NE Shale Innovators: July 25 Deadline for Shale Insight Showcase

One of the biggest and best Marcellus/Utica conferences will happen, once again, in September. The next edition of Shale Insight changes locations this year–moving from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh for 2014. Once again, for a third year running, MDN editor Jim Willis will be there (more on that in the near future). However, the point of today’s post is to alert suppliers of emerging technologies of an important opportunity to showcase your innovations to natural gas producers, midstreamers and the supply chain community. Like previous years, a Technology Showcase session will be held on the day before the regular conference begins. Here’s some important deadline dates…
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DUG East Roundup from Day 1: Range, CONSOL, EIA, FERC

roundupSeems that the Developing Unconventional Gas (DUG) East Conference, hosted by Hart Energy this week in Pittsburgh, is generating a lot of news. Unfortunately MDN could not attend DUG East this year. We have, however, done a roundup of interesting and important news from speakers at DUG, including news from CONSOL Energy, Range Resources, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)…
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Unique Product/Service for Marcellus? Pitch it @ SI Tech Showcase

Recently the Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center (SGICC) awarded four $25,000 prizes to companies or people they believe have unique products and services that will benefit the Marcellus Shale industry (see Shale Innovation Winners of $100K in Prize Money Named). Each year the SGICC also sponsors a Technology Showcase which it runs the day before the Shale Insight event begins–in tandem with the event (one of the best such events in the Marcellus/Utica). MDN editor Jim Willis attended the Technology Showcase last year and thought it was speed dating meets Wall Street. As the SGICC describes it, they want those with applications and technologies ready for “field testing” to make 8-minute pitches to describe their product or service. If you have a new product, are looking for funding or a partner to get it launched, and want to present at this year’s Technology Showcase, the deadline to apply is July 25th…
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Frack & Refrack: Drilling Expert Lectures SPE Group in PA

NOTE: This story has been corrected. The SPE meeting was not in Horseheads, NY but was in Carnegie, PA. Sorry for the error!

In early May, Mike Vincent, an engineer and consultant with Insight Consulting, was the guest presenter at the Society of Petroleum Engineers local chapter meeting hosted in Carnegie, PA. Mike had a lot of great things to say–and to show (two big PowerPoint presentations embedded below). Among the gems we found in Mike’s presentation: Marcellus wells drilled with 500 foot spacing produce as much as those spaced 1,000 feet apart, which means they don’t “compete” for the same gas reserves. Translation: closer well spacing means more wells per square mile, more production, and more profit for the driller and the landowner…
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Oil & Gas Awards “Northeast Conference for Excellence” Now on MDN

movie popcornIn a bit of a departure from our normal “all news all the time” format, MDN is excited to bring you the recorded video sessions from the recent Oil & Gas Awards “Northeast Conference for Excellence.” All of them! You may recall that the Oil & Gas Awards held their annual Northeast conference and awards ceremony in Pittsburgh on Thursday, March 20. MDN editor Jim Willis was honored to be a part of the event, moderating two panels for the conference. We wrote up our impressions of this top-notch event here: Oil & Gas Awards – List of Winners, Bang-up Time!

The folks at the Oil & Gas Awards recorded the conference sessions in Pittsburgh and have made them available exclusively to MDN for our subscribers (never a better time to subscribe!). For today’s daily email/stories, we have included separate articles for each session–describing who the the speakers are, and what they talk about during the session. It give you a handy way to zero in on just the content you may be most interested in hearing. But having said that, let me encourage you to–as you have time–listen and watch the entire thing! It’s all here. I felt each session was weighty–with loads of good information and intelligence for those with an interest in the Marcellus and Utica Shale. You won’t be bored.

So break out the popcorn, stick the earplugs into your computer, get a pad and pen handy and watch and learn. You’ll get a first-class education from this conference.

Jim Willis, Editor
Marcellus Drilling News

List of sessions:

OGA 1: Keynote Address – Gary Evans, Magnum Hunter Resources

OGA 2: Panel Discussion – Marcellus/Utica Midstream Update

OGA 3: Market Update – Greg Lorson, TEEMCO

OGA 4: Panel Discussion – Drilling & Completions (Jim Willis moderates)

OGA 5: Keynote Address – Chad Zamarin, NiSource Midstream

OGA 6: Panel Discussion – Health & Safety (Jim Willis moderates)

OGA 7: Panel Discussion – Environmental Protection

OGA 8: Keynote Address – John Applegath, Range Resources

OGA 9: Panel Discussion – Community Engagement

P.S. We’ve included one extra story because it’s time sensitive–for our fellow New Yorkers. President Obama will be visiting Cooperstown, NY on Thursday, May 22nd. The Joint Landowners Coalition of New York has put out the word to have pro-drilling New Yorkers show up to welcome the president and let him know (via peaceful signs) that Cuomo needs some encouragement to get off the dime with shale drilling in NY.

