M-U Rigs Even @ 37; Haynesville Adds 1 @ 56; Nat’l Count Up 5 @ 548
Two weeks ago, the Pennsylvania Marcellus lost 2 rigs, leading to the lowest combined M-U count since last November (see PA Loses 2 Rigs from Marcellus, Combined M-U Lowest Since Nov. 2025). Last week, the count in the M-U stayed the same—no increases, no decreases. However, our chief competitor, the Haynesville, added another rig, with a new total of 56 active rigs, some 19 rigs more than the M-U’s combined 37 active rigs. The Haynesville continues to add rigs even though it’s cheaper to drill in the M-U. Which exposes the lie from those who want to heap more regulations and taxes on drilling in the M-U because “this is where the gas is” and “drillers can’t go anywhere else.” Turns out, there’s gas elsewhere, too. And drillers are voting (and walking) with their dollars. Read More “M-U Rigs Even @ 37; Haynesville Adds 1 @ 56; Nat’l Count Up 5 @ 548”
A decision issued by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has helped to rein in attempted lawfare (the abuse of our judicial system) by an anti-fossil fuel group in southwestern PA. Protect PT, a group we’ve covered many times in the past, tried to assert “standing” (the right to sue) in a case involving an EQT well pad that needed to be moved by 178 feet from its original location. The local zoning board was happy to give the antis “standing” in their hearings, but when Protect PT didn’t like the board’s decision, they tried to appeal it to a court. The trial court told Protect PT the group didn’t have standing under the very specific requirements of the law. 
Anti-fossil fuel fanatics haven’t given up on trying to block construction of the Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline, a $1 billion+ project designed to increase Transco pipeline capacity and flows of Marcellus gas heading into New York City and other northeastern markets. Last November, the states of New York and New Jersey issued federal Clean Water Act permits for their respective states, allowing NESE to be built (see 
Virginia is officially rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) carbon tax scheme this July after a liberal court deemed its previous withdrawal under former Governor Glenn Youngkin unlawful. This reentry forces utilities like Dominion Energy to resume purchasing carbon credits—modern-day indulgences for the “sin” of emitting carbon dioxide, the same thing mammals exhale with every breath. The cost will be passed on to ratepayers through monthly bill increases. Virginians have no one to blame but themselves when their electric bills soar due to this idiotic carbon tax that does nothing more than allow politicians to pass out money to their favorite constituent groups as a reward for voting them into office. Welcome to the USSR of Virginia. 
A study by the Pittsburgh Technology Council and Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies projects that Pennsylvania’s data center expansion will generate $12 billion in annual economic output and nearly 20,000 jobs by 2036. With a forecasted 4,000% increase in data center construction, the commonwealth is leveraging its status as a leading energy exporter and its $29 billion manufacturing sector to support global cloud infrastructure. By integrating robust natural gas and nuclear resources with data development, Pennsylvania is positioning itself as a leader in the AI economy. That is, IF antis don’t blow the opportunity by blocking new data centers (see 
Please excuse our immodesty while we toot our own horn. MDN first tipped you back in July 2025 that the Democrat anti-fracking movement in Pennsylvania (and beyond) was rapidly becoming anti-data center (see 
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: FERC issues DEIS for Sabine Pass Liquefaction; NATIONAL: U.S. natural gas falls as storage injection season gets under way; Environmentalists are fighting our living standards in court; Why U.S. refineries can handle shale oil despite the persistent myth; Why energy predictions are almost always wrong; INTERNATIONAL: Oil surges above $110 on Iran escalation; Why has the WTI oil price surpassed Brent?; UK holds Strait of Hormuz meeting with 40+ countries; Women take helm of BP; Five EU countries call for windfall tax on energy companies. 
As we have in previous years, MDN will not publish on Friday in observance of Good Friday and the Easter holiday. We hope you enjoy this blessed time of year!
The Marcellus/Utica region received a combined 19 new drilling permits last week, Mar. 23 – 29, up 8 from the 11 permits issued two weeks ago. Pennsylvania issued 4 of the permits. Ohio issued no new permits. And, West Virginia issued 15 new permits last week. The drillers who received new permits last week included EQT, Expand Energy, and Range Resources. 
On Tuesday, seven radicalized Big Green groups filed a court challenge to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) authorization for Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC, to construct the MVP Southgate gas pipeline. The petition for review, filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), Appalachian Mountain Advocates, and Sierra Club in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (DC Circuit), asks the court to vacate the amended certificate of convenience and public necessity issued by FERC in December 2025. 
Homer City Redevelopment, LLC has reached a significant milestone with the commencement of vertical construction, known as “first steel,” at the Homer City Energy Campus in Pennsylvania. Following extensive foundation work, the project has transitioned to above-ground construction, starting with the Gas Insulated Switchgear building. This facility is currently the largest natural gas-powered energy project under construction in the United States, replacing a decommissioned coal plant. 
The Kosciusko Junction Pipeline Project, led by Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC (a subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipelines), involves the construction of approximately 110 miles of 36-inch natural gas pipeline. The project has an estimated cost of $1 billion and is supported by a 20-year agreement with an anchor customer. It is designed to transport up to 1.16 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) initially, with the potential to expand to 1.58 Bcf/d. The pipeline aims to connect gas supplies from key basins, including the Marcellus/Utica, Haynesville, and Fayetteville, to power markets in the Southeastern United States. In December 2024, Boardwalk pulled the trigger and made a final investment decision (FID) to move forward with the Kosciusko Junction project (see 
The Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) investment group 2PointZero, via its subsidiary ePointZero, has agreed to acquire U.S. natural gas infrastructure firm Traverse Midstream Partners for $2.25 billion. This acquisition includes stakes in the Rover Pipeline and Ohio River System, which connect the productive Utica/Marcellus shale region to major demand centers and export hubs. Despite escalating Middle East geopolitical tensions and global energy disruptions, the deal underscores the UAE’s commitment to commercial partnerships with the United States. 
Anti-progress and anti-fossil energy Democrats in Pennsylvania are doing their darndest to try to block new AI data centers from getting built in the state. Just last week, the Democrat-controlled House passed a bill to block new data centers (see