Industrywide Issues

Crude Oil | Economic Impact | Energy Companies | Halcon Resources | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Trumbull County | Utica Shale

Halcon Pull Back from Utica: What about Their $70M Oil Terminal?
March 5, 2014March 5, 2014

Yesterday MDN brought you the bombshell news that Halcon Resources has shaken the dirt of their shoes in the Utica and is heading to greener (so they say) pastures in other shale plays (see Halcon Resources Stops Drilling, Gives Up on the Utica Shale). Not so long ago–last July–Halcon announced they were working on a $70 million oil storage and rail transloading terminal in Lordstown (see Halcon Resources Plans $70M Oil Terminal in Lordstown, OH). The first of three planned phases for that project were, at the time, predicted to be completed in 2014. Is that project now in jeopardy too, with Halcon taking their “wait and see” attitude in the Utica?

Lordstown area officials have no official word from Halcon on the oil terminal’s fate, but they’re nervous…
Read More “Halcon Pull Back from Utica: What about Their $70M Oil Terminal?”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Landfills | Ohio | Statewide OH | Supply Chain | Utica Shale

OH Anti-Drilling Nutters Prevent Safe Disposal of Drill Cuttings
March 5, 2014March 5, 2014

Score a win for the anti-drillers in Ohio. They have successfully blocked a promising new technology by lying about what it does and can do for the drilling industry. Last September MDN told you the story of an innovative new Ohio company–Ohio Soil Recycling (OSR)–that has figured out how to turn shale drill cuttings (leftover rock and dirt) into clean fill dirt–in 24 hours flat (see OH Company Turns Drill Cuttings into Clean Fill Dirt in 24 Hours). Because some drill cuttings (some, not all) contain very low levels of naturally occurring radioactivity, a fanatical group of nutters called Radioactive Waste Alert (RWA) went on a PR rampage using a big, lying billboard ad to try and suppress this promising new technology (see Radioactive Bilge Emanates from ‘Radioactive Waste Alert’ in OH).

Once again headlines and soundbites rule the day as RWA now claims they have successfully stopped OSR. It’s a sad day–the RWA has made everyone in Ohio less safe than they could have been. But such is the twisted worldview of anti-drilling nutters like those in the RWA. Here’s the “we’re crowing about screwing OSR” announcement from RWA:
Read More “OH Anti-Drilling Nutters Prevent Safe Disposal of Drill Cuttings”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Companies | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pennsylvania | Range Resources Corp | Regulation | Washington County

Mt. Pleasant, PA Continues to Ride Range Over Water Ponds
March 5, 2014March 5, 2014

As we told you last week, when PA towns make up their own zoning laws for oil and gas drilling, chaos and confusion reigns, as is the case in Mt. Pleasant (Washington County), PA (see Mt Pleasant Twp Shenanigans re Range Request for Water Ponds). Mt. Pleasant, one of seven townships that successfully sued the state to overturn Act 13 effectively screwing every municipality in the state out of millions of dollars of impact fee money, continues their snit fit over Range using a few water ponds to drill new shale wells in non-Mt. Pleasant locations.

The board voted to uphold their zoning violations of four such ponds so Range has filed yet another lawsuit hoping they can find an impartial judge to set the matter straight. Here’s the latest…
Read More “Mt. Pleasant, PA Continues to Ride Range Over Water Ponds”
CNG/LNG | Dominion Energy | Energy Services | Exporting | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Maryland | Statewide MD

Maryland Court Rules in Favor of Cove Point LNG Export Terminal
March 5, 2014March 5, 2014

The litigating Sierra Club has lost yet another lawsuit to block Dominion from revamping an LNG import terminal in Cove Point, Maryland to become an export terminal instead–exporting Marcellus Shale gas to India and Japan. Last Friday Maryland’s second highest court, the Court of Special Appeals, gave Dominion the green light to continue with their project to covert the Cove Point facility into an export terminal. Will the Sierra Club appeal (yet again)? With the deep pockets of the eco-left in this country, it’s a pretty safe bet they will appeal…

