Energy Companies

Bradford County | Energy Companies | Pennsylvania | Range Resources Corp

Range Resources Gets $110 Million for Bradford County, PA Assets
March 29, 2016March 29, 2016

In February MDN told you that Range Resources had inked a deal to sell non-operated assets–some 11,000 acres of leases along with shale wells located in Bradford County, PA–for $112 million (see Range Resources 2015: $714M Loss, Sells Non-Operated Marcellus). Range is famously tight-lipped about these kinds of deals and didn’t identify who the buyer is. Yesterday Range issued another press release to say that the deal is now done and dusted–the money received and already spent. In the end, Range got $110 million (not $112 million). They still don’t say who the buyer is…
Read More “Range Resources Gets $110 Million for Bradford County, PA Assets”
Antero Resources | Energy Companies

Antero Sells 8M Units in Midstream Subsidiary, Looks to Raise $179M
March 29, 2016March 29, 2016

There’s a handful of Marcellus/Utica drillers who are still making money and still drilling in the northeast. One of the few is Antero Resources. In 2015 Antero made, after expenses, nearly $1 billion in profit (see Antero Resources Stands Above the Rest – Nets $941M in 2015). Impressive. For 2016, even though Antero will scale back on spending, they still plan to drill 110 wells in the northeast (see Antero Resources 2016: Spending 23% Less, Drilling 110 Wells). Really impressive. Although they’ve had enormous success, you can never have too much cash if you’re a driller. Last week Antero announced they are selling 8 million new “common units” (think shares of stock) in Antero’s midstream subsidiary, hoping to raise $179 million of cold, hard cash to keep the drill bits turning. After the announcement, Antero Midstream’s unit prices plunged…
Read More “Antero Sells 8M Units in Midstream Subsidiary, Looks to Raise $179M”
Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | Landfills | Pennsylvania | Range Resources Corp | Regulation | Statewide PA

PA DEP Won’t Renew Permits that Allow Drill Cuttings to be Reused
March 28, 2016March 28, 2016

A few years ago (not sure exactly when) three companies were issued permits by the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) to reuse drill cuttings–leftover rock and dirt that come out of a borehole–on construction sites. The three companies were issued the permits on an experimental basis. The permits will expire March 1, 2017. Even though DEP officials openly state, on the record, that “drill cuttings aren’t dangerous,” the DEP has indicated they will not renew the permits after they expire. However, the DEP appears to leave the door open to issuing more permits in the future, once they make a final determination after reviewing the results from these three companies. Who are the companies that were issued permits?…
Read More “PA DEP Won’t Renew Permits that Allow Drill Cuttings to be Reused”
Energy Companies | EQT Corp | Greene County (PA) | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

PA Court Says Leaseholder Can Sublease Production Rights
March 28, 2016March 28, 2016

We’re not sure how many landowners this may potentially affect, but we found a recent court decision by Pennsylvania Superior Court to be interesting. Landowners who had inherited property (and a lease) in Greene County, PA asked the court to “sever” the lease into two parts. The lease is with EQT and its affiliates and is 50 years old–long before Marcellus drilling. The landowner makes the case that because EQT had assigned the production rights to a third party and had never themselves drilled, the lease is terminated. There are two parts to the lease: one which said EQT had up to 10 years to extract oil and gas, the other that EQT can store natgas underground. The landowners were looking to end that portion of the lease that allows drilling because EQT never drilled on or under the property–and by assigning those rights to someone else, they have abrogated their rights under the lease. The court disagreed and said you can’t “sever” production rights from storage rights. If one OR the other happened, under the original lease, that is enough to make all parts of the lease ongoing and enforceable. Our description is likely not very good. Here’s what the legal beagles at Vorys say about the case, along with a copy of the decision…
Read More “PA Court Says Leaseholder Can Sublease Production Rights”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Companies | Exxon Mobil | Industrywide Issues

Anti-Fossil Fuel Insanity Metastasizes in Brains of Rockefellars
March 28, 2016March 28, 2016

