What They’re Saying: “Shale Gas Development is a Game-Changer of Huge Proportions” | NorthCentralPA.com:
“Shale-Gas Boom Spurs Race”: The boom in low-cost natural gas obtained from shale is driving investment in plants that use gas for fuel or as a raw material, setting off a race by states to attract such factories and the jobs they create. Shale-gas production is spurring construction of plants that make chemicals, plastics, fertilizer, steel and other products. A report issued earlier this month by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC estimated that such investments could create a million U.S. manufacturing jobs over the next 15 years. … “This shale gas development is a game-changer of huge proportions,” said Dan DiMicco, chief executive officer of Nucor Corp., a steelmaker based in Charlotte, N.C. … Because electric utilities often burn gas, that price drop has helped bring down average electricity costs. (Wall Street Journal, 12/27/11)
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Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Shale Oil In America: Economy Fix Or Dangerous Fantasy?
Shale Oil and Gas - The hydraulic fracturing debate rages on!
Click on the link below for the Fox News article.....
Shale Oil In America: Economy Fix Or Dangerous Fantasy? | Fox News
Saturday, December 17, 2011
The EPA - A ROGUE Federal Agency? - Say it Isn't So!
"That the EPA would blame oil and gas drilling as the reason for including Hood County in the nonattainment area when drilling in this county has declined significantly is just one example where EPA's rhetoric doesn't match reality." - Quote from state Rep Bill Keffer of Eastland.
Read the entire article by Star-Telegram writer Jack Z. Smith by clicking on the following link:
Legislators representing Hood, Wise counties challenge EPA findings | Barnett Shale | Da...
Read the entire article by Star-Telegram writer Jack Z. Smith by clicking on the following link:
Legislators representing Hood, Wise counties challenge EPA findings | Barnett Shale | Da...
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Holiday Lights Adorn Chesapeake Plaza in Ft. Worth, TX
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| Chesapeake Energy's N. Texas facility is adorned with thousands of lights reflecting the Christmas spirit to all who visit it's Cowtown headquarters. |
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| The brightly decorated Chesapeake tower is highly visible to observers approaching the downtown area of Fort Worth in Tarrant County - the Barnett Shale's largest shale gas producing county. |
Monday, December 12, 2011
Tainted Water Pushes EPA to Act on Fracking
If it smells bad and tastes strange - it must be tainted, right? Residents of Pavillion, Wyoming; along with Encana Corp and the EPA weigh in on the issues surrounding possible ground water contamination in that area. Click the link below for the complete article.
Sunday, December 04, 2011
U.S. Becomes a Net Energy Exporter, Green-Energy Push on Last Legs
Could the push for "Green Energy" possibly be on it's last legs? The following is an interesting article about the U.S. becoming much less dependent on foreign oil and gas. This scenario comes as the result of the latest methods of developing abundant natural shale gas and oil from formations throughout the country.
Read the complete article by Daniel Nestlerode by clicking the link below.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Chesapeake Energy to Let Leases in Southlake Expire
Chesapeake Energy to let leases in Southlake expire | Barnett Shale | Dallas Business, T...
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Drillers Using Counterinsurgency Experts
When all else fails bring in some counterinsurgency officers to deal with the media and citizens opposed to drilling and fracking in the Marcellus. Could this be war - or simply "customer relations?"Read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article below.
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Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Heated Competition for Shale Gas
A friend directed my attention to the following article that discusses
exporting shale gas overseas. The competition to do just that is building according to sources.
Would such action be beneficial, or undermine our efforts to achieve energy independence? Thoughts?
Would such action be beneficial, or undermine our efforts to achieve energy independence? Thoughts?
Monday, November 14, 2011
Has the Barnett Shale Left it's Best Days Behind?
Are the Barnett Shale's best days ahead? Gene Powell, publisher
of the Powell Shale Digest weighs in on the subject.
Click the link below for the complete Star-Telegram article.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
UT study: No direct link between fracking and water contamination | Barnett Shale | Dall...
The debate on fracking and water contamination rages on. Check out the link below and post your comments.
Monday, November 07, 2011
"Folks in Barnett Shale territory Should Hang on to those Mineral Rights"
Many lessors are keenly aware that owning property in which their mineral rights have been leased to a natural gas producer (lessee) could prove financially advantageous, especially over the long term. However, other mineral owners may be in the dark regarding this "ace in the hole", and might be enticed into selling their rights at a huge discount. Also, if your minerals are included in a producing well(s), the future could be brighter than some might imagine. For an opinion by Charles Reasons of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram please click the link below.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Shale Sparks Natural Gas Revolution Built to Last
By Myra P. Saefong, MarketWatch
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — "The story of natural gas has been a relatively happy one for consumers, a tale about a more than 75% drop from record prices nearly six years ago — with shale production playing the part of the fairy godmother."
Read the entire article by clicking on the following link.Shale sparks natural gas revolution built to last - Commodities Corner - MarketWatch:
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Monday, October 31, 2011
Chesapeake's Edgecliff South Drillsite in Tarrant County
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| Urban drilling continues in Tarrant County at the Edgecliff South pad site in south Fort Worth. |
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| As of this writing 7 horizontal gas wells have been drilled from this site. Chesapeake has plans to complete a total of 17 wells before wrapping up exploration at this location. It will be home to all of the Edgecliff A,B,C and D horizontal units, and 4 each in both the Hallmark East and Hallmark West units. |
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| WILLBROS T&D SERVICES was contracted by Chesapeake Energy to provide more power to the Edgecliff facility. Higher capacity lines were completed in October 2011 to handle the needed requirements. |
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Report clears fracking blowout at Chesapeake Energy Drill in Pennsylvania
A 179-page report prepared by the SAIC shows "no environmental impact" from a massive "blowout" in April at Chesapeake Energy's Atgas wellsite in Pennsylvania. "This accident was among the most serious that can happen during the completion of an onshore shale-gas well. Yet nobody was injured, the public was never in danger, and there was no lasting impact on the environment, as the analysis shows."
"The safety of hydraulic fracturing is well-documented, with zero confirmed cases of groundwater contamination in 1 million applications over 60 years."
