Marcellus Drilling News

Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

Gov. Ed Rendell & Tom Wolf Support Philly Energy Hub Plan
December 14, 2015December 14, 2015

Looks like former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and current Gov. Tom Wolf won’t be getting Christmas cards from rabidly anti-fossil fuel organizations like THE Delaware Riverkeeper (Maya van Rossum), the Philly Clean Air Council, the odious Food & Water Watch and others. Why? Because Rendell has just outted himself and Wolf as supporters of the Philadelphia Energy Hub concept. MDN has covered the push by Philly over the past few years to position itself as an “energy hub” which means a couple of things. It means a push to bring oil and gas produced in Pennsylvania (and Ohio, and even in the North Dakota Bakken) to Philly for processing in Philly’s refineries and then shipped domestically and exported internationally. It also means a push to build new petrochemical plants in the Philly area to take advantage of NGLs (natural gas liquids)–turning them into plastics and other products that use hydrocarbons as their feedstock. Such petrochemical plants would attract thousands of new jobs and potentially create billions in economic impact. It is a big, bold and ingenious plan. Smart people are for it. Dumb people, well you know (see Anti-Drillers Pressure Philly City Council to Dump Energy Hub Plan and Gang of 20 Anti-Fossil Fuel Groups Attack Philly Energy Hub Plan). In a guest editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer, former Gov. Rendell (also known as Fast Eddie) gives his full-throated support for an energy hub in Philly. He also indicates Wolf is on board with it too…
Read More “Gov. Ed Rendell & Tom Wolf Support Philly Energy Hub Plan”
Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Lebanon County | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Williams

Township in Lebanon County, PA Welcomes Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline
December 14, 2015December 14, 2015

One township in Lebanon County, PA hasn’t caved to the very loud (and very small in number) anti-pipeline ninny nannies–and that has them spinning and sputtering. South Annville Township supervisors decided last Wednesday night that they would NOT pass a resolution expressing opposition to Williams’ Atlantic Sunrise pipeline. Why not? Because (a) its a meaningless gesture–FERC won’t consider it in their decision-making, and (b) there are a lot of people in the town who WANT the pipeline. So kudos to the supervisors of South Annville Twp for doing the right thing…
Read More “Township in Lebanon County, PA Welcomes Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline”
Energy Companies | Exxon Mobil | XTO

ExxonMobil Gets a New President, Rex Tillerson Successor?
December 14, 2015December 14, 2015

ExxonMobil is an important energy company–one of the most important worldwide. ExxonMobil is the largest publicly-traded oil and gas company in the world (by market capitalization). It’s an American company. And it has a meaningful presence in the Marcellus/Utica region via its wholly-owned subsidiary XTO Energy, which it purchased in 2010 for $35 billion. ExxonMobil is the largest natural gas producer in the United States–and has been for years. So when a major change is made at the top of the company, it’s big news–for everyone. Last Friday ExxonMobil announced they have a new president. No, Rex Tillerson isn’t going anywhere (for now). Tillerson will remain as CEO of ExxonMobil. However, Darren Woods will take on the role of president. Woods was also appointed to the Board of Directors last week–meaning Woods (50 years old) is the obvious successor to Tillerson when Tillerson (63 years old) decides to retire. The succession plan is now in place. Here’s a bit more about Woods and where he comes from…
Read More “ExxonMobil Gets a New President, Rex Tillerson Successor?”
Economic Impact | Industrywide Issues | Jobs | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA | Supply Chain

Here’s How Drilling Slowdown Affects the Marcellus Supply Chain
December 14, 2015December 14, 2015

Yes, the slowdown in drilling IS having effect–everywhere, including the Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale. Supply chain companies–those companies not directly involved with drilling but supply goods and services to other companies that are directly involved–are feeling the effects. From hotels and restaurants to a men’s clothing store, the slowdown is having an effect. But it’s not all bad news…
Read More “Here’s How Drilling Slowdown Affects the Marcellus Supply Chain”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

PA Big Green Groups Fully Unmasked – Want to Ban All Fossil Fuels
December 14, 2015December 14, 2015

Just when you thought the nutty anti-drillers couldn’t get any nuttier–they have. An op-ed running in a major Pennsylvania newspaper, the York Dispatch, penned by the heads of two radical green organizations (PennFuture and Conservation Voters of PA) calls for Pennsylvania “to move with deliberate speed to a zero-carbon economy that relies on clean energy and energy efficiency to power our future.” This is certifiable insanity–like bring out the straitjackets time. The letter writers believe that it’s time to dump the use of all fossil fuels as energy sources. The problem is, there are a whole lotta stupid people who will read it and agree–people who are totally ignorant of how the world works–in particular how energy works and how fossil fuels have led to the best conditions mankind has ever experienced on Planet Earth. By the way, three top lieutenants in the PA Gov. Tom Wolf administration are from PennFuture–so that gives you an idea of why his administration is crashing and burning…
Read More “PA Big Green Groups Fully Unmasked – Want to Ban All Fossil Fuels”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Regulation | Taxation

