Recent Gas Drilling News (06-03-12 11:59PM EDT)
Brendan O'Connor
Recent Gas Drilling News (06-03-12 11:59PM EDT)
NY, PA, NJ, OH, & WV
"Drillers seek permits for river water: "...BINGHAMTON — Permits for withdrawing water from the Chemung, Tioga and Cowanesque Rivers for gas drilling are on the agenda when the Susquehanna River Basin Commission Water holds its quarterly meeting Thursday in Binghamton..." " (Corning Leader) (New York)- http://www.the-leader.com/features/x1916929788/Drillers-seek-permits-for-river-water
"Bath gives thumbs-up to drilling: "...Bath, NY — Bath town officials recently endorsed gas drilling in the area, joining other towns in Steuben County reportedly considering officially voicing their support. Bath Town Supervisor Marcia Burns said the board approved the resolution, which says moratoriums on drillings are a premature use of town funds. The measure, drafted by the pro-drilling organizations, Clean Growth Now and the New York State Joint Land Owners Coalition, said the state has put three years of study into a 900-page environmental impact statement..." " (The Courier) (New York)- http://www.steubencourier.com/news/x464984749/Bath-gives-thumbs-up-to-drilling
"Minard Run in the Northern Finger Lakes: Utica Shale "Shows Potential: "...Much more detail on the Chesapeake Energy to Minard Run shallow gas wells transaction in the Northern Finger Lakes — popping within some documents filed May 31, 2012 with the NYS Public Service Commission...Next, more significantly, Minard Run let NYS officials in on its three- to five-year development plan, by way of giving the PSC a heads-up on possible future pipeline expansion needs:..." " (NY Shale Gas Now!) (New York)- http://nyshalegasnow.blogspot.com/2012/06/minard-run-in-northern-finger-lakes.html
"Councilwoman Proposes Fracking Moratorium: "...Rochester, N.Y. – Councilwoman Loretta Scott has submitted the paperwork to ban hydraulic fracturing in Rochester..." " (13WHAM) (New York)- http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Fracking-Loretta-Scott/mbvQ21KJBUed1udjQUXRnQ.cspx
"Residents express opposition to fracking at public hearing: "..."The No. 1 goal is really to engage Western New Yorkers in the topic," Buckley said of Saturday’s program. About 100 people attended the public hearing. Anyone could sign up to speak, and each person was allotted three minutes onstage. Speeches ranged from practical explanations on the perceived dangers of fracking to emotional appeals..." " (The Buffalo News) (New York)- http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/buffalo/article885425.ece
"Ontario Is The Last Horse In The Race to Keep ‘Fracking’ Poisons Out Of Niagara River" (Niagra At Large)- http://niagaraatlarge.com/2012/06/03/ontario-is-the-last-horse-in-the-race-to-keep-fracking-poisons-out-of-niagara-river/
"Trailer park residents battle eviction by fracking industry: "...They expect to start negotiations with Aqua America on Tuesday, and are demanding the right to remain in their homes and compensation and a right of return for those who have already left. They are also calling for pressure on state and federal governments to encourage them to withdraw Aqua America’s permit when the Susquehanna River Basin Commission meets on June 7..." " (Raw Story) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/06/03/trailer-park-residents-battle-eviction-by-fracking-industry/
"Hands Across Riverdale: The Human Costs of Fracking: "...The Riverdale Mobile Homes Park, nevertheless, has become an unlikely nexus of resistance to corporate power. When some of the families, led by Deb Eck and Kevin June, decided to resist the June 1 eviction date, they called for help from the outside..." " (The Huffington Post)- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stanley-rogouski/fracking_b_1566162.html
"Gasland debuts in Syracuse: "...The issue of hydro-fracking takes center stage in Syracuse, with some star power taking part in the debate. A documentary claiming to reveal the dangers of the natural gas drilling method was shown in Syracuse. As YNN's Erin Clarke tells us, the film's director says despite the benefits touting by gas drilling industry, he believes hydro-fracking cannot be done safely..." " (Video, YNN) (New York)- http://centralny.ynn.com/content/top_stories/586642/gasland-debuts-in-syracuse/
"Alec Baldwin speaks against hydrofracking: "...Baldwin and Fox hoped to give Central New Yorkers a closer look at the negative impact that hydrofracking has had elsewhere..." " (Newschannel 9 WSYR) (New York)- http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/Alec-Baldwin-speaks-against-hydrofracking/P0AhnmF04k2Y0XMJB8PLSQ.cspx
"Alec Baldwin emphasizes his family ties in Syracuse in a Landmark appearance: "..."So it’s like the old joke: You want to say to people, ‘Am I up here showing Josh Fox’s movie for my health?’ Actually I am. For my health and the health of my family."..." " (The Post-Standard) (New York)- http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/alec_baldwin_speaks_to_crowd_a.html
