The Daily Digger

by Seth Whitehead, Energy in Depth Ever notice how fracking opponents tend to focus on quantity rather than quality when touting studies claiming shale development harms public health? The following 2015  comments  by Food & Water Watch’s Emily Wurth are just one example, “In 2014 alone there were 154 peer-reviewed studies that came out on the impacts of shale gas development, many of which found serious concerns. So that’s about three studies a week. I mean, those of us who work on this issue thought to ourselves, wow, it seems like there’s a new study on the problems of fracking every other day.” A comprehensive  report  released earlier this month by environmental research group Resources for the Future (RFF) — certainly no shill for oil and gas — reveals  why  anti-fracking activists are focusing on quantity rather than quality. RFF reviewed 32 of the more prominent shale-focused studies on birth outcomes, cancers, asthma, and other he...

From NPR: An appeals court in Washington, D.C., has blocked an attempt by the Environmental Protection Agency to delay Obama-era methane regulations, rejecting claims by the EPA that the oil and gas industry wasn't allowed to comment on the rules.  The agency could choose to rewrite the rules, but it overstepped in trying to delay them for years, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decided.  The regulations in question are designed to prevent leaks at oil and gas facilities. Methane, which is released in natural gas leaks, is a potent greenhouse gas , contributing to global warming; other leaked substances are harmful for human health .  During the Obama administration, the EPA crafted new rules, and the first deadlines for reporting and compliance were set for this summer. But then the Trump administration announced a temporary stay on the rules — first for 90 days, then for two years.  Scott Pruitt, the administrator of the EPA, has expressed...

Baker Hughes and GE Oil & Gas Complete Combination, Creating the World’s First and Only Fullstream Oil and Gas Company Baker Hughes and GE Oil & Gas Complete Combination, Creating the World’s First and Only Fullstream Oil and Gas Company Uniquely Positioned to Drive Productivity, Lower Costs and Innovate Globally for Customers LONDON & HOUSTON—July 03, 2017—Baker Hughes, a GE company (NYSE: BHGE) announced today that the transaction combining GE’s oil and gas business with Baker Hughes is complete. The new company is the first and only to bring together industry-leading equipment, services and digital solutions across the entire spectrum of oil and gas development. Starting today, BHGE will help its customers acquire, transport and refine hydrocarbons more efficiently, productively and safely, with a smaller environmental footprint and at lower cost per barrel. BHGE is focused on: Providing a fullstream offering. No other company brings together capabilities acro...

From WTOV News : The future of the proposed cracker plant is looking brighter in Belmont County. We’ve just learned PTTGC has purchased nearly 200 acres of land in the Ohio Valley. This news has been confirmed with a Columbus-based spokesman for PTTGC America, which released a statement during the 5 o’clock hour.  "Because of how essential this property is to the proposed petrochemical complex, PTTGC America determined it is prudent to exercise the purchase option, even though the final investment decision has not been made,” said Dan Williamson, spokesman for PTTGC America.  “We do confirm that the deeds to part of the property were recorded a couple of weeks ago,” Belmont County Commissioner Mark Thomas said. “PTT has executed and purchased property that was formerly owned by FirstEnergy and that’s the 170-odd acre property south of the Moundsville bridge heading south toward the river. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! Follow @EnergyNewsBlog

From Reuters: U.S. shale firms are drilling themselves into a deep hole despite warnings from industry leaders about the risk of flooding the market with too much crude.  Drilling and production are rising. Prices are declining. Companies are barely breaking even or losing money. Costs are starting to rise. And share prices are sliding.  Current oil prices are not sustainable according to Harold Hamm, the chief executive of Continental Resources, said in an interview on June 28. Prices need to be above $50 per barrel to be sustainable and below $40 would force producers to idle rigs, Hamm said ("Harold Hamm warns oil prices below $40 will idle U.S. drilling", CNBC, June 28).  "While this period of adjustment is going on, drillers don't want to drill themselves into oblivion. Back up, and be prudent and use some discipline," he urged rival chief executives. Continue this article by clicking here.  Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! Follow @E...

Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! Follow @EnergyNewsBlog

From Seeking Alpha: The shift towards longer laterals in shale development is a broadly recognized industry trend. It is worth noting, however, that long-reach laterals have been a staple in the shale industry for quite some time. For illustration, the Bakken has been developed using two-mile laterals for many years now, with thousands of such wells currently on production.  That said, wells with lateral sections longer than two miles have been uncommon. While several operators have recently reported wells with laterals in the 12,000-13,000 range, such wells still represent a negligible fraction of the total well population.  The limitation on the lateral length is often defined by lease geometry. However, technical concerns - the risk of a lost or compromised wellbore or completion job - have driven operators’ deliberate election to limit lateral lengths to 10,000 feet or less. The reference to “longer laterals” typically indicates operators’ preference for 1.5-mile or...