Read the New York Post article in it's entirety by clicking the link below
Report clears fracking--Karen Moreau - NYPOST.com
"The safety of hydraulic fracturing is well-documented, with zero confirmed cases of groundwater contamination in 1 million applications over 60 years."
Read the New York Post article in it's entirety by clicking the link below
Report clears fracking--Karen Moreau - NYPOST.com
Energy In America: Drilling Contract Regrets For Some New York Landowners | Fox News
Numerous landowners in New York claim they have been "fracked" by Energy companies who are drilling for shale gas on their properties. Many land/mineral owners have joined in filing lawsuits against companies such as Anschultz Exploration, crying foul over badly negotiated leases, and deceptive exploration practices. Seems that folks are claiming they were misled about the "environmental impact being much greater than they were told." Anschultz denies any wrongdoing. The entire article by Fox News writer Rick Leventhal can be accessed by clicking on the following link.
Energy In America: Drilling Contract Regrets For Some New York Landowners | Fox News
Energy In America: Drilling Contract Regrets For Some New York Landowners | Fox News
Sunday, October 23, 2011
In the Barnett Shale, the Bloom is Off the Boom
The Barnett Shale exploration in North Texas has been a blessing to some and a downright "curse" to others, depending upon which side of the drilling rig you happen to be observing from. Regardless, the drilling activity in the gigantic formation beneath numerous North Texas counties has quietened as other shale gas plays expand to a fever pitch. Will the frenzy ever return? Star-Telegram writer Jack Z. Smith weighs in with comments from industry sources.
Click on the link below for the complete article.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Renewed Activity at SWD Disposal Well in Hill County
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| It appears that some type of work-over rig is operating at Salty's SWD well in northern Hill County near Blum, TX. Hopefully, we will see a resumption of drilling in the not too distant future. |
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| This injection well site has been closed for quite a while, but apparently something is up. Maybe someone in this area of Hill county will post a comment if they have any information they would like to share. |
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
RIGZONE - Exxon CEO: To Invest over $37B on Capital Projects this Year - CNBC
RIGZONE - Exxon CEO: To Invest over $37B on Capital Projects this Year - CNBC: "ExxonMobil's acquisition last year of natural-gas producer XTO Energy for $25 billion was a "recognition of how significant the unconventional resources are going to be," Tillerson said. Exxon Mobil expects unconventional resources, such as shale oil and gas, to increase five-fold in the next five years."
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Saturday, September 10, 2011
Barnett Shale Leasing Activity Picking Up
Interesting article on increased leasing activity in potential high production areas of the N. Texas Barnett formation. Click on the link below for the complete article.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sun about to shine on natural gas
As several of the shale plays reach maturity can we expect an increase in natural gas prices this winter? Calgary money manager Josef Schachter expresses his optimism in the following article. Click on the link below to read the detailed article by Gary Lamphier of the Edmonton Journal.
Monday, August 22, 2011
In Texas, Perry Has Presided Over Wind, Gas Booms
What would be the likely scenario with regards to energy if Texas Gov. Rick Perry wins the White House in 2012? The following article by Kate Galbraith of The Texas Tribune sums it up for us. Click the following link for the complete article.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
TCEQ Levies Hefty Fine on Wise County Driller
J-W Operating Co., an oil and natural gas producer in North Texas' Barnett Shale has been fined for air emissions violations. Read Star-Telegram writer Jack Z. Smith's entire article by clicking on the following link.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Pa. natural gas production rises 60 percent - WSJ.com
Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale becoming Huge Gas Producer. Read the WSJ article by clicking the following link.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Devon Energy's Barnett Shale Bet Pays Off
The following Star-Telegram article highlights Devon Energy's Barnett Shale drilling success. The article also examines in closer detail the Benbrook Federal 12 acre drill site in SW Tarrant County that will be home to 35 wells when drilling is completed in March of 2012. I recently visited the site mentioned in this article and posted several of my own photos to this blog prior to this article's release. Check out those photos in this previous post http://hillcountygasboom.blogspot.com/2011/08/patterson-drills-devons-benbrook-fed.html, and then read the complete Devon article by clicking on the following link.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
One of Devon's Benbrook Fed Units at Lake Benbrook
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| Patterson's Drillbit continues to turn at one of Devon's Benbrook Fed Units located at Benbrook Lake in SW Ft. Worth. |
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| Red "Christmas Tree" wellheads stand at attention at Devon's Fed Drillsite. This is but 12 of the 30+ planned wells to be completed on this site. |
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| 12 more completed wells at the same Devon drill site. |
Monday, August 08, 2011
Could the EPA Be Planning a "Told You So" Moment?
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| Gene Powell, Editor/Publisher of the Powell Shale Digest voices concerns about recent EPA actions that could have a profound effect on Benzene Emissions beginning in 2013. Click here for the complete story |
Monday, August 01, 2011
EPA proposes emissions cuts for oil, gas operations
A proposed regulation by the EPA may result in more "green completions" of future gas wells, as well as older wells that are slated for re-fracture. The plan aims at reducing emissions not only at the well site, but to facilities such as processing plants, compressor stations and storage tanks located at the well sites. The EPA applauds this proposed measure stating that "the regulation would not only curb harmful emissions, but save the gas industry tens of millions of dollars annually from the value of natural gas that would no longer escape in the air." (Click the following link for the full story)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Gas drilling in Fort Worth dominates council discussion | Fort Worth | News from Fort Wo...
The Barnett Shale air quality study for Ft. Worth has been completed, but can the average "joe" really decipher what it all means. More discussions are in order.
Read the entire story by clicking the link below.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Fort Worth councilman frustrated by delay in releasing air quality study | Barnett Shale ...
District 6 councilman Jungas Jordan had been frustrated over the delayed release of the city's air quality study. The report which sports a $1 million price tag will hopefully give
city leaders and residents a better look at how gas drilling in the Barnett Shale has affected the air that Ft. Worth citizens are breathing.
Click the following link for the full story.
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Ongoing Urban Seismic in the Barnett Shale
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| As shale gas drilling continues scenes such as the one depicted above are duplicated hundreds of times across countless parts of the urban landscape. Geophones, along with miles of seismic cable can be seen in the median of S. Hulen St. in southwestern Tarrant county. |
Shale gas is anything but a disappointment | Mitchell Schnurman | Dallas Business, Texas...