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OGA 1: Keynote Address – Gary Evans, Magnum Hunter Resources

Keynote Address: Magnum Hunter and the Unconventional Shale Plays

  • Discussing the changing balance between production and import of crude in the United States
  • Highlighting the importance of growing crude production to reduce the US trade deficit
  • Detailing the impact of shale gas on the US energy & chemical markets
  • Focusing on the Marcellus Shale region current and predicted production in 2014

Gary C. Evans, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation
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OGA 2: Panel Discussion – Marcellus/Utica Midstream Update

Panel I: Marcellus/Utica Midstream Update – 2014 and Beyond

  • Discussing how much infrastructure is actually needed in the Marcellus/Utica region and the current balance between supply and demand?
  • Targeting methods for managing pricing variation, overcoming takeaway chokepoints in areas with depressed prices
  • Detailing NGL takeaway issues and the cost/benefit analysis for pipeline expansion
  • Addressing the impact of ethane crackers on the Marcellus/Utica midstream
  • Assessing midstream investment in the northeast, looking ahead to the major projects for 2014
  • Offering insight to the challenge of sourcing skilled labor with understanding of the midstream sector, highlighting the impact of the midstream sector on the Northeast labor market
  • Comparing the differences/unique requirements between wet gas & dry gas gathering infrastructure

Moderator: Michael L. Krancer, Energy, Petrochemical and Natural Resources Practice Group Leader, Blank Rome LLP
Speakers: Brent Breon, Vice President Business Development, Blue Racer Midstream
Tony Blando, Vice President Marketing, NiSource Midstream Services, Columbia Pipeline Group
Aubrey Harper, Vice President Business Development, IPS Engineering / EPC
Brett Nixon, Director of Business Development, PVR Partners
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OGA 3: Market Update – Greg Lorson, TEEMCO

Market Update: An Overview Of The Environmental Regulations Affecting Air, Water and Rail

  • Looking forward to challenges and opportunities for the Oil & Gas industry
  • Assessing the impact of environmental regulations
  • Achieving environmental compliance in the face of continued production expansion

Greg Lorson, Chief Executive Officer, TEEMCO
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OGA 4: Panel Discussion – Drilling & Completions

Panel II: Drilling and Completions

  • Lowering the cost to drill: How to make money when gas sells for $1.50 Mcf
  • Analyzing the potential of self-sufficient power: The change from diesel to natural gas-powered drilling rigs
  • Increasing production with fewer rigs: how shale drilling has changed the rules of the game
  • Addressing the challenge of sourcing water: Are new pipelines a financially and environmentally viable alternative to transport by truck?
  • Evaluating the role of wastewater: Recycling, injection wells and barging
  • Assessing the impact of monster wells: a look at some of the most productive wells on earth, located in the Marcellus & Utica Shale region
  • Comparing wet and dry gas drilling – what are their comparative strengths and weaknesses?
  • Illustrating the current landscape of acreage positions by E&Ps for both the Marcellus & Utica

Moderator: Jim Willis, Editor, Marcellus Drilling News
Speakers: Eric Luckey, Completions Engineer, Noble Energy
Dennis Degner, Director of Operations, Range Resources
Brett Schellenberg, Marketing Executive, Orion Drilling
Bryan Dickson, North East Division Engineering, FTS International
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OGA 5: Keynote Address – Chad Zamarin, NiSource Midstream

Keynote Address: The Midstream Factor—The Critical Link to Success in Emerging Shale Plays

  • Developing sufficient midstream infrastructure to support the natural gas industry in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays.
  • Showcasing how midstream operations are paving the way for success that will benefit natural gas producers, consumers and the Appalachian Basin as a whole

Chad Zamarin, Chief Operating Officer, NiSource Midstream Services
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OGA 6: Panel Discussion – Health & Safety

Panel III: Health and Safety Issues You Can’t Ignore

  • Showcasing job site safety: best practices, the role of training
  • Educating as to the safe handling of frac sand
  • Achieving frac fluid chemical transparency using FracFocus
  • Implementing effective safety plans for drilling sites
  • Coordinating/establishing a relationship with local first responders
  • Assessing the impact of OSHA regulations
  • Detailing the impact of the DOT trucking rule “clarification” – how can your company ensure compliance?
  • Ensuring security in the face of protests, trespassing and other crimes

