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    Sec. Perry: Obama Talked Clean Energy, Trump Will Actually Do It

    So often, what passes for “action” in the land of liberal Democrats is talk. As long as you mouth the right words, and as long as your intentions are “good,” that’s good enough. They never seem to be held to the standard of evaluating whether or not all of their hot air actually *produces* the intended result. The Obama administration was full of that kind of well-intentioned talk–but no results to show for all of their talk. Take the jobs and economy-killing Paris climate treaty as an example. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said, in a recent editorial, that Trump’s decision to pull the US out of the Paris agreement is the right decision, one he fully supports. In responding to the hysterical Chicken Little “the sky is falling” enviro weenies now running around apoplectic about Trump’s action in ending a very poor agreement, Perry said: “Our work and deeds are more important than unenforceable words in a nonbinding agreement. Rather than preaching about clean energy, this administration will act on it.” Lib Dems just hate it when the truth is exposed for all to see… Read More “Sec. Perry: Obama Talked Clean Energy, Trump Will Actually Do It”

  • Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Wed, Jun 7, 2017

    The “best of the rest” – stories that caught MDN’s eye that you may be interested in reading. In today’s lineup: Rig count in tri-state area down by one; NY AG witch hunt now says Exxon TOO alarmist on global warming; small O&G, pipeline companies push back against One Call expansion; public bus natural gas fueling station opens in Donora; Cheniere cleared to introduce gas to Sabine Pass LNG Train 4; analysis of FERC Form 552 data finds natgas trading volumes rose 4.4% in 2016 from 2015; U.S. drillers add oil rigs for record 20th week in a row. Read More “Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Wed, Jun 7, 2017”

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    Patterson-UTI Rig Count Continues to Rocket Skyward – 159 in May

    As we do every month (and have for two years), MDN tracks how many rigs oilfield services company Patterson-UTI Energy reports operating–as a proxy for rig count health in the Marcellus/Utica. In April the Patterson rig count rocketed to 115, up an amazing 27 rigs in a single month–the biggest jump we’ve seen (see Patterson-UTI Huge Increase in Monthly Rig Count – SSE Factored?). Why the big jump in April? We theorized that rigs from Seventy Seven Energy, which Patterson recently bought/merged with, influenced those numbers (see Patterson-UTI Energy Completes Merger with Seventy Seven Energy). Last month we reached out to Patterson and got confirmation of our theory from Mike Drickamer, Vice President, Investor Relations: “We completed the merger with Seventy Seven Energy on April 20 and so the April rig count did reflect 10 days of rigs acquired from Seventy Seven Energy.” Patterson released their May rig count number yesterday, and it zoomed to another new high–of 159 rigs. That’s up an amazing 38% in one month! It is the most rigs we’ve tracked for Patterson since we began keeping track. The reason for May’s high number is, of course, that Patterson’s numbers now reflect a full month of SSE rigs now part of the Patterson fleet… Read More “Patterson-UTI Rig Count Continues to Rocket Skyward – 159 in May”

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    Rover Pipeline Helps OH Short Line Railroad Expand

    For some reason we’ve always loved stories about how shale energy has revitalized the short line railroad industry. Maybe it’s from some deep-seated psychological connection of playing Monopoly as a child and loving to own the railroads on the board–including the Short Line. Who knows? We’ve just stumbled across another such shale energy story connected to a short line railroad. This one involves the mighty Rover Pipeline, now under active construction across Ohio and in Michigan. When Energy Transfer, the company building the $3.7 billion, 711-mile Marcellus/Utica natural gas pipeline began to look at logistics and where they would store all of the pipeline and other materials needed to construction the mammoth project, they happened across a rail yard and transloading facility located in Massillon (Stark County), OH. Massillon Logistics, founded in 2004 by Steve and Dave DiPietro, had launched Republic Short Line Railroad (RSL), along with four other subsidiaries, to operate at a former steel mill site (465 acres) now called the Massillon Energy & Technology Park. RSL and the expansive park were just what Energy Transfer needed for Rover. The pipeline project has provided RSL with a boatload (or rather, rail yard) of business and money to grow… Read More “Rover Pipeline Helps OH Short Line Railroad Expand”

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    Baker Hughes, GE Release Roster of Coming Management Changes

