Marcellus Drilling News

Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA | Taxation

PA Shale Industry Demonized for “Lack” of Severance Tax
March 21, 2014March 21, 2014

The Democrats in Pennsylvania are bound and determined to impose a nosebleed severance tax on shale drilling in the state. Their latest effort comes from the partisan so-called Independent Fiscal Office, a branch of the state legislature, that just released an apples to oranges comparison of PA with other states claiming PA doesn’t pay as much in taxes as those other states. Of course what the very flawed analysis by the IFO doesn’t show are all of the other taxes and fees in PA not levied in those other states that more than make up for the “lack” of a severance tax.

PA Dems seem to have the philosophy that 100% of the money earned by other people (drillers in this case) belongs to the state (i.e. them) for redistribution purposes, and how dare the industry oppose them from extracting 5%, or preferably 10%, right off the top (see PA State Treasurer Rob McCord Unveils Gas Death Plan). Here’s the latest salvo in the PA Dem war to regain the governor’s chair this November by demonizing the shale industry as not paying their “fair share”…
Read More “PA Shale Industry Demonized for “Lack” of Severance Tax”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Chautauqua County | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | New York | Regulation

Chautauqua County Fed Pack of Lies about Fracking, Considers Ban
March 21, 2014March 21, 2014

And so it begins. MDN told you yesterday about the City of Dunkirk, NY that has bitten off the natural gas hand that feed them–by passing a fracking ban (see Dunkirk, NY City Council Bites Off the NatGas Hand that Feeds It). The dolts on Dunkirk City Council said they want the entire county–Chautauqua County–to follow suit and ban fracking countywide. County legislators attended a special session Wednesday night where they heard some truth, and a whole lotta lies, about hydraulic fracturing.

Here’s how it went…
Read More “Chautauqua County Fed Pack of Lies about Fracking, Considers Ban”
Energy Companies | Epsilon Energy

Epsilon Energy’s 2013 Marcellus Strategy Change – Is it Working?
March 21, 2014March 21, 2014

Canadian driller and midstream company Epsilon Energy had a shareholder rebellion last year and threw out the sitting board of directors. Epsilon CEO Michael Raleigh announced at the time that the company had embarked on a turnaround strategy of focusing on the Marcellus Shale–less than a year after saying they would scale back in the Marcellus (see Epsilon Energy Makes “About-Face” on Marcellus Drilling). How’s the turnaround going? Yesterday Epsilon released their fourth quarter and full year 2013 results. Looks like mixed results. Proved reserves are up, production is up, volumes are up on their gas gathering system, and revenues are up–8% over 2012. However, the company lost $13.5 million for the year (compared to a loss of $4 million in 2012).

Here’s the full update issued yesterday by Epsilon:
Read More “Epsilon Energy’s 2013 Marcellus Strategy Change – Is it Working?”
Energy Services | MarkWest Energy

MarkWest Line of Credit Extension – Can Now Borrow up to $1.3B
March 21, 2014March 21, 2014

With dense financial talk about amendments, maturities and accordion options, MarkWest announced yesterday that they’ve bumped up the borrowing limit on their line of credit at the bank. They can now borrow up to $1.3 billion and not have to pay it back until 2019. And MarkWest is likely going to need every penny as they continue their rapid (and necessary) expansion in the Marcellus and Utica Shale.

MarkWest remains the region’s largest midstream company. Here’s their “we got an extension to our credit line” announcement from yesterday:
Read More “MarkWest Line of Credit Extension – Can Now Borrow up to $1.3B”
Industrywide Issues | Regulation | Statewide WV | Taxation | West Virginia

Back to the Future (Fund) – WV Gov. Tomblin Signs New Law
March 21, 2014March 21, 2014

Last year a bunch of West Virginia lawmakers went on a quick vacation to North Dakota (of all places), at a cost of $25,000 to WV taxpayers, to try and convince those lawmakers to look at and adopt a “future fund” similar to ND’s “legacy fund” (see 18 WV Lawmakers Flying to ND for a $20K Overnighter on Drill Tax). The Future Fund bill, which would set aside 3% of revenue raised from WV’s oil and gas severance tax in a rainy day fund, came up for a vote a few weeks ago. It passed, but not the way hoped for (see Fate of 3 WV Laws that Impact Marcellus/Utica Drilling). The final bill was altered so that only if certain economic conditions are met would the 3% be set aside.

