Shale Daily

Despite an agreement to sell some of its non-core liquids assets, Enerplus Corp. increased its 2013 estimates for annual average and exit production, thanks to a “strong performance” from its core assets in the Bakken and Marcellus shales.

EQT Corp., whose tentacles in the Appalachian Basin stretch into exploration and production (E&P), midstream operations and commercial applications, said Thursday oil and natural gas production in 3Q2013 rose 42% year/year, with Marcellus Shale output up by almost three-quarters.

After several months of decline, rail transport of crude oil is likely to pick up during the rest of the year, according to North Dakota Pipeline Authority Director Justin Kringstad, who said the widening spread in global Brent and U.S. WTI oil prices will drive more shipments back to rail.

Despite the fact that they may not be needed anytime soon, Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced Tuesday it is crafting new rules for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to reflect the concerns of residents and environmentalists.DEQ regulators have hosted or attended more than 200 public meetings around the state during the past two years. “We have heard loud and clear that there is a growing concern about fracturing,” said DEQ Director Dan Wyant.DEQ’s proposed fracking changes focus on four key areas:

Denver-based Bill Barrett Corp. continued to increase its emphasis on oil over natural gas with an agreement to sell its West Tavaputs gas property in the Uinta Basin in Utah.

Denver-based Berry Petroleum Co. said Wednesday it expects to see its natural gas assets in the Piceance in Colorado and East Texas Haynesville/Bossier Shale decline this year as its continues to target its investment toward oil assets in the Uinta and Permian Basins.

Seneca Resources Corp. credited the Marcellus Shale for “tremendous growth” during the fiscal fourth quarter, with production and reserves posting big gains — reserves to a record high — and a successful drilling program in Pennsylvania allowing it to raise production guidance for 2014.

A Michigan operator that wanted to drill for oil and gas in Bucks County, PA, is abandoning the effort and bringing a six-year-long legal battle to a close.

It’s not how many rigs there are in the shale patch; it’s what they’re doing. As drilling productivity continues to climb, the industry has realized a simple rig count is a poor indicator of future production. Now the Energy Information Administration (EIA) is monitoring and reporting on drilling productivity.