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Legislative Update: House Bill No. 4615 Regarding Criminal Offense of Trespass Upon Critical Infrastructure Facility Awaiting West Virginia Governor’s Signature
March 10, 2020
Posted By: Katrina Bowers, Esq.

A bill establishing the West Virginia Critical Infrastructure Protection Act is now awaiting Governor Jim Justice’s signature after completing legislative action. If signed by West Virginia’s Governor, the bill will be effective June 5, 2020. The bill(…)

Legislative Update: West Virginia Governor Signs House Bill No. 4091 into Law
February 19, 2020
Posted By: Adam D. Speer

On February 17, 2020, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed into law House Bill 4091, allowing for expedited oil and gas well permitting for horizontal wells. Under the bill, which amends W. Va. Code § 22-6A-7, operators may pay an additional fee(…)

Ohio Supreme Court to Tackle Whether Marketable Title Act Applies to Severed Oil and Gas Interests
January 22, 2020
Posted By: Chris Capcara

The Ohio Supreme Court accepted the appeal of the owners of a severed royalty interest in West v. Bode, Case No. No. 18 MO 0017, 2019-Ohio-4092. The sole issue before the Court is whether the Ohio Dormant Mineral Act supersedes and controls over the O(…)

Ohio’s Statutory Unitization Amended to Clarify Inclusion of Partially Leased Tracts
December 2, 2019
Posted By: Chris Capcara

Ohio recently passed HB 166, effective October 17, 2019, amending Section §1509.28 of Ohio’s statutory unitization statute.  The prior version of Section §1509.28 did not specify whether all mineral owners in a tract must be leased to be included in t(…)

Ohio Supreme Court to Address Whether the Dormant Mineral Act Requires Internet Search
November 20, 2019
Posted By: Chris Capcara

The Ohio Supreme Court accepted mineral owner Timothy Gerrity’s appeal in Gerrity v. Chervenak, a Dormant Mineral Act (“DMA”) case from Ohio’s Fifth District Court of Appeals. The Fifth District upheld the summary judgment granted by the Guernsey Coun(…)

Ohio’s Marketable Title Act Quickly Becoming Preferred Method for Surface Owners Seeking Ownership of Severed Mineral Interests
October 29, 2019
Posted By: Chris Capcara

Since the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision in Corban v. Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., et al, 149 Ohio St.3d 512, 2016-Ohio-5796, many have questioned the interplay and availability of the Ohio Marketable Title Act (“MTA”) and the Ohio Dormant Mineral A(…)

Ohio’s Seventh District Court of Appeals Clarifies Past Holdings, Confirms Marketable Title Act Available to Surface Owners Seeking to Extinguish Severed Mineral Interests
October 10, 2019
Posted By: Chris Capcara

Ohio’s Seventh District Court of Appeals recently ruled that Ohio’s Marketable Title Act (the “MTA”) does not conflict with the Dormant Mineral Act (“DMA”), and that both statutes can be utilized by a surface owner to claim ownership of severed minera(…)

U.S. Department of Energy Approves Gulf LNG Project
August 8, 2019
Posted By: Kathryn VanDeveer

On July 31, 2019 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an order authorizing Gulf LNG Liquefaction Company, LLC to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Gulf LNG Project located in Jackson County, Mississippi, near the(…)

The 2019 Babst Calland Report Highlights Federal, State and Local Challenges and Opportunities for the U.S. Oil and Gas Industry
June 18, 2019
Posted By: Babst Calland

The law firm of Babst Calland today released its annual energy industry report: The 2019 Babst Calland Report – The U.S. Oil and Gas Industry: Federal, State and Local Challenges & Opportunities; Legal and Regulatory Perspective for Producers and(…)

Alert: Federal Court Enjoins West Virginia County from Using Zoning Laws to Interfere with Construction of Compressor Station
September 4, 2018
Posted By: Timothy M. Miller

On August 29, 2018, the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order granting Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) summary judgment and permanently enjoining the County Commission of Fayette C(…)

The 2018 Babst Calland Report Focuses on the Appalachian Basin Oil & Gas Industry Forging Ahead Despite Obstacles
June 21, 2018
Posted By: Babst Calland

Babst Calland today released its annual energy industry report: The 2018 Babst Calland Report – Appalachian Basin Oil & Gas Industry: Forging Ahead Despite Obstacles; Legal and Regulatory Perspective for Producers and Midstream Operators.  This an(…)

Federal Court Upholds Constitutionality of Ohio’s Unitization Statute
June 18, 2018
Posted By: Chris Capcara

A federal district court in Ohio recently upheld the constitutionality of Ohio’s forced pooling statute (R.C. § 1509.28) in Kerns v. Chesapeake Exploration, LLC, et al., N.D. Ohio No. 5:18 CV 389 (June 13, 2018). R.C. § 1509.28 establishes the procedu(…)

