Skip to content
Marcellus Drilling News
Account Login
  • Home
  • About
  • Article Index
  • Calendar
  • Advertising
  • User Guide
  • SUBSCRIBE
Marcellus Drilling News
  • Energy Services | Seventy Seven Energy

    Seventy Seven Energy Cleared to Exit Bankruptcy, Borrowing $100M!

    July 14, 2016July 14, 2016

    Can you spare a dimeIn June MDN told you that Seventy Seven Energy (SSE), the old Chesapeake Oilfield Operating unit that was spun into its own company a few years ago, filed a “pre-packaged” bankruptcy plan that screws shareholders by devaluing their shares to worthless status and converting the company’s considerable outstanding debts into new shares of ownership (see Seventy Seven Energy Officially Files for Prepackaged Bankruptcy). In a little over a month, the judge assigned to case has approved that plan, along with a plan for SSE to borrow an additional $100 million. Wait, what?? The company just converted a boatload of debt into equity (bonds and IOUs into shares of stock), and they turn around and borrow ANOTHER $100 million! Yep. That’s what’s happening…
    Read More “Seventy Seven Energy Cleared to Exit Bankruptcy, Borrowing $100M!”

  • Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Companies | Exxon Mobil | Industrywide Issues | Litigation

    NY AG, Others Served Congressional Subpoena re Exxon Witch Hunt

    July 14, 2016July 14, 2016

    subpeonaThe Attorney General from Massachusetts, Maura Healey, the AG from New York, Eric Schneiderman and several other far-left radicals drunk on their own power have made fantastical claims that Exxon “knew” that burning their evil, filthy, nasty oil and natural gas is causing Mom Earth to warm up, so they serving subpoenas to Exxon to turn over every piece of communication the company has ever had, so they can build a case against Exxon’s free speech (see NY AG Targets/Accuses ExxonMobil of Lying about ‘Climate Change’). As we wrote, these far-out libs represent the rise of the new Enviro Nazis (see Rise of the New (Environmental) Nazis – Free Speech Under Attack). Exxon isn’t taking it lying down–they’re fighting back (see Exxon Beats Back Free Speech Attack by Liberal AGs in Climate Fight). Interestingly, Schneiderman and other anti-drilling AGs are suspected, now with proof, that they’ve been colluding with each other and with radical Big Green groups in their witch hunt of Exxon (see Smoking Gun: AGs Signed Pact to Keep Exxon Documents Secret). Those who champion free speech and common sense (i.e. they don’t believe in the fairy tale of man-made global warming) have now turned the tables on these vicious, criminal AGs and their Big Green posse. Another group of AGs have not-so-subtly told the anti-drilling AGs they themselves may face prosecution for knowingly overstating the case of man-made global warming (see Is it Time to Prosecute Global Warming Alarmists?). It’s the other side of the argument. If you can prosecute someone for “knowingly” underplaying the case for man-made global warming, as Scneiderman, Healey and other AGs are trying to do to Exxon, why can’t you also prosecute someone for knowingly overplaying the case? Schneiderman, Healey and others now have something else to worry about. Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives Science, Space, and Technology Committee sent subpoenas to Schneiderman, Healey and eight radical enviro organizations requiring them to cough up the documents they’ve been hiding that show their collusion to try and bring down Exxon…
    Read More “NY AG, Others Served Congressional Subpoena re Exxon Witch Hunt”

  • Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Lancaster County | Lebanon County | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Transco | Williams

    Interior Dept Chides FERC re Atlantic Sunrise Pipe, Bogus Concerns

    July 14, 2016July 14, 2016

    DOIThe Obamadroids are once again ganging up on the semi-independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Last week the Obama Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed comments with FERC critical of the Williams/Transco Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project (see Federal EPA Continues to Fuss over Atlantic Sunrise Route in PA). This week it’s the Obama Dept. of Interior (DOI). The DOI has filed comments with FERC saying Atlantic Sunrise maybe/may/might cause a 2.5 second eyesore for people paddling down the Susquehanna River–they might see a nice grassy knoll where the pipeline runs instead of overgrown, spindly, dying trees instead. Because it’s an official “historic” stretch of river that Captain John Smith may have once traveled, that apparently means not a single tree branch can ever be pruned along the river bank. What a load…
    Read More “Interior Dept Chides FERC re Atlantic Sunrise Pipe, Bogus Concerns”

  • Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Washington County

    South Fayette, PA Obstinately Passes Defacto Drilling Ban, Again

    July 14, 2016July 14, 2016

    Comin Around Again - EditedSouth Fayette (Washington County), PA is one of seven selfish PA towns that sued the state after the Act 13 law was enacted in 2012 (see Lawsuit Filed: PA Towns Sue State over Marcellus Act 13 Law). Ultimately South Fayette and the other towns won their case at the PA Supreme Court level, winning the right for all PA towns and municipalities to enact their own ordinances with respect to oil and gas drilling. So last year South Fayette enacted a new defacto ban, calling it a zoning ordinance. A judge tossed it out in May because South Fayette didn’t follow proper protocol and procedure (see South Fayette, PA Restrictive Drilling Ordinance Tossed by Judge). But the obstinate anti-drillers who sit on the Board of Commissioners brought it back, held a public hearing, and last night voted to adopt the same, exact defacto frack ban…
    Read More “South Fayette, PA Obstinately Passes Defacto Drilling Ban, Again”

  • Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Lackawanna County | Pennsylvania

    PA’s Biggest NatGas Power Plant to Buy Gas Based on Electric Price

    July 14, 2016July 14, 2016

    invenergyEarlier this month MDN brought you the exciting news that Cabot Oil & Gas, which only drills in the Marcellus in Susquehanna County, PA, will provide the low-cost natural gas that will power Pennsylvania’s largest natgas-fired electric generating plant, to be built in neighboring Lackawanna County by Invenergy (see Cabot Cuts Deal to Supply PA’s Largest NatGas-Fired Electric Plant). No specifics were mentioned in the announcement for how much money the natgas plant will pay Cabot for the gas. Perhaps we now know why. What Invenergy will pay will be (mostly) based on the price it receives for the electricity it produces…
    Read More “PA’s Biggest NatGas Power Plant to Buy Gas Based on Electric Price”

  • Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Research

    Colorado Study Proves Fracking Doesn’t Contaminate Groundwater

    July 14, 2016July 14, 2016

    real-science.jpgA study funded entirely by the National Science Foundation (no Big Green money involved, no oil and gas money involved) has found that fracking operations in Colorado have not led to an increase in methane migration into groundwater supplies. The study, titled “Groundwater methane in relation to oil and gas development and shallow coal seams in the Denver-Julesburg Basin of Colorado” (full copy below) was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and is significant. The research examined methane levels going back 25 years, long before any horizontal fracking took place in the state. It focuses on an area of Colorado where there has been a great deal of drilling and fracking over the past 16 years. In looking at levels of dissolved methane in groundwater both before and after fracking began, the researchers found, “The rate [of groundwater methane] did not change after the introduction of horizontal drilling combined with high-volume hydraulic fracturing in 2010.” We predict you’ll hear crickets in mainstream media–with no coverage of this very important finding…
    Read More “Colorado Study Proves Fracking Doesn’t Contaminate Groundwater”

  • Baker Hughes | Energy Services | Halliburton | Industrywide Issues | M&A | Regulation