"Alec Baldwin on Fracking: "...Alec Baldwin muses on the effect of knowing that a particular activity is harmful to one's health, then discusses the economic impact of hydraulic fracturing in New York State..." " (Video, The Post Standard) (New York)- http://videos.syracuse.com/post-standard/2012/06/alec_baldwin_on_fracking.html
"Krancer (Once Again) Tells Washington To "Back Off": "...Yesterday, Krancer took that message directly to Washington, telling a House committee the federal government needs to "back off" of drilling oversight, and let states take the lead..." " (NPR) (Pennslyvania)- http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2012/06/01/krancer-once-again-tells-washington-to-back-off/
"Shale gas vs. the hermit thrush: Marcellus development is fragmenting the forests where the songbirds live: "...Current shale gas development practices, however, threaten to dramatically reduce the populations of hermit thrushes and many other species because of forest fragmentation. The term denotes the process whereby blocks of wooded property are converted to other uses or, more subtly, split into increasingly smaller parcels by roads, pipelines or power lines..." " (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/perspectives/shale-gas-vs-the-hermit-thrush-marcellus-development-is-fragmenting-the-forests-where-the-songbirds-live-638750/
"Experts: Drillers must coordinate to prevent sprawl: "...Gas wells, compressor stations and pipelines springing up across the state could chew up as much land as the strip mine industry once did, a Penn State University researcher said. That's why, five years into the state's drilling boom, it's important to take steps soon to help keep gas drilling development from sprawling out of control, said Patrick Drohan, a soil, forest and fish expert studying drilling at Penn State..." " (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) (Pennsylvania)- http://triblive.com/news/1909152-74/companies-drilling-state-pipelines-gas-industry-pennsylvania-researchers-rules-doing
"Tiadaghton forest hires 1st education specialist in state bureau: "...Another aspect of the job is to explain to the public why the gas-drilling activity is happening on the state forest land..." " (Williamsport Sun-Gazette) (Pennslyvania)- http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/579134/Tiadaghton-forest-hires-1st-education-specialist-in-state-bureau.html
"Title town in transit: "...But Bardella, Washington County's recorder of deeds and head of tax assessment, said recently the overflow crowd of researchers she came to recognize over the years has gone from a gusher to a trickle, as many of the workers have been transferred to Ohio to perform similar tasks in that state's Utica Shale formation, which represents the next natural gas boom..." " (Observer-Reporter) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/gasdrilling11/06-03-2012-GAS-LEASING---SUNDAY
"Embrace the natural-gas solution" (Edward G. Rendell, former governor of Pennsylvania via The Philadelphia Inquirer) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/inquirer/20120603_Embrace_the_natural-gas_solution.html
"State extends comment period for gas pipeline plan: "...WEST CHESTER — The state Department of Environmental Protection has agreed to extend the period for public comment on a company’s plan to install a new natural gas pipeline across the Brandywine Creek. A state official announced Friday that the June 4 deadline for public comment on the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company’s river-crossing plan has been extended through a July public hearing, which it has also agreed to hold at the request of state Sens. Andy Dinniman, D-19th of West Whiteland, and John Rafferty Jr., R-44th of Collegeville. The senators had also informed the state that the public needs more opportunity and time to comment on the project...." " (Daily Local News) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20120603/NEWS01/120609891/-1/news/state-extends-comment-period-for-gas-pipeline-plan
"Shale Development Topics Addressed by Extension Summer Series: "...Marcellus, Rhinestreet, Utica, Point Pleasant Shale Gas; drill, don't drill! What’s right and how is the environment impacted? Is there an opportunity for me personally or my business? What challenges accompany this opportunity? Whether you’ve already decided, or are still on the fence, the "Shale Gas Summer Series: Marcellus and Beyond," will provide information designed to assist you in the decision making process...These questions and others will be addressed by informed representatives from industry, universities, regulatory and community organizations. Penn State Extension is offering this series on Tuesday evenings, from 7 to 9PM, beginning June 26th and meeting every other Tuesday evening through August 21st at Rodef Shalom Congregation-Levy Hall, 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213..." " (Penn State College of Ag Sciences)- http://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas/news/2012/06/shale-development-topics-addressed-by-extension-summer-series
