Drought Conditions Stop Frac Water Withdrawals at 15 NEPA Locations
The highly functional and responsible Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), unlike its highly dysfunctional and irresponsible counterpart, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), continues to support the shale energy industry by approving water withdrawals and consumptive use for responsible and safe shale drilling. The SRBC also tells shale drillers when to stop withdrawing if low water flow (i.e., drought) conditions exist. That’s what the SRBC did yesterday. The agency, via its Hydrologic Conditions Monitor, warned shale drillers that, at 15 listed locations (all in Pennsylvania), they must stop water withdrawals until streamflow reaches a specific “trigger flow” target (different for each location). Another 9 locations are approaching restrictions. Read More “Drought Conditions Stop Frac Water Withdrawals at 15 NEPA Locations”
EOG Resources, one of the largest crude oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the U.S., is shifting its focus from simply drilling more wells to improving well completion techniques to boost recovery rates in U.S. shale assets such as the Eagle Ford, Delaware Basin, and Utica. The company anticipates achieving reductions in average well costs and enhanced recovery through longer laterals and refined completion methods, such as higher-density fracture stages and optimized fracture spacing. This strategy, developed initially in South Texas, enables EOG to increase production while controlling costs, aiming for incremental yet significant productivity gains across its projects, including gas-focused opportunities in the Utica shale. 
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) announced a $14 million project to test enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) in Pennsylvania. Led by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the initiative will leverage existing oil and gas infrastructure, specifically the Appalachian Utica Shale, to explore the efficacy and scalability of EGS in the eastern U.S. This project aims to convert a horizontal shale gas well for geothermal use, assessing optimal well placements and fracturing techniques. If successful, it could provide a replicable model for expanding reliable, cost-effective geothermal electricity nationwide, utilizing abundant underground heat resources. 
The Philadelphia Gas Commission postponed a vote on Philadelphia Gas Works’ (PGW) $182 million proposal to replace and expand its natural gas liquefier (LNG plant) in Port Richmond. The commission’s staff and the Public Advocate recommended rejecting the project, arguing it was oversized and could burden customers with unnecessary debt. They also cited incomplete plant and project designs. PGW argued the upgrade is crucial for safety and affordability, preventing potential harm to customers during cold winters and avoiding the need to truck in liquefied natural gas. 
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Duke Energy invests $600,000 to train North Carolina’s future energy workforce; NATIONAL: U.S. natural gas futures extend losing streak; The Iran war created a global natgas shortage — windfall for U.S. companies; Expand Energy announces planned 2026 board leadership transition; U.S. feedgas holds strong and Commonwealth LNG nears FID; INTERNATIONAL: Crude tumbles on ceasefire progress; Strait of Hormuz now fully closed; Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz force us to reconsider material benefits of fossil fuels; 5 things to know about the blockade on Iran; Fossil fuels shine light of hope in Africa; Australia’s ‘renewable’ obsession decimates industry; How to make drilling for oil woke again; Sanctioned Russian LNG finds buyers in Asia at deep discounts. 
As we reported last week, 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 (see 
We spotted an interesting article that posits Williams’ strategy is to expand its mighty Transco natural gas pipeline system by increasing the capacity of existing infrastructure rather than building new pipelines. The Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line (Transco) is the largest-volume, highest-capacity interstate natural gas transmission system in the U.S. It spans roughly 10,000 miles (with 60+ compressor stations) from the Gulf Coast (Texas/Louisiana) to New York City. The Williams strategy of expanding Transco rather than building new pipes minimizes disruption to communities and the environment while meeting growing demand from residential, commercial, industrial, and power generation sectors. 
Infinity Natural Resources (INR), a pureplay driller focused on Appalachian shale—the Utica in eastern Ohio and the Marcellus (and Utica) in southwestern Pennsylvania—has appointed Scott McNeill to its Board of Directors. McNeill brings over two decades of experience in energy investment banking, capital markets, and operating leadership, having served as a CEO, CFO, and board member for both public and private energy companies. His background includes roles at Raymond James, RSP Permian, Switchback, and Black Mountain Sand. Infinity’s President and CEO, Zack Arnold, stated that McNeill’s expertise will be valuable as the company executes its strategy in the Appalachian Basin, focusing on the Utica and Marcellus Shales. 
Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum visited Lackawanna College yesterday to observe how students are trained for energy-focused careers in natural gas, petroleum, and robotics. He emphasized that these students will contribute to the growth of key industries, creating significant career opportunities. Burgum, joined by Congressmen Rob Bresnahan and Dan Meuser, commended the college’s programs and shale industry-donated equipment, highlighting their role in an American renaissance driven by energy, innovation, and manufacturing. He also discussed how data centers, or “AI manufacturing,” could utilize Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale natural gas to generate electricity, bringing economic benefits and lowered utility costs, drawing parallels to his experience in North Dakota. 
Last week was status quo for the rig count. The Marcellus/Utica combined count maintained the same number of 37 active rigs, the third week in a row after Pennsylvania lost two rigs in March (see 
Williams Companies is breaking ground tomorrow on the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline in Brooklyn — the first new pipeline in New York in over a decade — signaling a broader national natural gas infrastructure boom. Driven by AI data center power demand, LNG export growth, and population expansion, the U.S. is tracking over 150 pipeline projects representing roughly 150 Bcf (billion cubic feet) of daily capacity. 
In March, South Carolina regulators approved Duke Energy’s proposal to build a 1.4-gigawatt (GW) natural gas-fired power plant in Anderson County, marking the utility’s first new generation project in the state in a decade (see