To the delight of some and the dismay of others, Star-Telegram writer Michael Schnurman discusses his observations on shale gas drilling.
Monday, June 27, 2011
The New York Times and natural gas: Don’t facts matter any more?
Exxon Mobil, America's largest natural gas producer weighs in on the highly controversial subject of shale gas exploration. ExxonMobil also delivers a stinging PERSPECTIVE in response to a recent New York Times article that questions America's vast shale gas resources, and likens shale gas plays to investing in giant "Ponzi" schemes. The article was based on "piles of emails" from industry sources and the EIA.
(click the link below for the full Perspective)
Your comments are welcomed.
Your comments are welcomed.
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY Blasts New York Times Article as Inaccurate and Misleading
Chesapeake Energy responded today to an article published in the Sunday, June 26, 2011 edition of the New York Times. That article was posted yesterday on this blog. Aubrey McClendon, Chesapeake's CEO defends his company and claims "The Times story was obviously motivated by an anti-natural gas agenda."
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Insiders Sound an Alarm Amid a Natural Gas Rush - NYTimes.com
Shale Gas: "INHERENTLY UNPROFITABLE" - Say it isn't so!
Access the entire article by clicking the link below
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Fracking: The Great Shale Gas Rush - BusinessWeek
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| image courtesy of Business Week |
Click here for complete article >>>>>>Fracking: The Great Shale Gas Rush - BusinessWeek
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Drought threatens drilling in South Texas' Eagle Ford Shale | Barnett Shale | Dallas Bus...
Ongoing drought conditions could mean tough times for natural gas drilling. Fracturing gas wells takes a lot of water. Because of it's geological formation it takes almost 4 times as much water to frac a well in the Eagle Ford Shale than a well drilled in the Barnett Shale of N. Texas.
(Read the full story by clicking the link below).
Drought threatens drilling in South Texas' Eagle Ford Shale | Barnett Shale | Dallas Bus...
(Read the full story by clicking the link below).
Drought threatens drilling in South Texas' Eagle Ford Shale | Barnett Shale | Dallas Bus...
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Enterprise sees 750,000 to 800,000 b/d oil potential from Eagle Ford - Oil | Platts News Article & Story
Huge potential for oil production from the Eagle Ford Shale of S. Texas. See full story by clicking on the link below.
Monday, June 06, 2011
RIGZONE - Carrizo Adds Eagle Ford Acreage
Carrizo O&G has increased it's mineral interest holdings in S. Texas' Eagle Ford Shale. The company moved their last Barnett Shale rig to Dimmit County, TX to drill the Ivey Ranch 10H until it can be replaced with a new rig in December of this year. The Eagle Ford Shale continues to be one of the hottest shale gas formations in the U.S. (Read the entire RIGZONE article by clicking on the link below)
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Marathon Oil purchases Eagle Ford Shale acreage in South Texas for $3.5B
The Eagle Ford Shale continues to be one of the hottest shale gas plays in the country. Check out the article below from PennEnergy.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
RIGZONE - Energy Bills Put 'Fracking' On Different Tracks
A Go SLOW or a HURRY UP Bill....Check out this article and decide for yourself.
RIGZONE - Energy Bills Put 'Fracking' On Different Tracks
RIGZONE - Energy Bills Put 'Fracking' On Different Tracks
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Most drilling-related legislation appears dead in Texas Legislature | Texas Legislature ...
Of the three dozen or so bills filed by Texas lawmakers this legislative session, it appears that only a few still have a chance at becoming law. Click the link below for the entire article
by Star-Telegram writer AMAN BATHEJA.
Most drilling-related legislation appears dead in Texas Legislature | Texas Legislature ...
by Star-Telegram writer AMAN BATHEJA.
Most drilling-related legislation appears dead in Texas Legislature | Texas Legislature ...
RIGZONE - Marcellus Shale Motherlode Brings World of Change
Natural gas exploration in the massive Marcellus Shale formation which stretches beneath Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky and Tennessee continues to transform the smaller communities in these areas into new "BOOMTOWNS".
RIGZONE - Marcellus Shale Motherlode Brings World of Change
RIGZONE - Marcellus Shale Motherlode Brings World of Change
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The Saving Grace of Unconventional Natural Gas.
Interesting article on the impact of new shale gas development in the long-term.
The Saving Grace of Unconventional Natural Gas.
The Saving Grace of Unconventional Natural Gas.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
What's next for Natural Gas in Texas?
Next up, is more development across Texas as natural gas companies produce more domestic natural gas to put to work for both the Texas and U.S. economy and clean energy future. In fact, thanks to further expansion and development, it is estimated that the Barnett Shale could produce a third of total U.S. gas supply by 2025. Newfound natural gas supplies in the area are expected to add one million years of employment and $100 billion to Texas' economy through 2015. Additionally, companies are now able to tap the vast resources of the Eagle Ford Shale - a wide geographic area stretching from the Mexican border in South Texas into East Texas. Although the Eagle Ford is a relatively new Texas shale play, figures suggest it may be one of the largest onshore oil and natural gas discoveries in the past half century - at least as large as the Barnett Shale, and maybe even larger.
Next up, is more development across Texas as natural gas companies produce more domestic natural gas to put to work for both the Texas and U.S. economy and clean energy future. In fact, thanks to further expansion and development, it is estimated that the Barnett Shale could produce a third of total U.S. gas supply by 2025. Newfound natural gas supplies in the area are expected to add one million years of employment and $100 billion to Texas' economy through 2015. Additionally, companies are now able to tap the vast resources of the Eagle Ford Shale - a wide geographic area stretching from the Mexican border in South Texas into East Texas. Although the Eagle Ford is a relatively new Texas shale play, figures suggest it may be one of the largest onshore oil and natural gas discoveries in the past half century - at least as large as the Barnett Shale, and maybe even larger.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Barnett Shale: UT-Austin doing major "fracking" study
Quote from the article:
"What we're trying to do is separate fact from fiction," said Dr. Raymond L. Orbach, director of the Energy Institute, in a statement accompanying today's announcement. "Unlocking huge reserves of natural gas could be vital to our nation's energy security. If proven to be safe and environmentally benign, (fracking) could unleash a bountiful supply of domestic energy for generations, if not centuries, to come."