    Irony: DOJ Scuttled Halliburton/BH Merger, then Collects $11M Fine

    July 14, 2016July 14, 2016

    ValueActThe news is now months old that Halliburton and Baker Hughes ended their attempt to merge. The reason they called it off was because of opposition from the Obama Department of Justice (see Obama DOJ Kills Halliburton/Baker Hughes Merger, Deal “Terminated”). The companies didn’t have the stomach to go up against the bullies at DOJ. So it was the DOJ that actually killed the deal. During the process of DOJ’s review, an “activist investor” (i.e. corporate raider) by the name of ValueAct Capital snapped up $2.6 billion worth of Halliburton and Baker Hughes stock with, according to the DOJ, the intent to influence the companies’ business decisions as the merger unfolded.” The DOJ charged ValueAct “with violating the reporting and waiting period requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act” (see DOJ Sues ValueAct Capital for Meddling in Halliburton/BH Merger). ValueAct has settled by paying $11 million in shakedown money to the DOJ to make it all go away. Which we find ironic. The DOJ killed the deal, and yet the DOJ is extracting money for the deal they killed…
    Read More “Irony: DOJ Scuttled Halliburton/BH Merger, then Collects $11M Fine”

  • Best of the Rest

    Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Thu, Jul 14, 2016

    July 14, 2016July 14, 2016

    best of the restThe “best of the rest” – stories that caught MDN’s eye that you may be interested in reading. In today’s lineup: Cleveland Fed says Utica, Marcellus shale producing wells at historic highs; Binghamton radio station protects fractivist; rig count steady in OH; Jim Cramer says pipeline companies making a comeback; major energy group endorses Trump; Kinder Morgan CEO says wind, solar potential overstated; Brexit boosting UK’s shale gas; and more!
    Read More “Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Thu, Jul 14, 2016”

  • CNG/LNG | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines

    Boston LNG Import Terminal Continues to Demagogue Pipelines

    July 13, 2016July 13, 2016

    self interestOne of the opponents of new pipelines to New England has been LNG importers in the region–specifically GDF Suez importing gas at the Everett, MA LNG import terminal, near Boston (see New England Importer Received 59% of All LNG Ship Imports 1H15). LNG imports are one of the primary sources of natgas for New England. The antis holler and scream, “Forget the pipelines. If you must use gas, use LNG. There’s more than enough LNG to supply New England.” In a macro sense that may be true–the world is awash in LNG. But arranging shipments and sources for it takes months, even years. Right now most of the LNG GDF Suez imports comes from Trinidad. The problem with that is, Trinidad’s natgas is drying up and the country is falling behind and not meeting their LNG commitments (see Is New England Heading for Huge NatGas Price Spike this Winter?). It’s not a stretch to imagine that even an average New England winter, coupled with fewer imports from Trinidad, means trouble ahead for New England. We spotted yet another story by mainstream media, this time Bloomberg, quoting the self-serving GDF Suez repeating the same, old hackneyed lies: “It doesn’t make sense to build a pipeline to satisfy demand for 30 to 40 days a year.” Horse manure…
    Read More “Boston LNG Import Terminal Continues to Demagogue Pipelines”

  • Blue Ridge Mtn Res/Magnum Hunter | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | Penn Virginia Corporation | Research | Ultra Petroleum | Warren Resources

    List of 85 Bankrupt O&G Companies Since 2015; 4 in Marc/Utica

    July 13, 2016July 13, 2016

    Haynes BooneIn November 2015 MDN brought you a list of 36 North America drillers that had, as of that time, declared bankruptcy (see List of 36 Oil & Gas Companies that Filed for Bankruptcy in 2015). In April, just three short months ago, the list stood at 59 bankruptcies (see List of 59 Oil & Gas Companies Filing for Bankruptcy in 2015/2016). The law firm compiling the list, Haynes and Boone, keeps updating the list. The most recent version was issued on June 30 and it shows the list growing to 85 declared bankruptcies, with more on the way. As of April we noted there was only one Marcellus/Utica driller on the list–Magnum Hunter Resources–which has since emerged from Chapter 11 and is once again up and running. However, in the latest list of 85 bankruptcies, we now must add three more companies with operations in the Marcellus/Utica…
    Read More “List of 85 Bankrupt O&G Companies Since 2015; 4 in Marc/Utica”

  • Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | NEXUS Pipeline | Ohio | Pipelines | Regulation | Spectra Energy | Statewide OH