    Yesterday MDN provided an update about the fast-approaching merger/buyout of Baker Hughes by GE Oil & Gas (see Europe Approves GE Takeover of Baker Hughes, Co Gets a New Name). We noted that it appears the new company, when launched, will have a new name: Bear Newco. However, would GE (and Baker Hughes) throw away the brand they’ve created over the past 100+ years in the Baker Hughes name? No, very doubtful. Which was more-or-less confirmed yesterday when Baker Hughes (and GE Oil & Gas) released the official leadership roster for the new company. We had already mentioned a few of the top names. This new list fleshes it all out–who will do what in the newly merged company, a company that will be bigger than current #2 in the world, Halliburton. The infographic (we call it a roster) of who will do what contains this name emblazoned across the top: “Baker Hughes, a GE Company.” The press release headline includes it too. So that’s what the new company name will be for branding/public purposes. Even though Bear Newco will be the company name filing paperwork with the government, the public-facing name will be Baker Hughes, a GE Company. Here’s the leadership roster for the new Baker Hughes (which doesn’t contain very much Baker Hughes)…
    Read More “Baker Hughes, GE Release Roster of Coming Management Changes”

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    Antis Ask Army Corps of Engrs to Yank Rover Pipeline Blanket Approval

    Several radical environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, Michigan Residents Against the ET Rover Pipeline, and the Ohio-based nutters at FreshWater Accountability Project filed an official request with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to pull the Corps’ issuance of a “blanket” approval for the Rover Pipeline to use underground horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and instead require Rover to get a permit for each of the 45 bodies of water they intend to drill under with the technique. Which would, of course, bring the project to a halt–the intended outcome by the radicals. The groups are attempting to capitalize on several leaks experienced by Rover using HDD, including a 2 million gallon drilling mud spill in April that continues to generate headlines today (see OH EPA Says Diesel Fuel Found in Rover 2M Gal Drilling Mud Spill). So far the Corps is keeping mum, only acknowledging receipt of the request. Here’s a bit of news you won’t get in mainstream media: Rover continues to use HDD actively, every day, even now. Yes, HDD activity in a few locations (under waterways) has been halted, but HDD activity continues in 23 other locations. In addition to the news about the request by anti groups to the Corps, we’ve pulled the latest weekly construction report from Rover, embedded below… Read More “Antis Ask Army Corps of Engrs to Yank Rover Pipeline Blanket Approval”

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    As Deadline for Mountain Valley Pipe Final EIS Nears, Antis Squirm

    Local anti-drilling reporters in Virginia are breathlessly hyping the fact that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is set to issue a final environmental impact statement (EIS) on June 23 for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), a $3.5 billion, 301-mile pipeline that will run from Wetzel County, WV to the Transco Pipeline in Pittsylvania County, VA. Antis are only too happy to provide a load of bull for local reporters to use in articles to scare the general public. For example, when talking about the pipeline, it’s always the “deeply controversial” Mountain Valley Pipeline. Of course it’s only “deeply controversial” to a few hundred people. Everyone else couldn’t care less. A bunch of pipeline opponents, who don’t like how the system works, want to change the rules. Funny, isn’t it, when the other side can’t win in the realm of public opinion, or in the courts, they resort to demanding the rules get changed–to favor them. Antis now want FERC to do something it has never done: Issue a revised or supplemental draft EIS, instead of a final EIS–which would restart a public comment period and seriously delay the project. Which is the point. We expect FERC will ignore this latest transparent effort to stop the project…
    Read More “As Deadline for Mountain Valley Pipe Final EIS Nears, Antis Squirm”

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    Ridgetop Energy Services Buys Keystone Wireline Inc.

    You know those Russian nesting dolls, which are called matryoshka dolls, where you open one and inside you see another? And you open that and inside is yet another? And on it goes four or five times. That’s how we felt when digging into this story. The news is that Ridgetop Energy Services, headquartered near Pittsburgh, has purchased Keystone Wireline Inc., located in Bradford (McKean County), PA. Who is Ridgetop and how does Keystone Wireline fit into the picture? That’s what leads us to a matryoshka doll…
    Read More “Ridgetop Energy Services Buys Keystone Wireline Inc.”

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    Williams Swaps $1.4B of Old Debt for New Debt, Lowers Interest Rate

    As we have noticed with many upstream (drilling) and midstream (pipeline) companies over the years, these companies often float new IOUs (or “notes”) to pay off old IOUs. Midstream giant Williams is one of the latest to do so. Last Wednesday, May 31, Williams announced they would float $1.45 billion in new notes, due payable in 2027. The reason? To pay off notes due in 2023. Yesterday Williams said they got the new notes all sold. The up side to swapping debt, in this case, is that the new notes pay an interest rate of 3.75%, whereas the notes they are paying off (due in 2023) have an interest rate of 4.875%. So Williams shaved more than a full point off the interest they are paying for their IOUs–a technique that will save the company big bucks…
    Read More “Williams Swaps $1.4B of Old Debt for New Debt, Lowers Interest Rate”

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    Is Virginia Governor Race a ‘Referendum on Pipelines’?