Paris Climate Treaty Signed by Obama NOT Binding on U.S.
December 14, 2015December 14, 2015

On Saturday, our illustrious president, Barack Hussein Obama, claims to have committed the United States into giving up its national sovereignty in the name of so-called man-made global warming. Obama and nearly every country of the world signed a climate agreement/treaty that commits the nations of the world to lower carbon dioxide emissions. You know, CO2–the stuff you exhale with every breath you take. Yeah, that stuff is supposedly warming up ole Mom Earth–catastrophically. Except it’s not. There is no empirical data that shows the earth is heating up–only doctored computer models. Satellite data shows the opposite–the average temp of Mom Earth is not heating up and hasn’t been for 18 years–how many times do we have to HOLLER this for it to get through? But facts aren’t what the Paris agreement is about. We can tell you what the agreement is about in two simple points: (1) transferring massive amounts of hard-earned wealth away from America to other countries, via a carbon tax; (2) banning the use of all fossil energy–asap. No, this is not hyperbole. It’s not overstating the case. This is EXACTLY what the Paris Climate Conference was all about…
Read More “Paris Climate Treaty Signed by Obama NOT Binding on U.S.”
About MDN | Calendar

Calendar of Events for Dec 14 – Mar 13 (90 Days)
December 14, 2015December 14, 2015

Below are upcoming events for the next three months (90 days). To see the full list of future events, visit this page: //marcellusdrilling.com/calendar/.

NOTE: To have an item included, please email it to: calendar@marcellusdrilling.com.
Read More “Calendar of Events for Dec 14 – Mar 13 (90 Days)”
Best of the Rest

Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Mon, Dec 14, 2015
December 14, 2015December 14, 2015

The “best of the rest” – stories that caught MDN’s eye that you may be interested in reading. In today’s lineup: Marcellus is driving the shale revolution; 3 crackers in the northeast? “Not a chance”; OH will set new records in 2015 for injection wells; Sunoco signing leases in N Strabane; Kinder Morgan says NED isn’t dead; warm weather keeps natgas price low; and more!
Read More “Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Mon, Dec 14, 2015”
CNG/LNG | Industrywide Issues | New York | Saratoga County

A “Virtual Pipeline” for NatGas Goes Live in Upstate New York
December 11, 2015December 10, 2015

We’ve written about the concept of a “virtual pipeline” a couple of times before, in October (see NY Paper Plant Opts for “Virtual” NatGas Pipeline Over Real One and Florida Co. Building Big CNG “Mother Station” in Marcellus Region). The simplified version is this: Instead of laying a pipeline in the ground, which is more or less permanent, use trucks and even trains to transport compressed natural gas (CNG) to a central facility and from that facility distribute the gas–either by local pipelines or by trucks. Sort of a hub and spoke system applied to moving natural gas. We find it intriguing. For the second time in the past few months such a system is being created in New York State. But this time it’s being created by a large/major utility–New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG). NYSEG is allowing new customers to sign up for natural gas in the Mechanicville (Saratoga County), NY area with the addition of a new “virtual pipeline” of CNG trucks that deliver CNG to a centralized facility in town. Here’s how that gas will help Mechanicville economically expand and provide new jobs…
Read More “A “Virtual Pipeline” for NatGas Goes Live in Upstate New York”
Exporting | Industrywide Issues

US Will be Net Gas Exporter Starting Next Year, Thx to Marcellus
December 11, 2015December 10, 2015

An economist with Credit Suisse said on Wednesday that the data shows the U.S. will become a net exporter of natural gas beginning next year. Why? Look no further than the Marcellus/Utica where production is through the roof and drillers can’t find enough ways to move gas out of the northeast fast enough. From a Bloomberg article…
Read More “US Will be Net Gas Exporter Starting Next Year, Thx to Marcellus”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kinder Morgan | Pipelines | Tennessee Gas Pipeline

Anti-Pipeline Loons March on Concord Today – Play the Bagpipes!
December 11, 2015December 10, 2015

Break out the bagpipes! It’s time to get blasted and stumble down the streets of Concord, New Hampshire to show your love of Mother Earth and that you object to that evil, vile Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline that will bring carbon-reducing, clean-burning, fracked natural gas to the Granite State. Protesters will assemble at the corner of Storrs and Theatre Street in Concord at 10:00 am this morning, and then stumble along for a half-mile while (no lie) bagpipers and drummers play. The goal–if they make it that far–is the State House where a bunch of “dignitaries” will deliver hate speeches against natural gas and pipelines and Big Oil and Gas and Satan and Donald Trump and whatever else they feel like railing against. Should be a real fun time…
Read More “Anti-Pipeline Loons March on Concord Today – Play the Bagpipes!”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation

FERC Confirms “Intervenors” Slowing Down Pipeline Approvals
December 11, 2015December 10, 2015

As we’ve previously warned, anti-fossil fuel kooks are being effective in slowing down new pipeline projects by using a sleazy strategy of individually filing as “intervenors” in pipeline applications. An intervenor is supposed to be someone with a legitimate interest in a project who wants to provide data, information, opinion–and also someone (typically a group) that should be kept informed each step of the way what is happening with a pipeline application. Intervenors are usually towns, utility companies, large businesses, etc. In a scam and abuse of the system, antis are attempting to get all of their crazy followers–including children–to register as intervenors (see Delaware Riverkeeper Scams FERC in Review of PennEast Pipeline and Coordinated Attack? MassPLAN Uses Riverkeeper Pipeline Delay Tactic). It overloads the FERC system and slows down the approval process. Want proof? It comes directly from the mouth of a sitting FERC commissioner, Tony Clark…
Read More “FERC Confirms “Intervenors” Slowing Down Pipeline Approvals”
Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kinder Morgan | New York | Pipelines | Regulation | Schoharie County | Tennessee Gas Pipeline

TGP Gets FERC Pushback on Need for 2 NED Compressor Stations in NY
December 11, 2015December 10, 2015

Kinder Morgan and their Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) subsidiary have gotten some pushback from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) over their planned Northeast Energy Direct pipeline plans in Schoharie County, NY. Kinder’s plans call for two different portions of the NED project–the Supply Path portion that comes from the gas fields of northeastern Pennsylvania to Schoharie County, and the Market Path portion that goes from Schoharie County into Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and back into Mass. near Boston. The two different pipelines in Schoharie will use two different compressor stations under Kinder’s existing plan. FERC wants to know why they cant’ be combined into a single compressor station to reduce footprint. FERC is giving Kinder 20 days to respond…
Read More “TGP Gets FERC Pushback on Need for 2 NED Compressor Stations in NY”
Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues

Rockland, Maine City Council May Block NatGas Electric Plant
December 11, 2015December 10, 2015

In October MDN told you that the only nuclear power plant operating in Massachusetts, the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, MA, is closing down (see Massachusetts’ Only Nuclear Plant Closing – NatGas to the Rescue!). Which makes natural gas pipelines to the region all the more urgent and necessary. Natural gas is the only viable alternative fuel for producing electricity in New England. The region already has the highest electric rates in the country–typically four times that of other regions. Without more electrical generating plants, it’s not a choice of paying even more–it’s a choice of going without. As in brownouts and blackouts. The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant produces 680 megawatts of electricity. Every megawatt counts, so a company in Rockland, Maine, calling itself the Rockland Energy Center, has proposed building a new natural gas-fired power plant that would produce 35 megawatts of electricity. Some of the crazies who live in the town object because the plant will use a “fossil fuel” to power it–so City Council is set to consider a six-month moratorium on any new power plants to give them time to figure out how to permanently disallow such plants. Rockland Energy is talking about walking away from the community and taking the considerable amount of tax money they would pay with them. Talk about stupid people who sit on city councils!…
Read More “Rockland, Maine City Council May Block NatGas Electric Plant”
Energy Companies | Energy Services | Repsol | Williams

Marcellus Companies Among Winners at Platts Global Energy Awards
December 11, 2015December 10, 2015

Publishing company Platts held their annual Global Energy Outlook Forum yesterday on Wednesday in New York City. MDN editor Jim Willis has gone for the past couple of years–but this year Platts uninvited media, including MDN, to attend. So unfortunately we have no news for you from the Forum. However, Platts holds an evening award ceremony each year, following the Forum. It’s called the Platts Global Energy Awards and Wednesday was the 17th running of the awards. Energy companies from seven countries won 18 awards. One company, a company with a growing presence in the Marcellus/Utica, stole the show by winning three awards. That company was Repsol, the Spanish oil giant with a love affair with American shale. Here’s a recap of the event, and the list of winners…
Read More “Marcellus Companies Among Winners at Platts Global Energy Awards”
Energy Companies | Gulfport Energy | Ohio | Statewide OH

Gulfport Energy Gives $500K to Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
December 11, 2015December 10, 2015

Kudos to Gulfport Energy for making a half million dollar donation the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO). The grant money will support projects that increase quality of life, create access to opportunities, or identify and implement solutions to community needs in those communities where Gulfport drills. This is called giving back–and the right way to give back–in those areas where you operate. The details…
Read More “Gulfport Energy Gives $500K to Foundation for Appalachian Ohio”