    FERC’s Glowing Draft Review of NEXUS Pipeline; Antis Respond

    July 13, 2016July 13, 2016
    NEXUS map
    NEXUS map – click for larger version

    On Monday MDN brought you the great news that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has given the $2 billion, 255-mile interstate NEXUS pipeline a glowing draft environmental impact statement (see Spectra’s NEXUS Pipeline Gets Favorable Draft EIS from FERC). NEXUS is a critically needed pipeline to move Utica and Marcellus Shale gas from an over-saturated market in the northeast to markets in the Midwest and Canada, via a pipeline that traverses the state of Ohio. We have now what we didn’t have on Monday–a copy of the FERC draft EIS (see a full copy below). You can’t read it and not see the meticulous detail and work that has gone into researching such a project. To falsely claim, as do anti-fossil fuel nutters, that FERC is simply a “rubber stamp” for Big Oil & Gas is not supported by documents like this one. Although the review is glowing, there is one teeny, tiny criticism/suggestion from FERC recommending an alternative route near Green, Ohio. The anti-drilling group CORNballs (our name for CORN, or COalition to Reroute Nexus), is glomming on to that tiny crack of the door and plans to drive a Mack truck through it…
    Read More “FERC’s Glowing Draft Review of NEXUS Pipeline; Antis Respond”

  • Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues

    Anti-Frack Radicals Plant Piles of Paper Poop Near Dem Convention

    July 13, 2016July 13, 2016

    donkey poopWe can not be more crystal clear on this: a vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote to end the use of fossil fuels, and a vote to plunge our great nation into economic depression. Over the weekend the Democrat Party hashed out its official party platform–the tenants by which the party, if it should be so lucky as to hold on to power, will live by for the coming four years. The Dems are composed of radical idiots of all stripes, but some are more radical than others. The official platform calls for a tax on carbon (the stuff you breathe out with every breath) to tackle so-called (and non-existent) “climate change.” The platform also calls for a “phase down” of drilling on public lands. What the platform does not call for, however, is a total ban on all fracking. And that lack of a total ban in the official platform has set off some of the craziest of the crazies in the party. A group of them, spurred on by the odious and misnamed Food and Watch Watch, are making the rounds in Philadelphia. Near the convention center are several dozen donkey statutes, placed there in honor of the upcoming Dem convention in two weeks. So what are the FWW crazies doing? Placing piles of papier-mâché poop under the business end of the donkeys and spray painting “No ban on fracking, the Dem platform is crap.” Hilarious! We’re finally seeing the Dem party crack up and self-implode, thanks to anti-frackers…
    Read More “Anti-Frack Radicals Plant Piles of Paper Poop Near Dem Convention”

  • Air Quality | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Research | Statewide OH

    Co-Author of Retracted OH Air Study Admits Results were Wrong

    July 13, 2016July 13, 2016

    retractedLast week MDN reported that a previously trumpeted so-called research study of air quality near fracking sites in Ohio had been retracted (see Ohio Air “Study” Near Frack Sites Retracted for Basic Math Error). At the time the study was released in 2015, one of the authors of the study implied elevated toxins in the air near fracking sites may lead to cancer. We now know it was fully loaded horse manure. The numbers used to draw conclusions were erroneous. Simple spreadsheet formulas used to calculate the numbers were wrong. The researchers should be ashamed of themselves. And now, one of the authors of that report is on the record admitting the data, when corrected, shows air quality risks near those fracking sites are “below EPA levels” for such risks. Here’s an update…
    Read More “Co-Author of Retracted OH Air Study Admits Results were Wrong”

  • Air Quality | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Research | Statewide PA

    Whatever Happened to the PA DEP Air Study Started in 2012?