"Former Consol execs accused of insider trading: "...The U.S. Securities and Trade Commission sued three former Consol Energy executives Friday in federal court, accusing them of using insider trading to either profit or avoid losses when the company's stock price dipped because of the purchase of a Marcellus Shale exploration and production company..." " (Observer-Reporter) (Pennsylvania)- http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/gasdrilling11/06-02-2012-SEC-sues-former-Consol-workers
"Landowners Hedge Their Bets On Selling Mineral Rights: "...For months, oil and gas companies have been in a frenzy buying up or leasing hundreds of acres of land from private owners in the Utica Shale region, speculating on the volume of natural gas below. While homeowners stand to profit from leasing their land, those who want to sell their homes face a dilemma about whether to keep --or sell-- the mineral rights along with the property. ideastream’s Michelle Kanu introduces us to one homeowner in quite a pickle..." " (Audio, Northeast Ohio Public Radio) (Ohio)- http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/47154
"Fracking protest aims to protect water: "...Their beef comes from two district actions: » The leasing of mineral rights on or under district land to oil and gas drillers who plan to use the controversial horizontal hydraulic fracturing technique -- known commonly as fracking -- to unlock fossil fuels from beneath a geological formation known as the Utica Shale. » The sale of millions of gallons of water from the district's man-made lakes to drillers for use in fracking. Inside the courthouse, district administrators summarized their defense..." " (Manfield News Journal/GANNETT) (Ohio)- http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20120603/NEWS01/206030312
"Some fear drilling will drain water supply: "...In all, the conservancy district has requests for water from a dozen drilling companies that are eager to tap six reservoirs in eastern Ohio: Clendening, Leesville and Tappan Lake in Harrison County; Atwood Lake in Carroll and Tuscarawas counties; Piedmont Lake in Belmont and Harrison counties and Seneca Lake in Noble and Guernsey counties. But the conservancy is not the only source: Drillers are buying water from communities, private pond owners, water districts and private water companies, as well as pulling free water from Ohio streams..." " (Vindy/Youngstown News) (Ohio)- http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/jun/03/some-fear-drilling-will-drain-water-supp/
"Hocking College's Shale Gas Task Force tours Chesapeake drill site: "...NELSONVILLE — In an effort to see both sides of the gas drilling debate, Hocking College's Shale Gas Task Force members toured an active drill site in Carroll County on Wednesday. The task force, which consists of several Hocking College trustees, President Ron Erickson, college administrators, faculty and a student representative, toured the "Paul Brown" well with Chesapeake Energy representatives Wednesday..." " (Logan Daily News) (Ohio)- http://www.logandaily.com/news/hocking-college-s-shale-gas-task-force-tours-chesapeake-drill/article_38ede5f4-adbe-11e1-8b01-0019bb2963f4.html
"ALEC slips Exxon fracking loopholes into new Ohio law: "...Wake up and smell the frack fluid! But don’t ask what’s in it, at least not in Ohio, cause it’s still not your right to know. Ohio is in the final stages of making an Exxon trojan horse on hydrofracking into state law, and it appears that the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) connected Exxon’s lawyers with co-sponsors of Ohio Senate Bill 315: at least 33 of the 45 Ohio legislators who co-sponsored SB 315 are ALEC members, and language from portions of the state Senate bill is similar to ALEC’s "Disclosure of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid Composition Act."..." " (Greenpeace Blogs) (Ohio)- http://greenpeaceblogs.com/2012/05/31/alec-drills-exxon-fracking-loopholes-into-new-ohio-law/
"Not All Wells Golden, Production Varies Across Panhandle" (The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register) (West Virginia)- http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/570596/Not-All-Wells-Golden--Production-Varies-Across-Panhandle.html