    Will Virginia in the south become what New York is in the north: a block to Marcellus/Utica gas leaving the region? Perhaps. At least, that’s what radical environmentalists are hoping is what happens. On June 13 Virginia will hold a primary. We recently wrote about its importance (see Fate of 2 Important Pipelines May Rest in Virginia Governor Race). Former Congressman Tom Perriello (far-left Democrat) says he’ll block both the $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the $3.5 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline if he wins the primary and the general election. He may well win it. Antis are positioning this primary and the election as “a referendum on pipelines.” The brutal truth is that most people in the Old Dominion could care less about pipelines. It is only a small cadre of gentry-class horse farmers and radical anti-fossil fuelers who oppose the pipeline projects. But if you read local news, you wouldn’t know that. We’d like to say, “Hey, it doesn’t matter who wins, the law is the law and a governor can’t stop a federal pipeline project.” But then, we’re from New York where that is exactly what has happened! At least so far. Both the Constitution Pipeline (Williams) and the Northern Access Pipeline (National Fuel Gas Company) have been blocked by Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo for political reasons. Both pipelines have taken the state’s Dept. of Environmental Conservation to court, where it’s quite possible, even likely, the state will lose. However, nothing is 100% certain–and because of Cuomo’s actions, both pipelines are now years delayed. Our concern is that a major delay may happen in Virginia too, if the state elects someone like Perriello…
    Read More “Is Virginia Governor Race a ‘Referendum on Pipelines’?”

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    Sleazy: Former EPA Head Gina McCarthy Joins Pegasus Capital

    One of the things we admired about Donald Trump and his candidacy was his pledge that members of his administration would agree to a lifetime ban against lobbying for foreign powers, and a five-year ban on lobbying for American companies after leaving their jobs. It’s about time we cleaned up the sleaze in Washington–the revolving door of achieving power and then using (we’d call it abusing) their former position of power by becoming a lobbyist, or as it is sometimes called, an “advisor” in a firm. Advisor is just another name for lobbyist. Companies, oh say like Pegasus Capital (investment firm with boatloads of money) hires a former high-level official who has long tentacles still reaching into the agency they once worked in, oh say like Gina McCarthy at the Environmental Protection Agency. What do you know? It’s just happened. Pegasus has hired McCarthy as an “operating advisor.” Disgusting and sleazy… Read More “Sleazy: Former EPA Head Gina McCarthy Joins Pegasus Capital”

  • Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Tue, Jun 6, 2017

    The “best of the rest” – stories that caught MDN’s eye that you may be interested in reading. In today’s lineup: Cuomo packs PSC with his own people; NYC Mayor de Blasio green philosophy – do as I say, not as I do; Chest Twp, PA reviews applications for gas well site; Sierra Club denies fracking science; NOAA study shines light on Obama-era methane research (way overblown); BlackRock buys energy infra franchise from First Reserve; US crude exports soar in Q1; old school gas sellers try new tricks to lure buyers; Qatar LNG shipments to Japan not affected by Arab boycott (so far); and more! Read More “Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Tue, Jun 6, 2017”

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    OH EPA Says Diesel Fuel Found in Rover 2M Gal Drilling Mud Spill

    Rover is Energy Transfer’s $3.7 billion, 711-mile Marcellus/Utica natural gas pipeline that will run from PA, WV and eastern OH through OH into Michigan and eventually into Canada. On April 13, Rover workers experienced an “inadvertent return” of “horizontal directional drilling fluid”. That is, they sprung a leak and spilled nearly 2 million gallons of drilling fluid (see Rover Pipeline Accident Spills ~2M Gal. Drilling Mud in OH Swamp). The leak did not spill into the Tuscarawas River (thankfully), but into a swamp (i.e. “wetland”) next to the river. As we pointed out at the time, “Fortunately the primary component of said drilling fluid is nontoxic bentonite–the same ingredient used to make shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and kitty litter.” On Friday, the Columbus Dispatch reported the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) investigating the spill has found the presence of diesel fuel in the spilled mud. Diesel fuel IS toxic–and its presence is not a good thing. Furthermore, OEPA Director Craig Butler, who has been combative against Energy Transfer and the Rover project, claims an anonymous source tipped them that diesel fuel was being added to the drilling mud. So OEPA tested the spilled mud, and mud not yet used, and found “very very low levels” of diesel fuel, whatever that means. The original “proposed” (i.e. not yet officially assessed) fine by the OEPA was $431,000. Then OEPA said it would up the fine to $714,000 after storm water runoff became an issue (see OEPA & Rover at Odds Over Storm Water Runoff, “Fine” Now $714K). With the diesel fuel “revelation,” OEPA is upping their proposed fine to $914,000. Pretty soon we expect it will sail on by a cool $1 million. OEPA has presented their findings to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the two remaining FERC commissioners have launched an investigation…
    Read More “OH EPA Says Diesel Fuel Found in Rover 2M Gal Drilling Mud Spill”

