Marcellus Drilling News

Anti-Drilling PennFuture’s To-Do List for 2011

February 3, 2011February 3, 2011

Those opposed to natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania have an uphill battle with a new governor (Tom Corbett) who is pro-drilling, and with pro-drilling majorities in both the Senate and House. So they pick and chose their battles. Some groups want an outright ban or moratorium (a moratorium being nothing more than a prelude to an outright ban). Others opposed to drilling, like Jan Jarrett, the president and CEO of statewide environmental group PennFuture, are concentrating on small victories now, hoping for bigger ones later when the political climate changes. And the political climate will one day change again—that much is certain. So what is on Ms. Jarrett’s to-do list for 2011?

Federal EPA Finally Starting Their Study on Hydraulic Fracturing, But Don’t Hold Your Breath on How Long it Will Take to Complete

February 2, 2011February 3, 2011

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finally close to launching their much ballyhooed study on hydraulic fracturing, according the EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. Jackson spoke before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today.

Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

PA DEP Not Aware of Any Companies Using Diesel Fuel in Fracking Fluids

February 2, 2011February 2, 2011

Here’s what the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) had to say about the use of diesel fuel as a fracking fluid in PA as alleged by Congressional Democrats in their letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson two days ago:
Read More “PA DEP Not Aware of Any Companies Using Diesel Fuel in Fracking Fluids”

Economic Impact | Industrywide Issues | Lycoming County | Pennsylvania

Marcellus Shale Drilling Saves the Williamsport, PA Airport

February 2, 2011February 2, 2011

In 2004, US Airways stopped flying from Williamsport, PA to Pittsburgh, leaving only flights to Philadelphia to tie the Williamsport airport with the rest of the world. And in 2008, US Airways announced they would even stop those flights. Things looked pretty bleak for the airport. Then it all changed.

Energy Companies | EQT Corp

EQT Plans to Drill 86 Wells in the Marcellus in 2011, Adding More Midstream Infrastructure Too

February 2, 2011February 2, 2011

EQT Corporation is reducing it’s commitments to other gas exploration and concentrating on the Marcellus Shale over the next few years:
Read More “EQT Plans to Drill 86 Wells in the Marcellus in 2011, Adding More Midstream Infrastructure Too”

Columbiana County | Landowner Coalition News | Ohio

Columbiana County, OH Landowner Group Looks to Expand, Accepting New Members

February 2, 2011February 2, 2011

A landowner group in Columbiana County, OH is looking to form a second group with new members interested in leasing their land in the Marcellus Shale. An organizational meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 3rd:
Read More “Columbiana County, OH Landowner Group Looks to Expand, Accepting New Members”

Atlas Energy | Chevron | Energy Companies | Reliance Industries

Reliance Industries of India in Bidding War with Chevron to Buy Atlas Energy

February 1, 2011February 1, 2011

India’s largest private sector company, and one of the world’s largest energy companies, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), is in a bidding war with Chevron to buy Atlas Energy. A primary motivator for both companies is the large number of net acres Atlas controls in the Marcellus Shale region. Just last year RIL and Atlas formed a joint venture, a deal that would have been worth $3.5 billion over ten years. Now that Atlas is on the block, RIL wants to tie the knot permanently. But another suitor has arrived and is vying for Atlas’ affections by offering $4.3 billion:
Read More “Reliance Industries of India in Bidding War with Chevron to Buy Atlas Energy”

Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues

Update: State Regulators Dispute “Findings” of Congressional Democrats Concerning Diesel Fuel Used in Hydraulic Fracturing

February 1, 2011February 1, 2011

The Platts energy news service has already unearthed some problems with the statements made yesterday by Congressional Democrats Henry Waxman, Edward Markey and Diana DeGette that claim some energy services companies are injecting “millions of gallons” of diesel fuel into hydraulically fractured wells, violating the Safe Drinking Water Act. It seems (surprise!) some of the so-called facts they shared with the EPA are not quite accurate according to the agencies which actually regulate drilling in their states:
Read More “Update: State Regulators Dispute “Findings” of Congressional Democrats Concerning Diesel Fuel Used in Hydraulic Fracturing”