Here’s the story of the court returning a pro-Dominion verdict:
Read More “Maryland Court Rules in Favor of Cove Point LNG Export Terminal”
About MDN | Industrywide Issues | Landfills | MDN Resources | Wastewater

ShaleNavigator Service Adds Frack Waste Facilities Layer to Maps
March 5, 2014March 5, 2014

As many MDN readers know, MDN editor Jim Willis partners with Ed Camp from ShaleNavigator, using ShaleNavigator’s top-notch mapping software to create the marvelous maps found in the Marcellus and Utica Shale Databook series. Ed maps the most recent round of permits issued (over the previous four months) on county maps, showing driller name and location for each volume of the Databook. But the maps show a lot more than just permit locations–like major natural gas pipelines, the locations of compressor stations and over a dozen other “layers” available to users of the ShaleNavigator service.

You can now add one more layer to the service: the location of waste facilities used by Marcellus and Utica Shale drillers. You may also recall that the most recent volume of the Databook, Volume 3, contains that very information: a complete list (with addresses and phone numbers) for waste facilities. Ed has used the location data for those waste facilities and added a new layer for users of his excellent service. The press release is below. Be sure to give ShaleNavigator a try by signing up for a free 7-day trial account…
Read More “ShaleNavigator Service Adds Frack Waste Facilities Layer to Maps”
Broome County | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | New York | Regulation | Statewide NY

Political Opposites Unite to Form Pro-Fracking Group in NY
March 4, 2014March 4, 2014

The 70,000-member Joint Landowners Coalition of New York (JLCNY), along with the Broome County Farm Bureau and several Southern Tier labor unions formed a new group (perhaps confederation is a better word) yesterday called Southern Tier Residents for Economic Independence. The new group illustrates how the fracking issue unites groups of people that often are on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Many labor unions are pro-fracking, a little-known secret anti-drilling “environmentalist” groups like to hide since labor unions usually swing Democrat/Liberal with their voting block. The fact that unions are defecting to “the other side” on this issue is causing heartburn inside anti-fracking central–places like Citizen Action of New York and the Park Foundation. Such anti-drilling groups haughtily believe they “own” the labor unions. Problem is, rank and file union members didn’t get that particular memo.

Here’s the story of people with different political philosophies reaching across the isle for a righteous cause–shale drilling in NY…
Read More “Political Opposites Unite to Form Pro-Fracking Group in NY”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Regulation | Statewide OH | Utica Shale

OH Anti-Drillers Call for ODNR Chief’s Resignation Over PR Plan
March 4, 2014March 4, 2014

A few weeks ago we told you about the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources’ brilliant communications plan to counter the wackos in their state on the issue of drilling under (not on) one state forest and two state parks (see ODNR Ticks Off Anti-Drilling Sierra Club with Drilling PR Plan). We also told you that this issue won’t go away for a while, and that Gov. John “foreigner hunter” Kasich has already backed down (see The Disgusting PR Mess in Ohio – No One Smells Pretty). As we predicted, the wacko contingent in Ohio never lets a good manufactured crisis go to waste, and so now a group of the nuttiest of the nuts is calling for the resignation of ODNR chief James Zehringer.

The only problem is, Kasich & co seem to be so intimidated by these kooks, you have to wonder if he’ll cave and make Zehringer a sacrificial lamb on the green altar…
Read More “OH Anti-Drillers Call for ODNR Chief’s Resignation Over PR Plan”
Industrywide Issues | Research

Morningstar Report on Marcellus Pegs Production & More Thru 2015
March 4, 2014March 4, 2014

The brains at investment research service Morningstar the February 2014 issue of their Energy Observer publication. The title of that issue? “Shale Shock—How the Marcellus Shale Transformed the Domestic Natural Gas Landscape and What It Means for Supply in the Years Ahead” (see a full copy embedded below). This is one seriously excellent analysis report–one that we highly recommend. Included in the report is narrative and charts that discuss the challenges forecasters have and continue to face when attempting to predict where shale gas production is headed. Also in the report is Morningstar’s best thinking on how much natural gas the Marcellus will produce as we exit 2015 (low-ball scenario, around 14 trillion cubic feet, rosy scenario, nearly 20 Tcf).