Challenge to Constitutionality of Ohio’s Forced Pooling Statute Rejected on Procedural Grounds
February 15, 2018
Posted By: Chris Capcara

The Ohio Supreme Court recently rejected a constitutional challenge to Ohio’s forced pooling statute in State ex rel. Kerns v. Simmers, Slip Opinion No. 2018-Ohio-256. A group of landowners (the “Landowners”) sought a writ of mandamus compelling the C(…)

Ohio Supreme Court does not Recognize Implied Covenant to Further Explore
January 22, 2018
Posted By: Adam D. Speer

The Supreme Court of Ohio recently ruled in Alford v. Collins-McGregor Operating Company, Slip Opinion No. 2018-Ohio-8, that Ohio does not recognize an implied covenant to further explore, separate and apart from the implied covenant of reasonable dev(…)

Oil and Gas Severance Tax Bill Fails to Reach House Floor
December 14, 2017
Posted By: Nick Habursky

Pennsylvania House Bill No. 1401, which would create a severance tax and significantly change oil and gas royalty payments, recently failed to pass an important legislative hurdle. The bill imposes a 3.2% severance tax, or drilling tax, on unconventio(…)

Environmental Alert: The Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board’s Second Analysis of the Environmental Rights Amendment
November 17, 2017
Posted By: Babst Calland

On November 13, 2017, the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board issued its second opinion analyzing Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, commonly known as the Environmental Rights Amendment, in light of the Pennsylvania Supreme C(…)

Environmental Alert: The DEP Releases a Trio of Draft Technical Guidance Documents
November 16, 2017
Posted By: Sean M. McGovern

On October 14, 2017, the DEP published notices of availability for a trio of draft Technical Guidance Documents (TGD) in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Each of these TGDs proposes policy departures from current practices in both the form and substance of(…)

The 2017 Babst Calland Report Focuses on the Resurgence of the Appalachian Shale Gas Industry
June 29, 2017
Posted By: Babst Calland

On June 20, 2017, Babst Calland released its seventh annual energy industry report entitled The 2017 Babst Calland Report – Upstream, Midstream and Downstream: Resurgence of the Appalachian Shale Industry; Legal and Regulatory Perspective for Producer(…)

Leggett v. EQT Production Company Case Rejects Tawney Reasoning, Opens Door for Further Challenges to Imposed System of Post-Production Cost Calculations in WV
May 31, 2017
Posted By: Timothy M. Miller

On May 26, 2017, in a suit styled Leggett v EQT Production Company, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals issued majority and concurring (links to PDFs) opinions finding 4-1 that the use of the language “at the wellhead” in the Flat Rate Royalty(…)

SB 576: Revised Co-Tenancy and Lease Integration Legislation Introduced in West Virginia
March 14, 2017
Posted By: Mychal S. Schulz

On March 10, 2017, Senate Bill 576 (SB 576) was introduced in the West Virginia Senate to take the place of SB 244, which addressed the oil and natural gas industry’s effort to efficiently develop production of natural resources. Similar to SB 244, SB(…)

SB 244: Co-Tenancy and Joint Development Legislation Introduced in West Virginia
February 24, 2017
Posted By: Mychal S. Schulz

On February 10, 2017, Senate Bill 244 (SB 244) was introduced in the West Virginia Senate to address the oil and natural gas industry’s effort to efficiently develop production of natural resources. Sponsored by, among others, Senate President Mitch C(…)

Pipelines are safe. They already are the safest way to transport energy – and getting safer.
November 28, 2016
Posted By: Keith J. Coyle

In a recent op-ed published in the Post-Gazette, “Gas Pipelines Represent Prosperity” (Sept. 5 Perspectives), David Spigelmyer and James Kunz of the Marcellus Shale Coalition described the many benefits that Pennsylvanians could see from the expansion(…)

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Affirms Title Washing
July 22, 2016
Posted By: Nicholas J. Habursky

On July 19, in Herder Spring Hunting Club v. Keller (Case No. 5 MAP 2015), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in a 5-0 decision to confirm the practice of “title washing” of unseated or unimproved land in Pennsylvania. Prior to January 1, 1948, “tit(…)

Shell Officially Announces it will Build Ethane Cracker Plant in Beaver County, PA
June 7, 2016
Posted By: Elena L. Rorabaugh

After first acquiring an option agreement in 2012 for a 340-acre site, and then purchasing the site in 2014, Shell Chemical Appalachia has officially announced that it will build a multi-billion dollar ethane cracker plant on the site of the former Ho(…)

TransCanada to Buy Columbia Pipeline Group
March 18, 2016
Posted By: Nikolas E. Tysiak

According to a report by the Charleston Gazette-Mail, TransCanada will be purchasing Columbia Pipeline Group for $13 billion. TransCanada had previously proposed the Keystone XL pipeline, and owns more than 42,000 miles of pipeline in North America. (…)

