M-U Rig Count Stays @ 39; Nat’l Count Adds 5; Haynesville Adds 7
Two weeks ago, the Pennsylvania Marcellus picked up one rig, while the Ohio Utica lost a rig (see M-U Rig Count Stays @ 39 But PA & OH Swap 1 Rig; Nat’l Count @ 546). The M-U count remained identical last week. PA now operates 19 rigs, OH operates 13 rigs, and WV maintains operating 7 rigs. There were 25 rigs targeting the Marcellus and 14 targeting the Utica last week, for a total of 39 rigs. The national count gained 5 rigs last week, bringing the national total to 551 active rigs. However, there was a major move in the M-U’s chief competitor, the Haynesville Shale. Read More “M-U Rig Count Stays @ 39; Nat’l Count Adds 5; Haynesville Adds 7”
The highly functional and responsible Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), unlike its highly dysfunctional and irresponsible counterpart, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), continues to support the shale energy industry by approving water withdrawals and consumptive use requests for responsible and safe shale drilling. The SRBC published a notice in the February 7 Pennsylvania Bulletin that the Executive Director of the SRBC approved and/or renewed 42 general water use permits in December and 32 general permits in January (74 combined) for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Clearfield, Clinton, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming counties. 
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking public comment on an Individual Stormwater Permit for a 5.8-mile natural gas pipeline in Indiana County. Serving the proposed Homer City Generation LP 4.5 GW power plant and data center, the 30-inch pipeline will traverse Black Lick, Burrell, and Center Townships, involving several stream and wetland crossings. Interested parties have 30 days to submit comments to the DEP’s Northwest Regional Office. While no public hearing is currently scheduled, one may be requested. Additional project details and permit applications are available for review through the DEP’s regional office and website. 
Pipeline giant Williams Companies is exploring a strategic return to natural gas production to create an integrated “one-stop shop” for AI hyperscalers and data center operators. By potentially acquiring upstream assets to complement its 33,000-mile pipeline network and new power-generation projects such as the Socrates facility in Ohio, Williams aims to offer a turnkey energy solution that bypasses traditional grid constraints. This move toward a “bundled” model reverses a decade of industry specialization, positioning the firm to capitalize on the massive power demands of artificial intelligence. Investors are watching for official confirmation during the company’s 2026 analyst day tomorrow. 
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the country’s sixth-largest power supplier and the largest public utility company, is initiating its largest-ever capital program, planning 6.2 GW of new generation (most of it natural gas-fired) to address surging demand from population growth and data centers, which are expected to double their energy usage by 2030. To replace retiring coal assets, TVA is currently building two 1.5-GW natural gas plants—one at Cumberland and one at Kingston. Most (if not all) of the natural gas that will feed these new plants, as well as not-yet-announced projects, will come from the Marcellus/Utica. 
Residents in Brookfield, Connecticut, are leading a “bipartisan” campaign to block a $272 million expansion of the Iroquois Gas Transmission System, despite national efforts to boost fossil fuel infrastructure. The project would add two compressors to an existing station, primarily increasing gas flow to New York markets. Local officials and residents, including some Republicans, cite health and safety risks due to the facility’s proximity to homes and Whisconier Middle School. Although the project has tentative state support, opponents argue that environmental impacts and explosion risks outweigh regional energy benefits, particularly since Brookfield receives no direct supply increase from the expansion. 
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: Reality is finally crashing New York’s utopian green-energy party; OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Phillips 66 to cut nearly 300 jobs as LA refinery shuts; Legislators introduce bill providing incentives for DE natgas generating plants; Most of Virginia restricts solar farms – Democrats want to change that; Virginia exits gas infrastructure partnership; New York Democrats propose sweeping pause on data center construction; Cheniere submits application to build massive LNG plant in Texas; NATIONAL: U.S. natural gas futures retreat ahead of weekend; Nutty alarmism – the latest; US Democrats urge EU to defy Trump on oil and gas rules; Trump freeing U.S. from UN health, energy, and climate tyranny; Big Oil’s merger boom is being driven by a surprisingly small club; AI’s explosive energy demand may unexpectedly strengthen natgas; Back to energy reality – a message to leaders finally recognizing what works; Cummins halts new electrolyzer sales, citing weakening hydrogen market; INTERNATIONAL: WTI, Brent gain as talks ease conflict fears; Climate change and energy – world leaders in turmoil; Europe’s Russian gas ban is set to trigger a new wave of LNG tanker demand; Why China is building so many coal plants despite its solar and wind boom.