Emissions of methane from oil and gas exploration, production and transportation facilities have become a big topic in the news recently. The E&P industry touts natural gas as a more environmentally friendly fuel than coal for electric generation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, and there…
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has imposed rules on exploration companies requiring seismic monitoring around new well sites near fault lines and quake epicenters in the Utica Shale. According to the Columbus Dispatch, the rules require monitors at new drill sites located within 3 miles of known fault lines…
I ran across this article from the Miami Herald: “Colorado’s new drilling rules seen as making an impact in Texas.” Colorado recently adopted tough air emissions rules applicable to the oil and gas exploration, production and transportation industries, intended to reduce emissions of methane. Those rules were adopted in collaboration…
Last Friday I spoke on a panel at the E.E. Smith Advanced Oil and Gas Institute in Houston, discussing allocation wells. The segment was in the form of a debate, actually more like an oral argument. After an introduction of the topic by Bob Goldsmith, Bryan Lauer with Scott Douglas…
I recently ran across this very good article on the tax treatment of payments received for granting of pipeline easements: http://www.aicpa.org/Publications/TaxAdviser/2014/march/Pages/Kebodeaux_mar2014.aspx
National Geographic has started a website called The Great Energy Challenge that provides a wealth of information about energy and the environment. “The Great Energy Challenge convenes and engages influential citizens and key energy stakeholders in solutions-based thinking and dialogue about our shared energy future.” Multiple articles from distinguished scientists provide…
The San Antonio Business Journal has a good website aggregating news about the Eagle Ford Shale: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/eagle-ford-shale-insight/
I recently have learned of a suit brought by landowners against EOG Resources involving “allocation wells,” of which I have written before. The case is Spartan Texas Six Capital Partners, Ltd., Spartan Texas Six-Celina, Ltd., and Dion Menser v. EOG Resources, Inc., Cause No. 2011-27476, in the 11th Judicial District…
Last week, the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio issued its opinion in Chesapeake v. Hyder.pdf, on gas royalties owed to the Hyder family for production in Johnson and Tarrant Counties, in the Barnett Shale. The court upheld a judgment against Chesapeake for more than a million dollars, including…
Ceres, a nonprofit focusing on climate change, water scarcity and sustainability, has issued a report, Hydraulic Fracturing & Water Stress: Water Demand by the Numbers, a Shareholder, Lender & Operator Guide to Water Sourcing. Here are some excerpts: ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________