Governor Wolf Tries Again for PA Severance Tax
February 18, 2016
Posted By: Jason M. Zoeller

StateImpact Pennsylvania reports that Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf wants natural gas drillers to pay a 6.5% severance tax on natural gas production, which he estimates will bring in $217.8 million dollars for the 2016/2017 fiscal year, a fraction of(…)

New PA Legislation Would Allow Gas Pipelines to Run Along Turnpike
February 17, 2016
Posted By: Brittany A. Roof

As reported by The Scranton Times-Tribune, Pennsylvania State Representative Scott Petri (R-178th Leg. Dist., Bucks County) recently introduced legislation that would allow the Turnpike Commission to grant pipeline operators the right to use its exist(…)

Commonwealth Court Affirms Lycoming County Ruling In Favor of UGI
January 11, 2016
Posted By: Matthew L. Lambach

As previously reported, in November 2014, the Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas granted the condemnation of a temporary construction easement to UGI Penn Natural Gas, Inc., a public utility.  As a result, UGI was allowed to use the easement to par(…)

Federal Court Invalidates Portions of a Local Ordinance, Which Banned the Use of Underground Injection Wells
October 22, 2015
Posted By: Alana E. Fortna

On October 14, 2015, the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania invalidated several provisions of a Grant Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania local ordinance that was intended to prevent an oil and gas operator from o(…)

Pa. Commonwealth Court Reverses Controversial Lycoming County Decision
September 14, 2015
Posted By: Robert Max Junker

Earlier today, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court issued a unanimous decision in the much-anticipated case of Gorsline v. Board of Supervisors of Fairfield Township, reversing the decision of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County. In reversing(…)

Shell Closes On Purchase Of Proposed Cracker Plant Site
June 16, 2015
Posted By: Elena L. Rorabaugh

Horsehead Holding Corp. (Horsehead) announced Monday that it closed on the sale of its former zinc smelter to Shell Chemical (Shell), which is the proposed site for an ethane cracker plant in Beaver County. Although Shell has not made a final decision(…)

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf Creates Task Force on Pipeline Infrastructure Development
May 28, 2015
Posted By: Joshua F. Hall

On May 27, 2015, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced the formation of a task force to help the Commonwealth, the natural gas industry and communities partner for the development of new pipeline infrastructure to allow natural gas and related bypr(…)

CONSOL Energy Earns CSSD Certification For Appalachian Basin Operations
April 9, 2015
Posted By: Matthew L. Lambach

The Center for Sustainable Shale Development (CSSD), a collaborative of environmental organizations and energy companies that encourages responsible practices in development of shale gas resources in the Appalachian region, and CONSOL Energy, Inc. eac(…)

Constitution Pipeline Can Be Built Across Holdout Properties
March 20, 2015
Posted By: Elena L. Rorabaugh

FuelFix.com reports that the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania recently ruled that the Constitution Pipeline can be built across seven northeastern Pennsylvania properties despite the fact that the respective landowners had n(…)

Third Circuit Affirms Decision to Dismiss Doctor's Act 13 Challenge
March 18, 2015
Posted By: Alana E. Fortna

In a recent non-precedential opinion, the Third Circuit affirmed a decision of the Middle District of Pennsylvania dismissing an action on the basis that a doctor lacked standing to challenge what he refers to as the “Medical Gag Rules” of Act 13.  In(…)

Marcellus Shale Coalition Releases Statement On PA Governor Wolf’s Budget Proposal
March 6, 2015
Posted By: Elena L. Rorabaugh

During his March 3, 2015 budget address, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf again proposed higher energy taxes.  In response, the Marcellus Shale Coalition issued a statement, reiterating the vast benefits that have been realized by the Commonwealth as a(…)

Pennsylvania High Court Prohibits Tolling of Oil and Gas Leases During Litigation
February 18, 2015
Posted By: Steven B. Silverman

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued Harrison v. Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., a significant opinion in which the Court refused to apply equitable tolling principles that other oil and gas jurisdictions have adopted.  Such principles prevent(…)

West Virginia DEP to Host and Livestream Meeting to Discuss Division of Air Quality’s New General Permit for Natural Gas Activities
February 3, 2015
Posted By: Morgan Condra

The West Virginia Division of Air Quality will release a new general air quality permit, the G80-A, which will regulate air quality in regard to natural gas production, compressor and dehydration facilities.  On February 5, 2014, the DEP will host a m(…)

American Energy Appalachia Holdings LLC Completes Executive Leadership Team
January 20, 2015
Posted By: Anthony W. Selbe

The Oil & Gas Financial Journal reported on January 14, 2015 that Jeffrey A. Fisher has been named CEO of newly created American Energy Appalachia Holdings, LLC (“AEA”).  AEA was recently created through the combination of American Energy Partners(…)

New Director of WV Division of Natural Resources Appointed
January 6, 2015
Posted By: Sarah Carter