The authors address the interplay of supply and demand and provide forecasts for demand. They also compare the Marcellus to other major plays to see how it stacks up. Full of charts and graphs and clear explanations, this report is a keeper. Below is Morningstar’s press release announcing the report, followed by a copy of the report itself…
Read More “Morningstar Report on Marcellus Pegs Production & More Thru 2015”
Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | Transco | Williams

Williams Happy with FERC Progress on NE Pipeline Expansions
March 4, 2014March 4, 2014

Yesterday Williams issued a press release touting last Friday’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issuance of a final environmental review for the Transco Pipeline’s Rockaway Lateral and Northeast Connector expansions. The final review is prelude to a final decision by FERC to green light the projects, something Williams (the owner of Transco) clearly believes will happen. The final FERC decision will be issued this spring. When it is, and when Williams builds those expansions, it means more gas will flow to New York City by next winter–in time for the winter heating season.

The irony is, of course, that none of the gas flowing through the Transco to NY will be from New York State itself but instead will come mostly from the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania. Keep an eye out for the loonies who are bound to come out of the woodwork to oppose the expansion. Perhaps we’ll see more nutjobs like those that opposed the now-functioning Spectra Energy pipeline to Manhattan (see NYC Pipeline Protesters Get Naked, Paint Themselves Green). Here is yesterday’s “attaboy FERC” announcement from Williams:
Read More “Williams Happy with FERC Progress on NE Pipeline Expansions”
Broome County | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | New York | Public Opinion | Regulation | Statewide NY

Binghamton Newspaper’s Informal Fracking Poll – Cast Your Vote Now
March 4, 2014March 4, 2014

Just a quick word of encouragement to participate in an informal poll on the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin website that asks the question: “Should New York approve natural gas drilling?” This poll has been active since late last week, so we expect them to shut it down at any time–be sure to vote right away (if that’s your pleasure). As of this morning, some 18,133 people had voted. Here was how the results stood…
Read More “Binghamton Newspaper’s Informal Fracking Poll – Cast Your Vote Now”
Coterra Energy (Cabot O&G) | Energy Companies | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | New York | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Public Opinion | Regulation | Statewide NY | Statewide PA | Williams

Constitution Pipeline Payments to Groups – Donations or Payola?
March 3, 2014March 3, 2014

What do you call it when a company pays money to local organizations and agencies before the project has been fully approved by federal, state and local agencies? These payments, mind you, are not fees for permits or licenses, but voluntary chunks of money offered to groups that may be affected by the project if it’s built–in this case a pipeline. Is it called, Good corporate citizenship? Being a responsible member of the local community? Or perhaps, payola?

Regardless of what you call it, the Constitution Pipeline, a desperately needed natural gas pipeline that will run from the gas fields of Susquehanna County, PA to central New York where it will connect to two major interstate pipelines, has now paid out more than $1 million in “community grants” to help build support for the pipeline. Is that a good thing, or bad? We think it’s time to have that discussion…
Read More “Constitution Pipeline Payments to Groups – Donations or Payola?”
Industrywide Issues | Landfills | Regulation | Statewide WV | West Virginia

Will WV Lawmakers Have Guts to Tackle Cuttings in Landfills Bill?
March 3, 2014March 3, 2014

Two weeks ago MDN told you about a House Bill (HB) 4411, actively under consideration by the West Virginia state legislature, that would codify into law the right for landfills in the state to accept Marcellus and Utica Shale drill cuttings (see WV Bill to Allow More Drill Cuttings in Landfills Faces Opposition). At the time a parade of speakers spoke against the bill with one speaker (from the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia) speaking in favor. The bill would codify into law the right for landfills to accept larger amounts of cuttings, which anti-drillers object to because it encourages more drilling.

