ProFrac and Seismos Bring “Closed-Loop Fracking” to U.S. Shale
ProFrac Holding Corp. and Seismos, Inc. announced the successful deployment of a commercial-scale closed-loop fracturing program in the Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk basins (in Texas). Completing 183 stages in early 2026, the partnership utilized real-time, intra-stage optimization driven by direct in-well subsurface measurements. By integrating Seismos’s SAFA™ system with ProFrac’s ProPilot® surface automation, the technology executes corrective adjustments within minutes. This data-driven approach improved fracking efficiency by up to 7.5%, with the potential to boost overall productivity by 20%. This innovation shifts industry practice from passive monitoring to active control of fracturing outcomes, maximizing the productive potential of every stage through precise, automated execution. The question is, is this technology coming to the Marcellus/Utica? Read More “ProFrac and Seismos Bring “Closed-Loop Fracking” to U.S. Shale”
Patterson-UTI is a leading North American oilfield services company (OFS company) based in Houston, specializing in high-spec land drilling, pressure pumping, and directional drilling. Patterson operates one of the largest fleets of APEX® rigs, focusing on advanced, technology-driven solutions for oil and natural gas exploration. Patterson operates roughly half of the active rigs in the Marcellus/Utica. Patterson CEO Andy Hendricks made a prediction in a recent interview: Rising US natural gas exports and domestic demand from AI data centers will lead to a shortage of fracking equipment later this decade. 
It’s time to make a LOT of noise with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) if you care about Marcellus drilling continuing in the Keystone State. In December, the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board (EQB) accepted a petition by radical green groups, including the Clean Air Council and Environmental Integrity Project, to “study” the issue of increasing setbacks for shale drilling so far that it would ban ALL new Marcellus/Utica drilling in the Keystone State, which is no exaggeration (see 
A Syracuse University study (full copy below) reveals that conventional oil and gas extraction in Pennsylvania poses a greater long-term threat to stream biodiversity than modern shale fracking. By analyzing over 6,800 aquatic samples, researchers found that legacy infrastructure (old conventional oil and gas wells) is more strongly linked to declining ecosystem health and the loss of sensitive species. While public concern often centers on newer fracking methods, these findings highlight the persistent impact of older, conventional wells. The study, titled “
Yesterday, Expand Energy and Evolution Well Services announced a new agreement to deploy Evolution’s 100% electric hydraulic fracturing technology (e-fracking) in Expand’s Northeast Appalachia (northeast Pennsylvania) drilling program. Evolution, headquartered in Houston with a regional office in Pittsburgh, specializes in “electric” fracking — using natural gas from the well pad (instead of diesel) to power turbines that generate electricity to drive fracking pumps. We’ve written about Evolution’s e-fracking work in the Marcellus/Utica for years (
In an op-ed appearing on the Fox News website, Dan Doyle, the president of Reliance Well Services and Arena Resources, draws on decades of firsthand experience to defend hydraulic fracturing against activist criticism. He argues that fracking is a safe, highly regulated process that is essential to American energy independence and economic prosperity. By debunking common myths regarding groundwater contamination and seismic activity, Doyle emphasizes that technological advancements have significantly minimized environmental risks. Furthermore, horizontal fracking has lowered energy costs for families and reduced reliance on foreign energy sources. Ultimately, Doyle contends that the industry’s benefits to national security and the economy far outweigh the concerns raised by what he characterizes as misinformed rhetoric. 
Deep River Data, a company with connections to the cryptocurrency industry, wants to drill for natural gas in Lee County, North Carolina. However, production from the well would not be used to power crypto mining, but instead to fuel an AI data center. If approved, the project would be the first commercial well drilled into the Triassic Basin, a natural gas repository underlying North Carolina and other Eastern Seaboard states. The planned well is conventional, not shale, so it involves no (or very little) fracking. Yet lefty environmentalists have whipped up opposition from the locals by urging them to “ban fracking.” 
On December 17, 2025, a casing failure and loss of well control occurred at one of three wells during fracking operations at a Range Resources pad in Washington County, PA. After gas pressure spiked to 2,000 psi, the company stabilized the well and later installed two kill plugs. Despite Range sending an immediate email notification, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) cited Range for failing to use the required website portal for instant alerts. Additionally, the company missed deadlines for a mandatory Area of Review report regarding potential “communication” with other O&G wells and/or water wells in the area. 
It’s kind of interesting how things sometimes work out. Mark Carney became the 24th Prime Minister of Canada on March 14, 2025, following the resignation of Justin “man-child” Trudeau in January 2025. Before entering federal politics, Carney served as the UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance. He worked (hard) to try to defund fossil energy companies. But what’s this? The Canadian province of Nova Scotia, which banned fracking in 2014, has reversed course and now wants to open up the province for fracking. Not a peep from Carney against Nova Scotia’s plan to allow fracking. Apparently, Carney has found that actually governing a country is a whole lot different from prancing around at the UN bashing fossil energy. 
The U.S. shale industry is shifting its strategy from rapid drilling to maximizing recovery from existing wells. With the era of high-growth production ending, operators are increasingly focused on improving recovery rates, which currently average only 10% for oil. Companies like EOG Resources and Occidental Petroleum are utilizing advanced technologies, including EOR techniques like “huff ‘n’ puff” gas injection and data-driven fracking, to extract more resources from mature fields. This transition toward efficiency and capital discipline aims to extend the lifespan of inventory and boost profitability, signaling a move from “shale growth” to “shale sustainability” in a maturing market. 
The Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board (EQB) held a meeting yesterday to consider whether or not to accept a petition by radical green groups, including the Clean Air Council and Environmental Integrity Project, to “study” the issue of increasing setbacks for shale drilling so far that it would ban ALL new Marcellus/Utica drilling in the Keystone State (no exaggeration). The EQB tabled a decision on whether to accept the petition back in April (see 
Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board (EQB) will hold a meeting on Tuesday, December 9, to consider whether or not to accept a petition by radical green groups, including the Clean Air Council and Environmental Integrity Project, to “study” the issue of increasing setbacks for shale drilling so far that it would ban ALL new Marcellus/Utica drilling in the Keystone State. The EQB tabled a decision on accepting the petition back in April (see