As reported by The State Journal, Robert A. Fala has been appointed to serve as the director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (“WVDNR”), effective January 1, 2015.  Fala was appointed by WV Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and will replace(…)

FERC Approves Additional Pipeline Expansion to Transport Marcellus Gas
December 23, 2014
Posted By: Elena L. Rorabaugh

StateImpact reported that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently approved an addition to the interstate Transco pipeline that will transport Marcellus shale gas to New Jersey, where there is a high demand.  The approval comes after several(…)

UGI Utilities Connects a Utica Well to its Distribution System
November 12, 2014
Posted By: Brittany A. Roof

According to a report published by Pennsylvania Business Daily, Reading-based UGI Utilities, Inc. recently became Pennsylvania’s first natural gas utility to connect one of its pipelines to a Utica Shale well, thereby increasing the supply of natural(…)

Unconventional Well Report Act Signed Into Law
November 3, 2014
Posted By: Michael K. Reer

On October 22, 2014, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett signed House Bill 2278, The Unconventional Well Report Act, into law. The Act requires operators of unconventional wells to submit monthly production reports to the Department of Environmental Pro(…)

Recording of Surrender Documents from Oil and Natural Gas Lease Act Signed Into Law
October 31, 2014
Posted By: Matthew L. Lambach

On October 22, 2014, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett signed House Bill 402, also known as the Recording of Surrender Documents from Oil and Natural Gas Lease Act, into law.  The Act imposes a duty on a lessee to deliver a surrender document to a les(…)

Zoning Hearing Board Erred When It Denied Application for Natural Gas Compressor Station
October 10, 2014
Posted By: Alana E. Fortna

On September 26, 2014, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania issued an opinion in favor of MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources, LLC.  MarkWest had purchased a 71.5 acre parcel of undeveloped land in Cecil Township, Pennsylvania, and had applie(…)

Severance Tax Bill Proposed In The Pennsylvania House
September 24, 2014
Posted By: Elena L. Rorabaugh

A bill that would amend taxation on oil and gas drilling was referred to the Pennsylvania House Committee on Environmental Resources and Energy on Monday. House Bill 2508, which was introduced by Margo Davidson (Democrat, Delaware County) and others,(…)

Natural Gas Liquids Provide Economic Opportunities
September 24, 2014
Posted By: Matthew L. Lambach

PowerSource of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette provided commentary discussing future economic opportunities regarding natural gas liquids (NGLs).  Olefins plants or cracker facilities transform NGLs into products that are used in many industrial and consu(…)

Spectra Energy Corporation and Northeast Utilities Propose $3 Billion “Access Northeast” Pipeline Expansion Project
September 18, 2014
Posted By: Brittany A. Roof

As reported on Bloomberg.com, Spectra Energy Corporation, a Houston-based pipeline operator, and Northeast Utilities, a Connecticut-based utility provider, have partnered in proposing a $3 billion pipeline expansion that will increase natural gas supp(…)

Colleges in Western PA Offer Programs Geared Toward Energy Industry
September 17, 2014
Posted By: Matthew L. Lambach

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports that colleges located in Western Pennsylvania are creating programs to prepare students for jobs in the energy industry.  For example, Kennedy Township’s Rosedale Technical Institute (soon to be re-named Rosedale(…)

Shell Finds Utica Success in Tioga County
September 4, 2014
Posted By: Nicholas J. Habursky

The Pittsburgh Business Times reported that Shell has drilled two producing wells in the Utica Shale formation in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.  Shell credited its success to “solid technical work in [its] onshore business.”  The two wells are many mile(…)

PA Bill Would Permit Severance Tax Without Repealing Impact Fee
August 29, 2014
Posted By: Matthew L. Lambach

On August 25th, Rep. White (D-Allegheny, Beaver and Washington) introduced House Bill 2403 (2014) in order to repeal Section 2318 of Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. Section 2318 provides that upon the imposition of a(…)

Four Veteran West Virginia Attorneys Join Babst Calland's Charleston Office as Shareholders
August 25, 2014
Posted By: Stephen A. Antonelli

Veteran attorneys Timothy Miller from Robinson & McElwee, and Christopher ‘Kip” Power, Mychal Schulz and Robert Stonestreet from the Charleston office of Dinsmore & Shohl have joined forces with Babst Calland in providing senior-level legal co(…)

Kiskiminetas Township Approves Oil and Gas Ordinance
August 21, 2014
Posted By: Matthew L. Lambach

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Kiskiminetas Township supervisors unanimously enacted an ordinance that will allow for oil and natural gas exploration.  The ordinance allows for “reasonable development of land for oil and gas drilling while(…)

Pennsylvania’s Natural Gas Production Hits New High in First Half of Year
August 19, 2014
Posted By: Elena L. Rorabaugh

