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Harvard Study: Shale Drilling Means Oil Prices Heading Lower

Oil - The Next RevolutionA Harvard University study published in June takes a look at oil and makes the bold prediction that world oil prices will go down, substantially, by 2020. Why? You guessed it—the miracle of hydraulic fracturing of shale, particularly in the U.S.

The study, titled “Oil: The Next Revolution – The Unprecedented Upsurge of Oil Production Capacity and What it Means for the World,” (see below), says the Bakken/Three Forks play in North Dakota and Montana “could become a big Persian Gulf producing country within the United States.” And that’s just one play, out of 20!

Although this Harvard study is focused on oil, and MDN is largely focused on natural gas, the study highlights the critical role played by shale formations, and drilling in shale, sometimes the same well bore, delivers not only natural gas but natural gas liquids and oil. So this study and it’s conclusions are well worth your time to review. Notice the chart on page 13 of the PDF file (page 3 of the report): It shows the U.S. pulling very close to Saudi Arabia in oil production by 2020. Astonishing!

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Utica Shale Permits/Drilling Expand in Eastern Ohio

The latest stats for Utica Shale drilling in the three-county region of Muskingum, Guernsey and Noble in Ohio: Guernsey County now has 12 permits, 2 of which are already producing natural gas. Muskingum County has 3 permits. And Noble County has 12 permits, 7 of which are currently being drilled.

Statewide, the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (ODNR) has issued 285 horizontal Utica Shale drilling permits, with 92 wells drilled, 14 of those wells now producing.

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Slottje Alert: Lebanon, NY About to be Fleeced

Danger Will RobinsonDanger Will Robinson! You’re about to be fleeced!! Or rather, a warning to the residents and town board members in Lebanon (Madison County), NY—you’re about to be fleeced.

The Lebanon Town Board has invited the husband and wife anti-drilling (and Park Foundation-backed) lawyer team of David and Helen Slottje to address the town about how wonderful a ban on fracking would be. Never mind stripping away private property rights. That old U.S. Constitution is just a filthy, musty old document anyway, ya know.

The fleecing will commence on Saturday, July 28 at 11 am at the Town Office in Lebanon. MDN encourages all liberty-loving Americans in Lebanon to turn out in force to oppose the Slottjes. Carry placards and wave your hands like the antis do when they turn up at a meeting. And make your voices heard.

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NRDC Publishes Recycled Scare Tatics on Fracking & Water

The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which once-upon-a-time was at least partially open minded to drilling for natural gas, has been subsumed by the anti-fracking mania that seems to inhabit those on the political left. NRDC has left the realm of reasonable and thoughtful awareness on issues concerning the environment and has descended into political hucksterism (which is no doubt more profitable for fundraising).

A few days ago the NRDC published a “fact sheet” on water and hydraulic fracturing. It’s recycled no-thought-necessary-stoke-the-wacko-left-faithful pabulum. But MDN brings it to you because you need to “know thine enemy” and what they’re saying. A copy of “Water Facts” is embedded below.

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Wisconsin Frack Sand Heading to Marcellus/Utica Shale

Wisconsin frack sand is on the way to the Utica and Marcellus Shale region, thanks to a new long-term partnership between Smart Sand and Canadian Pacific Railway. The partners announced their first initiative will be to build a new frack sand transloading facility in Makoti, North Dakota.

Canadian Pacific is the only railroad in North America that services both the Bakken formation and the Marcellus Shale.

From the joint press release issued today:

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