Moderator: Jim Willis, Editor, Marcellus Drilling News
Speakers: Stefan Hirniak, HSE Recruitment Consultant, Progressive GE
Rob L. Gough, EHS Manager, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
David Renz, Sr. EHS Coordinator, Noble Energy
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OGA 7: Panel Discussion – Environmental Protection

Panel IV: Environmental Protection, Regulation and Compliance

  • Specifying the bodies responsible for drilling & pipeline regulation in the Marcellus and Utica
  • Evaluating efforts to overcome negative views of shale development by groups such as the Center for Sustainable Shale Development (CSSD)
  • Preparing for the new EPA air pollution rules for drillers in 2015 – what do companies need to do to achieve compliance
  • Tips for better soil erosion control with well pad and pipeline construction
  • Assessing the industry impact on local wildlife: how can companies avoid permanently harming species and their habitats?
  • Presenting results from the PA DEP air pollution study
  • Evaluating the impact of radiation in shale cuttings and best practice for their management and disposal
  • Does radon level in Marcellus Shale pose a health risk for consumers who burn gas?
  • Debating the role the federal government should play in regulating shale drilling
  • Discussing the potential impact of the proposed changes to the Chapter 78 regulations
  • Detailing the requirements in the Rocky Mountains for sourcing, recycling and disposing of water

Moderator: Michael L. Krancer, Energy, Petrochemical and Natural Resources Practise Group Leader, Blank Rome LLP
Speakers: Nathan S. Bennett, Regulatory Manager, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
Greg Lorson, Chief Executive Officer, TEEMCO
Scott Perry, Deputy Secretary, Office of Oil and Gas Management, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
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OGA 9: Panel Discussion – Community Engagement

Panel V: Community Engagement: Are we losing the Public’s confidence?

  • Winning the public perception battle: What is the current perception and how can positive change
  • Connecting with local communities – employing local workers, donating to local charities, finance community projects
  • Employing effective transparency to manage adverse events
  • Judging the importance of social media in connecting with the community and stakeholders
  • Forced pooling/unitization – how to make the case
  • First impressions count: are your landmen helping or hurting your company’s reputation?
  • Connecting with your leased landowners – keeping the lines of communication open and operating
  • Maintaining good relations with surface rights owners who don’t own mineral rights
  • Dealing with anti-drilling groups and protesters in a professional and positive way

Moderator: Alex Grant, Conference Producer, Oil & Gas Awards
Speakers: Brittany Thomas, Coordinator External Affairs, Cabot Oil & Gas
Sarah Barczyk, Manager, Community Relations & Stakeholder Outreach, NiSource Midstream Services
Dan Weaver, Public Relations, PIOGA
Stacey Brodak, Manager Community and Media Relations, Noble Energy
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PA Energy Rally Huge Success with Thousands Marching to Capitol

I Missed the BusA (not so funny) thing happened on the way to the forum, er PA Energy Rally yesterday. MDN editor Jim Willis showed up at the appointed bus stop at 6:45 am with 15 minutes to spare–and as he pulled in, the bus was pulling out onto Interstate 81. Jim missed the bus! The Marcellus Shale Coalition has been very apologetic (and very upset with the bus company–the contract clearly states don’t leave until 7 am). So after inviting you to the rally, and with intentions of having a first-hand account report, Jim missed it. He was equal parts sad and angry–but that’s life.

But don’t despair. By all accounts it was a great day with anywhere from 2,500-3,000 people marching to the Capitol steps in Harrisburg. By the way, when was the last time you heard about 3,000 anti-drillers marching in Harrisburg? Yeah, us neither. There were, however, anti-drillers who tried to rain on the parade–something like 6 to 8 anti-drillers. You read that right–single digits for the loonies who turned out to hold up a sign against shale drilling in their big, huge “counter protest.” The only people who even noticed them were reporters sticking cameras in their faces. At one point a single anti-driller tried to shout something. A few pro-drillers noticed–and laughed. Silly fools.

Below we have a couple of media accounts of the rally. Strangely, the AP article is about the most fair and balanced we found. The reliably anti-drilling StateImpact Pennsylvania covered it too, with their reliably anti-drilling slant. We also have a funny sour grapes comment from the anti-drilling Jan Jarrett, former president/CEO of the anti-drilling environmentalist group PennFuture…
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Marietta Meeting Highlights Big Economic Impacts from Drilling

Marietta (Washington County), OH residents and business owners had a chance last Friday to hear how the northeast shale boom has already benefited that area, and how the area will benefit in the future. The changes statewide are dramatic. The changes locally are starting to be felt too–and more changes are on the way. Exciting changes…
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