Read more:
Monday, May 02, 2011
OLD NARO Message Board Posts Found and Released for Viewing
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| Hat's off to NARO for retrieving and posting the old NARO forum posts through 2007. Also, a tip of the hat to Agelio Networks for donating the web hosting for those posts. Those posts can be accessed by clicking HERE. |
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Barnett Shale: Quicksilver's Somervell gas wells draw buzz
A rather interesting article that may redefine some of the outer areas of the Barnett Shale.
Barnett Shale: Quicksilver's Somervell gas wells draw buzz
Barnett Shale: Quicksilver's Somervell gas wells draw buzz
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
RIGZONE - And the Winner Is... The Haynesville
Of the sixteen major parishes and counties that cover the Haynesville, half of the drilling is currently occurring in three counties: De Soto (54 rigs), Sabine (20 rigs), and Red River (15 rigs). Other counties and parishes with active rigs are: Bienville (8 rigs), Bossier (9 rigs), Caddo (14 rigs), Harrison (7 rigs), Nacogdoches (12 rigs), Panola (6 rigs), Rusk (4 rigs), San Augustine (14 rigs), and Shelby (9 rigs). (info courtesy RIGZONE)
Friday, April 22, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Carcinogens injected into gas wells, report says - US news - Environment - msnbc.com
The Controversial Process known as hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) rages on.
Carcinogens injected into gas wells, report says - US news - Environment - msnbc.com
Carcinogens injected into gas wells, report says - US news - Environment - msnbc.com
Friday, April 15, 2011
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Obama embraces natural gas vehicles, with reservations | Dallas-Fort Worth Business News - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News
To Drill, or NOT to Drill....Is that really the question?
It's a downright FRACKING dilemma!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
ENERGY REPORT: Crude Closes Up; Natural Gas Down
May natural gas, the new front month, extended its sell off to a second consecutive session after it closed lower by 3.6% to $4.27 per MMBtu. Forecasts for warmer weather, coupled with profit taking from its ~10% rally in the month of March, pressured prices. May crude oil ended higher by 0.8% to $104.79 per barrel.
Praise God and Chesapeake - Can You Say AMEN!
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| Royalty owners in Shreveport, LA that started receiving their Haynesville Shale royalty checks express thanks to Chesapeake. (Photo courtesy of NaturalgasPA.com) |
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
With abundant availability of natural gas, the time for drilling has come | Mitchell Schnu...
In spite of continued controversy over natural gas exploration methods, the drill bits continue to turn.
With abundant availability of natural gas, the time for drilling has come | Mitchell Schnu...
With abundant availability of natural gas, the time for drilling has come | Mitchell Schnu...
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Reining in the Barnett Shale rush to drill | Editorials | Fort Worth, Arlington, Northeast Ta...
Editorial comments on the rush to Drill Baby, Drill!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Haynesville might be U.S.' largest No. 1 gas-producing shale | Barnett Shale | Dallas Bu...
Shale gas production competition rages on!
According to the EIA website (U.S. Energy Information Administration), the Haynesville Shale of East Texas and Northwest Louisiana has surpassed the North Texas Barnett Shale as the leading shale gas producer in the United Sates. However it's still a close race.
Will I stop covering the Barnett Shale? Hardly! I believe that shale gas production will continue to dominate the energy scene in all areas for years to come.
Rule changes for drilling permits would continue practice of no-perforation zones in Barnett Sha...
Ever hear of a "No Perforation Zone" (NPZ)?
Check out the article below for a quick course on the subject.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 07, 2011
State regulators say driller not source of Parker County water contamination | Barnett Sha...
Range Resources notched a major victory today with a favorable decision by the Texas Railroad Commission. Today's decision follows an ongoing debate over the EPA's "emergency order" on December 7th holding Range responsible for the methane contamination of two Parker county water wells.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Warren Buffett's BNSF RR - Another Winning Investment
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| Last week, Fort Worth-based BNSF railroad reported a 20 percent increase in 2010 revenue and a 38 percent gain in operating income, topping $4.5 billion. That's the most profitable year in the company's long history. Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/03/04/2897828/bnsf-is-a-success-story-just-ask.html#ixzz1Fr8snLYK |
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| A seemingly never ending Burlington Northern freight train heads south out of Rio Vista, TX. |
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Natural gas producers locking in prices | Barnett Shale | Dallas Business, Texas Busines...
As natural gas prices continue to drop producers see little prospect for a near term rebound. Drillers have hedged gas production for 2011 in anticipation of further declines.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Arkansas Is Shaking: 50+ Earthquakes In Past Week; 700+ In Last Six Months : The Two-Way : NPR
Theorists are examining two possibilities for the ongoing earthquakes. The "Guy Swarm", a series of mild earthquakes that have been occurring periodically since 2009, or possibly natural gas exploration taking place in the Fayetteville Shale, a prolific geological formation in north central Arkansas. Click the link below for the entire article.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Two gas well pad sites in Fort Worth exceed pollution limits | Barnett Shale | Dallas Bu...
Excerpt from the article: "In all, 169 samples were collected between September and October, and more than 15,000 concentrations were measured.
In the point source testing of 66 active well sites, 31 had no detectable emissions, and of those that did, only the two sites were above minimum thresholds set by the EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
More detailed analysis of over 100 sites is pending, Gange said.
Seven active compressor sites and one gas-processing plant tested were also below minimum standards."
Sunday, February 13, 2011
EPA's "Yee Haw" moment in Texas
Just the facts ma'am.....
Sworn statements from key players involved in controversial EPA order shed new light on how it all went down, and why it shouldn’t have
Check out the entire Energy In Depth article by clicking the following link.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
No Credible Evidence Supports EPA Order Against Range
Mounting Evidence Raises Serious Questions about EPA’s Actions and Motives
By Gene Powell, Publisher/Editor – Powell Barnett Shale Newsletter©
In depth research conducted by the Powell Barnett Shale Newsletter finds some interesting revelations regarding water wells drilled 5 years prior to gas exploration in the Barnett Shale. These are the same water wells in which the EPA has targeted Range Resources with charges of methane contamination. The entire article (courtesy of the Powell Barnett Shale Newsletter) can be read by clicking the following direct link to the Adobe Acrobat file.
