Research

  • | | | |

    OOGA’s DeBrosse Report: 2015 Utica Continues to Wow

    Each year the 3,200-member Ohio Oil and Gas Association (OOGA) issue the DeBrosse Memorial Report (full copy below). The report is a high level look at where (and how much) drilling there has been in the state–and what they’re finding (methane, oil, NGLs). The latest report, recounting 2015, was released yesterday at the OOGA Annual Winter Meeting in Columbus. Once again it was a record-breaking year for Ohio–and the Utica Shale is the reason why…
    Read More “OOGA’s DeBrosse Report: 2015 Utica Continues to Wow”

  • | | |

    FERC Report: Northeast Pipeline Shortage Won’t Resolve Until 2019

    The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) yesterday released its 2015 State of the Markets Report (see full copy below). Among the findings in FERC’s view of the marketplace: Most places across the country have seen a bump up in pipelines over the past 10 years, relieving constrained natural gas transportation. Except for the Marcellus/Utica region. In our neck of the woods lack of pipelines continues to mean a surplus–high inventories and low prices. Is there any hope in sight? Yes, IF the pipelines get approved and built, FERC says by 2019 our gas should be hitting new markets with a resulting boost to the price. Also interesting is FERC’s reluctance to embrace and endorse the prediction made by the U.S. Energy Information Administration just last week that in 2016 natural gas will surpass coal as the #1 source fuel to generate electricity in the U.S. (see NatGas is Killing Coal in Electric Generation Market – 2015 is Proof). FERC very definitely backed away from that prediction in their report. Hmmm…
    Read More “FERC Report: Northeast Pipeline Shortage Won’t Resolve Until 2019”

  • | |

    NatGas is Killing Coal in Electric Generation Market – 2015 is Proof

    The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), our favorite government agency, recently made an earth-shattering prediction. The EIA predicts that in 2016 natural gas will produce 33.4% of all electricity produced in the U.S., and coal will produce 32%. That is the first time, ever, that natgas will produce more electricity than coal for the entire year. There have been months when natgas surpassed coal in electric production, but starting this year natgas will dethrone king coal. And it’s no wonder. In 2015 some 80% of all retired electric plants were coal plants–mostly because of Obama’s war on coal via the EPA with strict new air standards that forced many older plants to close. However, the question is, will it continue? Natgas prices are really low right now. If those prices begin to rise again, coal may come roaring back…
    Read More “NatGas is Killing Coal in Electric Generation Market – 2015 is Proof”

  • | | | | | | | |

    Somber Milestone – US Rig Count Hits Lowest Level in 68 Years

    Baker Hughes released their weekly rig count numbers last Friday (see full report below). We typically don’t report on the weekly ups and downs of rig counts, preferring to check in on a monthly basis to get an idea of the overall trend. But last week’s weekly report was historic, which is why we’re commenting on it now. Baker Hughes began tabulating weekly rig counts 68 years ago. The number of working rigs in the United States last Friday hit 480–the lowest number on record since Baker Hughes began keeping records. While the Marcellus count went up by 3 last week, right now there are only 19 rigs operating in Pennsylvania–less than before the Marcellus boom began and down from the high water mark of 114 rigs operating in 2012. When rigs are operating, it means jobs and economic stimulus for a community and region. It also means landowners get royalties, and that money gets invested and/or spent in a community. The converse is also true: no rig activity, fewer jobs and economic impact. Therefore the number of rigs operating is always of keen interest…
    Read More “Somber Milestone – US Rig Count Hits Lowest Level in 68 Years”

  • | |

    Rice U Study: NatGas Used in Power Generation Lowers Global Warming

    We thought maybe the International Journal of Global Warming was a comic book, er, a, “graphic novel” as they’re called these days. But no! It’s a real, literal academic journal, published to amuse those who believe in unicorns and other fairy tales. But let’s not depart from the subject at hand. A new study just published says using natural gas to power electric generating plants is a good thing for global warming (pay attention Tony Ingraffea and Robert Howarth). Researchers from Duke University say using natgas leads to less global warming, not more–as long as that old villain fugitive methane doesn’t escape into the atmosphere when drillers extract natgas from the ground. What about using natgas to power trains, plains and automobiles? Nah, not so much of a benefit for Mom Earth, according to the authors…
    Read More “Rice U Study: NatGas Used in Power Generation Lowers Global Warming”

  • |

    EIA March DPR: Marcellus Produces More than EIA Expected

    EIAYesterday our favorite government agency, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), issued our favorite monthly report, the Drilling Productivity Report (DPR). The March 2016 report shows what the EIA predicts oil and natural gas production will be in April from the seven largest commercial shale plays in the U.S. What does the report (full copy below) show? Yes, natural gas production is down again, including the Marcellus. But in a rare move, the EIA had to revise its Marcellus production data because the play is producing more than the smart folks at EIA figured…
    Read More “EIA March DPR: Marcellus Produces More than EIA Expected”