However, that makes no difference when it comes to photo ops. Yesterday WV Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed the bill into law and the headlines today all ready that WV now has a Future Fund and the state’s politicians are almost breaking their arms patting themselves on the back–even though it’s doubtful that money will be set aside for years to come…
Read More “Back to the Future (Fund) – WV Gov. Tomblin Signs New Law”
Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Statewide OH | Supply Chain

FL Company Gets Contract to Process Chemical Sludge in Marcellus
March 21, 2014March 21, 2014

Handex Industrial Services (HIS), based in Winter Park, FL, announced yesterday that they’ve been awarded a $750,000 contract to clean and treat chemical “sludge” left over from treating frack wastewater for…someone. The customer is not named. Actually, we think the press release from HIS is a bit screwed up. It says the contract is with “an environmental engineering and consulting firm conducting hydraulic fracturing.” We think they mean “an oilfield services firm.” We’re not aware of any engineering firms that do fracking. Where is the unnamed company located? “…the Marcellus Shale Formation in east central Ohio.” Er, we think they mean the Utica Shale in east central Ohio. Is there Marcellus there? Yes. But not a lot of drilling in the Marcellus layer in that area at this time.

At any rate, our point is this: A Florida company is doing work on cleaning up leftover chemical waste from frack wastewater. Other drillers/oilfield companies may be interested in knowing that, and other companies that can do the same thing located in the northeast should pay attention to the opportunities in their own back yard. Here’s the somewhat hard-to-understand press release from HIS:
Read More “FL Company Gets Contract to Process Chemical Sludge in Marcellus”
Economic Impact | Industrywide Issues | Jobs | Research

America’s Cities Big Winners from Cheap Marcellus Shale Gas
March 21, 2014March 21, 2014

Yesterday the U.S. Conference of Mayors released a new study from IHS that shows the positive impact inexpensive and abundant natural gas is having on the manufacturing sector. Titled “Impact of the Manufacturing Renaissance from Energy Intensive Sectors” (full copy embedded below), the report provides analysis and detailed data on the impact for jobs and the economy in 363 metro areas across the United States. Nine key sectors are analyzed, including: Basic organic chemicals; iron and steel mills; fabricated metals; machinery; nonmetallic minerals; resin, rubber and fiber; plastics and rubber; agricultural chemicals; and petroleum and coal products. According to the report, in 2011 and 2012, demand from the Marcellus and other growing shale plays for new pipelines and mining equipment ignited the nation’s steel, iron, fabricated metals, and machinery manufacturing industries. In U.S. metro areas, these sectors saw real sales and employment jump by 17% and 9.7%, respectively, during those years.

Through 2020, the report projects energy intensive manufacturing employment will expand by more than 1% annually nationwide, with 72% of those jobs coming in metro areas. That is, America’s cities are the beneficiaries, both economically and in job growth, because of cheap natgas. Below are the key findings of the report, followed by a full copy…
Read More “America’s Cities Big Winners from Cheap Marcellus Shale Gas”
Best of the Rest

Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Fri, Mar 21, 2014
March 21, 2014March 21, 2014

The “best of the rest” – stories that caught MDN’s eye that you may be interested in reading:
Read More “Marcellus & Utica Shale Story Links: Fri, Mar 21, 2014”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Chautauqua County | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | New York | Regulation

Dunkirk, NY City Council Bites Off the NatGas Hand that Feeds It
March 20, 2014March 20, 2014

Talk about biting (off) the hand that feeds you. Get this one: The dunderheaded City Council members of Dunkirk, NY (near Buffalo) voted yesterday to ban fracking. Not only that, they want the entire county to follow suit! City Council members recited, almost chapter and verse, the same worn-out old lies told in Gasland, the fictitious movie from Josh Fox. After reading their comments we’re left to think the sum total of research done by the braintrust in Dunkirk into fracking was to munch popcorn and watch a movie. They apparently bought it hook, line and sinker. What dolts.