2-11-2011 No Credible Evidence Supports EPA Order Against Range
By Gene Powell, Publisher/Editor – Powell Barnett Shale Newsletter©
In depth research conducted by the Powell Barnett Shale Newsletter finds some interesting revelations regarding water wells drilled 5 years prior to gas exploration in the Barnett Shale. These are the same water wells in which the EPA has targeted Range Resources with charges of methane contamination. The entire article (courtesy of the Powell Barnett Shale Newsletter) can be read by clicking the following direct link to the Adobe Acrobat file.
2-11-2011 No Credible Evidence Supports EPA Order Against Range
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
New drilling method opens vast oil fields in US - Yahoo! News
The process used in Shale gas recovery has opened up the door to new production methods for crude oil in large fields across the U.S. The AP link to this story can be accessed below.
Chesapeake Energy plans to sell $5B in assets | Barnett Shale | Dallas Business, Texas B...
Chesapeake Energy has plans to sell all of it's Fayetteville Shale assets, as well as investments in two other energy related companies. Access the article by clicking on the following link.
Friday, February 04, 2011
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The Truth About Gasland - America's Natural Gas Alliance
America's Natural Gas Alliance (anga) provides it's take on the controversial Oscar nominated documentary "Gasland".
Barnett Shale: Newsletter verbally pommels EPA
The Powell Barnett Shale Newsletter's Managing Editor Will Brackett took aim this week at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Brackett's comments came after the EPA's no show last week at an Austin hearing regarding orders the EPA had issued against Range Resources. Star-Telegram writer Jack Z. Smith's article can be accessed at the following link.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Company To Invest $50 Billion In W.Va. - News, Sports, Jobs - The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
The following article by AP writer Casey Junkins states that Oklahoma based Chesapeake Energy has plans to invest as much as $40 to $50 billion in West Virginia's Marcellus Shale over the next few decades. The entire article can be accessed from the following link.
Hurst, Bedford, Southlake seek to balance needs of drillers, residents | Barnett Shale |...
In an article by Star-Telegram writer Aman Batheja, "gas drilling is becoming a tougher sell in parts of Northeast Tarrant County". The full story can be accessed at the following link.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Range appealing EPA order on gas wells | Barnett Shale | Dallas Business, Texas Business...
Star-Telegram writer Jack Z. Smith explains in the following article why attorneys for Range Resources have filed an appeal with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans regarding an order issued by the EPA which sites Range's alleged contamination of two Parker County water wells.
Friday, January 21, 2011
More Methane Found in Parker County Water
Range Resources states that the methane is coming from an area just below the aquifer, and not from the Barnett Shale formation where they are drilling, over a mile below the surface. The EPA disagrees. The debate is ongoing in an Austin District Court. (Video courtesy WFAA.com)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
EPA - MIA in Austin
EPA MIA in Austin. According to Energy in Depth, "the agency's credibility comes into question as basis for it's "emergency order" against Range Resources continues to fall apart". The entire article can be accessed through the following link.
Barnett Shale: Judge says water well case nationally significant
The EPA allegation that two Parker County water wells were contaminated via gas drilling by Range Resources could prove to be "of extreme significance". A federal judge in Austin has granted lawyers for Fort Worth-based Range Resources the right to take the deposition of an EPA official regarding the contamination investigation. The investigation could prove to have "national implications" according to the U.S. District judge. The full article by Star-Telegram writer Jack Z. Smith can be accessed by clicking on the following link.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Feds say Range Resources hasn't complied with EPA order | Barnett Shale | Dallas Busines...
The U.S. Justice Department has stepped in and filed a complaint in a Dallas Federal court against Range Resources. The DOJ cites Range's non-compliance of the E.P.A.'s emergency order regarding the contamination of two(2) water wells in Parker County. Range Resources has denied the allegation.
Rebuttal to Mike Norman's Star-Telegram Article
A rebuttal to the Star-Telegram article by Mike Norman, posted to this blog on Friday, January 14, 2011....entitled: "Barnett Shale Tricks of the Trade Aid Gas Companies Over Homeowners."
Eagle Ford Information
The following link from the Texas Railroad Commission gives numerous stats and information about this massive natural gas field in South Texas.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Is Tarrant tops in U.S. gas production?
JANUARY 17, 2011
Is Tarrant tops in U.S. gas production?
Tarrant County not only continues to lead Texas' 254 counties in natural gas production, but might lead all counties in the nation, according to the Powell Barnett Shale Newsletter. It said in its weekly edition today that it "believes Tarrant County is also the highest natural gas producing county in the U.S. and has asked the U.S. Energy Information Administration for confirmation."
Tarrant produced 55.3 billion cubic feet of gas in October, with Johnson County, its neighbor to the south, coming in No. 2 in the state with 43.3 billion cubic feet.
See full story in Tuesday's Star-Telegram.
--Jack Z. Smith
Read more:
Is Tarrant tops in U.S. gas production?
Tarrant County not only continues to lead Texas' 254 counties in natural gas production, but might lead all counties in the nation, according to the Powell Barnett Shale Newsletter. It said in its weekly edition today that it "believes Tarrant County is also the highest natural gas producing county in the U.S. and has asked the U.S. Energy Information Administration for confirmation."
Tarrant produced 55.3 billion cubic feet of gas in October, with Johnson County, its neighbor to the south, coming in No. 2 in the state with 43.3 billion cubic feet.
See full story in Tuesday's Star-Telegram.
--Jack Z. Smith
Friday, January 14, 2011
Has Natural Gas Finally Bottomed?
Another Brick in the Wall:
Has Natural Gas Finally Bottomed?
Costas Bocelli
THE COMMODITIES SECTOR WAS ONE OF THE TOP PERFORMING ASSET CLASSES IN 2010, WITH PRICES SOARING ACROSS THE BOARD.
Precious metals were up big ...
Base metals, like copper, made record highs ...
Tight supplies and bad weather sent corn, soybeans, and wheat to the moon ...
Even soft commodities like sugar, coffee, and cotton made stellar gains.