Question: How did John D. Rockefeller make his billions? Answer: Oil. John Rockefeller worked hard and integrated multiple Pennsylvania refineries into a single company that eventually became Exxon Mobil–the largest oil company headquartered in the U.S. (and one of the largest in the world). As often happens with the generations that follow the one who worked so hard to establish a family fortune–the kids and grandkids and great grandkids were soft. Clueless. Everything handed to them on a silver platter. Which left their brains susceptible to the virus of liberalism–a virus that kills brain cells and renders its victims blubbering idiots. And that’s just what has become of the Rockefeller clan. How’s this for ironic? Last week the Rockefeller heirs announced they’ve sold off all remaining Exxon Mobil stock they owned because Exxon has engaged in “morally reprehensible conduct.” What kind of egregious conduct have they engaged in? Paying for prostitutes to visit drilling platforms offshore for their workers? Bulldozing neighborhoods in poor, third world countries so they can extract oil and gas? Espionage against competitors? Nope. None of those things. The “morally reprehensible conduct” is that Exxon won’t admit that mankind is causing Mom Earth to catastrophically warm up. And that, dear reader, is the highest sin that can committed against the new climate change religion. Which is why we say anti-fossil fuel insanity has fully metastasized in the brains of the Rockefeller clan…
Read More “Anti-Fossil Fuel Insanity Metastasizes in Brains of Rockefellars”
American Energy Partners | Energy Companies

McClendon’s Child Companies Continue to Run Away from AEP Parent
March 28, 2016March 28, 2016

In June 2015 MDN observed that Aubrey McClendon’s American Energy Partners (AEP) subsidiary companies were leaving as fast as they could (see McClendon’s New Empire Continues to Separate and Leave). Among the first to go was the Utica/Marcellus division of AEP, American Energy Appalachia Holdings, renaming itself Ascent Resources (see Big McClendon News: Sells 35K Utica Acres, Creates New Company). Others have also left the fold. The latest to get out of Dodge is AEP’s Permian Basin company (located in Texas). Like the others, they want nothing to do with the AEP name. The new name is Permian Resources…
Read More “McClendon’s Child Companies Continue to Run Away from AEP Parent”
Allegheny County | American Petroleum Partners | Belmont County | Brooke County | Greene County (PA) | Jefferson County (OH) | Marion County | Marshall County | Monongalia County | Monroe County | Ohio | Ohio County | Pennsylvania | Washington County | West Virginia | Wetzel County

New Marcellus/Utica Driller Quietly Launches w/$800M Investment
March 23, 2016March 23, 2016

Details are just now coming to light of a new E&P (exploration and production, or drilling) company headquartered in Pittsburgh and focused totally on the Marcellus and Utica region. Until now the company has flown under our radar. The company is American Petroleum Partners (APP)–not to be confused with Aubrey McClendon’s American Energy Partners (AEP)–and is headed by Rice Energy alumnus Varun Mishra, who is the founder and CEO. The big news is that last September Mishra’s new company, founded in 2014, received a major injection of investment capital. Apollo Global Management invested $411 million in APP with the option to double it up to $800 million. MDN has it on very good authority that although APP quietly issued a press release about this last September (see it below), the company has intentionally kept the news quiet. Not any more! Big mouth MDN is blabbing it to the world. Below are the bits and pieces we’ve been able to put together about this newest Utica/Marcellus driller…
Read More “New Marcellus/Utica Driller Quietly Launches w/$800M Investment”
Blue Ridge Mtn Res/Magnum Hunter | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pipelines | Triad Hunter

MHR Wiggles Out of One Midstream Contract, Sues to End Another
March 23, 2016March 23, 2016