Group of Investment Managers Target Drilling Companies Who Use Hydraulic Fracturing

February 1, 2011February 2, 2011

A group of investment managers who belong to an organization called The Investor Environmental Health Network have banded together (some might call it collusion) to put pressure on energy companies who engage in natural gas drilling by using hydraulic fracturing. Their aim? To stop fracking of course, but that’s not what they say in their press statement. They’re just little ‘ole investors encouraging companies to “do the right thing” …
Read More “Group of Investment Managers Target Drilling Companies Who Use Hydraulic Fracturing”

MarkWest Continues Ramp Up in the Marcellus with Purchase of Natural Gas Processing Plant and NGL Pipeline

February 1, 2011February 1, 2011

MarkWest Energy announced that today they closed on the previously announced acquisition of EQT’s natural gas processing complex in Langley, Kentucky and an associated natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline for $230 million.
Read More “MarkWest Continues Ramp Up in the Marcellus with Purchase of Natural Gas Processing Plant and NGL Pipeline”

Cambria County | Landowner Coalition News

New Landowner Coalition in Cambria County, PA Gets Started Feb 2

February 1, 2011February 1, 2011

A new landowner coalition, The Loretto Landowners Group, is forming in Cambria County, PA on February 2. Their hope is to negotiate a lease with gas companies looking to drill in the Marcellus Shale.
Read More “New Landowner Coalition in Cambria County, PA Gets Started Feb 2”

Industrywide Issues | Regulation

Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Damascus Citizens for Sustainability Sue Delaware River Basin Commission over Exploratory Wells

February 1, 2011February 1, 2011

Two anti-drilling “environmental” groups, The Delaware Riverkeeper Network (DRN) and Damascus Citizens for Sustainability (DCS), have joined forces in filing a federal lawsuit today against the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) in federal district court in Trenton, NJ. The anti-drilling groups are challenging the actions the DRBC took to allow some exploratory natural gas wells to be drilled “without DRBC review and approval and despite a Basin-wide moratorium on gas wells.”

PA DEP Tests for Air Pollution at Gas Drilling Sites – Finds None

February 1, 2011

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducted air quality testing from August to October of 2010 at a number of natural gas drilling sites that use hydraulic fracturing in Susquehanna and Sullivan counties, including a Cabot Oil drilling site in Dimock, PA. The DEP looked for compounds associated with petroleum-based products that may have become airborne. They also looked for other compounds, like elevated levels of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.

Garrett County | Maryland

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley Looking at Issuing Permits for Hydraulic Fracturing

January 31, 2011January 31, 2011

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley indicates his administration may issue new permits for drilling in the Marcellus Shale in western Maryland. O’Malley maintains that Maryland will protect the natural environment “to a greater degree than other states” and he “makes no apology” for that.*

Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Regulation

Democrats Allege Halliburton and Others are Using Diesel Fuel in Hydraulic Fracturing, Asks EPA to “Do Something”

January 31, 2011February 1, 2011

Prepare for the deafening noise now being generated by the mainstream press echo-chamber against the decades-old method of natural gas drilling called hydraulic fracturing. The latest attack comes courtesy of three Congressional Democrats. Reps. Henry A. Waxman, Edward J. Markey, and Diana DeGette sent a letter today to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson regarding the results of an investigation into the use of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing fluids.
Read More “Democrats Allege Halliburton and Others are Using Diesel Fuel in Hydraulic Fracturing, Asks EPA to “Do Something””

Carrizo Oil & Gas | Energy Companies | Lease & Royalty Payments | Luzerne County | Pennsylvania

New Gas Leases Filed in Luzerne County, PA – Exploratory Drilling Set to Begin in Next Two Weeks

January 31, 2011

Carrizo Oil & Gas has filed 41 records of gas leases in three Luzerne County municipalities: