Marcellus Drilling News

Industrywide Issues | Storage

Record-High NatGas Withdrawals from Storage for Week Ending Jan 30
February 6, 2026February 6, 2026

Winter Storm Fern left a historic chill on the energy market, driving natural gas stocks in the Lower 48 down by 360 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the week ending January 30, 2026—the largest weekly withdrawal ever recorded in the history of the report. This massive dip, fueled by a “perfect storm” of surging heating demand and weather-related production freezes, exceeded the five-year average by a staggering 89% (170 Bcf) and pushed current inventories 1.1% below the five-year average for this time of year. Read More “Record-High NatGas Withdrawals from Storage for Week Ending Jan 30”
Best of the Rest

MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Fri, Feb 6, 2026
February 6, 2026February 6, 2026

MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce partners with Expand Energy; Groups demand PA action on 8-year-old greenhouse gas petition; WV House of Delegates forms Natural Gas Caucus; OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Colorado regulators may force Civitas to leave Aurora oil in the ground; California lawmakers push new climate lawsuit bill as refiners exit state; New England suffers the cold front of green energy extremism; NATIONAL: U.S. natural gas futures settle higher; Overreliance on renewables leaves Americans out in the cold; Federal science manual – how climate charlatans fool the smartest; Google parent Alphabet spells out spending spree; INTERNATIONAL: Oil settles lower as Iran-US talks ease risk; UK newspaper editorial opposition to climate action overtakes support for first time. Read More “MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Fri, Feb 6, 2026”
AI | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Statewide PA

Gov. Shapiro Lays Out 4 Principles to Build Pa. AI Data Centers
February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

PA Governor Josh Shapiro

Liberal Democrat Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro kicked off February by proposing a massively bloated $53.2 billion budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year—a 5% jump from last year. He aims to fund this bloat with a mix of new revenue streams and making a $4.7 billion withdrawal from the state’s $7.6 billion Rainy Day Fund. Completely irresponsible. He wants to legalize pot smoking and tax slot-like skill games to help raise revenue. Good luck. One aspect of his budget address was noteworthy. He laid out four principles for AI data centers that want to build in the Keystone State. His four principles actually make sense. Of course, the devil will be in the details. So far, these are general guiding principles, “guardrails” if you will, with no real specifics. Read More “Gov. Shapiro Lays Out 4 Principles to Build Pa. AI Data Centers”
Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Statewide PA

PA Senate Approves Bill to Make Plugging Old O&G Wells Easier
February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

The Pennsylvania Senate (controlled by Republicans) recently approved Senate Bill (SB) 712, sponsored by Senators Gene Yaw and Camera Bartolotta, to streamline the plugging of abandoned and orphaned oil and gas wells. By clearly defining “reasonable effort” and “attainable bottom,” the legislation eliminates regulatory ambiguity that has previously caused costly delays and inconsistent inspections from the Department of Environmental Protection. This clarity ensures Pennsylvania can efficiently utilize nearly $400 million in federal funding to address legacy wells, many of which are located near residential areas and schools. Read More “PA Senate Approves Bill to Make Plugging Old O&G Wells Easier”
Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Regulation | Westmoreland County

Antis Turn Out at PA DEP Air Permit Hearing for SWPA Power Plant
February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Despite claims by anti-fossil fuelers that the Tenaska Westmoreland Generating Station in southwestern PA would spread disease and death if built, it’s been up and running since 2018, producing power and generating revenue for both its builders and the community. Oh, and everyone is in good health. However, the plant has been operating under a state permit since it opened. It needs a federal Title V permit for long-term operation. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the agency that issues such a permit and is proposing to do so, which (of course) has antis’ knickers in a twist. In particular, antis complained that no public complaint sessions were scheduled. They got their wish yesterday. Read More “Antis Turn Out at PA DEP Air Permit Hearing for SWPA Power Plant”
Energy Services | Enterprise Products Partners | Ethane | Industrywide Issues | NGLs | Pipelines

Enterprise M-U Ethane Pipelines to Gulf Coast Increased Volume in 4Q
February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

click for larger version

In the fourth quarter of 2025, Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) demonstrated growth in its Marcellus/Utica (Appalachian) region operations primarily through its Eastern Ethane Pipeline system (ATEX & Aegis) and increased propane demand in the Northeast. While the majority of the partnership’s newest “major” capital projects are concentrated in the Permian Basin, several items were mentioned in the recent 4Q update that specifically impact or reflect the Marcellus/Utica region. Read More “Enterprise M-U Ethane Pipelines to Gulf Coast Increased Volume in 4Q”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | New York | Regulation | Statewide NY

2nd Circuit Hears Arguments to Overturn NYC, NYS Ban on Gas Hookups
February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

In January 2023, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a leftist Democrat, floated a plan to ban natural gas hookups in every single new home and business across the “Empire” State (see NY Gov. Hochul Loses Her Mind – Wants to Ban Gas in New Buildings). She even wanted to ban gas in existing homes, but that was too much to stomach even for NY’s left-wing Democrats (see New York Legislators Block Hochul NatGas Ban for Existing Homes). As part of the 2023-2024 budget deal, Hochul got her statewide ban on new hookups (see NY State has Fallen – Gas Stoves & Peaker Plants Banned in Budget). So, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, new homes (or businesses) in New York State were scheduled to be banned from connecting to an existing natural gas pipeline system. Except Hochul backpeddled, using a lawsuit as an excuse to delay implementing the new law (see NY’s Jan. 1 Ban on New Gas Hookups Delayed by Lawsuit). The Second Circuit heard arguments in the case last Friday. Read More “2nd Circuit Hears Arguments to Overturn NYC, NYS Ban on Gas Hookups”
CNX Resources | Electrical Generation | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues

Nick Deiuliis: 7 Days in January That Exposed PJM Grid Truths
February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Nick Deiuliis

One of our favorite Marcellus drilling CEOs has been Nick Deiuliis, CEO of CNX Resources from 2014 until he retired at the end of 2025. Nick remains on the Board of CNX. He has been and continues to be an active author, writing about energy issues. Nick has a brilliant post on LinkedIn about the recent Winter Storm Fern and what it reveals about the energy sources powering the PJM Interconnection grid. Nick points out that the PJM grid survived record-breaking demand through the reliability of traditional energy. Natural gas, nuclear, and coal provided over 90% of total generation, with gas acting as the primary workhorse and nuclear providing a steady baseload. Conversely, solar and wind struggled, contributing less than 5% combined due to weather-induced failures like snow-covered panels and erratic winds. Read More “Nick Deiuliis: 7 Days in January That Exposed PJM Grid Truths”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Companies | EQT Corp | Expand Energy | Industrywide Issues

Antis Ignore Huge Natural Methane Leaks to Focus on Tiny M-U Leaks
February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Anti-fossil fuelers, using one of their favorite mainstream media sources (the Financial Times of London), claim that satellite data revealed over 20 massive methane “super-emitter” plumes linked to EQT Corp. and Expand Energy in the Appalachian Basin between 2024 and 2025. These events, which exceed 100kg per hour, challenge the companies’ claims of low emission intensity and effective mitigation. EQT rightly disputes the findings. So-called environmental “experts” emphasize that actual emissions often surpass industry reports. The antis say that given methane’s potency in trapping heat, these recurring leaks from major U.S. producers underscore the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and more transparent monitoring to meet global climate goals. The thing is, these same antis ignore 79% of global methane emissions (40% of which is natural, from the Earth itself) to focus on just 21% of the “problem,” illustrating the hypocrisy of the environmental left. Read More “Antis Ignore Huge Natural Methane Leaks to Focus on Tiny M-U Leaks”
Best of the Rest

MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Thu, Feb 5, 2026
February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

OTHER U.S. REGIONS: The most regressive tax you’ve never heard of; Massachusetts’s new hydro-power grid fails – will New York be next?; NATIONAL: U.S. natural gas futures gain ahead of storage data; More data centers plan to build their own natural gas plants for power; House lawmakers press FERC on affordability, reliability and gas; U.S. power boom triggers global gas turbine shortage; When it comes to climate and energy, let’s retire the politics of fear; INTERNATIONAL: Oil ends higher amid rising Middle East risks; Russian oil revenues plunge to 5 year low; AI power needs may turn LNG glut to gap by 2030, says Qatar Energy CEO. Read More “MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Thu, Feb 5, 2026”
Coterra Energy (Cabot O&G) | Devon Energy | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | M&A | Pennsylvania | Susquehanna County

Analysts Speculate About the Future of Coterra’s Marcellus Assets
February 4, 2026February 4, 2026