As reported in the Pittsburgh Business Times, Pennsylvania’s reported natural gas production in the first six months of 2014 reached 1.9 trillion cubic feet.  Production is up from 1.7 trillion cubic feet reported over the second half of 2013 and 1.4(…)

NGL Transloading Facility Opens in Parkersburg
July 16, 2014
Posted By: Sarah M. Carter

Natural Gas Intelligence reports that a new truck-to-rail transloading facility owned by Denver-based Concord Energy LLC, has opened in Parkersburg, West Virginia. The facility is capable of handling more than 150,000 bbl of crude oil condensate and n(…)

American Energy Partners LP Acquiring WV Marcellus Acreage
June 11, 2014
Posted By: Anthony Selbe

The State Journal reports that American Energy – Marcellus LLC, a subsidiary of Oklahoma City based American Energy Partners LP, has agreed to acquire 48,000 leasehold acres in Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Tyler and Wetzel Counties in West Virginia fr(…)

PA House Bill Would Require DCNR Leases of State Forest Land To Face Public Scrutiny
June 11, 2014
Posted By: Sarah M. Carter

As reported by Law360, Representative Rick Mirabito, D-Lycoming, recently introduced House Bill 2318, which, if passed into law, would require the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to provide notice and require public input(…)

Babst Calland Releases Fourth Annual Energy Industry Report
June 9, 2014
Posted By: Lisa M. Bruderly

“The 2014 Babst Calland Report – Appalachian Shale Industry in Transition: Evolving Challenges for Producers and Midstream Operators” comments on key issues facing producers and midstream operators from a legal and regulatory perspective, including: G(…)

Natural Gas Fueled Powerplant Planned for Marshall County, West Virginia
April 24, 2014
Posted By: Morgan Condra

Plans by Moundsville Power LLC to build a natural gas power plant were approved by members of the Marshall County Commission on April 22, 2014.  The proposed 549 megawatt natural gas power plant is considered the first “downstream” project of its kind(…)

Ohio EPA Issues Revised General Air Permits For Horizontal Drilling Sites Requiring More Aggressive Methane Leak Detection and Repair
April 7, 2014
Posted By: Joshua F. Hall

As reported by the Akron Beacon Journal Online on April 4, 2014, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency issued revised general permits for the installation and operation of air contaminant sources at oil and gas horizontal well sites to address meth(…)

Wood County, W. Va. Proposed Cracker Plant Takes Step Forward
March 26, 2014
Posted By: W. Brian Nickerson

As Reported by MetroNews on March 26, the proposed Wood County, West Virginia, petrochemical “Cracker” plant project, called Project Ascent, took a significant step forward on Wednesday with an announcement from Antero Resources that it would contribu(…)

Round Two of “Superload” Arrives at Williams Energy Oak Grove Site
March 26, 2014
Posted By: Anthony Selbe

The Charleston Daily Mail reports that a 130-foot, 255 ton de-ethanizer tower was scheduled to arrive at the Williams Energy Oak Grove site in Marshall County on Monday or Tuesday.  The tower is the second of three “Superload” installments being deliv(…)

West Virginia Cracker Plant Could Have Multibillion Dollar Impact on State Economy
February 28, 2014
Posted By: W. Brian Nickerson

As reported in the Pittsburgh Business Times, the proposed ethane cracker plant near Parkersburg, West Virginia, could potentially have a multi-billion dollar positive effect on the state’s economy.  Emeritus Professor of Economics Tom S. Witt of West(…)

Production of Marcellus Shale Gas within Pennsylvania Continues to Increase
February 24, 2014
Posted By: Matthew L. Lambach

The Times Leader reports that natural gas produced within Pennsylvania from the Marcellus Shale exceeded 3 trillion cubic feet in 2013.  This total exceeds the production total from 2012.  According to the report, the U.S. Department of Energy estimat(…)

EPA Issues Advisory Concerning Design of Newly Constructed Natural Gas Processing Plants
February 9, 2014
Posted By: Jonathan E. Dan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued an Interim Chemical Accident Prevention Advisory concerning the design of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) installations at natural gas processing plants.  EPA has found that some existing pl(…)

Consol Announces Natural Gas Production Plans
January 23, 2014
Posted By: Benjamin J. Bolinger

Consol Energy has announced that it expects to spend $1.5 billion this year to further its natural gas exploration and production activities.  The company also announced that it has selected the former vice president of the Appalachia South Business U(…)

Members of the PA House To Introduce A Severance Tax Bill
December 18, 2013
Posted By: Edward P. Yim

On December 12, 2013, several Pennsylvania state representatives announced their plan to introduce a bill creating a severance tax on unconventional natural gas extraction.  The proposed tax, which would replace Act 13’s existing impact fee, would be(…)

Rice Energy Takes Steps Towards Initial Public Offering
December 10, 2013
Posted By: Matthew L. Lambach

The Pittsburgh Business Times reported yesterday that Rice Energy Inc. is planning for an initial public offering sometime during the first quarter of 2014.  Rice confirmed that it filed a Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Pipelin(…)

CONSOL to Shift Focus to Natural Gas Production
November 6, 2013
Posted By: Ben Milleville, Esq.

