 57 rigs it averaged from April through May and well below the rig count a year ago, Investor relations chief David Rosenthal told analysts on Thursday.