"Patton, Hanauer, Ward and Boettner: Gas states unite!: "...Residents have learned that the economic benefits are often less than promised and come at a high price. Pennsylvanians have experienced firsthand the tricks of the "land men" who negotiate leases with landowners, the continual air emissions from rigs and compressor stations, water with high gas content, and the contaminated wells. In West Virginia there are reports of sunken roads, algae kills, and intersexed fish. A flurry of earthquakes prompted calls for a moratorium in Ohio. Fracking is not just a state issue, as geological faults, rivers and wind transcend political boundaries..." " (The Charleston Gazette) (West Virginia)- http://www.wvgazette.com/Opinion/OpEdCommentaries/201206010159
"WV Residents Voice Concerns Over Marcellus Shale Drilling: "...Delegates held a public hearing, Thursday, at the state capitol on the controversial practice of Marcellus Shale drilling. More than 100 people packed into the House chambers hoping lawmakers will listen to their concerns..." " (Video, WCHS TV) (West Virginia)- http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/110217_4333.shtml
"Area gas drilling cases unresolved: "...June 3--Here are updates of several other area cases that The Dominion Post has been following involving natural gas operators..." " (The Dominan Post via GARP) (West Virginia)- http://www.garp.org/risk-news-and-resources/risk-headlines/story.aspx?newsId=47659 & http://archive.org/download/Areagasdrillingcasesunresolved/Areagasdrillingcasesunresolved.pdf
National & International:
"06-03-12 Natural Gas Daily Report" (The Carbon Capture Report)- http://gas.carboncapturereport.org/cgi-bin//dailyreport?DATE=2012-06-03
"In Pennsylvania coal country, voters not thrilled with their choices: "...The big play now is natural gas. Fayette County, which borders West Virginia about an hour's drive south of Pittsburgh, is in the heart of the Marcellus Shale. Civic leaders hope that fracking — the hydraulic fracturing of the shale rock to liberate the gas in its pores — can reverse the fortunes of this depressed region...But the president faces headwinds here. Fayette County's unemployment rate is higher than the national average. And the memory of coal and the dream of gas will not help Obama as he mines votes in this part of Pennsylvania..." " (The Washington Post)- http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/in-pennsylvania-coal-country-voters-not-thrilled-with-their-choices/2012/06/03/gJQA5pHzBV_story.html & http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/in-pennsylvania-coal-country-voters-not-thrilled/f8a658a629936b8693fdd895b10c719e
"Shale boom, Asia demand to dominate global gas conference: "...The World Gas Conference in Kuala Lumpur takes place this year in the heart of the Asian region, where energy hungry economies such as China and Japan are driving rising gas demand. The same countries are wrestling with how to ensure short-term oil supplies if the flow from Iran is disrupted...The world is also seeing cheap new shale gas supplies from the United States, which could compete on world markets with traditional suppliers of liquefied natural gas, such as Australia and Qatar..." " (Reuters)- http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/04/us-gas-world-idUSBRE85301120120604 , http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-gas-worldbre853011-20120603,0,5226642.story & http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wxel/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1934827/Business/Shale.boom..Asia.demand.to.dominate.global.gas.conference
"Center of gravity in oil world shifts to Americas/Gas and oil production shifts to the Americas: "...From Canada to Colombia to Brazil, oil and gas production in the Western Hemisphere is booming, with the United States emerging less dependent on supplies from an unstable Middle East. Central to the new energy equation is the United States itself, which has ramped up production and is now churning out 1.7 million more barrels of oil and liquid fuel per day than in 2005..." " (The Washington Post)- http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/center-of-gravity-in-oil-world-shifts-to-americas/2012/05/25/gJQAjeuVqU_story.html & http://www.adn.com/2012/06/03/2490190/gas-and-oil-production-shifts.html
"'Golden age of gas' threatens renewable energy, IEA warns: "...Agency says tripling output by 2035 from unconventional gas sources such as shale gas could end support for renewables..." " (The Guardian) (United Kindom)- http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/may/29/gas-boom-renewables-agency-warns
"INSIGHT-Australia's coal bed LNG export expansion plans falter: "...But abundant U.S. shale gas could soon provide competition for costly Australian exports, as producers there look to ease a supply glut by shipping gas to Asia..." " (Reuters)- http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/03/australia-gas-risks-idUSL4E8GN15I20120603 & http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/bre8520dn-us-australia-gas-risks/