The Thomson-Reuters/ Jefferies CRB Commodity Index was up 18% for 2010. Since the market rally in September, the index has gained 29% in 4 short months.
Yes, the Commodity sector was in a bullish feeding frenzy, except for ... Natural Gas.
Natural Gas prices have been in a dismal decline since the commodity bubble burst in mid 2008, just before the credit crisis sent the world into the great recession.
2010 was another difficult year for Natural Gas, and it was unable to ride the commodity rally with the rest of the sector. Natural Gas prices fell 35% last year, making it -- by far -- the worst performer in the space.
Although energy is in high demand in the United States and abroad, Natural Gas supply has been abundant and plentiful, putting pressure on prices. New technologies and large discoveries of proven reserves have been the main driver of lower prices.
Have a look at the Natural Gas February Futures Contract (weekly) ...
(Click on image to enlarge)
You can see that it maintained a bearish trend throughout the year, making a series of lower highs and lower lows in a downward channel.
But now, the early price action this month appears to exhibit a technical breakout from the pattern. Is this the start of a turn in Natural Gas prices, and an indicator that a floor has been put in?
Is it Finally Time to Get Bullish?
Some very smart investors think so. Hedge funds almost doubled their bullish bets that Natural Gas prices go higher -- in fact, their net long positions have increased by more than 90% since the end of 2010. According to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which tracks these large positions and open interest, the surge was the largest increase in over a year.
It's hard to say what their time frame is on the bullish play. But with Natural Gas prices at historic lows, inventory levels not breaching 2009 record levels, and harsh winter snow storms hitting major cities in the United States, the bet makes perfect sense.
Longer term, Natural Gas may play a more significant role in how we deal with energy consumption. As oil prices rise, alternative resources attract greater attention. Green energy innovations such as solar and wind are still in their early stages and a small piece of the pie to a real solution. However, Natural Gas continues to grab share from Coal when it comes to electricity generation.
Chesapeake Energy (ticker: CHK) is the second largest producer of natural gas and one of the most active drillers of new wells in the U.S. They have a vast amount of proven reserves.
Their biggest shareholder, Billionaire Carl Icahn, recently doubled his equity exposure in CHK. According to an SEC filing that was released in mid December, he now controls almost 6% of the company, or 39 million shares. Obviously, Mr. Icahn thinks that the current valuation of Natural Gas is quite compelling.
The stock is up 17% since the Icahn news became public. CHK is a pure play on where Natural Gas prices are headed. Aside from their production, the company has a very large proprietary trading desk that makes them the ultimate player in Natural Gas prices.
Here's a daily Chart on CHK ...
Another way to play Natural Gas is through a very liquid and heavily traded ETF. The United States Natural Gas Fund (ticker: UNG) seeks to replicate the performance of Natural Gas Futures prices on the NYMEX.
Because of the contango effect on Natural Gas Futures, there has been some price slippage as the fund rolls over their expiring contracts. Recently, with the price of Natural Gas bottoming, some of the contango effect has lessened, which reduces the slippage. The shift in skew (contango) across contract months also indicates a bullish bias in prices, as there is more interest in near term delivery.
Here's a daily chart on UNG ...
(Click on image to enlarge)
Very similar to the Natural Gas Futures contract, UNG appears to have bottomed, and is making a bullish uptrend, putting in higher lows (green line). The longer dated downtrend line (red line) was also breached. If UNG trades higher, the 200-day moving average could be the next resistance level, or 10% higher from Wednesday's close of 6.14.
Could 2011 be the year for Natural Gas? We shale see ...
Has Natural Gas Finally Bottomed?
Costas Bocelli
THE COMMODITIES SECTOR WAS ONE OF THE TOP PERFORMING ASSET CLASSES IN 2010, WITH PRICES SOARING ACROSS THE BOARD.
Precious metals were up big ...
Base metals, like copper, made record highs ...
Tight supplies and bad weather sent corn, soybeans, and wheat to the moon ...
Even soft commodities like sugar, coffee, and cotton made stellar gains.
The Thomson-Reuters/ Jefferies CRB Commodity Index was up 18% for 2010. Since the market rally in September, the index has gained 29% in 4 short months.
Yes, the Commodity sector was in a bullish feeding frenzy, except for ... Natural Gas.
Natural Gas prices have been in a dismal decline since the commodity bubble burst in mid 2008, just before the credit crisis sent the world into the great recession.
2010 was another difficult year for Natural Gas, and it was unable to ride the commodity rally with the rest of the sector. Natural Gas prices fell 35% last year, making it -- by far -- the worst performer in the space.
Although energy is in high demand in the United States and abroad, Natural Gas supply has been abundant and plentiful, putting pressure on prices. New technologies and large discoveries of proven reserves have been the main driver of lower prices.
Have a look at the Natural Gas February Futures Contract (weekly) ...
(Click on image to enlarge)
You can see that it maintained a bearish trend throughout the year, making a series of lower highs and lower lows in a downward channel.
But now, the early price action this month appears to exhibit a technical breakout from the pattern. Is this the start of a turn in Natural Gas prices, and an indicator that a floor has been put in?
Is it Finally Time to Get Bullish?
Some very smart investors think so. Hedge funds almost doubled their bullish bets that Natural Gas prices go higher -- in fact, their net long positions have increased by more than 90% since the end of 2010. According to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which tracks these large positions and open interest, the surge was the largest increase in over a year.
It's hard to say what their time frame is on the bullish play. But with Natural Gas prices at historic lows, inventory levels not breaching 2009 record levels, and harsh winter snow storms hitting major cities in the United States, the bet makes perfect sense.
Longer term, Natural Gas may play a more significant role in how we deal with energy consumption. As oil prices rise, alternative resources attract greater attention. Green energy innovations such as solar and wind are still in their early stages and a small piece of the pie to a real solution. However, Natural Gas continues to grab share from Coal when it comes to electricity generation.
Chesapeake Energy (ticker: CHK) is the second largest producer of natural gas and one of the most active drillers of new wells in the U.S. They have a vast amount of proven reserves.
Their biggest shareholder, Billionaire Carl Icahn, recently doubled his equity exposure in CHK. According to an SEC filing that was released in mid December, he now controls almost 6% of the company, or 39 million shares. Obviously, Mr. Icahn thinks that the current valuation of Natural Gas is quite compelling.
