The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) has made more upgrades as part of its Information Technology Project with the launch of two applications operators can complete and file online. RRC Form GW-1, Groundwater Protection Determination Request Form, and Statewide Rule 13 exception requests (SWR 3.13 regarding Casing, Cementing, Drilling, Well Control and Completion Requirements) can now be completed and submitted online. The applications allow operators to submit filings more conveniently and also enable RRC staff to review and process them more quickly. For all wells drilled in Texas, the Groundwater Protection letter states the depth of usable-quality water and additional isolation zones to be protected by surface casing. In Texas, all wells are required to be constructed with several layers of casing, with surface casing first required to be set from the surface to at least 25 feet below the base of usable quality water to isolate an oil or gas well from groundwater. In May 2013, RRC updated and clarified Statewide Rule 13 construction requirements for oil and gas wells drilled on or after Jan. 1, 2014 (see Shale Daily,May 28, 2013).
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Gallup Poll Shows Americans Split on Fracking, 40-40%
A Gallup poll conducted earlier this month found that Americans are evenly split on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), with 40% in support of the practice, 40% opposed, and 19% with no opinion.
Proppant Intensity Still Increasing, Says Fairmount CEO
Fairmount Santrol, one of the largest sand and resin-coated sand providers in the U.S. onshore, continues to see customers expand their use of proppants in each hydraulic fracturing stage, even with the downturn in the marketplace.
Study Finds Billions in Consumer Benefits Generated by Falling NatGas Prices
The Brookings Institution has released a wide-ranging study showing that from 2007-2013 the advent of horizontal hydraulic fracturing (fracking) reduced natural gas prices by 47% compared to what they would have been without the shale boom, and provided billions of dollars in annual consumer benefits.
Analyst Says Impact Minimal from DOI Fracking Rule
An analyst with Barclays said the Department of Interior’s (DOI) rule for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on public and tribal lands would have a limited effect on oil and natural gas output, but states that currently have no laws governing fracking could use the federal rule as a template.
Southwestern Sells Legacy Arkoma, East Texas Leaseholds
Southwestern Energy Co., which has begun to concentrate its exploration in the Marcellus Shale over the past few months, on Friday agreed to sell conventional natural gas leaseholds in East Texas and the Arkoma Basin of Arkansas for $218 million.
Appalachia Natural Gas Output Still On Pace to Increase, Despite Lower Capex, Shut-Ins
The combination of lower capital spending, shut-ins and even a shift to other plays won’t deter natural gas production from escalating in the Appalachian Basin this year, according to data compiled by NGI’s Shale Daily.
Transco’s Marcellus-to-Southeast Dalton Project Filed at FERC
Williams Partners LP’s Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Co. LLC (Transco) has filed at FERC for its Dalton Expansion Project, which would help move Marcellus Shale gas to the Southeast to serve power generators and local distribution companies.
Interior Unveils Final Rule For Fracking on Public, Tribal Lands
The Department of Interior (DOI) issued its long-awaited rule for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on public and tribal lands on Friday. It requires operators to temporarily store produced water in aboveground tanks and disclose most of the chemicals they use to the FracFocus registry.
Constitution Pipeline Wins Court Battle; Construction Set For Summer
The Constitution Pipeline, which would carry Marcellus Shale natural gas to markets in the Northeast, has cleared another hurdle with a federal court ruling that it can access and build across land owned by seven property owners in Pennsylvania that opposed the project.