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    NFG’s Northern Access Pipeline Wins Eminent Domain Case…in NY!

    Talk about mixed signals. In April, MDN brought you the sad (and angering) news that once again Gov. Andrew Cuomo has caved to political pressure and instructed the Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to deny stream crossing permits for National Fuel Gas Company’s (NFG) Northern Access Pipeline project (see Cuomo’s Corrupt NY DEC Blocks NFG Northern Access Pipeline Permit). Not long after, NFG filed a lawsuit against the DEC for their arbitrary, capricious and politically-motivated denial of the permits (see NFG Sues NY DEC in Fed Court re Northern Access Pipe Rejection). Meanwhile, another series of court cases has been working its way through NY’s court system–eminent domain cases against a few holdout landowners who refuse to allow the Northern Access Pipeline across their properties. Some 97% of all landowners along the proposed route have signed easements with NFG, but there’s always a few holdouts. Last Thursday one of those holdouts lost in New York Supreme Court in Cattaragus County. (Don’t be confused, in NY, “Supreme Court” is just one level up from county court. The state’s highest court is called the Court of Appeals.) Camp Duffield in Cattaraugus County lost its court case against NFG, and consequently is now being forced, by court order, to submit to the pipeline–when and if it gets built. And that’s the conundrum. The courts obviously recognize NFG’s right, under a FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) order to build the pipeline. But the Cuomo-corrupted DEC does not… Read More “NFG’s Northern Access Pipeline Wins Eminent Domain Case…in NY!”

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    Plethora of Pipelines Means New Jobs at OH Construction Firm

    Bolt Construction builds compressor, dehydration and metering stations for pipelines that serve the oil and gas industry. According to Bold VP Todd Miller, this year the company has experienced its biggest surge in construction activity since the shale boom first started. Since November, Bolt has been “bidding nonstop” on pipeline jobs. And in fact, the company has had to “turn down quite a few” of those jobs. Why? Not enough skilled workers. Bolt is looking for welders, pipe-fitters, superintendents and foremen to keep up with the work they do have… Read More “Plethora of Pipelines Means New Jobs at OH Construction Firm”

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    Pittsburgh Mayor Embarrasses Himself Following Trump Paris Speech

    Mayor Bill Peduto

    Last Thursday when President Trump committed to pulling the U.S. out of the horrible Paris climate treaty, he said this: “I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.” What do you think he meant by that statement? We watched the speech, and we immediately burst with pride that Trump was putting our citizens first. But the radical/left/Democrat mayor of Pittsburgh thought he would make some political hay from Trump’s speech, saying he was “personally offended” by Trump’s remark. Why? Mayor Bill Peduto said Trump’s remark evokes “a dated image of Pittsburgh as an old city stuck in the 19th century, relying on steel and coal.” Do you think that’s what Trump meant? Of course not. And Peduto knows it. He later admitted he knew what Trump meant when he said, “Maybe he should have a speech writer that understands the difference between cities and regions and not just try to use cute iteration in order to make a point.” Uh, Mr. Mayor, we think the word you wanted to use is “alliteration.” Obviously Trump was using a play on words, an alliteration that used the “p” sound for an American city to compare it with Paris. An iteration means to repeat something. Perhaps the reporter misquoted the mayor? Regardless, Pittsburgh and some 100 other cities (and a number of lefty states) have piled on since the Trump Paris announcement to say “we’ll still do Paris anyway.” Fine. Does that mean you’re willing to transfer billions of dollars from your citizens, to give it away to other countries, to achieve a 0.17 Celsius reduction in “global warming temperatures” by the year 2100? Because that’s exactly what the Paris “treaty” was all about–soaking Americans and giving their money (and jobs) to other countries. If you think the Paris treaty was actually about reducing temperatures across the globe, you are sorely mistaken… Read More “Pittsburgh Mayor Embarrasses Himself Following Trump Paris Speech”