The stock is up 17% since the Icahn news became public. CHK is a pure play on where Natural Gas prices are headed. Aside from their production, the company has a very large proprietary trading desk that makes them the ultimate player in Natural Gas prices.
Here's a daily Chart on CHK ...
(Click on image to enlarge)
Another way to play Natural Gas is through a very liquid and heavily traded ETF. The United States Natural Gas Fund (ticker: UNG) seeks to replicate the performance of Natural Gas Futures prices on the NYMEX.
Because of the contango effect on Natural Gas Futures, there has been some price slippage as the fund rolls over their expiring contracts. Recently, with the price of Natural Gas bottoming, some of the contango effect has lessened, which reduces the slippage. The shift in skew (contango) across contract months also indicates a bullish bias in prices, as there is more interest in near term delivery.
Here's a daily chart on UNG ...
(Click on image to enlarge)
Very similar to the Natural Gas Futures contract, UNG appears to have bottomed, and is making a bullish uptrend, putting in higher lows (green line). The longer dated downtrend line (red line) was also breached. If UNG trades higher, the 200-day moving average could be the next resistance level, or 10% higher from Wednesday's close of 6.14.
Could 2011 be the year for Natural Gas? We shale see ...
Chesapeake's LA #1-H Tarrant County, Texas
 |
| Gas drilling continues on a cold winter's night at Chesapeake Energy's LA #1-H unit in far southern Tarrant county. |
 |
| Work continues 24/7...just happened to be passing tonight and grabbed these photos. |
Rule 37, Rule of Capture, Correlative Rights - What Does it All Mean?
Mike Norman, editorial director of the Arlington and Northeast Tarrant County Star-Telegram provides his take on this topic, and what it all means to those owning mineral rights in the Barnett Shale.
Keller P&Z rejects XTO request for Sky Creek pad site | Barnett Shale | Dallas Business,...
The zoning commission in Keller falls in step with other communities by blocking a proposed XTO Energy drilling pad site in the Barnett Shale.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Southlake extends discussion on first gas well until Feb. 1 | Barnett Shale | Dallas Bus...
A second public hearing on Southlake's first gas well was tabled on Wednesday, January 5, 2010. A third hearing to continue the discussion and has been rescheduled for February 1, 2010.
Arlington City Council tables vote on proposed Chesapeake gas well near Cowboys Stadium | ...
Possible heavy truck traffic through the city's entertainment district prompts decision to table a vote on Chesapeake's permit to drill near Cowboy Stadium.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Eagle Ford Shale Attracts Huge Interest
South Texas shale attracts interest, billions of dollars
By Brett Clanton, Houston Chronicle
Published: 10:12 a.m., Monday, January 3, 2011
Although still facing uncertainty on many fronts as 2011 begins, the oil and gas industry knows one thing: It likes what it sees in South Texas.
That's the site of the Eagle Ford shale formation, a vast underground network of dense rock layers, discovered only recently and now thought to be one of the nation's biggest oil and gas fields.
To this point, the formation has existed in the shadow of other big domestic shale formations best known for their supplies of natural gas, including the Barnett Shale in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
But that is almost certain to change next year as Eagle Ford's large quantities of valuable crude oil and natural gas liquids attract more interest and dollars.
"I expect the Eagle Ford would probably be the hottest single area in all the lower 48 states in 2011," said Mark G. Papa, chairman and CEO of Houston's EOG Resources, one of the largest leaseholders in the region.
Oil and gas companies of all sizes are trying to shift resources to the hunt for oil while natural gas prices remain weak.
And some of the world's biggest oil companies - including Shell, BP, Norway's Statoil and China's CNOOC - recently have entered the Eagle Ford and are helping to put it on the global energy map.
Surge in permits
On an actual map, the Eagle Ford shale play extends about 400 miles across South Texas in a 50-mile-wide band, from the Mexican border, below San Antonio and up into East Texas.
Though drilling has occurred in the region for decades, geologists recently discovered big deposits of oil and gas in deeper, dense rock layers once thought too difficult to reach - and it didn't long for others to take notice.
In 2010 in the Eagle Ford, 1,018 drilling permits were issued through November, up from 94 the year before, and output of crude oil, condensate and other liquids nearly quadrupled to 3.9 million barrels, according to Texas Railroad Commission data.
About 115 rigs are working in the area now, and companies so far have drilled several hundred wells.
While that's still below more developed shale plays, it's likely a small taste of what's to come. Many oil and gas companies plan to boost spending significantly and increase the number of drilling rigs they're deploying to the area next year, even as they're pulling back in gas fields elsewhere.
"The Eagle Ford Shale in 2011 will really hit its stride," said Ralph Eads, head of Jefferies' energy investment banking group in Houston.
Take EOG, which in 2010 averaged seven rigs in the Eagle Ford and drilled 110 wells. This year, it expects to have 14 rigs and drill 256 wells, Papa said.
Major deals signed
Oklahoma City's Chesapeake Energy, the largest leaseholder with 625,000 acres, also expects to double the dozen rigs it has working in the area. Ditto for Houston's Petrohawk Energy, which expects to spend more than twice as much as it did in the region in 2010. And ConocoPhillips, another major leaseholder, just leaped from seven to 11 rigs in the region.
"It does appear it will be a very busy year in the Eagle Ford," said Jim Lowry, a spokesman for the Houston-based ConocoPhillips.
U.S. shale plays, including the Haynesville in Louisiana and Marcellus in the northeast, are expected to provide a major boost to domestic natural gas supplies in coming years. But with gas prices low, some operators have been forced to curtail output.
And Eagle Ford, with its high content of valuable crude and natural gas liquids, has proved a haven for those who bought in early.
"The economics in the Eagle Ford are probably better than in almost any other play in the world," Eads said. "The returns are stunning."
That helps explain a recent surge of big-ticket deals there.
In October, China's CNOOC agreed to pay $1.1 billion for a 33 percent stake in Chesapeake's Eagle Ford acreage, marking its first U.S. onshore asset purchase. That same month, Statoil said it was joining forces with Canada's Talisman and would pay Enduring Resources $1.3 billion to develop Eagle Ford acreage.