  • | | | | | | |

    Rig Counts for World, US & Marcellus/Utica Crash in February

    Just when you thought the rig count couldn’t possibly get any worse–it does. Baker Hughes released their average rig count data for February yesterday–and it’s not a pretty picture. Worldwide the total number of active rigs in February was 1,018, down 27 from the 1,045 counted in January. But in the U.S., the rig count was 532, down 122 from the 654 counted in January 2016. That’s a huge 19% in a single month. The Marcellus/Utica region was similarly affected. It used to be when rig counts were crashing everywhere else, they held firm or slightly declined in the northeast. No more. In February the Marcellus/Utica lost another 10 rigs, from 52 in January to 42 in February–or a 19% decrease in a single month. Ouch. Below are the full details and charts that tell the story…
    Read More “Rig Counts for World, US & Marcellus/Utica Crash in February”

  • |

    NOAA Data Shows No Global Warming for Last 58 Years

    From time to time we revisit the issue of man-made global warming because so much (really all of) the opposition to fossil fuels, including clean-burning natural gas, comes from a misguided belief that mankind is catastrophically causing the earth to heat up by burning fossil fuels, contributing large amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. It’s a nice story. It makes libs feel good about themselves. But the problem is, it’s just not true. No matter how many times we say “it’s not true!” most folks pause and think, “All of those scientists can’t be wrong, can they?” The problem is, belief in global warming is not universal–not anywhere near it. Those who do believe it are vocal, while those who would rather let real science do the talking, don’t say anything for fear of being mocked and ridiculed. It’s time to stop being afraid. We have real science on our side. We’ve previously pointed out that global warming hasn’t been happening for nearly 20 years (see Inconvenient Global Warming Fact: Avg Temp Hasn’t Risen in 18 Yrs). You might think the global warming idea has only been around for the last 20-30 years. You would be wrong. Mankind has been obsessed with both global warming and cooling for 100 years (see Global Warming Meme has Been Around Nearly 100 Years). There have been a few brave souls who have stood up to the climate changer bullies, including the co-founder of Greenpeace (see Greenpeace Co-Founder Says Mankind Doesn’t Cause Global Warming). One of the biggest frauds in the global warming debate has been the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They cherry-pick and doctor their own data in an attempt to prove global warming exists. But using NOAA’s own data, scientists have found that the earth HAS NOT BEEN WARMING FOR 58 YEARS!…
    Read More “NOAA Data Shows No Global Warming for Last 58 Years”

  • | |

    5 Members of Internal EPA Committee Think Fracking Study Correct

    For some time we’ve warned you that radical environmentalist pressure has been so intense against last year’s EPA study that found fracking doesn’t contaminate water supplies, that the EPA was going to try and find a way to change the science they themselves researched (see EPA Science Advisory Board Engaging in Fraud re Fracking Study). The EPA is looking to change the outcome, bowing to pressure. The way they’re attempting a “do-over” is through an internal Science Advisory Board (SAB), set up to review the EPA study and its conclusions. It does look like the fix is in–that the SAB will demand the finding of “no widespread, systemic impacts” on water from fracking activity be changed. There are 31 members of the SAB review panel. Five of the 31 are opposed to changing the language that says “no widespread, systemic impacts”–that is, they think the original report and its findings is correct. The other 26 are sellouts and want to change the study’s findings…
    Read More “5 Members of Internal EPA Committee Think Fracking Study Correct”

  • | | | | | | | | | | | |

    5 Key Insights from MDN’s 2015 Databook Vol. 3 – Just Released

    db2015_all3vol_cover_smallMDN recently published Volume 3 of the 2015 Marcellus and Utica Shale Databook. In 103 jam-packed pages you will get the latest information on what’s happening (or not happening) with drilling in the Marcellus/Utica region. Much of the Databook is a series of county maps–one map for each county where there’s permit activity for Marcellus or Utica drilling. Each county map shows a dot for where a permit was issued–along with the name of the driller next to it. The maps also show major natural gas pipelines and compressor stations. Each map offers you a quick, visual way of understanding where drilling is happening, and who’s doing the drilling.

    For this new edition, MDN editor Jim Willis spent several weeks compiling and completely revising a directory of frack waste facilities, including the addition of hundreds of injection wells. The 3-volume series is just $350 (single volumes are $225). All three volumes are meant to work together. This is the PERFECT resource for drillers, pipeline companies, law firms, landmen and many others. Below we’ve included sample pages along with 5 key insights from this latest edition of the Databook…
    Read More “5 Key Insights from MDN’s 2015 Databook Vol. 3 – Just Released”

  • | | | | |

    Super Secret Study Details Plan to Transform NEPA Using NatGas

    Shhhh. It’s a secret. A super secret. Well, sort-of a secret. The Institute of Public Policy and Economic Development, a cooperative between a bunch of colleges located in northeastern PA, researched and compiled a new study–more than a year ago–for how northeastern PA can make the most out of the abundant, cheap and clean-burning natural gas that sits beneath them. The Institute tapped local drillers for $50,000 to research the project–and the findings are being kept secret. Why? Think of it as an NFL playbook. You don’t share your plays with the opposing team. In this case, opposing teams are other economic development agencies in other regions–like southwestern PA, eastern OH and WV. The secret study is very specific in naming names for how the region can attract new businesses that use cheap Marcellus Shale gas. The Institute doesn’t want to give away their best thinking so other regions can use the same strategies and target the same companies. Want to know what we think?…
    Read More “Super Secret Study Details Plan to Transform NEPA Using NatGas”