What we didn’t know at the time is why the WV Dept. of Environmental Protection is supporting the bill: because it will codify into law the protections they drafted as a temporary measure (now in place). Yes, protections, like separating the cuttings into their own cell within a landfill, the use of special liners, and lechate monitoring. The DEP is keeping a close eye on this issue and believes the proper place to have the debate about it, along with a resolution to the debate, is in the state legislature–if they have the intestinal fortitude to address it…
Read More “Will WV Lawmakers Have Guts to Tackle Cuttings in Landfills Bill?”
Economic Impact | Energy Services | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | Jobs | Odebrecht | Processing Plants | Statewide WV | West Virginia | Wood County

WV Ethane Cracker – Cautious Optimism in the Mountain State
March 3, 2014March 3, 2014

The editors at the Charleston Gazette have penned an editorial about their “cautious hope” that the ethane cracker plant announced by Odebrecht for Parkersburg, WV will become a reality. As they note, coal is descending in the state, and natural gas is ascending. If the cracker plant is built–complete with environmental safeguards–it will be a huge economic bonanza for the state. Although the editors are a tad skeptical about the “drill drill drill” attitude from Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and his administration (a Democrat, which is noteworthy), they’re willing to suspend the usual knee-jerk reaction against such projects and allow hope to bloom on the editorial page. A good sign!

From the Gazette:
Read More “WV Ethane Cracker – Cautious Optimism in the Mountain State”
Industrywide Issues | Jobs | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

Hundreds of Thousands of Marcellus Drilling Jobs in PA
March 3, 2014March 3, 2014

Over the past six years hundreds of thousands of jobs have been created in Pennsylvania that are either directly or indirectly tied to the Marcellus Shale drilling industry. Of that there is no dispute. It is provable and has been proven, over and over, by government agencies that count such things. Yet, when a new jobs report is issued that shows another 15,000 direct jobs have been added over the past few years, those opposed to drilling jump on the number and say, “See! See! It doesn’t create all that many jobs. They’re a lyin’ to ya–all them pro-drillers.”

Meanwhile, anti-drillers ignore the total number of 240,000 people working directly in the Marcellus Shale industry, or for companies that serve the industry (“supply chain”), in Pennsylvania. And so the anti-drilling spin machine keeps whirling around and around and around…
Read More “Hundreds of Thousands of Marcellus Drilling Jobs in PA”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | CNG/LNG | Dominion Energy | Energy Services | Exporting | Industrywide Issues | Maryland | Statewide MD

The Radicals Behind Efforts to Stop Cove Point, MD LNG Plant
March 3, 2014March 3, 2014

The group 350.org, a rabidly anti-drilling group that has adopted the same tactics used by the Ku Klux Klan complete with face masks and burning torches (see Wackadoodle 350.org protesters disappear their KKK moment), is behind the movement to stop the XL Keystone oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast. They are also behind an effort to stop the LNG (liquefied natural gas) export terminal in Cove Point, MD. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network has enlisted the help of 350.org in their effort to stop Cove Point. We wonder, are torches and bed sheets coming to Maryland now? Shame on the Climate Action Network for hooking up with these radicals–but then, perhaps they’re just as radical?

Here’s an update on the ongoing effort to stop what, frankly, can’t be stopped: the permitting of a new export facility in Cove Point that will liquefy and send some of our cheap, abundant Marcellus Shale gas to India and Japan where they need it badly…
Read More “The Radicals Behind Efforts to Stop Cove Point, MD LNG Plant”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Statewide PA

Voting for the Lesser of the PA LibDem Loonies
March 3, 2014March 3, 2014

There’s at least a few prominent Democrats running in the primary for Lieutenant Governor that have departed from the Democrat Party’s lunatic demand to stop all Marcellus drilling in the state–precious few, but at least a few that don’t share that view. So if you’re a registered LibDem and you must (hold your nose and) swing the lever for a Dem, you might want to consider who should get your vote based on their loony rating.

Hint: Don’t vote for Brenda Alton or Brad Koplinksi, both support an immediate ban on further shale drilling…
Read More “Voting for the Lesser of the PA LibDem Loonies”