Yesterday, MDN brought you the big news that Devon Energy is buying out and merging with Coterra Energy, paying $21.4 billion in Devon stock (see Devon Energy Buying Coterra Energy for $21.4B in All-Stock Merger). The focus of the merger is the two companies’ complementary acreage in the oil-rich Delaware Basin, a subbasin in the Texas Permian. Analysts are now discussing what a post-merger company will look like in terms of assets. Will the combined company (keeping the Devon name) keep or sell its prolific Marcellus assets in Susquehanna County, PA? Read More “Analysts Speculate About the Future of Coterra’s Marcellus Assets”
Coterra Energy (Cabot O&G) | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | M&A

Coterra Energy CEO Tom Jorden’s “Golden Parachute” Worth Millions
February 4, 2026February 4, 2026

Not that he isn’t already a very rich man, but Coterra Energy CEO Tom Jorden stands to rake in an additional $6 million to $9 million (possibly much more) from a “golden parachute” if the proposed merger between Coterra and Devon Energy goes through. Based on the reports following the merger announcement between Coterra and Devon, Coterra’s upper management (in particular, Jorden) is protected by substantial “golden parachute” (change-in-control) agreements. These agreements were specifically updated just before the deal was made public to ensure executive retention and fair treatment during the transition. Read More “Coterra Energy CEO Tom Jorden’s “Golden Parachute” Worth Millions”
Antero Resources | Energy Companies | HG Energy | Industrywide Issues | M&A | West Virginia

Antero Closes on Buying HG Energy for $2.8B, Borrows $1.5B from RBC
February 4, 2026February 4, 2026

In December, MDN brought you the news that Antero Resources, the country’s fifth-largest natural gas producer and largest producer in West Virginia, had cut a deal to buy WV driller and midstreamer HG Energy II for a combined $3.9 billion, paying $2.8 billion for upstream and $1.1 billion for midstream (see Antero Resources Buys HG Energy II in Deal Worth $3.9 Billion). The deal will add a massive 385,000 net acres to Antero’s existing ~475,000 net core Marcellus acreage position, bringing with it another 850 MMcfe/d in production. The deal closed yesterday. HG Energy is no more. Read More “Antero Closes on Buying HG Energy for $2.8B, Borrows $1.5B from RBC”
AI | Beaver County | Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania

$10B Data Center Coming to Former Bruce Mansfield Power Plant Site
February 4, 2026February 5, 2026

Last July, President Trump and PA U.S. Senator Dave McCormick attended a meeting in Pittsburgh to announce an amazing $92 billion of private (no taxpayer funding) investment in the Keystone State, mainly in the data center sector (see Pittsburgh Energy Event Truly Mind-Blowing, $92B+ Investments for PA). One of the projects announced at that meeting is the Shippingport Power Station, a $3.2 billion conversion of the former Bruce Mansfield coal power plant in Beaver County into a natural gas power station and data center site (see Frontier Group Converting Coal to Gas-Fired Plant, NatGas from EQT). We have more/new details about the gas-fired power plant and about a proposal for a new data center at the site. Read More “$10B Data Center Coming to Former Bruce Mansfield Power Plant Site”
AI | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Williams | Wood County (OH)

Will-Power 3rd OH Facebook Gas-Fired Plant Begins Const. Any Time
February 4, 2026February 4, 2026

In December, MDN reported that pipeline giant Williams, through its new subsidiary, Will-Power, plans to build a third gas-fired power plant to power a Meta (Facebook) data center complex in Bowling Green, OH (see Will-Power to Build Third Facebook Gas-Fired Plant Near Toledo). The project will use 21 natural gas turbines, generators, and backup diesel generators for reliability. Will-Power aims to have 150 MW online by July 2027 and the full 350 MW by October 2027. Great news! The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) has authorized the construction of the facility, which is likely to begin this week. Read More “Will-Power 3rd OH Facebook Gas-Fired Plant Begins Const. Any Time”
Energy Services | MarkWest Energy

MPLX Working on $450M Marcellus Gathering System Expansion
February 4, 2026February 4, 2026

In 2015, MPLX (i.e., Marathon Petroleum) bought out and merged in the Utica Shale’s premier midstream company, MarkWest Energy, for $15 billion (see MarkWest Energy Investors/Unitholders Approve Merger with Marathon). The “new” MarkWest, aka MPLX, now plays on a much larger stage, owning and operating major assets in the Permian Basin, the Bakken Shale, and the Marcellus/Utica. However, the M-U still plays a starring role for the company. MPLX recently issued its fourth quarter 2025 update. Based on 4Q earnings materials, MPLX’s operations in the Marcellus and Utica (Northeast) region are characterized by near-capacity utilization and significant ongoing infrastructure expansions. Read More “MPLX Working on $450M Marcellus Gathering System Expansion”