Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have been awarded a $412,000, three-year grant by the Heinz Endowments to identify and mitigate the effects of Marcellus Shale natural gas exploration and development on the state’s forest ecosystem. The interdisciplinary research team, led by two faculty members in the College of Agricultural Sciences, will evaluate landscape change as a result of gas exploration disturbances, assess local and landscape-scale changes to the forest ecosystem and develop an electronic field guide for onsite remediation and wildlife habitat enhancement at Marcellus drilling sites. The team also plans to pilot a long-term citizen-science based monitoring program to track changes to the physical landscape and biotic communities.
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Chesapeake to Shed Fayetteville, Other Assets
Chesapeake Energy Corp. said Monday it plans to sell all of its Fayetteville Shale assets, as well as its equity investments in Frac Tech Holdings LLC and privately held Chaparral Energy Inc. Pre-tax proceeds could exceed $5 billion, the Oklahoma City-based company said.
Newfield Shifts Focus, Spending to Oil, Liquids
Newfield Exploration Co. said it will spend about $1.7 billion this year on exploration and production activity, with two-thirds directed to oil plays and the rest focused on liquids-rich natural gas. The amount is equivalent to the company’s estimate of 2011 cash flow from operations.
Western Canadian Drilling Up on Oil Shale Activity
The persistently sharp contrast between expensive oil and cheap gas has had dramatic effects on Western Canadian drilling, boosting activity and accelerating a trend to targeting oil rather than gas.
Patterson-UTI Rig Count Up, Dayrate Higher
More shale rigs and higher dayrates lifted the latest quarterly earnings of U.S. land-based driller Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. (PTEN), which last week topped Wall Street’s forecasts.
Marcellus Production Jumping for National Fuel’s Seneca Arm
Appalachian production for the exploration and production (E&P) arm of National Fuel Gas Co. escalated in the last quarter of 2010 at a triple-digit pace year/year, jumping 184% to 8.1 Bcfe, with most of the gains — 5.9 Bcfe — from the Marcellus Shale, executives said Friday.
‘Blistering Hot’ Pressure Pumping Market, Says National Oilwell Exec
Drilling equipment demand in the global offshore, combined with unstoppable pressure pumping activity across North America, boosted the year/year performance for Houston’s National Oilwell Varco (NOV).
Review Finds Ohio Hydrofracking Program ‘Well Managed’
A targeted review by a multi-stakeholder group on Friday said Ohio’s program that regulates hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracking) of wells is well managed, although some improvements could be made.
Kinder Morgan-Copano Energy JV Inks Eagle Ford Deal
Eagle Ford Gathering LLC, a joint venture (JV) of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP and Copano Energy LLC, has struck a long-term agreement to provide natural gas gathering, transportation, processing and fractionation services to Anadarko E&P Co. LP in the Eagle Ford Shale, the companies said.
Triana, Marathon Make Marcellus Development Pact
Triana Energy LLC and a unit of Marathon Oil Corp. will develop 82,000 acres of Marcellus Shale prospects in Fayette County, PA, and several counties in northern West Virginia, Triana said Thursday.