"Massey WV Coal Battle Take Two: Erie, CO Citizens Fight Fracking: "...EnCana has big plans to drill baby drill in Erie. It "plans to frack for natural gas near three local schools and a childcare center," according to a press release disseminated by FWW. "On June 2, the event in Erie will give voice to those immediately affected by fracking there, and to all Americans marred by the process, becoming ground zero for the national movement to expose the dangers associated with fracking." The action is a simple one: a "rally and vigil to protest gas industry giant Encana’s plans to frack for natural gas near Red Hawk Elementary, Erie Elementary, Erie Middle School and Exploring Minds Childcare Center and transport toxic fracking by-products on roads that come within feet of these and other community schools," reads the FWW press release..." " (Desmog Blog)- http://www.desmogblog.com/massey-wv-coal-battle-take-two-erie-co-citizens-fight-fracking & http://www.nationofchange.org/massey-wv-coal-battle-take-two-erie-co-citizens-fight-fracking-1338642933 (See also "Mark Ruffalo: Erie mothers battle to stop drilling"- http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_20657595/ruffalo-erie-mothers-battle-stop-drilling & http://archive.org/download/ci_20657595RuffaloviaDenverPost/ci_20657595RuffaloviaDenverPost.pdf )
"Fracking workers: The details: "...The possibility of using hydraulic fracturing — or "fracking" — to drill for oil and natural gas in the Talladega National Forest has brought that process into the public consciousness in northeeast Alabama. Below is a by-the-numbers look at fracking’s dangers for workers at fracking sites..." " (Annistan Star) (Alabama)- http://annistonstar.com/bookmark/18831032-Fracking-workers-The-details
"Small Frakking Earthquake in Blackpool: Nobody Hurt Looking For Shale Gas: "...And now energy chiefs have sent a stark warning to shale gas company Cuadrilla Resources – stop the tremors or we will shut you down..." " (Anorak) (United Kingdom)- http://www.anorak.co.uk/296980/money/small-frakking-earthquake-in-blackpool-nobody-hurt-looking-for-shale-gas.html/
"Onshore oil, gas lease revenue up, yet below 2008: "...CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Interior Department credits a new policy it has implemented for a 20 percent increase last year in revenue from selling oil and gas drilling access on federal land. Revenue from U.S. Bureau of Land Management oil and gas lease sales rose from $213 million in 2010 to $256 million in 2011. Revenue in the Rocky Mountain region, however, remains far below levels four years ago. New acreage leased each year also is down significantly..." " (Associated Press) (Wyoming)- http://www.examiner-enterprise.com/sections/news/business/onshore-oil-gas-lease-revenue-yet-below-2008.html
"State has fox guarding henhouse, Nelson says of natural-gas tax: "...A former gas company executive who is trying to get Arkansans to raise the state’s severance tax rate on natural gas says the current system leaves the state open to deception and theft by naturalgas producers..." " (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) (Arkansas)- http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2012/jun/03/state-has-fox-guarding-henhouse-nelson-sa-20120603/
"Gas line construction tearing up yards across Johnston: "...Lois Weeks said she fears that she might not have much of her property left after crews finish burying the 20-inch gas pipeline across her yard. She said she and her late husband always wanted to keep the yard of their home of 50 years green..." " (WRAL) (North Carolina)- http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/10704414/
"PERMIAN BASIN DRILLING REPORT: June 3, -June 9, 2012: "...Permit applications approved by the Texas Railroad Commission for May 24 through May 30 for Districts 7C, 8 and 8A. Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of permits approved for that leasehold..." " (Odessa American) (Texas)- http://www.oaoa.com/news/approved-88382-commission-railroad.html
"PERRYMAN: New kid on the block offers Texas gains: "...For the areas in close proximity to fields, the economic stimulus is particularly strong. In the Permian Basin, oil production peaked in the early 1970s, and for decades the key objective of operators was to recover known reserves as economically as possible. However, new methods and previously unexplored formations are allowing a resurgence of activity and the night skies are once again lit up by rigs..." " (Odessa Ameican) (Texas)- http://www.oaoa.com/news/new-88386-total-production.html