On a conference call following the announcement of CONSOL Energy Inc.’s $3.5 billion sale of its longwall coal mines in West Virginia to Murray Energy, CONSOL President Nick DeIuliis stated that the deal would allow CONSOL to go from a coal company wi(…)

GreenHunter Water to Open Frack Water Recycling Plant in Warwood, West Virginia
October 21, 2013
Posted By: Scott McKernan

Chem.info reports that GreenHunter Water has obtained all of the permits necessary to begin removing old structures at a former oil service site in Warwood, West Virginia.  Development of the site for its frack water recycling plant could be finished(…)

McClendon’s New Company Securing $1.8 Billion in Financing
October 4, 2013
Posted By: Aimee V. Scott

Aubrey McClendon, former CEO of Chesapeake Energy, is planning to close on $1.8 billion in equity and debt financing to fund American Energy Utica, his new exploration and production company, as reported by CNBC.  American Energy Utica will buy and de(…)

Group Contemplates City Of Philadelphia Pipeline Construction Project
October 2, 2013
Posted By: David D. McKenery, Jr.

Steered by an executive of Philadelphia Energy Solutions, a group of business and political leaders is discussing the extent to which a natural gas pipeline can be constructed that would connect the natural gas fields of the Marcellus Shale to the Cit(…)

Sen. Ferlo Intends to Introduce Pennsylvania Moratorium Bill
September 20, 2013
Posted By: Matthew L. Lambach

WFMJ reports that  State Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) announced that he will introduce Senate Bill 1100 next week, which will place a moratorium on new permits for hydraulic fracturing.  The bill, known as the Natural Gas Drilling Moratorium Act, will(…)

EQT Corporation and Green Field Energy Services Team Up for Eco-Friendly Hydraulic Drilling Process
September 17, 2013
Posted By: Jeffrey J. Junstrom

EQT Corporation and Green Field Energy Services announced on Monday that they had achieved a major milestone in the hydraulic fracturing field.  Using pumps powered entirely by “field” gas, or gas supplied from a separate (and previously drilled) natu(…)

Dominion Begins Talks to Farm Out 100,000 Acres in West Virginia
September 17, 2013
Posted By: Scott McKernan

Platts.com reports that Dominion has begun talks regarding farming out 100,000 acres in West Virginia in the Marcellus Shale located near Dominion’s gas storage assets near the Ohio and Pennsylvania borders.  Thomas Farrell, CEO of Dominion, indicated(…)

CNG Station Opens in Cranberry Township
September 9, 2013
Posted By: Stephen A. Antonelli

The Pittsburgh Business Times recently reported that Giant Eagle and Peoples Natural Gas have partnered to open a compressed natural gas filling station at the GetGo station in Cranberry Township on Route 228.  According to the article, Giant Eagle ex(…)

Shale Gas Activity Increases Household Incomes
September 9, 2013
Posted By: Aimee V. Scott

Last week, global research firm IHS released a report regarding the economic impact of U.S. unconventional oil and gas production, Bloomberg reported.   According to the IHS report entitled America’s New Energy Future: The Unconventional Oil and Gas R(…)

Upper Devonian Shale Gains Attention
August 4, 2013
Posted By: Matthew L. Lambach

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that some southwestern Pennsylvania energy companies have begun to research the Upper Devonian formation and its interplay with other formations, including the Marcellus.  The Upper Devonian formation is a group of(…)

Natural Gas Drilling Operations Commence in West Virginia Wildlife Preserve
August 1, 2013
Posted By: Briana J. Marino, Esq.

According to the Charleston Gazette, the Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area in Wetzel County is now contains several natural gas drilling operations by various companies operating in the State of West Virginia.  The Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management(…)

MSC, Kathryn Klaber Announce Leadership Change
July 26, 2013
Posted By: Stephen A. Antonelli

In a statement issued this morning, Kathryn Klaber announced that she will step down from her position as the CEO of the Marcellus Shale Coalition.  Ms. Klaber has led the MSC since late 2009.  She will play a key role in a nationwide search to select(…)

Brazilian Business Coalition Hopes to Learn from Pennsylvania’s Shale Gas Experience
July 25, 2013
Posted By: Matthew L. Lambach

The Wall Street Journal reports that a group of Brazilian business and energy industry professionals known as the Brazil Industries Coalition is visiting Pennsylvania this week in an attempt to learn from the state’s experience and to evaulate the pos(…)

Meeting Set to Discuss Issues with Land Records Searches Overwhelming Tyler County, WV Courthouse
July 18, 2013
Posted By: Scott McKernan

The Republic reports that a public meeting has been scheduled for July 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tyler County courthouse to discuss issues with land records searches in the county.  Currently, only 16 people at one time are able to enter the records vaul(…)

