Shale Daily

Dallas-based Southcross Energy Partners LP said its South Texas operations continued to grow during the fourth quarter. Processed gas volumes increased by about 13% over third quarter volumes, and sales volumes of natural gas liquids were about 28% greater. “Southcross enters 2014 with solid operational performance, and we believe we are well-positioned to focus on expanding our assets in the Eagle Ford Shale,” said David Biegler, CEO of Southcross’ general partner. The partnership’s South Texas assets are between Houston and Freer, TX, and have access to the Corpus Christi ship channel market. They consist of 1,595 miles of pipeline with an estimated capacity of about 590 MMcf/d, two fractionators, two gas treating plants and about 40 compressors. Southcross also has operations in Mississippi and Alabama.

Citing state policy that makes the state’s chief oil and natural gas regulator both a promoter and regulator for the industry, minority Democrat North Dakota state legislative leaders on Tuesday asked Republican Gov. Jack Dalrymple to shake up the state Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) that oversees the oil/gas sector.

Rex Energy Corp. on Wednesday announced lower than expected capital expenditures for this year, while projecting a significant increase in production volumes from its assets in the Appalachian Basin as it gets a better grip on drilling and completion techniques in multiple formations.

Federal safety investigators said Tuesday they have completed their on-site work regarding the twin oil tank rail derailments on Dec. 30 in Casselton, ND, and will continue their probe in Washington, DC.

The zoning board of South Fayette, PA, has agreed with Range Resources Corp. to indefinitely postpone a hearing for the company’s challenge to a 2010 ordinance that essentially restricts drilling in the small township.

Cimarex Energy Co. plans to grow production this year to an average 760-800 MMcfe/d, spending most of the $1.8 billion earmarked for capital expenditures (capex) in the Delaware Basin, a subbasin of the Permian Basin, and opportunities in the Wolfcamp Shale.

Magnum Hunter Resources Corp. said Wednesday its estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves increased by 23% year/year in 2013, thanks in large part to Marcellus Shale assets in West Virginia.

Last November was another record-setting month for North Dakota oil and natural gas production, but a slowdown is coming as the winter months are tallied up, according to Lynn Helms, director of the state Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), which released its most recent monthly statistics on Tuesday.

The eclectic coalition that has become Californians Against Fracking converged Tuesday in Sacramento, targeting the state’s oil/natural gas regulators who are working to implement a new set of statewide rules governing hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The protesters carried anti-fracking signs and delivered what a purported 100,000 signatures of citizens commenting on the state’s draft new rules.