Here’s the thing. Three months ago almost to the day Andrew “can’t make a decision” Cuomo visited Dunkirk to tell them that the coal-powered electric generating plant that was about to close, and take some 40% of the local tax contributions to the City with it, had his lordship’s permission to convert to burning natural gas–fracked gas–instead (see Dunkirk, NY Electric Plant Saved – Converting from Coal to NatGas). City Council rejoiced. “Yah! We get to keep 40% of the taxes that would have disappeared overnight!” And now? “Ban that evil, nasty fracking.” The very same fracking that will bring natgas from other states to Dunkirk so they can burn it to make electricity. Maybe that electric plant should reconsider its decision and close after all. Hmmm….
Read More “Dunkirk, NY City Council Bites Off the NatGas Hand that Feeds It”
Earthquakes | Energy Companies | Hilcorp Energy | Industrywide Issues | Lawrence County | Mahoning County | Ohio | Pennsylvania

Hilcorp Awarded Permits to Drill 7 New Wells Near Earthquake Zone
March 20, 2014March 20, 2014

Oh oh. It appears one hand does not know what the other is doing. Last week a new series of small earthquakes–barely able to be felt, but there all the same–rumbled through the Mahoning Valley–near Youngstown, OH. Because of injection well related earthquakes near Youngstown two years ago, residents are understandably jittery and wonder if the drilling industry is somehow at fault with this new outbreak. So the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (ODNR), out of what they call “an abundance of caution,” asked Hilcorp to stop all drilling and fracking activity in the area (see # of Youngstown Earthquakes go from 2 to 11 – Fracking to Blame?).

Hilcorp readily complied. We’ve discussed (endlessly) that fracking simply does not cause earthquakes–injection wells can and have caused earthquakes, when injecting fluid over an active fault. However, it’s best to play it safe in this situation. Two days after the earthquakes and Hilcorp’s cessation of drilling in Mahoning County, the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded Hilcorp permits to drill seven new horizontal shale wells in Lawrence County, PA–about six miles from where they stopped drilling over the border in Ohio. Oops…
Read More “Hilcorp Awarded Permits to Drill 7 New Wells Near Earthquake Zone”
Accidents | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Susquehanna County | Wastewater | Williams

Williams Pipeline Connection in NEPA Leaks Brine Near Local Lake
March 20, 2014March 20, 2014

A Williams pipeline in Susquehanna County, PA used to carry brine (salty water from the depths that comes out long after fracking is done and over) was found leaking earlier this week. A pipeline interchange leaked an unspecified amount of brine and left what appeared to be a copper-colored dust over land owned by the Loomis Lake Association.

The Lake Association is understandably concerned that some of the brine may have leaked into the lake itself. Daily testing is underway to determine if the brine reached the lake. Williams has cleaned up the leftover dust–and the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection is investigating. No one is panicking, but everyone is on high alert and keeping a close eye on the situation…
Read More “Williams Pipeline Connection in NEPA Leaks Brine Near Local Lake”
Crime | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Mahoning County | Ohio | Wastewater

Youngstown Wastewater Dumping Case Nears End, Lupo to Plead Guilty?
March 20, 2014March 20, 2014

Last year the owner of Youngstown area Hardrock Excavating and its sister company D&L Energy, Ben Lupo, allegedly instructed one of his employees who hauled frack wastewater (through the Hardrock company) to dump the wastewater down a drain–at night so no one would notice. And it wasn’t just one or two times (see Youngstown, OH Illegal Wastewater Dumping Happened “At Least” 24X). The employee and Lupo were eventually caught. After both businesses were effectively closed down by the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, the assets were eventually auctioned off (see Denver Co Buys OH Wastewater Polluter D&L Energy for $20.7M).