New York Natural Gas Production Dipped by 15 Percent in 2012
July 12, 2013
Posted By: Mike Murphy

On July 1, 2013 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released its annual oil and natural gas production data for 2012.  While oil production in New York increased by 1%, the 2012 reported total gas production of 26.424 bil(…)

Landowners Threaten Legal Action Against Delaware River Basin Commission
July 12, 2013
Posted By: Aimee V. Scott

The Corning Leader reports that, in response to Governor Corbett’s recent letter to the Delaware River Basin Commission, a 1,300 member landowner group has threatened to sue the DRBC.  The Northern Wayne Property Owners Alliance sent a letter to the e(…)

Marcellus Shale Drilling Results in Lower Gas Bills for Pennsylvania Consumers
July 9, 2013
Posted By: Matthew Lambach

The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that UGI Penn Natural Gas customers continue to pay one-third less to heat their homes than they paid five years ago.  According to the Marcellus Shale Coalition, this is a nationwide trend.  The lower rates are a di(…)

MSC Comments on President Obama's "Climate Action Plan"
June 27, 2013
Posted By: David D. McKenery, Jr.

In response to President Obama’s “Climate Action Plan,” which was announced on Tuesday, Kathryn Klaber, CEO of the Marcellus Shale Coalation, stated: “We are pleased that President Obama once again underscored the clear environmental and economic bene(…)

Senate Approves Bills To Expand Natural Gas Infrastructure
June 18, 2013
Posted By: Lawrence H. Baumiller

Two bills aimed at expanding natural gas infrastructure to rural and under-served areas in the state were passed by the Pennsylvania Senate on Wednesday.  The legislation originated after realizing that a large part of Pennsylvania is not served by na(…)

Pennsylvania PUC releases 2012 Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Allocations
June 13, 2013
Posted By: Aimee V. Scott

Natural gas producers will pay $202.47 million in Marcellus Shale impact fees from 2012 activity, according to a June 13, 2013 Pennsylvania PUC press release.  The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the number is down less than 1 percent from the $2(…)

PIOGA Appoints Director Of Natural Gas Market Development
June 4, 2013
Posted By: Lawrence H. Baumiller

The Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association (PIOGA) appointed Joyce Turkaly as Director of Natural Gas Market Development, which is a newly created position.  With this new position, PIOGA seeks to expand the use of Pennsylvania-produced na(…)

Marcellus Shale Coalition Releases Recommended Practices For Pipeline Boring
May 23, 2013
Posted By: Matthew Lambach

On May 22, 2013, the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) released a guidance document entitled Recommended Practices: Pipeline Boring. Pipeline boring, also called horizontal directional drilling, is used when trenching is impractical or impossible, such(…)

Benefits of Natural Gas Vehicles Touted at Conference in Charleston
May 23, 2013
Posted By: Benjamin W. Milleville, Esq.

West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association, both enthusiastic advocates for utilizing natural gas produced from the Appalachian basin to fuel natural gas vehicles (NGVs), sponsored the 2013 Appalachia(…)

U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hosting Public Forums to Address Natural Gas Policy Issues
May 17, 2013
Posted By: Jon Dan

The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is hosting a series of three “public listening sessions” to gather information from stakeholders with an interest in federal policy concerning natural gas issues.  The first session, held in a rou(…)

Consol Energy To Shift Focus To Natural Gas
May 8, 2013
Posted By: David D. McKenery, Jr.

At its annual shareholder meeting today, Consol Energy announced that it intends to pursue – and focus on – additional drilling in the Appalachian Gas Fields.  Financing for that drilling, the company indicated, may come from selling off and/or restru(…)

Gas Storage Proposal in New York’s Finger Lake Region Sparks Controversy
May 7, 2013
Posted By: Mike Murphy

An energy company’s proposal to expand its use caverns left behind from a century of salt mining in New York’s Finger Lakes Region for the storage of natural gas has drawn the ire of several community members that oppose the plans.  The company would(…)

Akron Approves First Natural Gas Filling Station
April 9, 2013
Posted By: Leah LaFramboise

Akron city council has approved plans for the first natural gas filling station and truck terminal in the city, operated by J Rayl Transport. The company plans to convert their entire truck fleet from diesel to natural gas, or a combination of the two(…)

Dominion Plans to Expand MD Gas Liquefaction Plant
April 4, 2013
Posted By: Aimee V. Scott

On April 1, 2013, Dominion announced that it was submitting an application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a $3.4 billion to $3.8 billion natural gas liquefaction project at its existing Dominion Cove Point LNG Terminal located(…)

Kinder Morgan Eyeing Tuscarawas County for Fractionation Plant
March 6, 2013
Posted By: Michael T. Altvater

