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35 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV May 26 – Jun 1

For the week of May 26 – Jun 1, the number of permits issued to drill new wells in the Marcellus/Utica increased significantly from the previous week. There were 35 new permits issued across the three M-U states last week, up 11 from 24 two weeks ago. A whopping 27 new permits were issued in the Keystone State (PA) after issuing only four permits two weeks ago. EQT and its drilling subsidiary Rice Drilling received 10 permits, all of them in Greene County, spread across two pads. Spain-based Repsol received the second most permits, five, for a single pad in Tioga County. Read More “35 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV May 26 – Jun 1”

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Philly LNG Project Owner Met with White House Officials This Week

We have some important new information regarding the proposed Penn LNG export facility in the Philadelphia area. In early 2024, we reported that Penn America Energy CEO Franc James, the builder of the project, said that he “pumped the brakes” on the LNG project but that it wasn’t dead yet (see Penn LNG CEO Says Philly Export Project on Hold, “Not Dead Yet”). Reuters is reporting that James met with White House officials (at the White House) on Tuesday of this week to discuss the project. We also learn from the Reuters report that James is actively considering other locations, given the resistance by left-wing Democrats in the originally proposed location. Read More “Philly LNG Project Owner Met with White House Officials This Week”

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PA IFO 1Q25 Report: Production Up 3%, NatGas Spot Price Up 117%

Two days ago, the Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released its latest quarterly Natural Gas Production Report for January through March 2025 (full copy below). There were 93 new horizontal wells spud (drilled) in 1Q25, a decrease of 7 wells (-7%) compared to 1Q24. However, 1Q’s spud number increased by 9 (11%) from the 84 drilled in the prior quarter, 4Q24. Natural gas production volume was 1,941 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in 1Q25, up 56 Bcf (3%) from 1,885 Bcf produced in 1Q24, and up 72 Bcf (4%) from the 1,869 Bcf produced in 4Q24. The big news revolved around price. The average Pennsylvania spot hub price was $3.69, an increase of $2.00 (117.5%) from the prior year. Read More “PA IFO 1Q25 Report: Production Up 3%, NatGas Spot Price Up 117%”

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PA DEP Says Shell Ethane Plant Fire May Have Released Carcinogens

Footage of Shell’s ethane cracker in Monaca, Pa. shows smoke coming off the site. Image: Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community

Another incident happened Wednesday afternoon at the Shell ethane cracker plant facility in Beaver County, PA. This isn’t the first problem at the plant (see our cracker problem stories here). An explosion and fire (with smoke) were reported at the ethane cracker on Wednesday. A company spokesperson stated that smoke was seen coming off of a furnace unit at the plant around 2:20 p.m. She said the incident was managed by site personnel, and the smoke dissipated. However, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a concern that “a possible release of an unknown amount of 1,3-butadiene and benzene” —both hazardous air pollutants and known carcinogens (cancer-causing). Read More “PA DEP Says Shell Ethane Plant Fire May Have Released Carcinogens”

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OH Landowners Say Injection Wells Leaked, Ruined 55 Oil Wells

Two conventional oil producers in Southeast Ohio say dozens of their wells have been flooded with industrial waste (brine) from the fracking industry. They claim that nearby injection wells that handle frack waste/brine are leaking. State regulators agree that injection wells, at least at some locations, are leaking. Not only have these leaks (if true) affected oil wells, but there’s a concern they may be contaminating area water wells. Read More “OH Landowners Say Injection Wells Leaked, Ruined 55 Oil Wells”

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2 Congressional Bills Would Target States, Municipalities for Bans

The Republicans in Congress have not wasted any time in addressing the ongoing tragedy of states (and municipalities) banning fracking or the right to choose which energy source (like natural gas) to use. We happened to spot details about two new bills just introduced in Congress, one by New York Rep. Claudia Tenney, which targets states like her own that ban fracking by denying the state federal funding as long as the ban remains in place. The other bill was introduced by West Virginia Senator Jim Justice (and Babydog!) along with Nick Langworthy (from NY) in the House to prohibit states or local governments from banning an energy service’s connection, reconnection, modification, installation, or expansion based on the type or source of energy to be delivered. Essentially, you can’t ban the use of natural gas either statewide or locally. Read More “2 Congressional Bills Would Target States, Municipalities for Bans”

MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Fri, Jun 6, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]

NATIONAL: Changes to 45V tax credit would deal a major blow to low-carbon hydrogen; The U.S. Senate must reform IRA green subsidies to unleash energy dominance; US Senate panel seeks to cut unspent US climate, clean energy funds; Progressive nirvana – a ban on all things (American); Democrat Stacey Abrams funneled $20 million to her lawyer; Surging electricity demand is just one reason natural gas looks so appealing to investors; INTERNATIONAL: Oil rises as traders see Trump-Xi call as sign of easing tension; B.C. gives green light to LNG pipeline, with no need for new enviro assessment. Read More “MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Fri, Jun 6, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]”