The employee plead guilty and will be sentenced tomorrow. Until now Lupo has maintained innocence. However, the judge in the case has scheduled a “change of plea” hearing for Lupo next Monday in Cleveland. That almost always means the defendant is changing his plea to guilty. To which we say, it’s about time…
Read More “Youngstown Wastewater Dumping Case Nears End, Lupo to Plead Guilty?”
Allegheny County | Energy Companies | Lease & Royalty Payments | Pennsylvania | Range Resources Corp

Allegheny Co Exec Bests Range on Deer Lakes Park Lease Deal
March 20, 2014March 20, 2014

In December MDN told you that Allegheny County, PA was close to a deal with Range Resources to all drilling under (not on) Deer Lakes Park (see Range’s Big Money Deal to Drill Under Deer Lakes Park in SW PA). The deal at that time called for a $3.5 million signing bonus and a royalty of 17%, meaning over time the county stands to gain something like $70 million.

The final deal has been struck between Range and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. That old Rich, he’s wily and a tough negotiator. The final deal is a $4.7 million signing bonus and 18% royalties. Now it’s up to the Allegheny County Council to approve it. Let’s see–$70 million+ on one hand with no environmental impacts, or please a few loud-mouthed hippies who watched Gasland and don’t want us to drill. Tough decision…
Read More “Allegheny Co Exec Bests Range on Deer Lakes Park Lease Deal”
Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

MSC Launches Shale Advocates – An Army of Shale Volunteers
March 20, 2014March 20, 2014

The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) is the premier organization of its kind for promoting shale drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, the MSC has some 300 members and associate members–a veritable Who’s Who in Marcellus drilling. All of the big boys (drillers and midstream companies) and many of the smaller ones belong. The MSC has enormous influence with lawmakers and does a great job with publicity for shale drilling. Just one thing missing–and that’s a way to involve people who “advocate” or support shale drilling but don’t necessary work in the industry or belong to the MSC. How to enlist the help of the army of volunteers who would be willing to spread the word to family and friends–and perhaps nudge their local political officials–to support responsible shale drilling?

The MSC has the answer. Yesterday they launched a new initiative and website called Shale Advocates (www.shaleadvocates.com) that encourages shale supporters–no matter where they are and who they are–to help write letters and emails, and even call, political officials. It is a way to focus the efforts of the vast army of volunteers who support shale energy–a force for good. And frankly, a force for reason in an age of unreason. Here’s more on the new Shale Advocates movement and what the MSC aims to do by launching it…
Read More “MSC Launches Shale Advocates – An Army of Shale Volunteers”
Ohio | Statewide OH | Utica Shale

More Predictions from Ohio’s State Geologist on Utica Drilling
March 20, 2014March 20, 2014

Yesterday MDN told you that the Ohio State Geologist, Mike McCormac, made a pretty bold prediction (see OH State Geologist Predicts 19K New Utica Wells in Next 19 Years). McCormac’s predictions and thinking are outlined in a new and as of yet, unreleased report. However, as we pointed out, the Akron Beacon Journal somehow got a copy and shared some of the highlights.

The Beacon Journal has published a second article with even more tidbits from the soon-to-be-released report from McCormac:
Read More “More Predictions from Ohio’s State Geologist on Utica Drilling”
Ohio | Statewide OH

New President Elected for 2 Year Term at OOGA
March 20, 2014March 20, 2014

Ohio Oil and Gas Association (OOGA) has a new president: David R. Hill has been elected to serve as president for a two-year term. Hill is a native Ohioan–a good thing since Gov. John “foreigner hunter” Kasich keeps an eye on these things. Hill is a long-time independent oil and gas producer and geologist based in Byesville, OH.

The announcement from OOGA:
Read More “New President Elected for 2 Year Term at OOGA”