"ELAM: Liberal fantasy still taking center stage: "...The liberal fantasy that "renewable energy" is free not only continues, it is about to get another shot in the arm. The Sierra Club that received funds from Chesapeake Energy just four years ago has taken dead aim at, yes, the dirty, dangerous, and running amok natural-gas industry (from the Sierra Club website)..." " (Odessa American) (Texas)- http://www.oaoa.com/articles/stage-88350-taking-center.html
"Squeezing the Shale: Small towns see some big oil boom money: "...Advances in drilling technology have rekindled interest in Permian Basin formations that once were considered barren of recoverable oil and natural gas..." " (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) (Texas)- http://lubbockonline.com/business/2012-06-02/squeezing-shale-small-towns-see-some-big-money & http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2012-06-03/squeezing-shale-tight-shale-formation-may-hold-answers-fuel-needs
"Candidates provide insight at forum: "...For the final question, Calderon reminded the candidates that neighborhoods of color, or those that are predominately poor, often suffer environmental injustices. He asked how the city could make sure that vulnerable communities would be protected equally with the city’s new ordinance for natural gas drilling and production. All the candidates favored the current moratorium, a temporary suspension of new drilling and production permits while the city rewrites its natural gas development ordinance. They also favored the strongest rules possible to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community, while balancing property rights of mineral owners. But no candidate shed light on whether myriad proposed new regulations might still create a greater burden for some neighborhoods over others. A recent University of North Texas study found that neighborhoods between the inner-city and the outlying areas were the most likely to have a gas well somewhere between about 500 feet and 1,000 feet from their elementary schools. In Denton, Guyer High School has a well site within 500 feet and McNair Elementary School, within 1,000 feet..." " (The Denton Record-Chrinicle) (Texas)- http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local-news-headlines/20120603-candidates-provide-insight-at-forum.ece
"Their View: Energy policy should be based on facts, not politics: "...Oil production on federal lands and waters has been higher in every year of the Obama administration than it was in any of the last three years of the Bush administration. Offshore production increased by 30 percent between 2008 and 2010. All of these production increases have been accomplished without changing environmental laws or limiting protections for our special public lands..." " (Jeff Bingaman, senior U.S. senator from New Mexico and chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee via Silver City Sun-News) (New Mexico)- http://www.scsun-news.com/ci_20771595
"Editorial: PUC should say no to gas project: "...The California Public Utilities Commission is set to decide Thursday whether to authorize Sacramento Natural Gas Storage to store approximately 8 billion cubic feet of repressurized natural gas under a residential neighborhood at the southeastern corner of Sacramento..." " (The Sacramento Bee) (California)- http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/03/4532475/puc-should-say-no-to-gas-project.html
"Environmental groups, state conservancies say Whittier oil project could open other preserves to oil drilling: "...Environmental groups are lining up against the Whittier oil and gas project, saying the precedent-setting case could have repercussions for other preservation lands and parks established as a result of voter-approved state bonds..." " (San Gabriel Valley Tribune) (California)- http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_20767887/environmental-groups-state-conservancies-say-whittier-oil-project
"Australia in Sweet Spot to Tap Growing Asia Natgas Demand" (CNBC)- http://www.cnbc.com/id/47642629
"Shale gas sparks Argentina's nationalization of YPF: "...To counteract doubts about the nationalization, Argentina's government said many international oil companies are interested in talks with YPF for the exploitation of Vaca Muerta, including Chinese corporations. This was intended to show that the new YPF could have partners beyond western companies, which may side with Repsol in its dispute with Argentina's government, local observers said..." " (ICIS/Reed Business Information Limited) (Aregentina)- http://www.icis.com/Articles/2012/06/04/9566064/shale-gas-sparks-argentinas-nationalization-of-ypf.html
"Fracking wins hearts, minds and wallets in Wyoming’s Karoo: "...The town of Pinedale in the US’ cowboy state of Wyoming is remarkably similar to the Karoo towns of Fraserburg or Carnarvon. It is also remote and full of tough people who are accustomed to living in a remote environment..." " (Post) (South Africa)- http://www.thepost.co.za/fracking-wins-hearts-minds-and-wallets-in-wyoming-s-karoo-1.1310428