  • | | | |

    Chorus Grows Louder for U of Cinci to Release Fracking Study

    The chorus is getting louder for the University of Cincinnati to release the results from a detailed study of water wells in Carroll County, OH undertaken by researchers at the university. We previously told you that the lead researcher shared some high level results from the study, and those results show that fracking in areas where there are water wells doesn’t affect those wells (see Antis Not Happy with Results of OH Fracking Study They Funded). Two anti-drilling groups were the primary funders of the study–Deer Creek Foundation in St. Louis and the Alice Weston foundation from Cincinnati. The two groups immediately cut their funding when they heard results they believe they didn’t pay for (see Anti Groups Abruptly Cut Funding for OH Fracking Study). But here’s the thing: They were not the only funders. The researchers also accepted public money–an $85,714 grant from the Ohio Board or Regents and the use of a spectrometer purchased through a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. That’s public money–and the research is public research that should be released immediately. U.S. Andy Thompson, R-Marrietta, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are now calling on the university to release the study. Below we have their calls for the university to cough up the research, along with comments from a researcher involved with the study…
    Read More “Chorus Grows Louder for U of Cinci to Release Fracking Study”

  • | |

    The Critical Role of NatGas for New England’s Electric Generation

    Not that there was ever any doubt, but natural gas is critical to New England. Why? Because it is the #1 source for powering electric generation in the region. Coal plants and the region’s last nuclear plant are closing. The only thing that stave off rolling blackouts is natural gas. The New England regional power system (called ISO New England) has just released their 2016 Regional Electric Outlook (full copy below). Here’s what they have to say about the critical role of natgas in New England…
    Read More “The Critical Role of NatGas for New England’s Electric Generation”

  • | | |

    New Report Finds Property Values Not Affected by Pipelines

    Can we finally lay to rest the old canard that putting a pipeline across someone’s property lowers that property’s value–or makes it impossible to get a mortgage? Those lies have circulated for years. A new study commissioned by The INGAA Foundation finds, “The presence of an underground natural gas transmission pipeline does not affect the sales prices or value of residential properties.” The study, titled “Pipeline Impact to Property Value and Property Insurability” (full copy below), looked at suburban areas outside of Cincinnati, OH, a rural neighborhood in Clinton, NJ, a master-planned residential community in Prince William County, VA, a small town subdivision in Dallastown, PA, and a suburban area near Jackson, MS. In each and every area the study found “no negative impact on price, and no correlation between price and proximity to pipeline easement.” Case closed…
    Read More “New Report Finds Property Values Not Affected by Pipelines”

  • | |

    EPA Science Advisory Board *Affirms* Fracking Study

    An interesting public relations battle is happening in mainstream media. Last June MDN brought you the news that the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a long-awaited, four-year study of fracking and water–and found that fracking does not impact groundwater supplies (see EPA Draft Report Says Fracking Doesn’t Pollute Groundwater Supplies). That sent anti-fossil fuel radicals to their psychiatrists for increased dosages of Thorazine. Since that time antis have been looking for a way to reverse the finding. And we thought they had found it. The EPA appointed a Science Advisory Board (SAB) to re-evaluate the report (see Will EPA Whore Itself to Antis and Change Fracking Water Study?). From their initial meetings and comments, we though the fix was in (see EPA Science Advisory Board Engaging in Fraud re Fracking Study). The mainstream media trumpets the SAB’s statements as indicating the original report and its conclusions are wrong. But if you read what the SAB is saying, you come to a different conclusion. Can it be that the SAB is actually strengthening the case that fracking doesn’t contaminate water supplies?…
    Read More “EPA Science Advisory Board *Affirms* Fracking Study”

  • | | | |

    “Independent” Fiscal Office Says PA Impact Fee Revenue Drops 17%

    ifo logoThe Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is the organization charged with assessing and collecting the state’s impact fee on Marcellus drillers–PA’s equivalent of a severance tax. But that doesn’t stop the the extremely partisan, Democrat-controlled, so-called “Independent” Fiscal Office, or IFO from trying to steal the PUC’s thunder when it comes to announcing revenue from the impact fee. Each year the Dems at the IFO release their estimates for how much revenue will be collected for the impact fee months ahead of the PUC. The IFO doesn’t disappoint this year. Yesterday the IFO released their estimates for the fees to be collected from 2015 drilling (full report below), and the IFO estimates revenues will go down by $38 million over 2014 revenue–to $185.5 million. That’s a 17% decrease, even though the number of wells drilled in 2015 versus 2014 went down 43%. And that’s IF the IFO’s numbers are accurate, which is questionable given their extreme bias…
    Read More ““Independent” Fiscal Office Says PA Impact Fee Revenue Drops 17%”