In June, India's Reliance shelled out $1.3 billion to buy acreage and form a joint venture with Pioneer Natural Resources Co. And earlier in the year, BP and Shell bought into the play. Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest public oil company, also has a position in the Eagle Ford.
"We have high hopes for that area," Statoil CEO Helge Lund told the Chronicle in a recent interview in Houston.
But along with the optimism, some operators worry that growth could be held back by equipment constraints and a potential lag in building new pipelines, processing plants and other infrastructure. Right now, for instance, it's difficult to get hydraulic fracturing crews at a well site, Papa said.
Billions invested
Hydraulic fracturing uses a high-pressure mix of water, chemicals and sand to crack open dense shale rock and release oil and gas through a well.
Current drilling and production technologies allow extraction of less than 5 percent of the oil in place in the dense shale rock.
But equipment and service providers say they're determined to keep up with customer demands in the Eagle Ford.
"We think we're in a position to take care of their needs during this ramp-up period," said Jim Teague, the chief operating officer of Houston-based pipeline giant Enterprise Products, which so far has announced $2 billion in infrastructure investments in the region and expects more soon.
Considering the way things are looking for 2011 in the Eagle Ford, it may not be a long wait.
Read more: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/default/article/South-Texas-shale-attracts-interest-billions-of-934092.php#ixzz1A1Yww4Ta
By Brett Clanton, Houston Chronicle
Published: 10:12 a.m., Monday, January 3, 2011
Although still facing uncertainty on many fronts as 2011 begins, the oil and gas industry knows one thing: It likes what it sees in South Texas.
That's the site of the Eagle Ford shale formation, a vast underground network of dense rock layers, discovered only recently and now thought to be one of the nation's biggest oil and gas fields.
To this point, the formation has existed in the shadow of other big domestic shale formations best known for their supplies of natural gas, including the Barnett Shale in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
But that is almost certain to change next year as Eagle Ford's large quantities of valuable crude oil and natural gas liquids attract more interest and dollars.
"I expect the Eagle Ford would probably be the hottest single area in all the lower 48 states in 2011," said Mark G. Papa, chairman and CEO of Houston's EOG Resources, one of the largest leaseholders in the region.
Oil and gas companies of all sizes are trying to shift resources to the hunt for oil while natural gas prices remain weak.
And some of the world's biggest oil companies - including Shell, BP, Norway's Statoil and China's CNOOC - recently have entered the Eagle Ford and are helping to put it on the global energy map.
Surge in permits
On an actual map, the Eagle Ford shale play extends about 400 miles across South Texas in a 50-mile-wide band, from the Mexican border, below San Antonio and up into East Texas.
Though drilling has occurred in the region for decades, geologists recently discovered big deposits of oil and gas in deeper, dense rock layers once thought too difficult to reach - and it didn't long for others to take notice.
In 2010 in the Eagle Ford, 1,018 drilling permits were issued through November, up from 94 the year before, and output of crude oil, condensate and other liquids nearly quadrupled to 3.9 million barrels, according to Texas Railroad Commission data.
About 115 rigs are working in the area now, and companies so far have drilled several hundred wells.
While that's still below more developed shale plays, it's likely a small taste of what's to come. Many oil and gas companies plan to boost spending significantly and increase the number of drilling rigs they're deploying to the area next year, even as they're pulling back in gas fields elsewhere.
"The Eagle Ford Shale in 2011 will really hit its stride," said Ralph Eads, head of Jefferies' energy investment banking group in Houston.
Take EOG, which in 2010 averaged seven rigs in the Eagle Ford and drilled 110 wells. This year, it expects to have 14 rigs and drill 256 wells, Papa said.
Major deals signed
Oklahoma City's Chesapeake Energy, the largest leaseholder with 625,000 acres, also expects to double the dozen rigs it has working in the area. Ditto for Houston's Petrohawk Energy, which expects to spend more than twice as much as it did in the region in 2010. And ConocoPhillips, another major leaseholder, just leaped from seven to 11 rigs in the region.
"It does appear it will be a very busy year in the Eagle Ford," said Jim Lowry, a spokesman for the Houston-based ConocoPhillips.
U.S. shale plays, including the Haynesville in Louisiana and Marcellus in the northeast, are expected to provide a major boost to domestic natural gas supplies in coming years. But with gas prices low, some operators have been forced to curtail output.
And Eagle Ford, with its high content of valuable crude and natural gas liquids, has proved a haven for those who bought in early.
"The economics in the Eagle Ford are probably better than in almost any other play in the world," Eads said. "The returns are stunning."
That helps explain a recent surge of big-ticket deals there.
In October, China's CNOOC agreed to pay $1.1 billion for a 33 percent stake in Chesapeake's Eagle Ford acreage, marking its first U.S. onshore asset purchase. That same month, Statoil said it was joining forces with Canada's Talisman and would pay Enduring Resources $1.3 billion to develop Eagle Ford acreage.
In June, India's Reliance shelled out $1.3 billion to buy acreage and form a joint venture with Pioneer Natural Resources Co. And earlier in the year, BP and Shell bought into the play. Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest public oil company, also has a position in the Eagle Ford.
"We have high hopes for that area," Statoil CEO Helge Lund told the Chronicle in a recent interview in Houston.
But along with the optimism, some operators worry that growth could be held back by equipment constraints and a potential lag in building new pipelines, processing plants and other infrastructure. Right now, for instance, it's difficult to get hydraulic fracturing crews at a well site, Papa said.
Billions invested
Hydraulic fracturing uses a high-pressure mix of water, chemicals and sand to crack open dense shale rock and release oil and gas through a well.
Current drilling and production technologies allow extraction of less than 5 percent of the oil in place in the dense shale rock.
But equipment and service providers say they're determined to keep up with customer demands in the Eagle Ford.
"We think we're in a position to take care of their needs during this ramp-up period," said Jim Teague, the chief operating officer of Houston-based pipeline giant Enterprise Products, which so far has announced $2 billion in infrastructure investments in the region and expects more soon.
Considering the way things are looking for 2011 in the Eagle Ford, it may not be a long wait.
Read more: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/default/article/South-Texas-shale-attracts-interest-billions-of-934092.php#ixzz1A1Yww4Ta
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