Kinder Morgan is reportedly eyeing Tuscarawas County for a natural gas processing plant and a fractionation plant. The reports surfaced when EV Energy Partners referenced a “recent announcement” by Kinder Morgan on the two plants. Kinder Morgan has si(…)

Infrastructure Investments to Unlock Access to Utica Shale
March 4, 2013
Posted By: Jason M. Zoeller

Industry officials announced at a conference in Columbus, Ohio, that a series of infrastructure investments over the next year will begin to unlock access to the Utica Shale play. Projects currently underway by Dominion Transmission Inc. and Enterpris(…)

Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Approves Lease with Antero Resources
February 18, 2013
Posted By: Leah LaFramboise

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District approved a lease with Antero Resources covering 6,500 acres located at Seneca Lake in Guernsey and Noble counties.  The district, which stretches from southern Akron to the Ohio River, is now one of the big(…)

Sam Cann Appointed to West Virginia State Senate
January 17, 2013
Posted By: Briana J. Marino

On January 16, 2013, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin (D) announced the appointment of Harrison County House of Delegate Member Sam Cann,  (D), former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, to fill the vacated Senate seat for the 12th Senatorial Dis(…)

U.S. EPA Finalizes Revised Emissions Standards for Internal Combustion Engines
January 16, 2013
Posted By: Ryan Elliott

On January 14, 2013, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized amendments to the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE).  In addition t(…)

West Virginia Residential Utility Bills Decrease in 2012
January 14, 2013
Posted By: Scott McKernan

The State Journal reports that average residential utility bills decreased 5.3 percent in West Virginia in 2012.  According to a January 9 report from the Public Service Commission of West Virginia’s Consumer Advocate Division, a decline in natural ga(…)

Natural Gas Prices Predicted to Rise in 2013 and 2014
January 9, 2013
Posted By: Aimee V. Scott

The Post-Gazette reports that the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a Short-Term Energy Outlook in which the EIA predicts that the Henry Hub natural gas spot price will average $3.74 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) in 201(…)

Kanawha County Developing Infrastructure for CNG Vehicle Fleet
January 8, 2013
Posted By: Ben Milleville

The Kanawha County Commission is accepting bids for the development of a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling port to service the County’s  CNG-powered Chevrolet Tahoe and future CNG-powered fleet vehicles, reports the Charleston Gazette.  Kanawha Cou(…)

FirstEnergy Sells Property for Shale Activity
January 2, 2013
Posted By: Jason M. Zoeller

Houston-based Plains Marketing LP purchased 40-plus acres situated on the outskirts of Toronto, Ohio from FirstEnergy for its shale-related business activity.  According to the papers filed in the Jefferson County recorder’s office on December 28, 201(…)

Steel Industry Benefits from Shale Gas Activity
January 2, 2013
Posted By: Aimee V. Scott

The domestic steel industry is drawing increased investment as a result of the surge of natural gas production across the United States, Bloomberg News reports.  Not only does hydraulic fracturing require the use of steel pipes, but additionally the l(…)

States Intend to Sue for Additional Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
December 26, 2012
Posted By: Ryan Elliott

On December 11, 2012, seven states sent the United States Environmental Protection Agency a Notice of Intent to Sue the agency for failing to address methane, a greenhiouse gas (GHG), emissions from the natural gas industry.  The states assert that, a(…)

Act 13 Impact Fee Revenues Announced
October 16, 2012
Posted By:

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and Governor Tom Corbett announced yesterday that Pennsylvania’s Act 13 impact fees have generated $204.2 million in revenue through October 15, 2012. $108.7 million dollars will be distributed directly to lo(…)

Site Preparation Begins for Ohio Gas Collection and Processing Plant
October 3, 2012
Posted By:

Utica East Ohio Midstream has begun site preparation for a shale gas collection and processing plant, according to Cleveland.com.  The site, located on 117 acres south of Hanoverton, Columbiana County, will be the home of the $400 million plant, which(…)

Chesapeake and Giant Eagle in CNG Refueling Site Talks
October 2, 2012
Posted By:

The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that Chesapeake Energy Corp. is in talks with Giant Eagle concerning a possible joint venture which would involve the installation of compressed nature gas (CNG) refueling facilities at Giant Eagle’s GetGo gas sta(…)

Federal Court rejects PIOGA’s Contempt Motion – But Cautions Forest Service
August 27, 2012
Posted By:

In July 2011, PIOGA filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking to hold the United States Forest Service in contempt of court for allegedly failing to adhere to the Court’s December 2009 preliminary injun(…)

Williams Partners Announces $2.5 Billion Acquisition to Establish Major Footprint in Liquids-Rich Area of Marcellus Shale
August 27, 2012
Posted By:

On Tuesday March 20, Williams Partners L.P., a Williams Companies, Inc. affiliate, announced an agreement to acquire Caiman Eastern Midstream LLC, a midstream subsidiary of Caiman Energy, for $2.5 billion. Caiman Eastern’s holdings include existing ph(…)