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Oil and Gas Lawyer Blog

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University of Texas Withdraws Study on Hydraulic Fracturing

The University of Texas withdrew a study published earlier this year by UT Austin’s Energy Institute, “Fact-Based Regulation for Environmental Protection in Shale Gas Development,” after review by an independent commission appointed by the University. That review was prompted by a report of the Public Accountability Initiative, a non-profit watchdog…

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Sunset Advisory Commission Issues Report on Texas Railroad Commission

Texas’ Sunset Advisory Commission has issued its recommendations for changes at the Texas Railroad Commission. The report can be found here. The RRC was up for regular Sunset review in 2010, and the Sunset Commission issued a report recommending several changes then, including abolishing the three-member elected Commission and replacing…

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Herein of “Production Sharing Agreements” and “Allocation Wells”

I have recently become aware of recent changes in Texas Railroad Commission policies regarding “production sharing agreements” and “allocation wells” that deserve some comment. Some background is necessary to understand these recent developments. Over the last couple of years I have been asked to review and explain proposed “production sharing…

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Keystone Construction, Shale Jobs and the Election, Wind Energy Credits, Shale Technology, and Range Resources’ Battles

Recent news of interest: Keystone Pipeline in East Texas – Fuelfix has published a series of articles on construction of the Keystone Pipeline in East Texas, providing some great photos, including this one: Not a small operation. And this one, of protesters who camped in trees, causing the company to re-route…

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“Energy Independence”?

We’re in the crazy election season once again, and once again all candidates have promised “energy independence.” Newt Gingrich promised to lower gasoline prices. President Obama takes credit for low natural gas prices. Governor Romney says we can eliminate imports of crude oil. Presidential candidates have promised energy independence ever…

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Guar, XL Pipeline Protests, and Hart on the Eagleford

Three interesting stories: Guar, a bean grown mostly in India, has become a hot commodity because of its use as an additive in frac fluid. See this CNBC Report. Indian farmers are getting rich, American farmers are looking into growing the bean, and Halliburton’s income is down “due to increased…

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More Studies of Barnett Shale Activities’ Impact on Air Quality

The debate about effects of Barnett Shale drilling and production on air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth area continues. The debate started when Al Armendariz, then a professor at Southern Methodist University, published a study in 2009 concluding that increased drilling activity in the DFW area would greatly increase polllution and…

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