Two weeks ago Magnum Hunter Resources (MHR), a driller focused almost exclusively on the Marcellus/Utica and going through bankruptcy protection proceedings, struck a deal with pipeline company Texas Gas Transmission Inc. to terminate four existing contracts with company to use its pipelines. MHR was pressuring Texas Gas to cancel the contracts it has with MHR subsidiary Triad Hunter, but Texas Gas was resisting. In the end Texas Gas agreed to cancel the contracts provided they get a $15 million “unsecured claim” which grants Texas Gas the right to be near the front of the line to get paid $15M when MHR is either sold or emerges from bankruptcy proceedings. MHR isn’t, however, having as much success with canceling signed contracts for another of its subsidiaries in the Bakken Shale region. Bakken Hunter has an existing, signed contract with Oklahoma midstream company Oneok. Citing the recent Sabine Oil & Gas ruling in which that company was allowed to cancel midstream contracts during bankruptcy (see Midstream Nightmare Comes True: Judge Lets Driller Cancel Contracts), MHR is asking a Delaware bankruptcy court to allow them to wiggle out of the Oneok deal. In addition to updates on these two situations, we also have news that the Securities and Exchange Commission is at least partially blaming two former Magnum Hunter employees–a chief financial officer and chief account officer–for the company’s financial predicament…
Read More “MHR Wiggles Out of One Midstream Contract, Sues to End Another”
Energy Companies | Rex Energy

Rex Energy Extends & Sweetens Offer to Refi Outstanding IOUs
March 23, 2016March 23, 2016

Earlier this month Rex Energy offered to refinance its notes (i.e. IOUs) so the notes expire later, meaning they don’t have to cough up cash sooner to pay off the debt (see Rex Energy Offers to Refinance Outstanding IOUs). It pushes repayment out further, after (presumably) the market has turned and Rex is once again making a profit. Apparently Rex isn’t having much luck convincing its note holders to go for the deal–so they’ve decided to extend the time and sweeten the deal…
Read More “Rex Energy Extends & Sweetens Offer to Refi Outstanding IOUs”
Energy Companies | EnerVest | Ohio | Statewide OH

EnerVest Likes Clinton Sandstone “Utica-lite” Oil Wells in OH
March 22, 2016March 22, 2016

Once upon a time the Clinton Sandstone layer was the most drilled rock layer in Ohio. Then the Utica/Point Pleasant came along and it seemed as if everybody forgot about the Clinton. Previously the Clinton was drilled vertically, or conventional-only. But what if you drilled the Clinton horizontally, like you do in the Utica? You might get a “Utica-lite” well, as we commented a year ago (see Ohio Clinton Sandstone Horiz Wells on the Increase – Utica-Lite?). Last year MDN told you that EnverVest, among others, was experimenting with horizontal drilling in the Clinton Sandstone. According to drillers who are experimenting in the Clinton, drilling a horizontal Clinton well is anywhere from 3-10 times more expensive than a conventional well, but it produces anywhere from 7 to 20 times more oil, which is typically what they’re drilling for in the Clinton. EnerVest has drilled seven horizontal Clinton wells and is extracting 1,100 barrels of oil per day from those seven wells. Here’s more details shared by EnevVest at a recent OOGA meeting about their Clinton Sandstone efforts…
Read More “EnerVest Likes Clinton Sandstone “Utica-lite” Oil Wells in OH”
Energy Companies | Rice Energy

Single Investor Buys ~$56M of Rice Energy Stock in 1Q16
March 22, 2016March 22, 2016

Investors constantly sink money into, and pull money out of, oil and gas companies. Managers of those companies also buy and sell stock in their own companies. From time to time we highlight such cases–but lately, we only highlight it if it’s a really big investment. This is one of those really big investments. Billionaire Steven Cohen, founder of Point72 Asset Management, has snapped up 5.6 million shares of Rice Energy during the first almost three months of this year–so far. Rice’s stock currently trades at $12.69 per share. Over the past three months the price per share has varied from a low of $8.48/share to a high of $13.08/share. Let’s pick a number and say Cohen paid an average of $10 per share for his 5.6 million shares. That means he ponied up something on the order of $56 million–a sizable chunk of ownership in the company…
Read More “Single Investor Buys ~$56M of Rice Energy Stock in 1Q16”
American Energy Partners | Energy Companies

McClendon’s Biggest Backer Backed Away the Day Before Car Crash
March 21, 2016March 21, 2016

Details continue to drib and drab out related following the death of Aubrey McClendon on March 2nd (see Stunned: Former Chesapeake CEO Aubrey McClendon Dies in Car Crash). We previously told you that one of Aubrey’s biggest backers, Energy & Minerals Group (EMG), was about to hang Aubrey out to dry (see More Info Comes to Light About McClendon’s Last Days/Last Moments). We now have more details about EMG’s abandonment of McClendon the day before his death. We also have a comment from an analyst who says McClendon’s company, American Energy Partners, will likely declare bankruptcy within a year. They just aren’t producing enough cash to pay all of the debts…
Read More “McClendon’s Biggest Backer Backed Away the Day Before Car Crash”
Energy Companies | Southwestern Energy