    July 13, 2016July 13, 2016

    update.jpgIn July 2012 MDN told you about a one-year study of air quality in and around Chartiers Township in Washington County, PA being conducted by the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection (see PA DEP Announces 1 Year Study on Air Quality in Marcellus). The aim of the study is to determine whether or not Marcellus drilling, pipelines and the MarkWest natural gas processing plant in the Chartiers area causes an unhealthy increase in various air pollutants for residents. What did the research find? In 2013 the DEP said testing so far showed “no levels of any pollutant that would violate federal ambient air quality standards.” However, the DEP decided to extend the study until Spring 2014 (see DEP Marcellus Air Study in SW PA Extended Extra Half Year). Then all the wheels came off the cart. The DEP didn’t finish the report, and the good citizens of Pennsylvania made a huge mistake by installing Tom Wolf as their governor. Along with Wolf came an anti-driller as the head of the DEP, John Quigley, who looked over the report and told the DEP to do it over again because it didn’t find enough bad stuff to suit him…
    Read More “Whatever Happened to the PA DEP Air Study Started in 2012?”

  • CNG/LNG | Exporting | Industrywide Issues | Processing Plants | Regulation

    Bear Head LNG Gets GHG Plan Approval from Nova Scotia

    July 13, 2016July 13, 2016

    Games People PlayWe’ve previously reported on a number of LNG (liquefied natural gas) export projects planned for the eastern shore of Canada. There are four to five such projects, depending on how you count them. However, one of those projects–Bear Head LNG in Nova Scotia–seems to have the most momentum. Such projects needs loads of permits and approvals before the first shovel ever hits the dirt. It seems like Bear Head has most of its ducks in row, ready to begin. Importantly, both the U.S. (because the gas will come from the U.S.) and Canadian regulators have signed off on the project. But there are, as we are learning, still more permits and approvals needed. Bear Head just scored another important approval. The government of Nova Scotia has just granted Bear Head its approval of their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Management Plan. Silly, we know. Adults with brains have to pretend that leaking CO2 or methane into the atmosphere is somehow endangering Mother Earth. But these are the games that people play in order to get business done. The Bear Head LNG project is important for the Marcellus/Utica because our gas will feed it via the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, making it an important new market for northeast natgas…
    Read More “Bear Head LNG Gets GHG Plan Approval from Nova Scotia”

  • Exporting | Industrywide Issues

    US to Become Net NatGas Exporter in 2017, 1st Time Since ’57

    July 13, 2016July 13, 2016
    Adam Sieminski
    Adam Sieminski, EIA

    Yesterday the head of MDN’s favorite government agency, the U.S. Energy Information Administration, delivered some big news. Adam Sieminski, EIA Administrator, said that for the first time since 1957 (nearly 60 years ago!) the U.S. is on track to export more natural gas than it imports–making us a net exporter. That momentous occasion will happen sometime in the second half of 2017. Here’s what else Sieminski had to say…
    Read More “US to Become Net NatGas Exporter in 2017, 1st Time Since ’57”

Page navigation

Previous PagePrevious 1 … 1,202 1,203 1,204 1,205 1,206 … 1,953 Next PageNext
Search

Get Daily Headlines

Newsletter Optin

Recent MDN Issues

  • June 23, 2026
  • June 22, 2026
  • June 19, 2026
  • June 18, 2026
  • June 17, 2026

List of All Daily Issues

Most Recent Articles

  • Seneca Resources Changes e-Fracking Vendor to Evolution Well
  • Boardwalk Offers Temporary Capacity Along Pipeline to Southeast
  • Homer City Economic Boom Now Under Way from Data Center Project
  • Freeport LNG Returns to Full Output Following Another Outage
  • Coalition Asks Congress to Halt Foreign-Funded Energy Lawsuits
  • MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Tue, Jun 23, 2026
  • 2 New Shale Well Permits Reported for PA-OH-WV Jun 8 – 14
  • M-U Rigs Even @ 36; Haynesville Even @ 55; Nat’l Up 1 @ 563
  • PA County Receiving Most Impact Fee $$ Not the State’s Top Producer
  • Inside the Deal to Convert Potomac Coal Plant to Gas Data Center

© 2009-2026 Marcellus Drilling News

  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • About
  • Article Index
  • Calendar
  • Advertising
  • User Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Log In