Southwestern Energy Pays Preferred Stock Dividends w/Common Stock
March 21, 2016March 21, 2016

Northeast drilling companies like Southwestern Energy are using creative strategies to stay afloat until oil and gas prices increase again. One of the tactics has been to lay off thousands of workers (see Southwestern Energy Cuts Workforce 44%, 200 Marcellus Jobs Gone). Another strategy is to cut spending and suspend drilling altogether (see Southwestern Cuts 2016 Spending 80%, Idles Marcellus Rigs (for Now)). Yet another is to borrow new money to pay off previously borrowed money (see Southwestern Energy Borrows $750M to Pay Off Other Borrowed Money). Southwestern continues with the creative financing with a tactic we’ve not seen before among northeast drillers: Pay dividends for one class of stock (preferred) by giving dividend-holders shares in another class of stock (common)…
Read More “Southwestern Energy Pays Preferred Stock Dividends w/Common Stock”
Atlas Energy | Energy Companies

Atlas Energy “Penny Stocks” Begin Trading Today on OTCQX
March 21, 2016March 21, 2016

MDN previously told you that the Philadelphia-based Atlas Energy, which sold off the majority of its Marcellus assets in two different tranches for $12 billion, has fallen on hard times–at least its stock price has. The New York Stock Exchange told the company in December that its stock was in danger of being de-listed from the mighty NYSE (see Atlas Energy Luck Run Out? NYSE Threatens Company with De-Listing). On Friday the company seems to have capitulated and given up on trying to boost the stock price to above $1 per share (the minimum required to be listed on the NYSE). Atlas said that regardless of what happens with the NYSE, as of today, March 21, company shares will begin trading on the Over the Counter stock exchange, called OTCQX. That is, Atlas shares have become penny stocks…
Read More “Atlas Energy “Penny Stocks” Begin Trading Today on OTCQX”
Energy Companies | Ultra Petroleum

Ultra Petroleum Threatened with NYSE De-listing
March 21, 2016March 21, 2016

It’s been a while since we’ve written anything about Ultra Petroleum. Ultra is an independent exploration and production (E&P) company focused on drilling in the Green River Basin of Wyoming–in the Pinedale and Jonah Fields. In addition, Ultra is currently drilling for oil in the Uinta Basin/Three Rivers area in Utah. However, our interest in Ultra is because they maintain a position in the Pennsylvania Marcellus shale with leases on 184,000 gross (91,000 net) acres. They aren’t currently drilling on their acreage, but if prices change, they likely will. The news we bring you about Ultra is news we’ve brought you about other companies, like Atlas Energy (see today’s story on Atlas). And that news is that the New York Stock Exchange has threatened Ultra with de-listing its stock if the price is not boosted to over $1 per share…
Read More “Ultra Petroleum Threatened with NYSE De-listing”
Energy Companies | Warren Resources

Warren Resources 2015: Lost $620M, Most of it a Paper Loss
March 21, 2016March 21, 2016

As MDN pointed out in February, Warren Resources is on the cusp of bankruptcy (see Warren Resources: Potential Bankruptcy, No Drilling in 2016). They are a small driller–at least in the Marcellus–having drilled two Marcellus wells last year. Earlier this month we brought you the news that the NASDAQ Stock Exchange is threatening to stop trading the company’s stock (see Pretty in Pink? Warren Resources Put on Notice for Stock Delisting). Last week Warren issued its fourth quarter and full year 2015 update. It’s fairly short and to the point: last year Warren lost $620 million. Most of that loss was a paper loss–$578M for impairments. Unlike other drillers, Warren doesn’t include a copy of their financial spreadsheets with their announcement. They make you go fishing on the Securities and Exchange Commission website to find their financial information. It appears they’re making it intentionally difficult to easily obtain the information…
Read More “Warren Resources 2015: Lost $620M, Most of it a Paper Loss”